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 is His slave and Messenger.

 

We are not aware of any evidence reported from the Prophet 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 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