Is it permissible to engage in *ihtiba'* (sitting with legs drawn up to the chest) while the Imam is delivering the sermon?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Friday Prayer
Primary text
It is permissible to engage in *ihtiba'* while the Imam is delivering the sermon. This view is supported by Ibn Umar and a group of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). It is the position held by Saeed ibn al-Musayyib, al-Hasan, Ibn Sirin, 'Ata', Shurayh, 'Ikrimah ibn Khalid, Salim, Nafi', Malik, al-Thawri, al-Awza'i, al-Shafi'i, and the Ahl al-Ra'y (supporters of analogical reasoning). The evidence for permissibility is the action of the Companions observed by Ya'la ibn Shaddad ibn Aws while with Mu'awiyah in Jerusalem, where he saw the majority of the attendees, including Companions, sitting in *ihtiba'* while the Imam preached, and this practice was observed with Ibn Umar and Anas without known opposition, suggesting consensus (*ijma'*).
Supporting text
One scholar, 'Ubadah ibn Nasi, prohibited it based on a narration from Sahl ibn Mu'adh that the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade *ihtiba'* on Friday while the Imam was preaching. However, this hadith's chain of narration is disputed. Alternatively, the prohibition in the hadith is interpreted as mere dislike (*karahah*), or it is suggested that the Companions who performed the act were unaware of the forbidding narration. It is considered preferable to abstain from *ihtiba'* due to the existence of the weak prohibition, as it prepares one for sleep, falling, or nullification of ablution.