Describe the particular features of Friday congregational prayers (Jum'a) and the main features of the Friday sermon.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2016). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [10] (a) It could be said that for this prayer all Muslim men in the community should gather together, and in some communities women are also encouraged to attend these prayers. Purification is highly recommended before this prayer and worshippers are encouraged to bathe and wear clean/fresh clothes. There are two adhaans for this prayer and it can only be said behind an imam. The fard are prayed in two rakahs not four and there is no qada for this prayer. The sermon is a very important feature of this prayer. The Imam gives the sermon facing the congregation, the sermon is divided into two parts with a brief interval of about a minute between the two parts. The Friday sermon includes: • Glorification and praise of God, confirming the aspect of tawhid • Praise and blessings on the Prophet (pbuh) as the greatest example to follow and sending peace and blessings on him • Reflection /reinforcement of the Quranic verses that have been selected for the particular sermon • Referring to an authentic hadith to elaborate the topic and demonstrate the implementation of the injunction by the Prophet (pbuh) • The imam reminds the whole congregation about their duties towards God and their fellow beings, he warns the people against the consequence of doing evil and reminds them of the hereafter • Prays for the welfare of the community.
2. [4] (b) Candidates could say that as missing these prayers without a valid reason for men is considered a sin, the Friday prayers are attended in very large numbers and creates a greater sense of unity amongst Muslims. It could also be said that meeting fellow Muslims, discussing the issues facing the umma at home and in the wider Muslim world all go to foster close ties amongst Muslims. Some answers could say that people tend to go to the Jamia mosque on Fridays whereas they may say their salat at their local mosque daily and this creates greater unity. These and other valid responses which answer the question should be credited.