4. The Prophet’s Guidance Concerning Friday
**    From his guidance was to honour Friday and the Friday (Jumu`ah) prayer, designating to it particular practices such as taking a bath, wearing one's best clothes, listening attentively to the sermon and frequently invoking blessings on the Prophet (Peace be upon him).

**    He (Peace be upon him) used to greet the worshipers, ascend to the pulpit, face the worshipers, greet them and sit down. Then Bilal (May Allah be pleased with him) would call for prayer (adhaan), and the Prophet (Peace be upon him) would immediately begin his sermon without any interlude. While delivering the sermon he (Peace be upon him) leaned on a bow or a stick, but that was before adopting the pulpit.

**    He (Peace be upon him) would deliver the sermon while standing, then he would sit briefly and then stand for a second sermon.

**    He (Peace be upon him) asked the worshipers to sit close to him and listen attentively. He (Peace be upon him) said that a man should not even tell another to listen, as that would be considered of the speech that would detract from the reward of his Jumu`ah prayer.

**    When he (Peace be upon him) spoke his eyes would redden, his voice become loud and show increased anger as if he (Peace be upon him) was exhorting an army.

**    He (Peace be upon him) used to say in his sermon [after praising Allah]: “To proceed”... He (Peace be upon him) would make his sermon short and lengthen the prayer.

**    In his sermon, he (Peace be upon him) would teach his companions the basics of Islam and its laws. He (Peace be upon him) would give orders and prohibitions whenever necessary.

**    He (Peace be upon him) would interrupt his sermon for any unexpected need or to answer a question, and then resume his speech. He might also descend from the pulpit for some need and ascend it once again.

He (Peace be upon him) dealt with current issues in his sermon and when he noticed poverty among some of the congregation, he would  encourage charity.

**    He (Peace be upon him) would point with his index finger when mentioning Allah, and if there was drought, he would invoke Allah for rain.

**    After the Jumu`ah prayer, he (Peace be upon him) would enter his house and perform its sunnah prayer of two rak`ahs. He also told those who performed the Jumu`ah prayer to pray four rak`ahs after it.