Question:
What is the ruling for taking notes of the important points of the Friday sermon? Is this action included as the prohibition of playing with pebbles during the Friday sermon? Does this action invalidate the conditions for the sermon?
Answer:
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.
It is sunnah for those who are listening to the Friday sermon to sit still and not be engaged in other activities but listening to the sermon of the khatib.
This is stated in a hadith from Salman al-Farisi RA; the Prophet PBUH said:
لاَ يَغْتَسِلُ رَجُلٌ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ، وَيَتَطَهَّرُ مَا اسْتَطَاعَ مِنْ طُهْرٍ، وَيَدَّهِنُ مِنْ دُهْنِهِ، أَوْ يَمَسُّ مِنْ طِيبِ بَيْتِهِ ثُمَّ يَخْرُجُ، فَلاَ يُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ اثْنَيْنِ، ثُمَّ يُصَلِّى مَا كُتِبَ لَهُ، ثُمَّ يُنْصِتُ إِذَا تَكَلَّمَ الإِمَامُ، إِلاَّ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْجُمُعَةِ الأُخْرَى
“Whoever takes a bath on Friday, purifies himself as much as he can, then uses his (hair) oil or perfumes himself with the scent of his house, then proceeds (for the Jumua prayer) and does not separate two persons sitting together (in the mosque), then prays as much as (Allah has) written for him and then remains silent while the Imam is delivering the Khutba, his sins in-between the present and the last Friday would be forgiven.”
Sahih al-Bukhari (843)
From Abu Hurairah RA, the Prophet PBUH said:
إِذَا قُلْتَ لِصَاحِبِكَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ 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 (892) and Sahih Muslim (851)
Ali RA narrated:
وَمَنْ لَغَا فَلَيْسَ لَهُ فِى جُمُعَتِهِ تِلْكَ شَىْءٌ
“Anyone who interrupts (during the sermon) will receive nothing (no reward) on that Friday.”
Sunan Abu Daud (1051)
The restriction against talking includes writing to avoid the one trying to elude the restriction by using SMS, WhatsApp and others while the khatib is giving the sermon with the excuse, “We are not talking, but just writing.”
This is strengthened with a hadith from Abu Hurairah RA:
مَنْ مَسَّ الْحَصَى فَقَدْ لَغَا
“Whoever smoothes the pebbles, then he has engaged in Laghw.”
Sahih Muslim (857)
Imam al-Nawawi Rahimahullah said: “The hadith mentioned the restriction of playing with pebbles and other actions such as this, for it is considered as foolish actions during the Friday sermon. This implies that one’s heart and body should be focused solely on the sermon.” Refer: al-Minhaj Syarh Sahih Muslim.
There is also an opinion that states writing the content of the sermon is not included in the restriction, for writing it could enhance one’s concentration and understanding. This is different from reproaching others to stay silent or playing with pebbles. However, this opinion can be refuted, for it is uncertain as to writing could enhance one’s focus during a sermon. Often times, whilst someone is writing, he missed hearing the sermon for he is busy writing some of the points. Furthermore, the act of writing the content of the sermon could lead to fitnah for it may attract attention to himself and distract others from listening to the sermon but looking at him, for his action is peculiar.
Hence, we are inclined to state that the act of writing the content of the sermon of Friday should be avoided. It would be best if he focuses his attention and actions to the sermon. Furthermore, one can obtain the text of the sermon from Religious Department or voice recorder.
Regarding the condition for the sermon where it must be listened and attended by 40 male residents who are obligated to perform the Friday prayer; it does not invalidate the condition for even if a person is writing, he is still listening to the sermon at the same time. May Allah SWT bless us with the strength to obey all His commandments the best we can.
Wallahua’lam.