Reward for Those Arriving During the Friday Sermon and Proper Guidance
If a person arrives at the masjid during the Friday khutbah, will he receive the full reward of Jumu‘ah or only the reward of Dhuhr prayer? And is it correct for a khatīb to assert harshly that such a person will receive no reward for Jumu‘ah, only for Dhuhr?
This approach is completely incorrect. Any shaykh or khatīb who makes such a claim should reflect carefully upon his words. The guidance on this matter is clearly found in an authentic ḥadīth:
Sayyiduna Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ وَقَفَتْ الْمَلَائِكَةُ عَلَى بَابِ الْمَسْجِدِ يَكْتُبُونَ الْأَوَّلَ فَالْأَوَّلَ... فَإِذَا خَرَجَ الْإِمَامُ طَوَوْا صُحُفَهُمْ وَيَسْتَمِعُونَ الذِّكْرَ"
“When it is Friday, the angels stand at the door of the masjid and record those who come in order: the first to arrive is like one who offers a camel (in sacrifice), then like one who offers a cow, then a ram, then a chicken, then an egg. When the Imam comes out, they close their scrolls and listen to the khutbah.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 929]
◈ The stages of reward described in the hadith are not bound to minutes or seconds, but rather represent time periods—early arrivals receive greater virtue, not exclusivity of reward.
◈ The person who enters during the khutbah will still receive the reward of Jumu‘ah according to what Allah has decreed for him. However, he misses the higher degrees of reward granted to those who arrived earlier.
◈ A caller to Islam (dā‘ī) or khatīb must exercise wisdom, patience, and forbearance in delivering the message.
◈ Saying that someone receives no reward for Jumu‘ah simply because he came during the khutbah is a harsh, baseless statement that leads to negative assumptions and discouragement—this is neither just nor scholarly.
◈ Everyone receives the reward of Jumu‘ah based on his efforts and intentions, even if he arrives during the khutbah.
◈ Rather than using harsh language, khatibs should encourage and gently urge people to come earlier to attain greater rewards.
A person who arrives during the Friday khutbah will still receive the reward of Jumu‘ah.
To claim that he will receive only the reward of Dhuhr is inaccurate and unfounded.
While arriving early before the khutbah carries greater virtue, depriving others of any reward based on delayed arrival is unjust and contrary to prophetic guidance. Islam calls for wisdom, balance, and gentleness in religious teaching.
Question:
If a person arrives at the masjid during the Friday khutbah, will he receive the full reward of Jumu‘ah or only the reward of Dhuhr prayer? And is it correct for a khatīb to assert harshly that such a person will receive no reward for Jumu‘ah, only for Dhuhr?
Answer by: Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir ḥafiẓahullāh
This approach is completely incorrect. Any shaykh or khatīb who makes such a claim should reflect carefully upon his words. The guidance on this matter is clearly found in an authentic ḥadīth:
Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ
Sayyiduna Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ وَقَفَتْ الْمَلَائِكَةُ عَلَى بَابِ الْمَسْجِدِ يَكْتُبُونَ الْأَوَّلَ فَالْأَوَّلَ... فَإِذَا خَرَجَ الْإِمَامُ طَوَوْا صُحُفَهُمْ وَيَسْتَمِعُونَ الذِّكْرَ"
“When it is Friday, the angels stand at the door of the masjid and record those who come in order: the first to arrive is like one who offers a camel (in sacrifice), then like one who offers a cow, then a ram, then a chicken, then an egg. When the Imam comes out, they close their scrolls and listen to the khutbah.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 929]
Clarification:
◈ The stages of reward described in the hadith are not bound to minutes or seconds, but rather represent time periods—early arrivals receive greater virtue, not exclusivity of reward.
◈ The person who enters during the khutbah will still receive the reward of Jumu‘ah according to what Allah has decreed for him. However, he misses the higher degrees of reward granted to those who arrived earlier.
Correcting Harsh Attitudes Among Preachers
◈ A caller to Islam (dā‘ī) or khatīb must exercise wisdom, patience, and forbearance in delivering the message.
◈ Saying that someone receives no reward for Jumu‘ah simply because he came during the khutbah is a harsh, baseless statement that leads to negative assumptions and discouragement—this is neither just nor scholarly.
◈ Everyone receives the reward of Jumu‘ah based on his efforts and intentions, even if he arrives during the khutbah.
◈ Rather than using harsh language, khatibs should encourage and gently urge people to come earlier to attain greater rewards.
Conclusion:
A person who arrives during the Friday khutbah will still receive the reward of Jumu‘ah.
To claim that he will receive only the reward of Dhuhr is inaccurate and unfounded.
While arriving early before the khutbah carries greater virtue, depriving others of any reward based on delayed arrival is unjust and contrary to prophetic guidance. Islam calls for wisdom, balance, and gentleness in religious teaching.
