Exchanging congratulations on Friday

23/02/2011| IslamWeb

Question: 

Assalaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh. I know we can send Ramadan Mubaarak and 'Eed Mubaarak greetings to each other, can we send Jumu’ah Mubaarak greetings to families and friends since Jumu'ah is a very special day? I normally receive and send out sms for Jumu'ah and was wondering if that is okay. 
 
Fatwa:
 
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhmmad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.
 
We are not aware of any evidence reported from the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) or his companions may Allah be pleased with them, that it is a Sunnah for Muslims to regularly exchange "Jumu‘ah Mubaarak" greetings, nor do we know of any scholars that made it permissible. Taking that into consideration, to do so regularly is a religious innovation, especially if it is done as an act of worship, and believing that it is a Sunnah. It is proven that the Messenger of Allah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) said: "Whoever does an act that does not comply with our matter (religion), will have it rejected." [Muslim] In another wording: "Whoever introduces into this matter of ours (Islam) that which is not part of it, it will be rejected." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
 
However, if a Muslim says that to his Muslim brother from time to time, without thinking it to be an established Sunnah or binding, and without doing it on a regular basis, but just by way of supplication, then we hope that it is permissible; although leaving it is preferable so that it does not become like the established Sunnah .
 
Allah Knows best.
 
Fatwa answered by:The Fatwa Center at Islamweb

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