What are the prescribed times for attending the Friday prayer (Jumu'ah)?

Primary text

The time for attending the Friday prayer has two aspects: the time of obligation and the time of merit (fadila). The time of merit begins from the early part of the day, and the earlier one arrives, the more preferable and excellent it is. This is the established view of Al-Awza'i, Al-Shafi'i, Ibn al-Mundhir, and the Ahl al-Ra'y (supporters of opinion/reasoning). The reward for arriving is immense, as evidenced by the Hadith stating that whoever goes in the first hour is like sacrificing a she-camel, the second like a cow, the third like a horned ram, the fourth like a chicken, and the fifth like an egg. When the Imam emerges, the angels attend to listen to the remembrance (dhikr). Furthermore, those who go early are gathered closer to Allah on the Day of Judgment based on the time of their arrival.