Friday (Jumu`ah) is a great day; it is the weekly `Eid for the Muslims. The Jumu`ah prayer carries a great reward for those who attend it, listen attentively to its Khutbah, and pay close attention to the Khatib. However, not all those who attend the Jumu`ah prayer are on the same level — people differ in that regard.This Hadith clarifies the types of people who attend the Friday prayer and what they gain from it. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Three types of people attend the Jumu`ah prayer…” That is, people attend the Friday prayer and are divided into three categories based on the degree of reward they attain: “A man who attends and engages in idle talk — and that is his share of it.” This is the first category: one who comes to the prayer but engages in idle talk, which includes any speech without benefit — even saying to one’s brother, “Be quiet.” Whoever engages in idle talk has no portion of the reward of Jumu`ah; rather, his entire share from it is merely the speech he uttered. “And a man who attends and supplicates — and he is a man who supplicates to Allah; if He wills, He grants it.” This is the second category: the one who attends Jumu`ah in order to supplicate to Allah, knowing that there is a moment on Friday in which supplications are answered. His supplication, however, is subject to the Will of Allah — if He wills, He answers it and grants him what he asked for, whether immediately or eventually. “And if He wills, He withholds it.” That is, He does not respond to the supplication, nor grant what was asked for, or He delays fulfilling it until a later time. “And a man who attends with attentiveness and silence, does not step over the neck of a Muslim, and does not harm anyone…” This is the third category: one who listens attentively and remains silent, not speaking during the Khutbah. He sits in his place and does not move about, nor does he advance between the rows, nor step over the necks of people. This is avoided by arriving early and sitting where space is available. “…then it is an expiation for him until the next Jumu`ah, along with an additional three days.” That is, his Friday prayer becomes an expiation for the sins committed during the next ten days — that is, until the next Jumu`ah, plus three extra days — because each good deed is multiplied tenfold. Allah Says (interpretation of the meaning): {Whoever brings a good deed will have ten times the like thereof} [ Al-An`am 6:160] Thus, the Friday prayer becomes an expiation for one’s sins for a full ten days — the upcoming week plus three more — because each day is rewarded tenfold, and a single good deed is multiplied by ten. The narrations indicate that this expiation applies to minor sins; as for major sins, they require sincere repentance.This Hadith also highlights the virtue of Jumu`ah. It contains a warning against idle speech and talking during the Friday sermon, as it causes the loss of reward. It encourages attentive listening and proper conduct during Jumu`ah, which carries great reward. It also affirms that supplication and deeds are subject to the Will of Allah — if He wills, He accepts them, and if He wills, He rejects them..