Should the Khutbah of Jumuah be longer than the Jumuah Salaah or should the Jumuah Salaah be longer than the Khutbah of Jumuah?

Q. Should the Khutbah of Jumuah be longer than the Jumuah Salaah or should the Jumuah Salaah be longer than the Khutbah of Jumuah?

A. There is consensus (Ijmaa’) recorded of the Ummah that it is Sunnah to shorten the Jumuah Khutbah and lengthen the Jumuah Salaah comparatively. By doing so contrary to the above, one will be acting against the Sunnah. (Al-Fiqhul Islaami Wa Idillatuhu)

Sayyiduna Abu Waa’il Radhiyallahu Anhu reports: Sayyiduna ‘Ammar Radhiyallahu Anhu delivered the sermon to us. It was short and eloquent. When he descended (from the pulpit), we said to him: “0 Abal-Yaqzaan, you have delivered a short and eloquent sermon. Would that, you had lengthened (the Salaah).” He said: “I have heard Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam saying: The lengthening of Salaah by a man and the shortness of the sermon is the sign of his religious understanding. So lengthen the Salaah and shorten the sermon, for there is charm in eloquence.” (Muslim)

Note: Gross negligence has been witnessed in this regard in the Masaajid. Therefore, in keeping with the Sunnah, a clear distinction should made regarding the lengthening of the Salaah and shorting of the Khutbah at time of Jumuah.

Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

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