Four Rakah before the Fard of Jumu’ah prayer

Question: Is it permissible to pray four Rakat before the Fard of Jumu’ah prayers?

Praise be to Allah

Summary:
There is no authentic Sunnah for praying four Rakat specifically before the Jumu’ah prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) did not prescribe any Sunnah prayer immediately preceding the Fard of Jumu’ah, although he encouraged general voluntary prayers beforehand for those who arrive early. The Sunnah associated with Jumu’ah consists of two or four Rakat after the Fard, depending on whether one prays at the mosque or at home.

Detailed Answer:
There is no regular Sunnah prayer before Jumu`ah. What is prescribed is to offer whatever voluntary prayers you want from the time you enter the mosque until the Imam ascends the pulpit.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged Muslims to engage in general voluntary prayers upon arriving at the mosque on Fridays. However, there is no specific Sunnah for four Rakat directly before the Jumu’ah Fard prayer. The Sunnah prayers related to Jumu’ah are performed after the Fard prayer. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “When one of you has prayed Jumu’ah, let him pray four (Rakat) afterwards.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 881). In another narration, it is mentioned that if a person prays at home after Jumu’ah, they should pray two Rakat (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 882).

Some people assume that the regular four Rakat Sunnah prayer before Dhuhr applies to Jumu’ah, but the Prophet did not establish a similar practice before Jumu’ah. Instead, he encouraged voluntary prayer upon entering the mosque, without specifying a fixed number. Scholars agree that offering extra prayers is meritorious, but assigning a specific Sunnah of four Rakat before Jumu’ah without evidence makes it a potential innovation (Bid’ah).

And Allah Knows Best