As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

First of all, let me say that you are doing a wonderful job of answering queries in the light of the Holy Quran and Hadees. May Allah reward you with the best of this world and hereafter.

My Question to you is; I've heard some of our elders saying that if one misses Juma prayer for 3 consecutive weeks then he is termed as out of the religion. He is no more a muslim. He will need to read the Kalima again. Please explain how far is this point valid and true to what an extent in the light of Hadees and the Holy Quran.

Thanking you in anticipation.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer: 

Missed Friday Jumua 

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person,  no grave, no prophet,  no imam,  no dai,  nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers. 

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 62 Surah Jumua verses 9-11:

9        O ye who believe!  When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (the Day of Assembly) hasten earnestly to the Remembrance of Allah and leave off business (and traffic): that is best for you if ye but knew! 

10      And when the Prayer is finished then may ye disperse through the land and seek of the Bounty of Allah: and celebrate the Praises of Allah often (and without stint): that ye may prosper. 

11      But when they see some bargain or some amusement they disperse headlong to it and leave thee standing.  Say: "The (blessing) from the Presence of Allah is better than any amusement or bargain!  And Allah is the Best to provide (for all needs).

To leave any and all worldly pursuits and earnestly attend the Friday mid-day sermon and congregational prayer is an absolutely obligatory Command of the Lord Most High upon those who have professed belief in Him and the Last Day. 

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 1047  Narrated by Al-Ja'd ad-Damri

The Prophet (saws) said:  “He who leaves the Friday prayer (continuously) for three Fridays on account of slackness, Allah will print a stamp on his heart.”

Abdullah Ibn Masud (r.a.), the companion of the Noble Prophet (saws), said: "Whoever catches one rakah from al-Jumu'ah is only to add another one to it. Whoever misses both rakahs is to pray four rakahs."

Related by at-Tabarani.

Anas related that the Prophet (saws) said, "Whoever forgets a prayer should pray it when he remembers it, and there is no expiation for it save that."

Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

If one has missed the Friday mid-day congregational prayer in the mosques for whatever reason, one should seek sincere forgiveness from their Lord for their missing the obligatory congregational prayer, and their atonement is to offer a four-rakah prayer in lieu of their missed Friday congregational prayer.

In light of the above narration of the Messenger of Allah (saws), a person who intentionally misses three consecutive Friday prayers without a valid reason, Allah will seal or put a stamp on his heart.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan