Week

Week in Islam

Etymology and Translations

• Arabic: usbūʿ (اُسْبُوع‎) or subūʿ (سُبُوع‎)
• Hebrew: שָׁבוּעַ‎ (shāvūaʿ)
• Turkish: hafta

The word “week” in Arabic, usbūʿ (اُسْبُوع‎) and subūʿ (سُبُوع‎), shares etymological connections with the Hebrew שָׁבוּעַ‎ (shāvūaʿ), denoting a period of seven days. This reflects the shared Semitic linguistic heritage and the universal concept of a seven-day week across different cultures and religious traditions.

Structure of the Islamic Week

In Islamic tradition, the week consists of seven days, beginning with:

1. Sunday (الأحد‎, al-Ahad)
2. Monday (الإثنين‎, al-Ithnayn)
3. Tuesday (الثلاثاء‎, ath-Thulāthā’)
4. Wednesday (الأربعاء‎, al-Arba‘ā’)
5. Thursday (الخميس‎, al-Khamīs)
6. Friday (الجمعة‎, al-Jumu‘ah)
7. Saturday (السبت‎, as-Sabt)

Scriptural References in the Qur’an

The structure of time, including the division into weeks, is mirrored in the Qur’an. For instance, the creation narrative states:

• Sūrah 7:52: “God created the heavens and the earth in six days.”

This aligns with the Abrahamic tradition but lacks specificity about the weekly structure.

Observance of Days in Islam

Friday is particularly significant in Islam:

• Sūrah 62:9-10: Calls for the congregation for Jumu’ah (Friday Prayer).

Contrary to Jewish and Christian traditions that observe the Sabbath (Saturday) and Sunday respectively, Islam emphasizes Friday as a day of congregational prayer without mandating a full cessation of activities akin to the traditional Sabbath:

• Sūrah 16:125: Notes, “The Sabbath was only made for those who dispute thereon,” which, interpreted by al-Baiẓāwī, signifies that the Sabbath observance was specifically ordained for the Jews who disputed with Moses about it.

Comparative Observances

• Judaism: Observes the Sabbath (Saturday) strictly as a day of rest, reflecting the Biblical creation account.
• Christianity: Traditionally celebrates Sunday, the day of Jesus’ resurrection, as a day of worship and rest.

Relevant Literature for Further Study

1. Qur’anic Studies:

   • “The Qur’an: An Encyclopedia” by Oliver Leaman
   • “The Study Quran: A New Translation and Commentary” by Seyyed Hossein Nasr

2. Historical and Comparative Approaches:

   • “Islamic Legal Interpretation: Muftis and Their Fatwas” by Muhammad Khalid Masud, Brinkley Messick, and David S. Powers
   • “Judaism, Christianity, and Islam: The Classical Texts and Their Interpretation” edited by F. E. Peters

Takeaways

• The Islamic concept of the week aligns with a shared tradition of a seven-day cycle found in Judaism and Christianity.
• The Qur’an references a six-day creation but is less prescriptive about weekly observances, except highlighting Friday for congregational prayer.
• Understanding the differences and similarities in weekly observance among the Abrahamic faiths fosters greater insight into the cultural and religious intersectionality.

Conclusion

The week, as a fundamental division of time, has profound spiritual significance across Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. While the Qur’an references the creation week, it tailors the observance of days uniquely, emphasizing Friday. This understanding enriches interfaith dialogues and broadens the historical context of religious practices.