Revealed in Madinah, Surah Al-Jumu'ah (The Congregation, Friday) highlights the spiritual purification brought by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to an unlettered nation. It criticizes those who were entrusted with the Torah but failed to implement it, comparing them to a donkey carrying heavy books. The latter part of the Surah establishes the obligation of the Friday congregational prayer, commanding the believers to leave business and rush to the remembrance of God when the call is made.
Transliteration
Yusabbihu lillahi ma fee alssamawati wama fee alardi almaliki alquddoosi alAAazeezi alhakeemi
Translation
Everything in the heavens and the earth glorifies God the Sovereign, the Holy, the Almighty, the Wise
Transliteration
Huwa allathee baAAatha fee alommiyyeena rasoolan minhum yatloo AAalayhim ayatihi wayuzakkeehim wayuAAallimuhumu alkitaba waalhikmata wain kanoo min qablu lafee dalalin mubeenin
Translation
It is He who sent among the unlettered a messenger from themselves; reciting His revelations to them, and purifying them, and teaching them the Scripture and wisdom; although they were in obvious error before that
Highlights the holistic prophetic mandate: sent among an unlettered Arabian society to recite divine verses, purify human character and moral habits ('Yuzakkihim'), and teach scriptural law alongside applied practical wisdom ('Al-Hikmah').
Transliteration
Waakhareena minhum lamma yalhaqoo bihim wahuwa alAAazeezu alhakeemu
Translation
And others from them, who have not yet joined them. He is the Glorious, the Wise
Transliteration
Thalika fadlu Allahi yuteehi man yashao waAllahu thoo alfadli alAAatheemi
Translation
That is God’s grace, which He grants to whomever He wills. God is Possessor of limitless grace
Transliteration
Mathalu allatheena hummiloo alttawrata thumma lam yahmilooha kamathali alhimari yahmilu asfaran bisa mathalu alqawmi allatheena kaththaboo biayati Allahi waAllahu la yahdee alqawma alththalimeena
Translation
The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah, but then failed to uphold it, is like the donkey carrying works of literature. Miserable is the example of the people who denounce God’s revelations. God does not guide the wrongdoing people
The famous Parable of the Donkey carrying books: compares anyone who memorizes religious scriptures without practicing their ethical teachings to a pack donkey burdened with leather-bound encyclopedias on its back—gaining nothing from the books except exhaustion and physical weight.
Transliteration
Qul ya ayyuha allatheena hadoo in zaAAamtum annakum awliyao lillahi min dooni alnnasi fatamannawoo almawta in kuntum sadiqeena
Translation
Say, “O you who follow Judaism; if you claim to be the chosen of God, to the exclusion of the rest of mankind, then wish for death if you are sincere.”
Addresses sectarian exclusivity: challenges those who claimed to be the exclusive chosen people of God to openly welcome death if they were truly certain of guaranteed salvation, pointing out that fear of accountability restrains them.
Transliteration
Wala yatamannawnahu abadan bima qaddamat aydeehim waAllahu AAaleemun bialththalimeena
Translation
But they will not wish for it, ever, due to what their hands have advanced. God knows well the wrongdoers
Transliteration
Qul inna almawta allathee tafirroona minhu fainnahu mulaqeekum thumma turaddoona ila AAalimi alghaybi waalshshahadati fayunabbiokum bima kuntum taAAmaloona
Translation
Say, “The death from which you flee will catch up with you; then you will be returned to the Knower of the Invisible and the Visible, and He will inform you of what you used to do.”
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo itha noodiya lilssalati min yawmi aljumuAAati faisAAaw ila thikri Allahi watharoo albayAAa thalikum khayrun lakum in kuntum taAAlamoona
Translation
O you who believe! When the call is made for prayer on Congregation Day, hasten to the remembrance of God, and drop all business. That is better for you, if you only knew
Institutes the mandatory Friday Congregational Prayer ('Salat al-Jumu'ah'): the moment the call to prayer (Adhan) is announced, all commercial transactions, buying, and selling become strictly prohibited, requiring believers to assemble in the mosque for the sermon and prayer.
Transliteration
Faitha qudiyati alssalatu faintashiroo fee alardi waibtaghoo min fadli Allahi waothkuroo Allaha katheeran laAAallakum tuflihoona
Translation
Then, when the prayer is concluded, disperse through the land, and seek God’s bounty, and remember God much, so that you may prosper
Illustrates the healthy economic balance of Islam: once Friday prayers conclude, Muslims are encouraged to disperse immediately back into society, resume commercial enterprises, and pursue honorable livelihoods while keeping God in mind.
Transliteration
Waitha raaw tijaratan aw lahwan infaddoo ilayha watarakooka qaiman qul ma AAinda Allahi khayrun mina allahwi wamina alttijarati waAllahu khayru alrraziqeena
Translation
Yet whenever they come across some business, or some entertainment, they scramble towards it, and leave you standing. Say, “What is with God is better than entertainment and business; and God is the Best of providers.”
Revealed when a trade caravan from Syria arrived in Medina beating drums to announce discounted grains during a period of scarcity. While the Prophet ﷺ was delivering the Friday sermon from the pulpit, many attendees rushed out to buy provisions, leaving only twelve loyal companions (including Abu Bakr and Umar) standing in the mosque.