❖ Encouragement to Attend the Jumu‘ah Khutbah and Sit Close to the Imam
✍ Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
❖ Sitting Near the Imam During the Khutbah is Recommended
➊ Narration of Samurah ibn Jundub (رضي الله عنه)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
احضروا الـذكـر وادنوا من الإمام فإن الرجل يتباعد حتى يؤخر فى الجنة وإن دخلها
“Attend the remembrance (i.e., the khutbah) and sit close to the Imam. Indeed, a man continues to keep himself distant until he is made to enter Paradise late — even though he will enter it.”
[Sahih: Sahih Abu Dawud: 980; Kitab al-Salah: Bab al-Dunū min al-Imam ʿInd al-Mawʿiẓah | Ahmad: 5/11]
➋ Narration of Aws ibn Aws (رضي الله عنه)
In the well-known hadith describing the virtues of Jumu‘ah, one of the actions mentioned for attaining its full reward is:
ودنا من الإمام
“And he sat close to the Imam.”
[Sahih: Sahih Abu Dawud: 333; Kitab al-Taharah: Bab fī al-Ghusl Yawm al-Jumuʿah | Also in Abu Dawud: 345]
✅ Key Lessons:
✔ Attending the khutbah attentively is a spiritual obligation.
✔ Sitting close to the Imam reflects eagerness for the remembrance of Allah and is a cause of reward and honor.
✔ Staying distant without reason may result in spiritual deprivation, even if the person is destined for Paradise.
