Benefit: What to do if Imam speaks falsehood in Friday Khutbah ?
The noble shaykh Yahya al-Hajooree –may Allaah preserve him- stated in his book Ahkaam al-Jumu’ah (Pg.347 and onwards) the following notice:
Note:
If the khateeb (person delivering the lecture) talks senselessly (quoting) from the newspapers and magazines or news bulletins and the like of that which contain no mention the words of the book of Allaah or the Sunnah of His Messenger; then surely a group from the people of knowledge hold that this type of sermon should not be listened/paid attention to. And an-Nawawi (in his explanation of Saheeh Muslim) 6/453 reported this from an-Nakha’i and ash-Sha’bi as well as some of the Salaf.
And the Imam Abdur-Razak composed a chapter is his (book) al-Musanaf (3/212) stating:
Chapter: What Obligates Silence (i.e. during the sermon)
Then he stated reported from Ibn Juraij who said I said to Ataa what necessitates silence (during the sermon)? He replied: the statement of Allaah;
So, when the Quran is recited, listen to it, and be silent that you may receive Mercy {Al’araaf:204}
He (Ataa) said, likewise they have supposed in relation to the congregational prayer and the Friday prayer.
I said: Remaining silent for the one listening to the (Friday) sermon (is this) like remaining silence for the one listening to the Quran?
He (Ataa) replied: YES. (!)
Ma’mmar said : Az-Zuhri was asked about (performing) the takbeer (i.e. saying Allaahu Akbar) and tasbeeh (i.e. saying subhanallah) while the imam is delivering the sermon.
He said: He would be ordered to remain silent . I said: If the Imam delves into other than the remembrance of Allaah in the Friday sermon?
He (Ma’mmar) said: Speak IF YOU WISH(!)
And Ma’mmar and Qatadah said: If they bring about a (matter), then do not bring about (anything) with them.
Also reported by Ibn Juraij from Ataa who said:
Speaking is impermissible so long as the imam is on the mimbar (pulpit), even if he delves into other than the remembrance of Allaah.
(Shaykh Yahya said:)
Hence, you see in the matter there is a difference (of opinion), and what is apparent is that remaining silent is not an obligation except (when hearing) the remembrance of Allaah.
As for al-Laghwu (idle speech) then Allaah subhanahu has praised those who do not give attention to it and He said in praise of the believers:
And those who do not witness falsehood, and if they pass by al-Laghwu (some evil play or evil talk), they pass by it with dignity. {al:Furqan:72}
And Allaah said:
And when they hear Al-Laghwu (dirty, false, evil vain talk), they withdraw from it and say: “To us our deeds, and to You Your deeds. Peace be to you. We seek not the ignorant.” {al-Qasas: 55}
And from the attributes of the believers in surah al-Mumuminoon
And those who turn away from Al-Laghwu (dirty, false, evil vain talk, falsehood etc). {al-Mumuminoon:3}
While Raaghib mentioned while defining al-Laghwu (idle speech) in his book Mufradaat al-Quraan. (He stated): Al-Laghwu from speech is that which is not given any consideration and it is speech which is put forward without any deliberation or thinking and confirms with al-Lagha, which is the sound of sparrows and the birds which liken them.
And Abu Ubaid said: All hideous speech is considered al-Laghwu .
Al-Haafidh (Ibn Hajr) mentioned in al-Fath (2/414):
Akhfash stated: Speech which is al-Laghwu is that which no basis (and) is from falsehood and what resembles it.
Ibn ‘Arafah said: Al-Laghwu is useless speech and it has been mentioned that it (i.e. al-Laghwu ) is a deviation from what is correct.
And Ibn Munayyir stated:
The statements of the commentators have agreed that al-Laghwu is that which is not appropriate from speech.
The Shaykh then said:
And whatsoever is of this (type of) speech which consists of deviation from what is correct and contains falsehood or what is comparable to falsehood, then it is not befitting that this (type of speech) is listened to in the Friday sermon or other than it, based upon the evidences which we mentioned previously and the statements of some of the Salaf in that (aspect).
And if anyone is put to trial by this likes of this khateeb (i.e. person delivering the Friday lecture) someday, then LET HIM BUSY HIMSELF WITH THE REMEBRANCE OF ALLAAH AND TURN AWAY WITH HIS HEART AND HEARING FROM THE IDLE SPEECH AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
For certainly, the harm present in listening to falsehood is greater than the benefit in being quiet, specifically this type of (false) speech.
For even if he does not obtain the reward for the Friday prayer, then him being safe from the listening to sin is considered a gain (for him). And perhaps Allaah will reward him for hating the evil his heart as well as his hating of falsehood and its people. End Quote
The Shaykh then went on to give examples of the types of falsehoods in which a person should not pay attention such as; those who call to innovations or acts of sin and indecency and the aid of Allaah is sought.
Compiled by : Noble brother Abu ‘Atiyah Mahmood bin Muhammad