Every Friday, Muslims worldwide pause their week for Jumu'ah — a congregational prayer preceded by a sermon that the Quran calls obligatory. Here is everything a first-time visitor or curious neighbor needs to know.
Jumu'ah (Arabic: جمعة — literally "gathering" or "Friday") is the most important weekly act of communal worship in Islam. The Holy Quran commands directly: "O ye who believe! When the call is made for Prayer on Friday, hasten to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off all business. That is better for you, if you only knew." (62:10) For Ahmadi Muslims at Bait-ul-Ehsan Mosque in Monroe, WA, this gathering happens every Friday — first adhān at 1:15 PM, khutbah and prayer at 1:30 PM.
What Happens During Jumu'ah?
Jumu'ah replaces the regular Dhuhr (midday) prayer on Fridays and consists of two essential parts: a khutbah (sermon delivered by the imam) followed by a shortened two-unit congregational prayer. The service typically runs 25–35 minutes.
- First adhān (call to prayer) at 1:15 PM — the signal for the congregation to begin gathering
- Second adhān at 1:30 PM — the imam takes the pulpit (minbar) for the khutbah
- Khutbah — a sermon on Quranic guidance, prophetic traditions, or contemporary moral issues
- Congregational salat (prayer) immediately follows — two rak'ahs (units)
- Total service duration: 25–35 minutes
Why is Friday the Special Day in Islam?
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described Friday as "sayyid al-ayyam" — the master of all days. According to Islamic tradition and Hadith, Friday is the day Adam (peace be upon him) was created, the day he entered Paradise, and the day he descended to earth. It is a weekly Eid (celebration) for believers — a day of heightened spiritual opportunity and communal bond.
"The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday. On it Adam was created, on it he was made to enter Paradise, on it he was expelled from it, and the Last Hour will not be established except on Friday." — Hadith (Sahih Muslim)
The Ahmadiyya Approach to Jumu'ah
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community follows the Jumu'ah as established by the Prophet ﷺ and upheld through the institution of Khilafat. Every Friday, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (Khalifatul Masih V) delivers the global Friday sermon from the UK, which is broadcast live on MTA International and archived at alislam.org. At Bait-ul-Ehsan, the local imam delivers the khutbah — often drawing on themes from the Khalifa's weekly addresses — creating a spiritual connection between this small Monroe mosque and Ahmadi Muslims across 213 nations.
Can Non-Muslims Attend Jumu'ah?
Yes — and we actively encourage it. Bait-ul-Ehsan Mosque welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds to observe Jumu'ah. Our greeters are at the entrance to welcome guests, provide context on what you'll observe, and answer questions before and after the service. Women visiting are offered a scarf if they would like one. Shoes are removed before entering the prayer hall, and visitors are seated in a comfortable observation area.
Jumu'ah at Bait-ul-Ehsan: Every Friday — First adhān 1:15 PM, prayer at 1:30 PM. 23515 Old Owen Road, Monroe, WA 98272. Free parking. All welcome.
What to Wear as a Visitor
- Dress modestly — covered shoulders and knees are appreciated
- Women: a headscarf is welcomed; one will be offered if you'd like
- Remove shoes at the entrance — socks are perfectly fine
- No special clothing required — come as you are
Common Questions About Jumu'ah
Is Jumu'ah the same as Sunday church service?
In spirit, yes — it is the primary weekly communal gathering. But unlike Sunday services in many Christian traditions, Jumu'ah is a fard (obligatory) prayer for adult Muslim men when possible, and the service is more condensed, combining a sermon with a prescribed congregational prayer.
What language is the sermon delivered in?
At Bait-ul-Ehsan, the khutbah is delivered in both Arabic (as required by Islamic tradition for certain parts) and English for the main sermon content, so all visitors and English-speaking members can follow.
Content is grounded in Ahmadiyya Islamic scholarship available at alislam.org. This article is published by Bait-ul-Ehsan Mosque — Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Monroe, WA.
