Question
Assalamu alaikum. Is it permissible to perform nafl (voluntary) prayers when the khutbah (Friday sermon) has already started?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the
worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the most noble of prophets and
messengers, our Prophet Muhammad, and upon all his family and companions.
This is an important question
regarding the etiquette of Jumu'ah (Friday prayer) and the reverence due to the
khutbah. In short, it is not permissible to perform nafl prayers once the imam
has begun the khutbah, with one specific exception: the prayer of Tahiyyat
al-Masjid (greeting the mosque) consisting of two brief rak'ahs for the person
who enters the mosque while the khutbah is in progress. Apart from this, any
voluntary prayer during the khutbah is prohibited.
The Significance of the
Khutbah and the Obligation to Listen
The khutbah is an integral part
of Jumu'ah prayer; the prayer is incomplete without it. The Prophet (Sallallahu
Alaihi Wasallam) never performed Jumu'ah without a khutbah, and he instructed:
الْحَدِيثُ: «صَلُّوا كَمَا رَأَيْتُمُونِي
أُصَلِّي»
Translation: "Pray as you
have seen me praying." (Sahih al-Bukhari, 631)
If the khutbah were not a
required condition, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would have omitted
it on some occasions to demonstrate its non-essential nature. Since no such
report exists, the khutbah remains a vital component of the Friday worship.
Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala)
commands attentive listening when the Qur'an is recited, and scholars of tafsir
have extended this command to the khutbah as well:
الآيَةُ: ﴿وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا
لَهُ وَأَنصِتُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ﴾
Translation: "When the
Qur'an is recited, listen to it and be silent, that you may receive
mercy." (Surat Al-A'raf, 7:204)
Evidence for the Prohibition
of Prayer and Speech During the Khutbah
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi
Wasallam) issued a severe warning against any distraction during the khutbah.
Abu Hurairah (Radhiyallahu Anhu) narrated:
الْحَدِيثُ: «مَنْ قَالَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ
وَالْإِمَامُ يَخْطُبُ: أَنْصِتْ، فَقَدْ لَغَا»
Translation: "Whoever says
to his companion on Friday while the imam is delivering the khutbah, 'Be
quiet,' has engaged in idle speech (lagha)." (Sahih al-Bukhari, 934; Sahih
Muslim, 851)
This hadith demonstrates that
even uttering the words "be quiet" to remind someone else to listen
is considered idle speech that diminishes the reward of Jumu'ah. If this is the
case for a simple phrase intended to help another person, then performing an
entire prayer—with its movements, recitations, and mental focus—is even more
clearly prohibited, as it distracts the worshipper from listening to the
khutbah.
Another narration further
emphasizes this point. Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallahu Anhuma) reported that the
Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:
الْحَدِيثُ: «مَنْ تَكَلَّمَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ
وَالْإِمَامُ يَخْطُبُ فَهُوَ كَمَثَلِ الْحِمَارِ يَحْمِلُ أَسْفَارًا، وَالَّذِي
يَقُولُ لَهُ: أَنْصِتْ لَيْسَ لَهُ جُمُعَةٌ»
Translation: "Whoever speaks
on Friday while the imam is delivering the khutbah is like a donkey carrying
books. And the one who tells him to be quiet has no Jumu'ah (reward)."
(Musnad Ahmad, 2107; authenticated by Al-Albani)
Scholars explain that the reward
of Jumu'ah is lost for those who engage in speech or distraction during the
khutbah, even if the speech is seemingly beneficial, such as reminding someone
to listen. Performing a voluntary prayer during the khutbah is therefore even
more detrimental, as it involves active worship that diverts the heart and mind
from the sermon.
Imam Ibn Qudamah (Rahimahullah)
stated in Al-Mughni: "It becomes obligatory to listen once the imam begins
the khutbah, for it is not permissible to speak to anyone within the
mosque."
The Exception: Tahiyyat
al-Masjid for the One Who Enters During the Khutbah
Despite the general prohibition,
there is one specific prayer that is exempted: Tahiyyat al-Masjid (the prayer
of greeting the mosque), consisting of two brief rak'ahs for a person who
enters the mosque while the khutbah is in progress.
Jabir ibn 'Abdillah (Radhiyallahu
Anhu) narrated:
الْحَدِيثُ: «جَاءَ رَجُلٌ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ
وَالنَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَخْطُبُ، فَقَالَ: أَصَلَّيْتَ؟ قَالَ:
لَا. قَالَ: قُمْ فَارْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ»
Translation: "A man came on
Friday while the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was delivering the
khutbah. He (the Prophet) asked: 'Have you prayed?' He said: 'No.' He said:
'Stand and pray two rak'ahs.'" (Sahih al-Bukhari, 931; Sahih Muslim, 875)
This hadith clearly shows that
the person who enters the mosque during the khutbah should perform the two
rak'ahs of Tahiyyat al-Masjid quickly and briefly, then sit down and listen to
the remainder of the sermon. This exception applies only to this specific
prayer and not to any other voluntary prayers.
Scholars emphasize that these two
rak'ahs should be performed very briefly, without prolonging the recitation or
the movements, so that the person does not miss a significant portion of the
khutbah. If the imam has already ascended the minbar, the entering person
should pray these two rak'ahs swiftly and then sit.
Difference Between Jumu'ah and
Eid Prayers
It is important to note a
distinction between the khutbah of Jumu'ah and the khutbah of Eid prayer.
During Eid prayer, listening to the khutbah is not required in the same manner
as it is for Jumu'ah. After the Eid prayer, a person may leave or stay, and
there is no prohibition against performing nafl prayers during the Eid khutbah.
'Abdullah ibn As-Sa'ib (Radhiyallahu Anhu) narrated that the Prophet
(Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:
الْحَدِيثُ: «مَنْ شَاءَ أَنْ يَنْصَرِفَ فَلْيَنْصَرِفْ،
وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَنْ يَجْلِسَ لِلْخُطْبَةِ فَلْيَجْلِسْ»
Translation: "Whoever wishes
to leave, let him leave; and whoever wishes to sit for the khutbah, let him
sit." (Sunan An-Nasa'i, 1596; authenticated by Al-Albani)
Thus, the strict prohibition of
performing nafl prayers during the khutbah applies specifically to Jumu'ah, not
to Eid prayers.
Guidance for Those Who Do Not
Understand the Khutbah
A question may arise: What about
a person who does not understand the language of the khutbah? Can he occupy
himself with prayer or Qur'an recitation during the sermon?
Scholars have addressed this
issue. If a person cannot hear the imam's voice (due to distance or deafness)
or does not understand the language, then the obligation of listening is waived
because no benefit can be derived. In such a case, he may occupy himself
quietly with dhikr (remembrance of Allah) or silent Qur'anic recitation,
provided he does not disturb others. However, he should not perform any
physical prayer (with bowing and prostration) during the khutbah, as that would
be visible and could distract those around him.
Imam Al-Kasani (Rahimahullah)
said in Bada'i' Al-Sana'i': "Listening and silence are obligatory only for
those who are close enough to hear the imam, so that they may reflect and
understand. Those who are distant and cannot hear the imam's voice may occupy
themselves with Qur'an recitation or dhikr silently."
For those who hear the imam's
voice but do not understand the language, the majority of scholars recommend
that they still remain silent out of respect for the khutbah and avoid any
overt actions such as prayer or audible recitation, as these may disturb others
who are listening.
Summary of Practical Guidance
1. Before the Khutbah: If you
enter the mosque before the imam ascends the minbar or before the khutbah
begins, you may perform Tahiyyat al-Masjid or other nafl prayers, but do so
promptly to prepare yourself for the khutbah.
2. During the Khutbah: Once the
imam begins the khutbah, cease all voluntary prayers, audible recitations, and
speech. Sit silently and listen attentively, even if you do not fully
understand the language (unless you cannot hear the imam at all).
3. Exception for Latecomers: If
you enter the mosque while the khutbah is already in progress (before the
prayer begins), perform the two rak'ahs of Tahiyyat al-Masjid briefly and
swiftly, then sit down and listen.
4. After the Khutbah: After the
khutbah concludes and the imam stands for the obligatory prayer, there is no
restriction on performing nafl prayers, though the obligatory Jumu'ah prayer
takes priority.
Conclusion
In summary, it is not permissible
to perform nafl prayers once the khutbah of Jumu'ah has begun. The only
exception is the two rak'ahs of Tahiyyat al-Masjid for the person who enters
the mosque during the sermon, and these must be performed very briefly. This
ruling is based on authentic hadiths that command silent, attentive listening
during the khutbah and warn against any distraction, even speech as minimal as
"be quiet." The khutbah is an integral part of Jumu'ah, and showing
it reverence is a sign of respect for the command of Allah and the Sunnah of
His Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
We ask Allah to help us honor our
worship, to grant us attentive hearts during the khutbah, and to accept our
Jumu'ah prayers.
Wallahu A'alam (Allah knows
best).
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