The Surah of the Holy Quran states: «O you who believe! When the call is made to prayer on Friday, then hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trade. That is better for you, if you only knew.» (Al-Jumu’ah 62:9)

«Al-Jumu'ah» (gathering, Friday) – states that Friday is defined as the day of prayer for Muslims. This day is sacred for all Muslims. The day on which it is prescribed to perform prayer, minor and major ablution (taharat), wear light clothes and anoint the head with beautiful fragrances and do good deeds. But, according to this verse, Allah calls on the God-fearing to remember the great event that happened on Friday by the will of Allah (Insha'Allah).
But first, let us pay attention to the fact that before declaring Friday the day of prayer, Surah Al-Jumu'ah challenges those who consider themselves close to Allah:
«Say: “O people of Judaism! If you think that you alone among people are the saints of Allah, then wish for yourselves death, if you are truthful; but they will never wish for it, because of what their hands have prepared. And Allah is aware of the wrongdoers."Say: «The death you are running from will overtake you, then to the Knower of the unseen and the manifest you will be returned, and He will inform you of what you used to do.». (Al-Jumu’ah 62:6-8)
These verses of Surah Al-Jumu’ah imply that if we do not fear death and are ready to stand before Allah, then we are true believers and are on the right path. However, we do everything we can to avoid death because we are not sure whether we have done enough good deeds to stand before Allah.

Now let us look at a historical event that took place on a Friday two thousand years ago. For this, we need to open the Injeel and read about this event. On Friday (Jumu’ah), the sixth day of the Holy Week, Isa Masih (AS) was subjected to exactly this kind of test in the face of approaching death. And he began his day with prayer. In the Injil it is said: «Isa came with them to a place called Gethsemane and said to the disciples: – "Sit here while I go and pray."He took Peter and the two sons of Zabdai with Him. He was overcome with melancholy and anxiety. Then He said to them: "My soul is overcome with sorrow, even to death. Remain here and watch with Me."And when Isa had gone a little further, He fell on His face and prayed: My Father, if it be possible, let this cup of suffering pass from Me, but let it be done, not as I will, but as You will.». (Matthew 26:37-39)
Before we look at the events of this Friday, let us see what preceded Isa’s prayer. Our sworn enemy, Satan, entered Judah on the fifth day of Holy Week so that he would betray Isa the Masih (a.s.). On the next, sixth day, the Messenger and his followers (called disciples) gathered to partake of the Lord's Supper. While they were eating, Isa Masih (a.s.) taught his followers in word and deed how we should love one another and how great is the love of the Almighty for us. Instructing his disciples, Isa Masih (a.s.) proclaimed sacrificial love to the point of being willing to give up one's soul for others. As it is written in the Injil: «No one can love more than he who gives his life for his friends.» (John 15:13)

In his sermon, Isa Masih (a.s.) compared himself to a good shepherd who does not value his life in the face of danger and death. «And as the Father knows Me, so I know the Father. I give My life for the sheep. I have other sheep - they are not from this sheepfold - I must bring them too. And they will listen to My voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd! Therefore the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes My life, I lay it down voluntarily. It is in My power to lay it down, it is in My power to take it back. For so the Father commanded Me.» (John 10:15-18)
Then he offered the Friday prayer for all his believing followers and went into the garden, where he was handed over into the hands of those who would shed His Holy Blood. This is how this event is described in the Injil:

Isa Masih (a.s.) arrested in the garden

«Isa Masih went with his disciples to the other side of the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, into which they entered. Judas the traitor knew this place, since Isa Masih often gathered there with his disciples. So Judas brought with him a detachment of Roman soldiers, as well as servants sent by the chief priests and guardians of the Law. They came with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Isa Masih knew everything that was about to happen to him. He came forward and asked: – "Whom are you looking for?" – "Isa Masih of Nazareth," – they answered. – "It is I," – said Isa Masih.Judas the traitor was also standing with them. When Isa said: «It is I,» – they stepped back and fell to the ground.He asked them again: – "Whom are you looking for?" – "Isa Masih of Nazareth," – they said. – "I told you that it is I," – answered Isa. – "If you are looking for Me, then let the others go… A detachment of Roman soldiers, their commander, and the Jewish guards arrested Isa Masih and tied Him up.» (John 18:1-12)
Isa Masih (a.s.) went to a garden on the outskirts of Jerusalem to pray, and Judas led the Roman soldiers there. When a person knows that he can be arrested, he usually runs away, hides, or prepares to resist. The Great Messenger Isa Masih (a.s.) did not run or resist. He calmly replied that he was the prophet they were looking for. Isa Masih (a.s.) did not resist his arrest and was taken for interrogation to the house of the priest Hanana and then handed over to the Roman guards for mockery and subsequent execution!
The ancient prophets 750 years before the birth of Isa Masih (a.s.) foretold this Great Passion Day of Jum'ah and the voluntary death of Isa Masih (a.s.) as it is written in the Holy Scripture:
«He was afflicted, but He was afflicted of His own free will, and He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth. He was taken from bonds and judgment; but who can declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of My people He was stricken.» (Isaiah 53:7-8)

Now let us return to the beginning of Surah Al-Jum'ah and continue our reflection from the verse where we stopped.
Say: «The death you are running away from will overtake you, then to the Knower of the unseen and the manifest you will be returned, and He will inform you of what you used to do.». «O you who believe! When the call is made to prayer on Friday, then hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trade. That is better for you, if you only knew.» (Al-Jumu’ah 62:8-9)
Isa Masih (a.s.) accepted the challenge of Surah Al-Jumu’ah, He did not run away from death, but began to pray in the face of the great test, thereby proving that He is the One in Whom Allah is pleased. Is it not logical that in memory of this amazing fearlessness and sacrifice, Muslims were commanded to make Friday a special day of prayer in the mosque? Allah wants us to remember the service and great sacrifice of Isa Masih (a.s.) brought on that very day, which became the great Jum'ah, the great Good Friday!

On this day, another bright event occurred as a sign or harbinger of the great day of resurrection and the Day of Judgement. Injil says that at the moment of the death of Isa Masih (a.s.), the earth shook, the rocks split, and the graves opened.
«Isa cried out loudly again and gave up his spirit. And then the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks split. The graves opened, and many righteous dead were resurrected. They came out of the graves and, after Isa Himself had resurrected, entered the holy city of Jerusalem, where many people saw them.» (Matthew 27:50-53)
In the Quran, this event is called Al-Zalzalah (the earthquake) 99:1-8 «When the earth shakes with tremors and the earth casts out its burden, and man asks what is the matter with it, that day it will tell its story, because your Lord will inspire it. That day people will come out in crowds to see their deeds. Whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.»

So, let's sum up the events that took place on that Good Friday:
1. Isa Masih (a.s.) prayed for all his followers who will exist until the day of resurrection.
2. Isa Masih (a.s.) gave up his soul to death, voluntarily not sparing his own life.
3. There was an earthquake and the opening of graves, as a harbinger of the great day of resurrection and the Day of Judgment (Al-Qiyamah 75)

So why, despite the terrible events that took place on Friday, is this day called Juma Mubarak (Blessed Friday)?
Because the death of Isa Masih (a.s.) marked the beginning of the next two blessed events, the resurrection from the dead and the ascension to the throne of Allah! As it is written about this in the Injil: «… having made atonement for our sins, he sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty on high» (Heb. 1:3)