The Practising Muslim · Friday & Congregational Prayer

Jumu'ah Etiquette and Scholarly Insights

Explore etiquette, scholarly opinions, and rulings on Jumu'ah prayer practices.

3 questions · Medium · about 2 minutes

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3 questions, about 2 minutes.

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1. Why is it better to avoid sitting with the knees drawn up during the Friday khutbah?

  • It may lead to sleep, missed listening, invalidated wudu, or uncovered ‘awrah. (correct answer)
  • It invalidates Jumu‘ah in every case.
  • It is forbidden even when there is no risk of sleep or uncovering.
  • It is disliked because sitting during the khutbah is not allowed.

Why

Sitting with the knees drawn up means sitting with the thighs and legs pulled toward the stomach and the arms wrapped around them. The source states that many scholars did not regard it as makrooh, but it is better to avoid it during the khutbah because it may lead to sleep, falling, invalidated wudu, or exposing the ‘awrah. If there is no such risk, then there is nothing wrong with it.

View source on IslamQA →

2. Why should outdoor loudspeakers not be used for recitation in prayers when they disturb others?

  • They disturb neighbours, nearby mosques, and other worshippers. (correct answer)
  • Reciting Quran aloud in prayer is always forbidden.
  • Loudspeakers are forbidden inside the mosque too.
  • People outside the mosque must never hear the adhan.

Why

Outdoor loudspeakers for prayer recitation can disturb people in homes and worshippers in nearby mosques. The source cites the command not to raise voices over one another in Quran recitation or prayer. An exception may be made for large mosques where people outside need to hear, provided this does not disturb nearby mosques.

View source on IslamQA →

3. What reward is mentioned for doing ghusl, attending Jumu‘ah, listening attentively, and praying with the imam?

  • Forgiveness between that Jumu‘ah and the next, plus three more days. (correct answer)
  • Permission to miss the five daily prayers for a week.
  • Forgiveness only if the person arrives after the khutbah.
  • Reward only for the imam, not the congregation.

Why

Jumu‘ah has great virtues. One hadith mentions that the five daily prayers and one Jumu‘ah to the next expiate sins between them, so long as major sins are avoided. Another hadith mentions forgiveness from one Jumu‘ah to the next plus three extra days for the one who does ghusl, comes to Jumu‘ah, prays, listens attentively until the khutbah is over, and prays with the imam.

View source on IslamQA →

A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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