The Majestic Quran

62. Al-Jumuʿah The Day of Congregation This is a Madinan chapter, revealed after the Treaty of Hudaibiyah in the sixth year after Hijra. It opens with the glorification of God and four important roles of the Prophet r : teaching; recitation of the verses of the Quran; purification and development of the character of his followers; and explaining the Book with wisdom. The Arabs are referred to as “ Ummiyeen ,” unlettered people, as opposed to the literate Jews and Christians who were People of Scripture. The Quran is critical of the Jewish Rabbis who regarded themselves above others because they were literate, People of The Book, and the children of prophets. The question is, what is the point of being literate if you don’t read and follow the instructions of the Torah. This is not merely a criticism of the Rabbis of Madinah, but a clear message to Muslims: if you don’t read and follow the message of the Quran, you are like “a donkey carrying books.” The central theme of the chapter is the importance of the Friday prayer, a way of glorifying God. It was revealed to reprimand those people who had rushed out during the Friday sermon when they saw a caravan carrying grain arrive in Madinah. The chapter urges Muslims to attend the Friday prayer promptly. “ Fas’aw ” means running; the use of it here imparts a sense of urgency and importance to the call for prayer, stressing the significance of the weekly learning time, the sermon. The Friday prayer is not only devotion, but an important socio-political gathering where the leader of the community addresses the congregation. The tone of this passage makes clear that a true believer will always give