Is there a distinction between Friday and other days regarding prayer at the time of Dhalwa (midday/Zawal)?
Chapter on the Times When Prayer is Prohibited
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
There is no distinction between Friday and other days regarding the prohibition of prayer at the time of Dhalwa (when the sun is precisely at its zenith). This was the practice of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, and Ibn Mas'ud stated they were forbidden from doing so even on Friday. The rationale for the general prohibition is based on the comprehensive narrations forbidding prayer during the specified hours, including the time when the sun is at its zenith, asserting that the time of prohibition is the same regardless of the day. Supporting evidence for the general prohibition is the hadith stating that the sun rises with a horn of Satan, remains near it when rising and setting, and is near it when at its zenith, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade prayer during these times. The alleged hadith permitting prayer on Friday at Dhalwa is considered weak due to a weak narrator (Layth ibn Abi Sulaym) and being mursal (disconnected chain).
Supporting text
Some scholars, including Al-Hasan, Tawus, Al-Awza'i, Sa'id ibn 'Abd al-Aziz, Al-Shafi'i, and Ishaq, permit prayer at Dhalwa on Friday. This is based on narrations that specifically exempt Friday from the midday prayer prohibition. Additionally, it is argued that people wait for Friday prayer during this time and are not obliged to cut short their voluntary prayers.