Understanding the Importance of Silence During the Friday Sermon
PROHIBITION OF TALK DURING JUMU’AH KHUTBAH
Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet ﷺ said, "If you said to your companion: 'Be quiet and listen' on Friday while the Imām is delivering the sermon, then you would be guilty of idle talk." {al-Bukhari 892, Muslim 851}Al-Nawawi said, “In this tradition is the prohibition of every kind of talking during the sermon.” {Sharh al-Nawawi ‘ala Sahih Muslim 851}
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
"Whoever performs ablution in an excellent manner, comes to Friday prayer, and listens while remaining quiet, his sins will be forgiven until the next Friday and an additional three days, but whoever fiddles with pebbles has engaged in idle action." {Muslim 857}.Concerning “whoever fiddles with pebbles has engaged in idle action.” An-Nawawi mentioned, “It means prohibition of fiddling with pebbles and the like during the Khutbah, and what is meant by idle action here is what is false, rejected and disliked.”
{Sharh al-Nawawi ‘ala Sahih Muslim 857}
THE PROHIBITION INCLUDES:
Giving Salām to the worshippers upon entering masjid.
Responding to Salām.
Engaging in Dhikr.
Responding to questions about the religion.
Saying Yarhamuk-Allāh (may ALLĀH have mercy on you) to one who sneezes.
Responding to messages or calls on devices
EXEMPTED FROM THE PROHIBITION:
Speaking to Imām due to necessity.
Responding to the Imām.
Saying Amin (silently) when the Imam makes Du’a.
Saying (silently) ‘Alhamdulillah’ when sneezing.
Saying (silently) ‘Sallallāhu Alayhi wa Sallām when the Prophet ﷺ is mentioned.