Friday (Jum'a) prayer is of special importance to Muslims. Describe: • how worshippers prepare for this prayer • what its main features are.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2022). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [10] (a) Friday prayers are of special importance to Muslims and believers are urged to perform this prayer in the mosque behind a prayer leader (imam).
2. [10] (a) Before attending this prayer, worshippers usually prepare themselves as is recommended. They do this by bathing, cutting their nails, wearing fresh and clean clothes and by applying oil (ittar) before coming to the mosque. There are two calls to prayer (adhans) for Friday prayers. The first one is to alert the believers that it is time for Jum'a prayers which starts after the second adhan.
3. [10] (a) The main features of the Friday (Jum'a) prayer are:
4. [10] (a) • It falls at the same time as noon (Zuhr) prayer which it replaces.
5. [10] (a) • It is performed in a mosque, if available.
6. [10] (a) • It must be performed in congregation led by an imam and cannot be offered individually.
7. [10] (a) When the time for prayer comes the adhan is called, the imam, facing the worshippers, delivers a sermon which is compulsory to hear and is an essential part of the prayer.
8. [10] (a) Two sermons are delivered, one distinguished from the other by a brief pause. At the end of the sermon, prayers (du'a) are said for individuals and the umma.
9. [10] (a) Finally, after the sermon two fard raka'at are said behind the imam. Only the fard raka'at are prayed in congregation.
10. [4] (b) One of the main benefits is that the reward for praying in a congregation is 27 times greater than praying individually and the experience of praying together with the umma is an uplifting one.
11. [4] (b) Praying in a congregation increases brotherhood between people.
12. [4] (b) The problems of the community can be discussed.
13. [4] (b) Every step taken towards a mosque is seen and rewarded as charity done.
14. [4] (b) Charity can also be collected at the mosque to distribute amongst the needy or used for mosque funds.
15. [4] (b) Candidates could give other benefits of praying in congregation and some of these may be based on their own experiences.