Is speaking permissible during the Imam's Friday sermon?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Friday Prayer
Primary text
Speaking by anyone present is obligatory to cease from the moment the Imam begins the sermon. This prohibition is supported by Uthman and Ibn Umar. Ibn Mas'ud even stated that one who sees another speaking while the Imam is delivering the sermon should tap his head with a stick. The general body of scholars, including Malik, Abu Hanifa, and Al-Awza'i, considered speaking during the sermon to be disliked (makruh). The primary evidence against speaking is the narration from Abu Hurairah: Whoever tells his companion to be silent while the Imam is delivering the Khutbah on Friday has engaged in vain talk (laghw), which is prohibited, as it is agreed upon (Muttafaq 'alayh). Furthermore, a narration from Ubayy ibn Ka'b concerning the Surah "Tabarak" indicates that speaking during the sermon resulted in the loss of reward for the prayer, save for what one did not engage in vain talk. Ibn 'Abbas narrated that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: Whoever speaks on Friday while the Imam is delivering the sermon is like a donkey carrying books (Isfar), as narrated by Ibn Abi Khaythama.
Supporting text
A second narration from Ahmad permits speaking. Scholars like Sa'id ibn Jubayr, Al-Nakha'i, Al-Sha'bi, Ibrahim ibn Muhajir, and Abu Burda permitted speaking while the Khutbah was being delivered. Some argued that they were not commanded to be silent for this specific reason. Al-Shafi'i holds two opinions corresponding to two narrations. The basis for permitting speech rests on narrations where individuals interrupted the Prophet (PBUH) on Friday with vital matters concerning rain, livestock, or the Hour, and the Prophet (PBUH) did not explicitly forbid the general act of speaking, though he addressed the interrupter. However, this is reconciled by stating that those instances are specific exceptions concerning direct communication with the Imam or when the Imam addresses the individual, as this does not distract from hearing the sermon.