Written by: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafidhahullah)
"The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to perform Jumu'ah when the sun had declined (after Zawal)."
(Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Jumu'ah: Bab al-Jumu'ah Iza Zalat al-Shams, Hadith No. 904)
Imam Bukhari (رحمه الله) further states:
"This is also narrated from Umar ibn Al-Khattab, Ali ibn Abi Talib, Nu'man bin Bashir, and Amr bin Hurayth (رضي الله عنهم)."
"We used to perform Jumu'ah with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) when the sun had declined (Zawal), and then we would return to seek shade."
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Jumu'ah: Bab Salat al-Jumu'ah Hina Tazul al-Shams, Hadith No. 860)
Question:
Is Jumu'ah (Friday) to be performed after Zawal (when the sun declines)? If the Zawal time is at 12:38 PM and the Khutbah (sermon) starts at 12:30 PM, can Sunnah prayers be performed before the Khutbah in such a situation? Is it correct for the Imam to deliver the Khutbah before Zawal?Answer:
The time for Jumu'ah prayer begins after Zawal (when the sun starts to decline), as Jumu'ah replaces the Dhuhr prayer. This is the opinion of the majority of scholars, including:- Imam Malik
- Imam Shafi'i
- Imam Abu Hanifa
- Imam Bukhari
- The majority of the Sahabah, Tabi'in, and Muhaddithin.
Evidence from Hadith:
1. Hadith of Anas bin Malik (رضي الله عنه):
Anas bin Malik (رضي الله عنه) said:"The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to perform Jumu'ah when the sun had declined (after Zawal)."
(Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Jumu'ah: Bab al-Jumu'ah Iza Zalat al-Shams, Hadith No. 904)
Imam Bukhari (رحمه الله) further states:
"This is also narrated from Umar ibn Al-Khattab, Ali ibn Abi Talib, Nu'man bin Bashir, and Amr bin Hurayth (رضي الله عنهم)."
2. Hadith of Salamah bin Al-Akwa' (رضي الله عنه):
Salamah bin Al-Akwa' (رضي الله عنه) reported:"We used to perform Jumu'ah with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) when the sun had declined (Zawal), and then we would return to seek shade."
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Jumu'ah: Bab Salat al-Jumu'ah Hina Tazul al-Shams, Hadith No. 860)
Scholarly Consensus:
- Imam Tirmidhi (رحمه الله):
- Imam Tirmidhi writes:
- "The majority of scholars agree that the time for Jumu'ah starts after Zawal, just as the time for Dhuhr does. This is also the opinion of Imam Shafi’i, Imam Ahmad, and Imam Ishaq bin Rahuyah (رحمهم الله)."
(Jami' al-Tirmidhi, Bab Ma Ja'a Fi Waqt al-Jumu'ah)
- Allamah Ubaidullah Mubarakpuri (رحمه الله):
- He comments:
- "The clear Hadith evidence shows that Jumu'ah prayer must be performed after Zawal, and there is no authentic, explicit evidence to permit it before Zawal."
(Mir'at al-Mafatih, 4/490; Tuhfat al-Ahwazi, 3/37)
Performing Sunnah Prayers Before the Khutbah:
- When entering the mosque, it is recommended to pray Tahiyyat al-Masjid (two Rak'ah of greeting the mosque) before sitting down, regardless of the time. This is supported by authentic Hadiths.
Conclusion:
- Jumu'ah prayer time begins only after Zawal. Delivering the Khutbah or performing the Jumu'ah prayer before Zawal is not correct.
- Upon entering the mosque, it is permissible and encouraged to perform Tahiyyat al-Masjid before sitting, even if the Khutbah is about to begin.