Question:
Assalamualaikum wbt, ss Mufti. What is the ruling if I drink some water during the Friday sermon because I was thirsty?
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam wbt.
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
Basically, there are several hadiths that mentioned on the prohibition of any actions or speech that could distract someone from listening to the sermon of Friday prayer. This is in accordance with a hadith from Abu Hurairah RA, where the Prophet PBUH said:
إِذَا قُلْتَ لِصَاحِبِكَ يَوْمَ الجُمُعَةِ: أَنْصِتْ، وَالإِمَامُ يَخْطُبُ، فَقَدْ لَغَوْتَ
"Even saying to your companion 'Listen' while the imam is giving the khutba on the day of jumua, is to speak foolishly."
Sahih al-Bukhari (934)
The same is stated in another hadith from Abu Hurairah where the Prophet PBUH said:
وَمَنْ مَسَّ الْحَصَى فَقَدْ لَغَا
“And whoever touches the pebbles, he has committed Lagha (useless activity)."
Sahih Muslim (857)
The above hadiths state the two restrictions of actions during Friday sermon, which are the prohibition of talking or playing with pebbles during the sermon. The wisdom from the prohibition is that both actions could distract others who are listening to the sermon.
The Meaning of Lagha in the Hadith
The following we include the opinion of scholars regarding the menaing of lagha mentioned in both hadiths stated above. Imam al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani said: there is an opinion that state lagha means: The rewards of Friday prayer is retracted. While another opinion state: Your Friday prayer is considered only as Zohor prayer. Refer Fath Al-Bari, Ibn Hajar (2/414).
Although scholars have differing opinions regarding the effect of lagha and the ruling implication of it, some fiqh scholars state that both actions (talking and playing with pebbles) is makruh (undesirable), while another opinion of scholars from another madhab state that both actions are prohibited. However, what’s certain is both actions are restricted for they are a distraction from the Friday sermon.
In answering the question asked, we cite the words of Imam al-Nawawi who said:
يُسْتَحَبُّ لِلْقَوْمِ أَنْ يُقْبِلُوا عَلَى الْخَطِيبِ مُسْتَمِعِينَ وَلَا يَشْتَغِلُوا بِغَيْرِهِ حَتَّى قَالَ أَصْحَابُنَا يُكْرَهُ لَهُمْ شُرْبُ الْمَاءِ لِلتَّلَذُّذِ ولا بأس يشربه لِلْعَطَشِ لِلْقَوْمِ وَالْخَطِيبِ
“It is sunnah for people to face the khatib and listen to the sermon while not busying themselves with other matters. Some of our companion state: It is makruh (undesirable) for the congregation to drink water as a refreshment, but it is permissible for both the khatib or the congregation to drink water if it is due to thirst.” Refer: Al-Majmu’ Syarah Al-Muhazzab, Al-Nawawi (4/529).
Conclusion
As a conclusion, we would like to state that drinking during the sermon of Friday prayer; whether it is for the congregation or the khatib is permissible if there is a necessity for it. If the purpose is to quench one’s thirst, then, it is permissible.
The best way is to place the water bottle near himself during the sermon. The reason is, if he needs to drink water, then he does not have to walk far and disturb others to get his drink. Wallhua’lam.
Lastly, may Allah SWT give us the correct understanding in our religion. Amin.