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All believers, who claim to be spiritual descendants of Ibrahim (aws), al-Hanif (worshipper of the Creator) and Khalilullah (friend of Allah), keep the cycle of a seven-day week. Unlike a year, a month, or a day, the week does not have an astronomical foundation. A kafir (unbeliever) unfamiliar with Allah’s revelation will find no base for the seven-day week cycle anywhere in nature. And yet, this cycle is observed in all countries of the World, regardless of their religion or a lack of faith. The Scriptures attest, that the weekly cycle is a memorial of the creation of life on Earth, described in the Tawrat and mentioned in all other Holy Books.

The Qur’an attests seven times, that Allah created the World in six days, and goes on to say that afterwards He sat on His throne. This is the concept of the seventh day, and together, these days make up the week. As Muslims know full well, there is a discussion among the Jews and Christians over which day commemorates the rest at the end of creation, which Allah himself observed, and instructed (as we will read below) to be observed by all who submit (aslama) to the authority of al-Khaaliq (the Creator). This is what surah Al-Nahl refers to, when it speaks about those who differ regarding the Sabbath. For those of pure iman (faith), there is nothing to doubt and differ about, as you will see.

While the English language, which takes the names of weekdays from ancient pagan traditions, is unclear on the question which is the day appointed by Allah at creation for rest and remembrance of Him, no Arabic speaker can have any doubts about this.

In Arabic, the days of the week are numbered in order from one to five. Only Friday and Saturday are named differently. The “first day” in Arabic corresponds with Sunday.

The Qur’an speaks about keeping as-Sabt (the Sabbath) as a day of rest and a day of worship, and warns that those who break it are cursed:

Al-Nisa 4:47

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ آمِنُوا بِمَا نَزَّلْنَا مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا مَعَكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّطْمِسَ وُجُوهًا فَنَرُدَّهَا عَلَى أَدْبَارِهَا أَوْ نَلْعَنَهُمْ كَمَا لَعَنَّا أَصْحَابَ السَّبْتِ وَكَانَ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ مَفْعُولًا

O ye People of the Book! believe in what We have revealed, confirming what was with you, before We change the face and fame of some beyond all recognition, and turn them hindwards, or curse them as We cursed the Sabbath-breakers, for the decision of Allah Must be carried out.

Al-Araf 7:163

وَاسْأَلْهُمْ عَنِ الْقَرْيَةِ الَّتِي كَانَتْ حَاضِرَةَ الْبَحْرِ إِذْ يَعْدُونَ فِي السَّبْتِ إِذْ تَأْتِيهِمْ حِيتَانُهُمْ يَوْمَ سَبْتِهِمْ شُرَّعًا وَيَوْمَ لَا يَسْبِتُونَ لَا تَأْتِيهِمْ كَذَلِكَ نَبْلُوهُم بِمَا كَانُوا يَفْسُقُونَ

Ask them of the township that was by the sea, how they did break the sabbath, how their big fish came unto them visibly upon the Sabbath day and on a day when they did not keep Sabbath came they not unto them. Thus did We try them for that they were evil-livers.

Al-Nahl 16:124

إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ السَّبْتُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَيَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ

The sabbath was made for those who differed about it. Your Lord will judge among them on the day of resurrection regarding their differences.

The Qur’an reminds us many times about the importance of remembering, and the tragic fate of those who forgot. In spite of all of these warnings, most people do not even think about the special significance of as-Sabt, the day, which Allah himself set apart at the beginning of this world, in order for people to remember Him. It is so serious that the Qur’an tells us that Allah cursed the Jewish people who were breaking it. If you want to walk the Straight path, do not rely too much on what other people say or do. Respect them, as this is the right thing to do, but it is safest and best for you to follow the guidance of al-Hādī (the Guide).

The Holy Bible, also disregarded by “those who differ”, equally stresses the commandment of Allah to keep al-yawm as-Sabt (the Sabbath) holy. Besides, the Tawrat shows clearly that keeping the day is not a temporary commandment for the Jews only, but an eternal ruling for all mankind, for all, who were created by Allah.

Tawrat; Genesis 2:1-3

Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Tawrat; Exodus 20:8-11

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

nabi Isaiah 58:13-14

If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the Lord…

nabi Isaiah 66:22-23

“As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me, declares the Lord, so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the Lord.

Allah teaches us that, in order to fulfill the purpose for which He set al-yawm as-Sabt aside as holy, we are obligated to honor it, and stay away from going after our own pleasure, and from speaking whatever we feel like talking about on that holy day. Then, He promised, we will find delight in it. The Sabbath is a special gift, preventing us from the fate of “those who forgot”, and reminding us to remember Allah, His plan for our lives, His care for us, and the hope of the Hereafter that we have thanks to His Rahmah (mercy).