478. Don’t Say A Single Word During The Khutbah

By Asma bint Shameem 

Once the Imaan ascends the minbar and says salaam, there can not be any more talking. 

We should keep absolutely quiet and listen to the khutbah. 

If we say a single word, our Jumu’ah is null and void. 

PROOF:

Abu’l-Darda’ radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam sat on the minbar and addressed the people, and he recited a verse. 

Ubayy ibn Ka’b was next to me, so I said to him: “O Ubayy, when was this verse revealed?” 

But he refused to speak to me, so I asked him again and he refused to speak to me, until the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam came down (from the minbar). 

Then Ubayy said to me: “You have gained nothing from your Jumu’ah except idle talk.” 

When the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam had finished (the prayer), I went to him and told him (what had happened). 

He said: “Ubayy was right. When you hear your imam speaking, then keep quiet and listen attentively until he has finished.” 

(Ahmad, Ibn Maajah —saheeh by al-Albaani)

*Don’t even tell others to keep quiet *

Even if others are talking we are NOT supposed to tell them to keep quiet. 

Because if we do, that also counts as ‘laghw or idle-talking’. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“If you say to your companion when the Imaam is preaching on Friday, ‘Be quiet and listen,’ you have engaged in idle talk.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

But we *can* gesture to them to keep quiet such as by placing the finger on the lips, etc. without speaking. 

*Exceptions* 

The ONLY exception is if there’s an URGENT need; so the Imaam can talk to the people or someone can address the Imaam. 

Or if there’s some emergency, like someone fainted or fell and hurt themselves. etc. 

*We CANNOT even say Salaam or Wa Alaikum Assalaam *

We shouldn’t even say salaam to the people once the khutbah starts and if someone says salaam to you, you should NOT answer. 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: 

“It is haraam to give salaams during the Friday khutbah, so it is not permissible for one who enters the masjid whilst the imam is delivering the khutbah to give salaams, and it is also haraam to return the greeting.”

(Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 16/100)

*What about sneezing?*

If you sneeze say Alhamdulillaah *quietly* to YOURSELF. 

And if someone else sneezes, *ignore* that and do NOT say yarhamukallaah. 

Otherwise it counts as ‘talking’ 

Shaikh ibn Uthaymeen said:

“If a member of the congregation sneezes on Friday, he should say “al-hamdulillah” silently. 

If he says it out loud and the people around him hear him, it is not permissible for them to say “Yarhamuk Allah” to him.”

(ash-Sharh al-Mumti‘, 5/109)

*Can I say Ameen to the Imaam’s duaas?* 

*Or send salutations on the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam?* 

When the Imaam makes duaa, we can say Ameen QUIETLY to ourselves so no one hears. 

And if the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam is mentioned during the Khutbah, we send salaams on him SILENTLY. 

Sheikh Saleh al-Munajjid said:

“The khutbah and listening to it, form an obligatory (waajib) form of dhikr which is prescribed for a short and specific time, during which focusing on the khutbah takes precedence over focusing on any other kind of good deed or worship.

 Saying “Ameen” to the imaam’s du’aa’ and sending blessings on the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam if he is mentioned during the khutbah, should be done silently by the members of the congregation, not out loud.”

*What about tasbeeh and other dhikr?* 

We cannot say ANY form of dhikr, or duaa while the Imaam is speaking or use prayer beads either. 

Shaikh Salih al-Munajjid said:

“The same applies to all adhkaar (dhikr) such as istighfaar or tasbeeh(saying Subhaan Allaah) etc. It is not permissible to say them out loud (during Jumu’ah khutbah)” 

*What to do if others are talking near you?*

If others are talking near you, just get up and change your spot. 

DO NOT spoil your Jumu’ah by telling them to keep quiet. 

*It’s not worth it.* 

And Allaah knows best.