Listening to Friday Khutbah in case one does not understand it
5-8-2009 | IslamWeb
Question:
Assalamu Alaikkum when i go to jumma prayer is it permissable to recite quran ,zikr or make dua while imam gives his speech or kutba, because i am out of my country and i cannot understand imams language even a single word. jazakallahu hairan
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
Jurists have different opinions with regard to the ruling of listening to the Khateeb by the person who is so far from the Khateeb that he cannot hear him and similarly by the person who does not understand the Khutbah. Some scholars said that such persons must listen to the Khateeb. Others said that they do not have to listen to him and may occupy themselves with reciting Athkaar (mention of Allaah) and the Quran.
However, the correct opinion in our view is that they must listen to the Khateeb and that it is forbidden for them to speak while he is giving the Khutbah. This is because listening to the Khutbah is meant not only to understand the Khutbah but also to avoid making any noise that would prevent the other listeners from hearing the Khutbah well.
Consequently, we see that it is not permissible for the person who does not understand the language of the Khateeb to speak even with Thikr while the Khutbah is being given.
Finally, please note that women are not obliged to perform the Friday prayer. If women attend the Friday prayer, then they are not required to perform the Thuhr prayer as we explained in Fataawa 82835 and 117037.