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There are explicit hadiths indicating that there is an hour on Friday during which no Muslim servant asks Allah for something except that He grants it to him.

The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) stated, as narrated by Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه):

Narrated [Abu Hurairah (RA)]:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) mentioned the day of al-Jumu'ah and then said, "There is a time in it (Friday) at which no Muslim would stand up while praying and beg Allah, Who is Great and Glorious, for something except that He would give it to him. He (ﷺ) indicated with his hand that it (this time) is short." [Agreed upon by Bukhari and Muslim].

In another narration, it is mentioned:

"The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday; on it, Adam was created; on it, he was admitted to Paradise; on it, he was expelled from it; and the Last Hour will take place on no other day than Friday." Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) added: "There is an hour on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while praying and asks something from Allah, then Allah will definitely meet his demand." [Sahih Bukhari 929]

Scholars have differed in specifying this hour due to the different narrations regarding its timing. Some narrations indicate that it is the time between when the Imam sits on the pulpit until the prayer is completed, as mentioned in Sahih Muslim and others. Other narrations specify that it is after Asr without any particular restriction, while some indicate it is the last hour before sunset, as mentioned in the Musnad and the Sunan.

Some scholars have said that this hour has been hidden within Friday, just as Laylat al-Qadr has been hidden within Ramadan. The wisdom behind this could be to encourage the servant to be persistent in supplication throughout the day, thus increasing the reward.

In any case, a Muslim should strive throughout the entire day, asking Allah to grant him success in finding this hour and in other things that please Allah. Allah does not reject the supplication of one who calls upon Him with faith and sincerity.

Which is the Hour or Response from Allah

The scholars have differed regarding the hour of response on Friday, and there are various opinions. The strongest are two:

First Opinion: From the time the Imam sits on the pulpit until the end of the prayer:

This view was chosen by Ibn al-Arabi, al-Bayhaqi, al-Qurtubi, an-Nawawi, Ibn Rajab, and Ibn Abidin.

This is based on the hadith narrated by Abu Burdah ibn Abi Musa al-Ashari (رضي الله عنه), who said:

"Abdullah ibn Umar said to me: 'Have you heard your father narrate from the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) about the hour of Friday?' I said: 'Yes, I heard him say: I heard the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) say: "It is the time between when the Imam sits down until the prayer is completed."' [Sahih Muslim 853]

Imam An-Nawawi said in his commentary on Sahih Muslim: "The correct view, in fact the precise view, regarding the timing of the hour of response (for supplications) is what Muslim narrated from the hadith of Abu Musa from the Prophet (peace be upon him), that it is from the time the Imam sits until the prayer is completed."

Second Opinion: The last hour after Asr:

This view is reported from many companions including Abdullah ibn Salam, Abu Hurairah,  and was chosen by Ahmad, Ishaq, Ibn Abdul Barr, and  Ibn al-Qayyim and many other Imams.  This opinion is considered stronger by many scholars.

Additionally, Jaber ibn Abdullah (رضي الله عنه) narrated:

"The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'Friday is twelve hours, during which there is an hour in which no Muslim slave asks Allah for anything but He will give it to him, so seek it in the last hour after Asr.'" [Sunan Abu Dawood, Sunan An-Nasa'i]

Further supporting this view, Abdullah ibn Salam (رضي الله عنه) narrated:

"I said while the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was sitting: 'We find in the Book of Allah (Torah) that on Friday there is an hour in which no believing servant prays and asks Allah for something except that He gives it to him.' Abdullah said: 'The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) gestured to me or some part of an hour.' I said: 'You are correct, or some part of an hour.' I asked: 'Which hour is it?' He said: 'It is the last hour of the day.' I said: 'It is not the hour of prayer?' He said: 'Indeed, when a believing servant prays and then sits without moving except for the prayer, he is in prayer.'" [Sahih Ibn Majah]

The Practice of the Salaf After Asr on Friday

The righteous predecessors (Salaf) understood the significance of this hour and made special efforts to engage in supplication during this period. Here are some examples of their practices:

Salih bin Bistam: Ibn Asakir reported in his book that Salih bin Bistam, who had lost his sight, had his friends pray for him during the Asr time on Friday. Before sunset, he sneezed, and his sight was restored. [Tarikh Dimashq]

"Fatimah (رضي الله عنها) would send a servant to watch the sun on Fridays. When informed that it was about to set, she would engage in supplication until the sun set." [Fath al-Bari, Kitab al-Jumu'ah]

A pious man said: "Whoever's Friday is upright, the rest of his week will be upright." Mufaddal ibn Fadala would pray Asr on Friday and then seclude himself in a corner of the mosque to make supplication until sunset. [Akhbar al-Qudat]

Tawus ibn Kaysan would face the Qibla after Asr on Friday and not speak to anyone until the sun set. [Tarikh Wasit]

Sa'id ibn Jubair would not speak to anyone after Asr until the sun set. [Zad al-Ma'ad 1/382]

The time after Asr on Friday is an extraordinary opportunity for Muslims to engage in supplication. The practices of the Salaf and the emphasis in hadith underscore its significance. By making dua during this period, believers can hope to have their supplications answered, thereby receiving Allah’s blessings and mercy. It is a time to present one's worldly and spiritual needs to Allah, seeking His divine intervention in all aspects of life.

As Muslims, we should make a conscious effort to utilize this blessed time every Friday, encouraging our families and communities to do the same. This practice not only strengthens our faith but also brings us closer to Allah, fostering a sense of spiritual fulfillment and peace.