The first call to Friday prayer, which was ordered by the Rightly Guided Caliph Uthman ibn Affan, may Allah be pleased with him -A study based on the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence and Objectives of Islamic Law

Abstract

The research presents a foundational and purposeful study of the first call to Friday prayer, which was ordered by the Rightly Guided Caliph, Uthman ibn Affan, may Allah be pleased with him, and its improper use in justifying innovations. This topic holds a significant scholarly importance as it is connected to the principles of distinguishing between condemned innovations (bid'ah) and legitimate religious interests (masalih). Additionally, some have misunderstood the matter of the first call to Friday prayer and have misused it to justify innovations. Therefore, it was necessary for specialists to clarify the confusion surrounding this issue. This research aims to elucidate the ruling on the first call to Friday prayer, provide evidence for it, while also identifying instances of its incorrect usage in justifying innovations and explaining how to refute and invalidate such misuse. The researcher utilized three research methodologies: the inductive approach, the descriptive-analytical approach, and the deductive approach. The research produced several important scholarly conclusions, including that the call to Friday prayer went through three stages and that the first call is a recommended (sunnah) practice under the guidance of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, may Allah be pleased with them. It is not one of the condemned and prohibited innovations (bid'ah). Furthermore, using the legitimacy of this first call to Friday prayer to justify innovations and novelties, such as celebrating the Prophet's birthday (Mawlid), building on graves, and invoking the deceased, is an incorrect and corrupt application of this Salafist tradition and the guidance of the Rightly Guided Caliphs. The researcher also recommended the necessity of continuing to provide studies and scholarly research on the principles for identifying innovations (bid'ah) while critiquing and refuting misconceptions regarding the wrongful application of religious rulings and principles in justifying innovations.