The Ruling on Performing Sunnah Prayers During the Jumu'ah Khutbah

Author: Al-Sheikh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (حفظہ اللہ)

Question:​

If someone arrives at the mosque during the Jumu'ah khutbah, should they sit and listen to the khutbah immediately, or should they first perform two rak'ahs? Please provide the ruling based on the Qur'an and Hadith.

Answer:​

When the Imam is delivering the Jumu'ah khutbah, any person arriving at that time should not sit down without first performing two rak'ahs. This is supported by authentic narrations:

Evidence from Hadiths​

1. Hadith of Sulaik Al-Ghatafani (رضی اللہ عنہ):
   Sulaik entered the mosque while the Prophet (ﷺ) was delivering the khutbah and sat down without praying. The Prophet (ﷺ) asked:
   
   "Did you pray?"
   Sulaik replied: "No."
   The Prophet (ﷺ) instructed:
   "Stand and pray two rak'ahs."
   (Sahih Bukhari, Book of Jumu'ah, Hadith 931; Ibn Majah, Hadith 1114; Ibn Khuzaymah, Hadith 1835)
   This Hadith clearly shows that even during the khutbah, one should perform two rak'ahs before sitting.
2. General Command of the Prophet (ﷺ):
   The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
   
   "If anyone of you arrives on Friday while the Imam is delivering the khutbah, let him perform two light rak'ahs before sitting."
   (Sahih Muslim, Book of Jumu'ah, Hadith 875)

Refuting the Misconception of Specificity​

Some people claim that this instruction was specific to Sulaik (رضی اللہ عنہ), but this is incorrect and contrary to the generality of the Hadiths. The Prophet (ﷺ) issued a general command for all attendees arriving during the khutbah to perform two rak'ahs, as indicated in the narration from Sahih Muslim.

Scholarly Consensus​

Imam Al-Baghawi (رحمہ اللہ) stated:

"This Hadith is evidence that anyone entering during the khutbah should perform two rak'ahs before sitting. This is the position of the majority of scholars."
(Sharh Al-Sunnah, Vol. 4, Pg. 266)

Conclusion​

Performing two rak'ahs of Tahiyyat al-Masjid during the Jumu'ah khutbah is Sunnah and supported by clear, authentic Hadiths. It is not a matter of debate or personal preference but a prescribed action for anyone entering the mosque during the khutbah.

Allah knows best!