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Wa`alaykumAs-Salaamu Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
In The Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Dear questioner, thank you very much for having confidence in us, and we hope our efforts, which are purely for Allah’s Sake, meet your expectations.
Friday prayer is mandatory on every Muslim male who is adult, healthy and free. Every Muslim should strive hard to perform it on time unless something beyond his capacity disrupts that. Muslim students in the West can modulate their schedule in order to be able to perform Friday prayer in its appointed time. They can gather together, even in the campus and perform the Friday prayer, which demonstrate unity and co-operation.
In his response to the question, Dr.MuzammilSiddiqi, former president of the Islamic Society of North America, states the following:
Friday prayer is obligatory on every Muslim man who is adult, healthy and free. It should not be missed unless there is a real excuse. Allah Almighty says in the Qur'an: “O you who believe when the call for Friday prayer is given then hurry to the remembrance of Allah and leave all business. This is better for you, if you know.” (Al-Jumu'ah: 9)
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is reported to have said, “Those who neglect three Friday prayers without any excuse may have their hearts sealed with hypocrisy.”
The time for Friday prayer is the same as the time for Dhur prayer, that is from noon until the mid-afternoon (i.e. the time for 'Asr prayer).
According to Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, Friday prayer can also be prayed before noon. The minimum of worshippers required to hold Friday prayer is only three. So if there are three Muslims at some place and they find it difficult to join a larger Jama'ah for Friday they can have their own prayer. I have mentioned these points to emphasize the importance of Friday prayer and the flexibility in performing it.
Muslim students in high schools, colleges and universities can organize their own prayers according to the convenience of their class schedule. Also, if your school does not have three or more Muslim students to hold your own Friday prayer at your school, then try to change your class schedule from the beginning of the school year. I have seen some students take early classes in 0 period in order to be able to attend Friday prayer at the Masjid. Make an effort to perform this prayer. There is a great reward and blessings from Allah in this prayer, you will feel the blessings throughout your week.
If for some reasons you are unable to perform Friday prayer, then pray Dhur instead. But this should not be done on a regular basis. It is an option for necessity only. May Allah bless you and help you to remember Him and make your prayers on time."
If you have any further comments, please don't hesitate to write back!
May Allah guide you to the straight path, and guide you to that which pleases Him, Amen.
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