Is It Haram to Miss Jumu’ah?

Praise be to Allah.

If a person for whom Jumu`ah is obligatory does not attend and does not have a valid excuse, this is a major sin. Whoever does not attend three Jumu`ahs (in a row) out of negligence has a seal placed over his heart and is regarded as one of the negligent/heedless.

Muslim narrated in his Sahih from Abu Hurayrah and Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both), that they heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon them) say from his pulpit: “People should definitely stop neglecting Jumu`ah , or else Allah will most certainly seal their hearts and they will most certainly be among the negligent.”

According to another hadith: “Whoever neglects three Jumu`ahs (in a row) out of negligence will have a seal placed upon his heart.” (Abu Dawud 1052, at-Tirmidhi 500, an-Nasai 1369) 

This is a spiritual punishment, which is more severe than a physical punishment such as imprisonment or flogging. The Muslim ruler should punish those who fail to attend Jumu`ah prayers with no excuse, as a deterrent. 

Let each Muslim fear Allah and not miss performing one of the obligatory duties enjoined by Him, lest he expose himself to the punishment of Allah; let him adhere to that which Allah has made obligatory so that he may earn the reward of Allah. And Allah bestows His Bounty upon whomsoever He wills.

For more, please see this category: Friday Prayer.

And Allah knows best.