Q. How many rakats must we perform before and after the Jummah salah? some peoples say two, some four, I even heard some say 6 and 10 rakats. Is it cultural or just nafl?

A. We need not go into the detail of fact sharing. We would mention to you some ahadeth. Because the Hadeeth vary, so would peoples behavior in carrying out the sunnah salah prior and after Jummah salaah. Our duty is to help bring clarity and share with you the facts in the most simplistic manner to help you diversify your thinking whilst giving support to doing the correct thing without imposing a single dominant thought.

First of, there are opinions linked to all the number of rakats you have mentioned in your question, however, sometimes people merely  view the number of rakats mentioned in the hadith and determine that those rakats mentioned are the amount of rakats to be read merely because the hadith makes mention of them.  Such people also assume that the number of rakats mentioned are taken as part of correct understanding and also assume that what they are doing falls with the correct category.

In other words, because a Hadeeth states that Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) read two rakats, does not mean it was the same two rakats read with the intent of it being that which we must all do. The two rakats read could be either nafl, tahiyatul musjid, etc. Thus, to only read two rakats and mistakenly have the notion that it is just that 2, 4 or 6 rakats based on an individual hadeeth would be to devalue ones understanding of the actions and words of Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) as a totality.

Take a simple case of misunderstanding regarding the performing of only 2, 4 , or 6 rakats. Sometimes conveniently forgotten is the fact that Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) read many rakats prior to the zohr, including as noted by some sahaba, the two rakats prior to zohr as tahiyatul musjid. For example, this two rakats is not compulsory, it is done and can be done at all correct times as part of tahiyatul Musjid (the salaah a person usually performs upon entering the Musjid.) Becuase Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) read tahiyatul musjid does not bind us to always read! We cannot make fard what is not fard!

Regarding the four rakats which people read, it has been proven that Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) would read them at home prior to coming to the musjid. Thus showing the significance of reading the sunnah (mukakadah) at home prior to coming to the Musjid. This has also been proven by various Ahadeith, including Ahadeth form Sayyidina Aysha (RA) who knew the finer details of Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam’s) personal life and movements pertaining to certain Ibadaat. Also substantiated by her (RA) proof are similar proofs from Abdullah ibn Masood, Abudullah Ibn Umar, Ali and Abu Hurairah, Umme Habiba, etc. (May Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala be pleased with them all.) Thus, it has been stated:

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All these Hadith outline that four rakats was performed by Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) prior to Jummah salaah. The four rakats these Hadith outline were done without a separation in them, like that of 2 rakats, then 2 rakats again. The reward is emancipation from hell, in that the fire of Jahannam would not afflict the person who took these four rakats seriously. Ibn Majah proves significance in mentioning that when these four rakats were missed by Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam), he would do a makeup of it after the two rakats of zohr salah at the very end.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.