Sunday
Sunday is the second day of the week in the solar Hijri calendar, while it marks the end of the week in the Gregorian calendar. Sunday follows Saturday and precedes Monday in the chronological order of days. In the school of Ahl al-Bayt (a), specific practices and dhikrs are advised to be observed on Sundays.
The Term Sunday
In Islamic culture, Sunday is the second day of the week, following Saturday. However, in Christian tradition, Sunday is recognized as the seventh day of the week. In Persian, Sunday is referred to as "yikshanba," while in Arabic, it is known as "yawm al-ahad."
Sunday in Islamic Culture
In Islamic culture, Sunday is observed as a working day. While many Muslim countries maintain this cultural practice, countries like Pakistan and Turkey have aligned their day off with the Western calendar by declaring Sunday as a non-working day.
In certain hadiths, there are references to the creation of specific beings by God on different days of the week. One such hadith, narrated by Abu Hurayra, mentions that the Prophet (s) held Abu Hurayra's hand and stated, "God created soil on Saturday, mountains on Sunday, trees on Monday, hardships on Tuesday, light on Wednesday, animate beings on Thursday, and finally created Adam, peace be upon him, on Friday afternoon as the last creation during a specific hour between evening and night." Some scholars argue that such hadiths contain inconsistencies and are considered weak due to the absence of a chain of transmission. However, on the assumption that this particular hadith is accepted, it could be interpreted as a metaphorical representation of the progressive stages of creation linked to earthly days.[1] 'Allama Tihrani, on the other hand, asserts that these hadiths are fabricated. Citing al-Maqrizi's work al-Niza' wa-l-takhasum fima bayn Bani Umayya wa-Bani Hashim (Conflict and hostility between Banu Umayya and Banu Hashim), Tihrani suggests that the fabrication of hadiths was a tool employed by Banu Umayya to consolidate their power. They collaborated with individuals who appeared to be religious but fabricated hadiths. This deliberate act aimed to subvert the authentic faith of Muslims, and the above hadiths serve as an example of such practices.[2]
Sunday in Non-Islamic Cultures
In many Western countries and various parts of the world, as well as in Christianity, Sunday is a day of devotion and rest. Observant Christians often attend Church services on Sundays to engage in worship.
Additionally, within the Christian tradition, the Sunday preceding Easter is referred to as Palm Sunday. Gospel writers recount that Jesus entered Jerusalem on this day, while people greeted him with palm branches held in their hands.[3]
Practices
- A dedicated supplication on Sundays[4]
- Sunday prayer: According to a narration attributed to Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari (a), performing four rak'as of prayer on Sunday, while reciting Qur'an 1 and Qur'an 67 in each rak'a, will result in God granting the individual a place in heaven, wherever he desires.[5]
- Prayer on Sunday night: In a narration attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (s), it is recommended to perform four rak'as of prayer on Sunday nights. During each rak'a, it is advised to recite Qur'an 1 seven times and Qur'an 97 once. After completing the prayer with the "salam" (greeting), it is recommended to recite the following supplication: "O Allah! Send greetings upon Muhammad and the Household of Muhammad," followed by one hundred recitations of "O Allah! Send greetings upon Gabriel!"[6]
- Ziyara of Amir al-Mu'minin (a) on Sundays[7]
- Ziyara of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra' (a) on Sundays[8]
Notes
- ↑ What is the meaning of the narrations about the creation of the heavens, earth, heaven and hell on different days? And were the days of the week before the creation of the earth conceivable?!(Persian)
- ↑ Ḥusaynī Tihrānī, Imām shināsī, vol. 18, p. 286, 391.
- ↑ Mark, 1:11-11; Matthew, 1;11-21; Luke, 28:19-44; John, 12:12-19.
- ↑ Qummī, Kulliyāt-i Mafātīḥ al-jinān, Supplications for different days of the week; بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لا أَرْجُو إِلا فَضْلَهُ وَ لا أَخْشَى إِلّا عَدْلَهُ وَ لا أَعْتَمِدُ إِلّا قَوْلَهُ وَ لا أُمْسِكُ إِلّا بِحَبْلِهِ بِكَ أَسْتَجِيرُ يَا ذَا الْعَفْوِ وَ الرِّضْوَانِ مِنَ الظُّلْمِ وَ الْعُدْوَانِ وَ مِنْ غِيَرِ الزَّمَانِ وَ تَوَاتُرِ الْأَحْزَانِ وَ طَوَارِقِ الْحَدَثَانِ وَ مِنِ انْقِضَاءِ الْمُدَّةِ قَبْلَ التَّأَهُّبِ وَ الْعُدَّةِ وَ إِيَّاكَ أَسْتَرْشِدُ لِمَا فِيهِ الصَّلاحُ وَ الْإِصْلاحُ وَ بِكَ أَسْتَعِينُ فِيمَا يَقْتَرِنُ بِهِ النَّجَاحُ وَ الْإِنْجَاحُ وَ إِيَّاكَ أَرْغَبُ فِي لِبَاسِ الْعَافِيَةِ وَ تَمَامِهَا وَ شُمُولِ السَّلامَةِ وَ دَوَامِهَا وَ أَعُوذُ بِكَ يَا رَبِّ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَ أَحْتَرِزُ بِسُلْطَانِكَ مِنْ جَوْرِ السَّلاطِينِ،فَتَقَبَّلْ مَا كَانَ مِنْ صَلاتِي وَ صَوْمِي وَ اجْعَلْ غَدِي وَ مَا بَعْدَهُ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ سَاعَتِي وَ يَوْمِي وَ أَعِزَّنِي فِي عَشِيرَتِي وَ قَوْمِي وَ احْفَظْنِي فِي يَقَظَتِي وَ نَوْمِي فَأَنْتَ اللَّهُ خَيْرٌ حَافِظا وَ أَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَبْرَأُ إِلَيْكَ فِي يَوْمِي هَذَا وَ مَا بَعْدَهُ مِنَ الْآحَادِ مِنَ الشِّرْكِ وَ الْإِلْحَادِ وَ أُخْلِصُ لَكَ دُعَائِي تَعَرُّضاً لِلْإِجَابَةِ وَ أُقِيمُ عَلَى طَاعَتِكَ رَجَاءً لِلْإِثَابَةِ فَصَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ خَيْرِ خَلْقِكَ الدَّاعِي إِلَى حَقِّكَ وَ أَعِزَّنِي بِعِزِّكَ الَّذِي لا يُضَامُ وَ احْفَظْنِي بِعَيْنِكَ الَّتِي لا تَنَامُ وَ اخْتِمْ بِالانْقِطَاعِ إِلَيْكَ أَمْرِي وَ بِالْمَغْفِرَةِ عُمْرِي إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ.
- ↑ Qummī, Kulliyāt-i Mafātīḥ al-jinān, Prayers for different days of the week.
- ↑ Kafʿamī, al-Balad al-amīn, Prayers and Practices for different days of the week.
- ↑ Qummī, Kulliyāt-i Mafātīḥ al-jinān, Ziyaras; السَّلاَمُ عَلَى الشَّجَرَةِ النَّبَوِيَّةِ وَ الدَّوْحَةِ الْهَاشِمِيَّةِ الْمُضِيئَةِ الْمُثْمِرَةِ بِالنُّبُوَّةِ الْمُونِقَةِ (الْمُونِعَةِ) بِالْإِمَامَةِ وَ عَلَى ضَجِيعَيْكَ آدَمَ وَ نُوحٍ عَلَيْهِمَا السَّلاَمُ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ وَ عَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ الطَّيِّبِينَ الطَّاهِرِينَ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ وَ عَلَى الْمَلاَئِكَةِ الْمُحْدِقِينَ بِكَ وَ الْحَافِّينَ بِقَبْرِكَ يَا مَوْلاَيَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ هَذَا يَوْمُ الْأَحَدِ وَ هُوَ يَوْمُكَ وَ بِاسْمِكَ وَ أَنَا ضَيْفُكَ فِيهِ وَ جَارُكَ فَأَضِفْنِي يَا مَوْلاَيَ وَ أَجِرْنِي فَإِنَّكَ كَرِيمٌ تُحِبُّ الضِّيَافَةَ وَ مَأْمُورٌ بِالْإِجَارَةِ فَافْعَلْ مَا رَغِبْتُ إِلَيْكَ فِيهِ وَ رَجَوْتُهُ مِنْكَ بِمَنْزِلَتِكَ وَ آلِ بَيْتِكَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَ مَنْزِلَتِهِ عِنْدَكُمْ وَ بِحَقِّ ابْنِ عَمِّكَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ سَلَّمَ وَ عَلَيْهِمْ (عَلَيْكُمْ) أَجْمَعِينَ
- ↑ Qummī, Kulliyāt-i Mafātīḥ al-jinān, Ziyaras; اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكِ يَا مُمْتَحَنَةُ امْتَحَنَكِ الَّذِي خَلَقَكِ فَوَجَدَكِ لِمَا امْتَحَنَكِ صَابِرَةً أَنَا لَكِ مُصَدِّقٌ صَابِرٌ عَلَى مَا أَتَى بِهِ أَبُوكِ وَ وَصِيُّهُ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِمَا و أَنَا أَسْأَلُكِ إِنْ كُنْتُ صَدَّقْتُكِ إِلاَّ أَلْحَقْتِنِي بِتَصْدِيقِي لَهُمَا لِتُسَرَّ نَفْسِي فَاشْهَدِي أَنِّي ظَاهِرٌ (طَاهِرٌ) بِوِلاَيَتِكِ وَ وِلاَيَةِ آلِ بَيْتِكِ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
- ↑ Ṭūsī, Miṣbāḥ al-mutahajjid, Supplications for different days of the week, Tasbih of Sunday; بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيم سُبْحَانَ مَنْ مَلَأَ الدَّهْرَ قُدْسُهُ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ يَغْشَى الْأَبَدَ نُورُهُ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ أَشْرَقَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ ضَوْؤُهُ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ يُدَانُ بِدِينِهِ كُلُّ دِينٍ وَ لَا يُدَانُ بِغَيْرِ دِينِهِ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ قَدَرَ بِقُدْرَتِهِ كُلَّ قَدَرٍ وَ لَا يَقْدِرُ أَحَدٌ قَدْرَهُ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لَا يُوصَفُ عِلْمُهُ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لَا يَعْتَدِي عَلَى أَهْلِ مَمْلَكَتِهِ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لَا يَأْخُذُ أَهْلَ الْأَرْضِ بِأَلْوَانِ الْعَذَابِ سُبْحَانَ الرَّءُوفِ الرَّحِيمِ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ هُوَ مُطٌلِعٌ عَلَى خَزَائِنِ الْقُلُوبِ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ يُحْصِي عَدَدَ الذُّنُوبِ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لَا يَخْفَى عَلَيْهِ خَافِيَةٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَ لا فِي السَّماءِ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّي الْوَدُودِ سُبْحَانَ الْفَرْدِ الْوَتْرِ سُبْحَانَ الْعَظِيمِ الْأَعْظَم
- ↑ Practices on Sunday. (Persian); بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اسْتَوَى الرَّبُّ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ وَ قَامَتِ السَّمَاوَاتُ وَ الْأَرْضُ بِحِكْمَتِهِ وَ زَهَرَتِ النُّجُومُ بِأَمْرِهِ وَ رَسَتِ الْجِبَالُ بِإِذْنِهِ لَا يُجَاوِزُ اسْمُهُ مَنْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ الَّذِي دَانَتْ لَهُ الْجِبَالُ وَ هِيَ طَائِعَةٌ وَ انْبَعَثَتْ لَهُ الْأَجْسَادُ وَ هِيَ بَالِيَةٌ وَ بِهِ أَحْتَجِبُ عَنْ كُلِّ غَاوٍ وَ بَاغٍ وَ طَاغٍ وَ جَبَّارٍ وَ حَاسِدٍ وَ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي جَعَلَ بِهِ (بَيْنَ الْبَحْرَيْنِ حاجِزاً) وَ أَحْتَجِبُ بِاللَّهِ (الَّذِي جَعَلَ فِي السَّماءِ بُرُوجاً وَ جَعَلَ فِيها سِراجاً وَ قَمَراً مُنِيراً) وَ زَيَّنَهَا لِلنَّاظِرِينَ وَ حَفِظَهَا (مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطانٍ رَجِيمٍ) وَ جَعَلَ فِي الْأَرْضِ رَواسِيَ جِبِالًا أَوْتَاداً أَنْ يُوصَلَ إِلَيَّ بِسُوءٍ أَوْ فَاحِشَةٍ أَوْ بَلِيَّةٍ- (حم تَنْزِيلٌ مِنَ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ) (حم عسق كَذلِكَ يُوحِي إِلَيْكَ وَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ اللَّهُ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ) وَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ سَلَّمَ تَسْلِيما
References
- Dihkhudā, ʿAlī Akbar. Lughatnāma. Edited by Akram Sulṭānī and others. Tehran: Dānishgāh-i Tehrān, 1385 Sh.
- Ḥusaynī Tihrānī, Sayyid Muḥammad Ḥusayn. Imām shināsī. Mashhad: Allāma Ṭabāṭabāʾī, 1426 AH.
- Kafʿamī, Ibrāhīm b. ʿAlī al-. Al-Balad al-amīn wa l-dirʿ al-ḥaṣīn. Beirut: ʿAlāʾ l-Dīn Aʿlamī, 1418 AH.
- Qummī, Abbās. Kulliyāt-i Mafātīḥ al-jinān. Edited by Ḥusayn Ustādwalī. Translated by Mūsawī Dāmghānī. Qom: nashr-i Ṣiddīqa, 1376 Sh.
- Ṭūsī, Muḥammad b. al-Ḥasan. Miṣbāḥ al-mutahajjid. Beirut: Muʾassisat al-Aʿlamī, 1418 AH.
- آنچه در روایات در مورد خلقت آسمانها، زمین، بهشت و جهنم در روزهای گوناگون وجود دارد، چه معنایی دارد؟ و آیا روزهای هفته قبل از خلقت زمین، قابل تصور بود؟! (What is the meaning of the narrations about the creation of the heavens, earth, heaven, and hell on different days? And were the days of the week before the creation of the earth conceivable?!(Persian)). Accessed: 2023/09/19.