“Do not single out the night of Friday from among the nights (for voluntary prayer), nor single out the day of Friday from among the days (for fasting), except if it is part of a fast one of you habitually observes.”

Narrated by al-Bukhārī (no. 1985) and Muslim (no. 1144, and this is his wording), from the narration of Abū Hurayrah — may Allah be pleased with him.

Brief Explanation of the Hadith

The foundation regarding acts of worship is prohibition and restriction; thus, it is not permissible for a Muslim to introduce an act of worship not sanctioned by the Sharīʿah, nor to add to what has been legislated in a manner of devotion. Numerous evidences from the Qur’an and the Sunnah confirm this principle.
Among such evidences is his saying — may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him: “Do not single out the night of Jumuʿah for standing in prayer…” The meaning is: it is not permissible to introduce an additional act of worship — such as prayer, recitation of the Qur’an, remembrance, or seeking forgiveness, and the like — in a manner not customary on other nights, based on the belief that the night of Jumuʿah possesses a particular merit in that regard. However, if one stands in prayer on that night without intending to single it out — such as when he happens to be free on that night and cannot manage it on others — then there is no harm in that, since his action is not done with the intention of giving the night a special distinction.
Likewise, he forbade singling out Friday for fasting, since it is the weekly day of festivity for the Muslims. However, if one’s fast on Friday coincides with the day of ʿĀshūrāʾ, the day of ʿArafah, or a fast vowed, then there is no harm in it. In fact, even if he fasts on that day simply because it happens to be a day of ease for him, there is no problem — so long as he does not intend thereby to give Friday itself a special distinction.
Thus, the ḥadīth establishes a great principle regarding acts of worship: the foundation is suspension until there is evidence from the Sharīʿah.
It also contains protection for the Ummah from innovation and excess, and an affirmation that the best guidance is the guidance of Muḥammad — may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.

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If I know which night is the Night of Decree, what should I say in it? He said: “Say: O Allah, You are All-Pardoning, and You love pardon, so pardon me.”

The Sunnah for the one in iʿtikāf is that he does not visit the sick, nor attend a funeral, nor touch a woman or have intercourse with her.

By Allah, I certainly know it, and to the best of my knowledge, it is the night on which the Messenger of Allah commanded us to stand in prayer: it is the night of the twenty-seventh.

“Do not single out the night of Friday from among the nights (for voluntary prayer), nor single out the day of Friday from among the days (for fasting), except if it is part of a fast one of you habitually observes.”

Brief Explanation of the Hadith

Related Hadiths

If I know which night is the Night of Decree, what should I say in it? He said: “Say: O Allah, You are All-Pardoning, and You love pardon, so pardon me.”

Whoever recites Sūrat al-Kahf on Friday, a light will shine for him between this Friday and the next.

It is a gentle, serene night, neither hot nor cold; and its sun rises the following morning weak and reddish.

Increase your prayers upon me on Friday and the night of Friday

The Sunnah for the one in iʿtikāf is that he does not visit the sick, nor attend a funeral, nor touch a woman or have intercourse with her.

Seek it in the last ten nights of Ramaḍān —Laylat al-Qadr—.

Whoever stands in prayer with the imām until he departs will have the reward of standing the entire night.

Whoever stands (in prayer) on the Night of al-Qadr out of faith and seeking reward shall have his past sins forgiven.

Laylat al-Qadr is in the last ten nights [of Ramadān], or in the fifth, or in the third.

By Allah, I certainly know it, and to the best of my knowledge, it is the night on which the Messenger of Allah commanded us to stand in prayer: it is the night of the twenty-seventh.