Jumu'ah with kids: making Friday special at home

Friday, or Jumu'ah, is the best day of the week for Muslims. It's the day of the Friday prayer at the masjid, a day for extra du'a and remembering Allah, and many families call it their weekly Eid. For children, making Friday feel different from the other days helps them love it from a young age.

The Prophet ﷺ told us that Friday is the best day on which the sun rises: Adam was created on a Friday, and the Last Hour will come on a Friday (Sahih Muslim 854). Telling children this helps them see why Friday is more than just the end of the school week.

The Friday sunnahs

These are the things the Prophet ﷺ encouraged on Fridays. Children can join in with most of them.

1. 1

   Have a bath

   Wash well on Friday morning, or before going to the masjid. Kids can have a special "Jumu'ah bath" with their favourite soap.

2. 2

   Wear clean, nice clothes

   Keep a Friday outfit ready. It doesn't need to be new, just clean and smart.

3. 3

   Use a nice scent

   Men and boys can wear a little perfume or attar on the way to the masjid.

4. 4

   Go early

   Arriving early for the Friday prayer carries great reward. Even five minutes earlier than last week is progress.

5. 5

   Send salawat on the Prophet ﷺ

   Say "Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad" often on Friday. Count them together on your fingers.

6. 6

   Read Surah al-Kahf

   Many scholars recommend reading Surah al-Kahf on Friday, based on hadith about its light. Older children can read a page each; younger ones can listen to a recitation.

7. 7

   Make du'a

   There is a special hour on Friday when du'as are answered. Many look for it in the last hour before Maghrib, so that's a lovely time for family du'a.

Taking children to the masjid

• Start with older boys who can sit through the khutbah quietly, usually from around seven.
• Explain beforehand that we don't talk during the khutbah, not even to say "shh". Practise listening quietly at home.
• Make wudu at home so you aren't queuing in a rush.
• Sit somewhere you can slip out if a little one gets restless, and don't take a child who is likely to disturb others.
• Afterwards, ask one thing they remember from the khutbah. Praise any answer at all.

Free printable

Masjid Visit Scavenger Hunt

For a first visit, or a quieter day than Friday: twelve things to find at the masjid, from the mihrab and minbar to the wudu area, plus six masjid manners.

Download free PDF ↓See both pages

Ideas for a Friday routine at home

1. 1

   Friday breakfast

   Something a little bit special, even if it's just pancakes or a shared plate of fruit.

2. 2

   Surah al-Kahf time

   Read or listen together after school, a few verses at a time, and tell one of its stories: the young men of the cave, or Musa and al-Khidr.

3. 3

   Salawat jar

   Each time someone sends salawat, put a bead or button in a jar. See how full it gets by Maghrib.

4. 4

   Charity Friday

   Put a coin in the charity box every Friday and choose where it goes at the end of the month.

5. 5

   Family du'a before Maghrib

   Sit together, each person asks Allah for one thing, and everyone says Ameen.

Free printable

Jumu'ah Sunnah Checklist for Kids

Ghusl, best clothes, Surah al-Kahf, salawat and du'a: tick off the Friday sunnahs every week for a month.

Download free PDF ↓See both pages

Ideas by age

• Under 5: a Jumu'ah bath, a special outfit and counting salawat on fingers.
• Ages 5 to 8: helping get the family ready, listening to a story from Surah al-Kahf, and the charity coin.
• Ages 8 and up: coming to the masjid, reading part of al-Kahf themselves, and sharing one point from the khutbah at dinner.

SunnahPanda tip

Pick one Friday habit to start, like the salawat jar or Surah al-Kahf after school. Once it's part of the week, add another.