Friday Prayer & Mobilization

Abstract: The Quranic command to “mobilize in the cause of God” as specified in 4:89 isn’t limited to warfare. The Arabic term (yuhājirū) refers to emigration—symbolizing physically moving in the cause of God, and public allegiance with the believers, and not just battle. Verses 9:38-49 and 60:1 demonstrate that mobilization encompasses spiritual, financial, and ideological commitments. Even 9:122 affirms non-combat mobilization through religious study and informing believers upon their return. In short, to “mobilize” in God’s cause means to actively prioritize Him through action, sacrifice, and sincerity, not just by going to war, which makes acts like hastening to make it to the Friday Prayer (62:9) a direct act of mobilization per the verses of the Quran.

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Is Mobilization Just Warfare?

Some claim that when the Quran says, “mobilize along with you in the cause of God,” as in verse 4:89, it refers strictly to participation in physical combat. By this logic, acts like attending the Friday Congregational Prayer would not qualify as “mobilization.” However, both the dictionary definition of the term and the Quran’s broader usage point to a much wider and deeper principle.

What Mobilization Really Means

The standard definitions of “mobilize” go far beyond preparing for military action. They also include encouraging people to act collectively for a cause or to take action, bringing resources into motion to achieve a goal, or making something capable of movement. In this broader sense, mobilization can be physical, social, financial, or spiritual—not merely military.

This expanded understanding is supported by the Quran itself. For example, God tells Satan during his granted respite:

[17:64] “You may entice them with your voice, and mobilize all your forces and all your men against them, and share in their money and children, and promise them. Anything the devil promises is no more than an illusion.

 وَٱسْتَفْزِزْ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَعْتَ مِنْهُم بِصَوْتِكَ وَأَجْلِبْ عَلَيْهِم بِخَيْلِكَ وَرَجِلِكَ وَشَارِكْهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَوْلَـٰدِ وَعِدْهُمْ وَمَا يَعِدُهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ إِلَّا غُرُورًا

Here, “mobilize” clearly refers to rallying ideological, psychological, and societal influence—not leading a physical army. This usage confirms that the term mobilization, as translated by Dr. Rashad Khalifa, encompasses broader forms of concerted effort and influence beyond the battlefield.

The Linguistic Evidence in 4:89

To understand what it truly means to “mobilize in the cause of God,” we must examine the Arabic terminology used in the verse cited to support a military-only interpretation—Surah 4:89. The Arabic term here used for “mobilize,” is the word yuhājirū ( يُهَاجِرُوا ), which is derived from the root hijrah, meaning to emigrate or to leave behind. This is not a word limited to combat—it is a word for departure, movement, and realignment. The condition being set is not about fighting but about physically or ideologically severing ties with disbelief and aligning oneself publicly with the believers.

[4:89] They wish that you disbelieve as they have disbelieved, then you become equal. Do not consider them friends, unless they mobilize along with you in the cause of God. If they turn against you, you shall fight them, and you may kill them when you encounter them in war. You shall not accept them as friends, or allies.

وَدّوا لَو تَكفُرونَ كَما كَفَروا فَتَكونونَ سَواءً فَلا تَتَّخِذوا مِنهُم أَولِياءَ حَتّىٰ يُهاجِروا فى سَبيلِ اللَّهِ فَإِن تَوَلَّوا فَخُذوهُم وَاقتُلوهُم حَيثُ وَجَدتُموهُم وَلا تَتَّخِذوا مِنهُم وَلِيًّا وَلا نَصيرًا

This linguistic distinction is critical and is reinforced throughout the Quran, particularly in verses like 8:72–75, where emigration (hijrah) is consistently paired with striving with wealth and life in God’s cause. These verses make clear that mobilization is a sign of allegiance, not necessarily militancy. Those who remain neutral or inactive are not extended the same relational or communal bonds. The emphasis is on movement and commitment, not armed conflict alone.

[8:72] Surely, those who believed, and emigrated, and strove with their money and their lives in the cause of GOD, as well as those who hosted them and gave them refuge, and supported them, they are allies of one another. As for those who believe, but do not emigrate with you, you do not owe them any support, until they do emigrate. However, if they need your help, as brethren in faith, you shall help them, except against people with whom you have signed a peace treaty. GOD is Seer of everything you do.

 إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَهَاجَرُوا۟ وَجَـٰهَدُوا۟ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَاوَوا۟ وَّنَصَرُوٓا۟ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَلَمْ يُهَاجِرُوا۟ مَا لَكُم مِّن وَلَـٰيَتِهِم مِّن شَىْءٍ حَتَّىٰ يُهَاجِرُوا۟ وَإِنِ ٱسْتَنصَرُوكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ فَعَلَيْكُمُ ٱلنَّصْرُ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ قَوْمٍۭ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُم مِّيثَـٰقٌ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ

[8:73] Those who disbelieved are allies of one another. Unless you keep these commandments, there will be chaos on earth, and terrible corruption.

 وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍ إِلَّا تَفْعَلُوهُ تَكُن فِتْنَةٌ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَفَسَادٌ كَبِيرٌ

[8:74] Those who believed and emigrated, and strove in the cause of GOD, as well as those who hosted them and gave them refuge, and supported them, these are the true believers. They have deserved forgiveness and a generous recompense.

وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَهَاجَرُوا۟ وَجَـٰهَدُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَاوَوا۟ وَّنَصَرُوٓا۟ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ حَقًّا لَّهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ

[8:75] Those who believed afterwards, and emigrated, and strove with you, they belong with you. Those who are related to each other shall be the first to support each other, in accordance with GOD’s commandments. GOD is fully aware of all things.

 وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدُ وَهَاجَرُوا۟ وَجَـٰهَدُوا۟ مَعَكُمْ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ مِنكُمْ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَرْحَامِ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِبَعْضٍ فِى كِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌۢ

These examples help us see that 4:89 is drawing a red line—not between warriors and civilians—but between those who merely profess belief and those who take visible, consequential steps to join the community of believers in action and purpose.

Friday Prayer as a Real-World Example of Mobilization

A practical, non-military example of Quranic mobilization appears in the command to attend the Friday Congregational Prayer. Just as emigration in the cause of God symbolizes a public shift in allegiance, so too does abandoning worldly priorities for the Friday Prayer reflect a tangible, visible commitment to God over profit.

[62:9] O you who believe, when the Congregational Prayer (Salat Al-Jumu’ah) is announced on Friday, you shall hasten to the commemoration of GOD, and drop all business. This is better for you, if you only knew.

 يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا نُودِىَ لِلصَّلَوٰةِ مِن يَوْمِ ٱلْجُمُعَةِ فَٱسْعَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَذَرُوا۟ ٱلْبَيْعَ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

[62:10] Once the prayer is completed, you may spread through the land to seek GOD’s bounties, and continue to remember GOD frequently, that you may succeed.

 فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةُ فَٱنتَشِرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

This is not just a spiritual obligation—it is a decisive act of mobilization. The believer sets aside commerce and comfort, physically moves and takes action to congregate, and mentally reorients toward divine remembrance. It entails both economic sacrifice and spiritual prioritization. In essence, it mirrors the same principles found in Quranic verses about hijrah and striving in God’s cause.

[4:100] Anyone who emigrates in the cause of GOD will find on earth great bounties and richness. Anyone who gives up his home, emigrating to GOD and His messenger, then death catches up with him, his recompense is reserved with GOD. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

 وَمَن يُهَاجِرْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ يَجِدْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُرَٰغَمًا كَثِيرًا وَسَعَةً وَمَن يَخْرُجْ مِنۢ بَيْتِهِۦ مُهَاجِرًا إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ثُمَّ يُدْرِكْهُ ٱلْمَوْتُ فَقَدْ وَقَعَ أَجْرُهُۥ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

Attending the Friday prayer is thus not a passive religious formality—it is an active, lived expression of mobilization. Like emigration, it marks a shift: away from the world’s pull and toward God’s command. It exemplifies how Quranic mobilization extends beyond the battlefield and into the rhythms of everyday devotion.

Religious Study & Sharing as Mobilization

Even verses that use the Arabic word infirū (انفِروا)—more directly associated with military movement—point to a spectrum of mobilization. A pivotal verse that challenges the idea of mobilization being limited to warfare is Surah 9:122. The verse begins with the familiar root nafara (نَفَرَ), typically associated with “mobilizing” or “marching forth.” But here, the Quran introduces an intentional distinction: not all believers are to mobilize in the same way. Instead, it assigns a spiritual form of mobilization to those who stay behind—not for leisure, but to study the religion and warn their communities when the others return.

[9:122] When the believers mobilize, not all of them shall do so. A few from each group shall mobilize by devoting their time to studying the religion. Thus, they can pass the knowledge on to their people when they return, that they may remain religiously informed.

 وَمَا كَانَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ لِيَنفِرُوا۟ كَآفَّةً فَلَوْلَا نَفَرَ مِن كُلِّ فِرْقَةٍ مِّنْهُمْ طَآئِفَةٌ لِّيَتَفَقَّهُوا۟ فِى ٱلدِّينِ وَلِيُنذِرُوا۟ قَوْمَهُمْ إِذَا رَجَعُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَحْذَرُونَ

Here Rashad uses the term mobilize twice—once to refer to those who go forth physically, and again for those who “go forth” into the field of religious understanding. In doing so, it redefines the term itself. To mobilize in the cause of God can mean taking up arms—or taking up scripture. Both are acts of devotion. Both involve sacrifice. Both serve the survival and growth of the community.

Seen in this light, those who attend the Friday Prayer are themselves participating in this mobilization—leaving behind business and routine to join in communal remembrance and learning. And even more directly, those who prepare and deliver the Friday sermon are living out the role described in 9:122: devoting time to study, warning their people, and keeping the congregation religiously informed. They may not march into battle, but they are unquestionably mobilizing in the cause of God.

This verse doesn’t just broaden the definition of mobilization—it sanctifies religious education and community guidance as a core function of a faithful, mobilized believer. It affirms that mobilization is not about what battlefield you stand on—it’s about what cause you stand for.

The Sedentary vs. the Mobilized

Additionally, 9:41 speaks of striving with money and life, not just warfare. Additionally, when we read the verses in context, we see that mobilizing is not limited to the context of war, but can also apply to a much broader act of striving in the cause of God. For example, 9:38-47 equates mobilization with not being sedentary or choosing the worldly life over the life of the Hereafter.

[9:38] O you who believe, when you are told, “Mobilize in the cause of GOD,” why do you become heavily attached to the ground? Have you chosen this worldly life in place of the Hereafter? The materials of this world, compared to the Hereafter, are nil. [9:39] Unless you mobilize, He will commit you to painful retribution and substitute other people in your place; you can never hurt Him in the least. GOD is Omnipotent.

Better Believers Strive in the Cause of God

[9:41] You shall readily mobilize, light or heavy, and strive with your money and your lives in the cause of GOD. This is better for you, if you only knew.

The Sedentary

[9:42] If there were a quick material gain, and a short journey, they would have followed you. But the striving is just too much for them. They will swear by GOD: “If we could, we would have mobilized with you.” They thus hurt themselves, and GOD knows that they are liars. [9:43] GOD has pardoned you: why did you give them permission (to stay behind), before you could distinguish those who are truthful from the liars? [9:44] Those who truly believe in GOD and the Last Day do not ask your permission to evade the opportunity to strive with their money and their lives. GOD is fully aware of the righteous. [9:45] The only people who wish to be excused are those who do not really believe in GOD and the Last Day. Their hearts are full of doubt, and their doubts cause them to waver. [9:46] Had they really wanted to mobilize, they would have prepared for it thoroughly. But GOD disliked their participation, so He discouraged them; they were told, “Stay behind with those who are staying behind.” [9:47] Had they mobilized with you, they would have created confusion, and would have caused disputes and divisions among you. Some of you were apt to listen to them. GOD is fully aware of the transgressors. [9:48] They sought to spread confusion among you in the past, and confounded the matters for you. However, the truth ultimately prevails, and GOD’s plan is carried out, in spite of them. [9:49] Some of them would say, “Give me permission (to stay behind); do not impose such a hardship on me.” In fact, they have thus incurred a terrible hardship; Hell is surrounding the disbelievers.

9:81 Additionally demonstrates that the opposite of those who mobilize are the sedentary, and they are ones who hate to strive with their money and lives, which is the complete opposite of one who hastens to the Congregational Prayer on Friday.

[9:81] The sedentary rejoiced in their staying behind the messenger of God, and hated to strive with their money and their lives in the cause of God. They said, “Let us not mobilize in this heat!” Say, “The fire of Hell is much hotter,” if they could only comprehend.

Mobilization = Taking Action

This is also echoed in the following verse, where if the messenger commands them to take action, they are obligated to take action. This again is not limited to war, but can constitute any command of mobilization coming from God’s messenger.

[24:53] They swear by GOD, solemnly, that if you commanded them to mobilize, they would mobilize. Say, “Do not swear. Obedience is an obligation. GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.”

وَأَقْسَمُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَـٰنِهِمْ لَئِنْ أَمَرْتَهُمْ لَيَخْرُجُنَّ قُل لَّا تُقْسِمُوا۟ طَاعَةٌ مَّعْرُوفَةٌ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

60:1 is another verse that clearly shows that mobilization is not limited to military mobilization, but simply striving in the cause of God, seeking God’s approval. This dismantles the idea that mobilizing “in the cause of God” is limited to military contexts. Instead, it points to the broader Quranic principle: to mobilize is to rise, shift, and commit oneself wholly to God’s cause—whether in battle, study, emigration, or ideological clarity.

[60:1] O you who believe, you shall not befriend My enemies and your enemies, extending love and friendship to them, even though they have disbelieved in the truth that has come to you. They persecute the messenger, and you, just because you believe in God, your Lord. If you mobilize to struggle in My cause, seeking My blessings, how can you secretly love them? I am fully aware of everything you conceal, and everything you declare. Those among you who do this have indeed strayed off the right path.

 يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ عَدُوِّى وَعَدُوَّكُمْ أَوْلِيَآءَ تُلْقُونَ إِلَيْهِم بِٱلْمَوَدَّةِ وَقَدْ كَفَرُوا۟ بِمَا جَآءَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْحَقِّ يُخْرِجُونَ ٱلرَّسُولَ وَإِيَّاكُمْ أَن تُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ رَبِّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ خَرَجْتُمْ جِهَـٰدًا فِى سَبِيلِى وَٱبْتِغَآءَ مَرْضَاتِى تُسِرُّونَ إِلَيْهِم بِٱلْمَوَدَّةِ وَأَنَا۠ أَعْلَمُ بِمَآ أَخْفَيْتُمْ وَمَآ أَعْلَنتُمْ وَمَن يَفْعَلْهُ مِنكُمْ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ سَوَآءَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ

Rashad Khalifa’s Broader Use of “Mobilize”

Even if we look at how Rashad used the term “mobilization” in his recordings we find that he used it in a broad, non-military context. These usages reinforce the argument that “mobilizing in the cause of God” in the Quran includes spiritual, ideological, and social efforts—not just warfare.

The first example comes from the video “The Computer Speaks | Let Us Unite, New Era, The Human Factor” at the 14:20 mark. In this clip, Rashad criticizes a prominent Christian preacher for mobilizing people against the teachings of Christ—not by commanding armies, but through religious misguidance and theological manipulation. Here, mobilization refers to influencing others ideologically, rallying them behind a false narrative.

(14:19) One of Dr. Graham’s favorite statements is, I know I am going to heaven.
(14:26) Well, I have news for Dr. Graham.
(14:29) He will see heaven only if he repents and reverses the mobilization of millions of people against Jesus Christ and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

The second example appears in the sermon “Miraculous Date of Discovery, Muhammad’s Tough Times, Dawn Prayer, Dropouts” at the 7:05 mark. While recounting the events surrounding the spread of the Quran’s mathematical miracle, Rashad describes how God mobilized various non-military “forces”—including people, publications, and timing—to publicize the message. The term “mobilized” here signifies divine orchestration of worldly events, not physical battle.

(7:05) I also went to the publications in Egypt where I had written about the miracle, and we put
(7:11) it in the biggest, God mobilized all kinds of forces, we put it in the biggest magazines
(7:17) that have the dates on it, the Hijrah dates and the regular dates.
(7:23) And I was able to pin down the time of the revelation of the miracle to one month. (7:30) When the number 19, as the common denominator throughout the Quran, became a reality, that
(7:37) was January 1974.
(7:48) And this corresponded to the last month, this is the first month of 1974, corresponds to
(7:56) the last month of 1393.

Another example can be found in Rashad’s famous Submitters Perspective issue number 57, where he announced the name change from Muslim Perspective. In the last paragraph, when explaining the name change, he explained how using the terms “Submitter” and “Submission” instead of “Muslim” and “Islam” was a form of mobilization against Satan’s plan.

One of the most important items on the unification agenda is the name of God’s people; the unified believers. The words “Muslim” and “Islam” are NOT names; they are Arabic words meaning “Submitter” and “Submission,” respectively. When Noah, Abraham, Solomon, and even the jinns talked about “Islam” and “Muslim” they did not speak in Arabic; they used their own languages. Please read these verses: 2:131; 7:126; 10:72; 22:78; 27:31, 42; 28:53; 72:14. When Jesus’ disciples stated that they were “Muslims,” they did not say it Arabic (3:52). A Christian Arab is called “Nusraany” in Arabic. Yet, we do not use this Arabic word when we speak English. It has been Satan’s plan to transform these “descriptions” into “names” then to give “Islam” and the “Muslims” a bad name. We have now mobilized to pull the rug from under Satan’s feet.

Together, these examples demonstrate that Rashad Khalifa utilized the term mobilization in addition to the context of war to also apply to any coordinated or divinely guided action undertaken in God’s cause—whether through speech, publications, or influence. This understanding directly supports the claim that attending the Friday Congregational Prayer is a valid form of Quranic mobilization: one that involves physical movement, economic sacrifice, and prioritization of divine duty over worldly pursuits.

Just as Rashad applied “mobilization” to spiritual opposition and propagation of divine truth, the act of leaving work and gathering to worship—as commanded in 62:9—is a real and righteous form of mobilization in the cause of God.

Conclusion: The Many Faces of Mobilizing for God

In light of this, reducing mobilization to warfare alone overlooks the richness of the Arabic and the Quran’s moral vision as well as how Rashad Khalifa himself used this word. The Quran encourages believers to shift, strive, sacrifice, and move toward God in whatever way their situation allows. This can be through emigration, study, prayer, economic prioritization, or even battle. All are valid forms of responding to God’s call to mobilize.

Believers are not just military soldiers, but ones who take action to strive with their money and lives in the cause of God. They are those who move in God’s path—sacrificing, reprioritizing, and engaging with sincerity. Whether it is dropping business for Friday prayer, aligning publicly with truth, seeking knowledge, or responding to a military threat, each of these acts represents a different face of the same principle of mobilizing in the cause of God.