subject	Occasions
topic	Friday Prayers
grade	Five
time	30 minutes
objective	To enable students to understand the importance of Friday prayers, to Muslims.
instructional material	Info sheet 5b - Friday prayers Speech sheet 5b - Make a two-minute speech!

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Fridays are special days for Muslims because of a special congregational prayer called “The Friday Prayer”, or “SALAT UL-JUM’AH” in Arabic.  It is special for many reasons, but the Friday prayer is the one prayer during the week that is compulsory for all Muslims to perform in congregation; all other regular daily prayers can be done alone.  It replaces the noon prayer that Muslims pray; it is shorter and there is a sermon before it.  The sermon is called a KHUTBA, and is given by the Imam of the Mosque.  Before going to the Mosque that day, all Muslims must take a bath, wear clean clothes, and look their best.  After the sermon and prayer, people are encouraged to stay behind a while and socialise; this strengthens ties between regular members, and welcomes new members.

 

 

DEVELOPMENT

 

Read the Info Sheet with the students.

 

REINFORCING ACTIVITIES

 

Let the students do the Speech sheet.

 

INFO SHEET 5b – Friday Prayers

 

 

Fridays are special days for Muslims because of a special congregational prayer called “The Friday Prayer”, or “SALAT UL-JUM’AH” in Arabic.  It is special for many reasons, but first note what the Quran says about it :

 

“Oh you who believe, when the call is sounded for Friday prayers, hurry to remember God and stop your work; that is better for you.  And when the prayer is ended, to back to your work and seek God’s bounty.  Remember God often so that you may prosper.”

 

The Friday prayer is the one prayer during the week that is compulsory for all Muslims to perform in congregation; all other regular daily prayers can be done alone.  It replaces the noon prayer that Muslims pray; it is shorter and there is a sermon before it.  The sermon is called a KHUTBA, and is given by the Imam of the Mosque.  Before going to the Mosque that day, all Muslims must take a bath, wear clean clothes, and look their best.  After the sermon and prayer, people are encouraged to stay behind a while and socialize; this strengthens ties between regular members, and welcomes new members.

 

The KHUTBA itself consists of two parts; after the first part, the Imam sits and each member contemplates what was said, then the Imam stands again and continues.  The following is a list of requirements for a speech to be called a KHUTBA :

 

·        Praising God, saying “All thanks be to God” is both parts of the KHUTBA.

·        Praying for Prophet Muhammed, saying “Praise and blessings be on Prophet Muhammed.” In both parts of the KHUTBA.

·        Saying “I bear witness that there is no God except God, and Muhammed is the messenger of God” in both parts of the KHUTBA.

·        Telling the audience to obey God, to do good and not evil.  Also, teaching the audience about Islam and talking about their daily lives and problems.

·        Reading from the Quran in the first part of the KHUTBA.

·        Praying for the believers in the second part of the KHUTBA.

SPEECH SHEET 5b - Make a two-minute speech!

 

Make a one minute speech using all these criteria :

 

1.      Start the speech with “(pick a day of the week) is my favorite day because...”

2.      Use the word “family” once in your speech.

3.      Use the word “friends” twice in your speech.

4.      Use the word “sports” once in your speech.

5.      Do not use the name of the day of the week you chose, after the first line.

6.      End your speech with “Thank you”.