The Book of Prayer - Friday

'Abd Allah ibn Maslama ibn Qa'nab, Yahya ibn Yahya, and 'Ali ibn Hujr narrated to us. Yahya said: He informed us; the other two said: 'Abd al-'Aziz ibn Abi Hazim narrated to us, from his father, from Sahl, who said: We would not take a midday nap or eat lunch until after the Friday prayer. Ibn Hujr added: During the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).

'Ubayd Allah ibn 'Umar al-Qawariri and Abu Kamil al-Jahdari both narrated to us, from Khalid. Abu Kamil said: Khalid ibn al-Harith narrated to us; 'Ubayd Allah narrated to us, from Nafi', from Ibn 'Umar, who said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to deliver the Friday sermon standing, then sit, then stand again, as they do today.

Muhammad ibn al-Muthanna and Ibn Bashshar narrated to us. They said: Muhammad ibn Ja'far narrated to us; Shu'ba narrated to us, from Mansur, from 'Amr ibn Murra, from Abu 'Ubayda, from Ka'b ibn 'Ujra, who said: He entered the mosque while 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Umm al-Hakam was delivering the sermon seated. He said: Look at this wretch, delivering the sermon while sitting! Allah, Exalted is He, says: When they see trade or amusement, they disperse toward it and leave you standing.

Al-Hasan ibn 'Ali al-Hulwani narrated to me; Abu Tawba narrated to us; Mu'awiya—meaning Ibn Sallam—narrated to us, from Zayd—meaning his brother—who heard Abu Salam say: Al-Hakam ibn Minna told me that the two of them heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say from the planks of his pulpit: People must stop neglecting the Friday prayers, or Allah will seal their hearts, and then they will surely be among the heedless.

Ishaq ibn Ibrahim and Muhammad ibn al-Muthanna narrated to us, both from 'Abd al-A'la. Ibn al-Muthanna said: 'Abd al-A'la—Abu Hammam—narrated to me; Dawud narrated to us, from 'Amr ibn Sa'id, from Sa'id ibn Jubayr, from Ibn 'Abbas, that Dimad came to Mecca. He was from Azd Shanu'a and performed ruqyah for what was called al-rih. He heard foolish people of Mecca saying that Muhammad was mad, and said: If only I could see this man; perhaps Allah would cure him through my hands. He met him and said: Muhammad, I perform ruqyah for al-rih, and Allah heals through my hands whomever He wills. Would you like me to do so? The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Praise belongs to Allah; we praise Him and seek His help. Whoever Allah guides, none can lead astray; and whoever He lets go astray, none can guide. I testify that there is no god but Allah alone, without partner, and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. To proceed. Dimad said: Repeat those words to me. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) repeated them three times. Dimad said: I have heard the words of soothsayers, magicians, and poets, but I have never heard words like yours. They have reached the depths of the sea. Give me your hand so that I may pledge allegiance to you upon Islam. He pledged allegiance to him. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: And on behalf of your people? He said: And on behalf of my people. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) later sent out a military detachment, which passed by his people. Its commander asked the troops: Did you take anything from these people? A man said: I took a water vessel from them. He said: Return it, for these are Dimad's people.

Surayj ibn Yunus narrated to me; 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Abd al-Malik ibn Abjar narrated to us, from his father, from Wasil ibn Hayyan, who said: Abu Wa'il said: 'Ammar delivered a sermon to us, concise and eloquent. When he came down, we said: Abu al-Yaqzan, you were eloquent and concise; if only you had taken a little more time. He said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: A man's lengthy prayer and brief sermon are signs of his understanding. So lengthen the prayer and shorten the sermon, for some eloquence is magic.

Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shayba and Muhammad ibn 'Abd Allah ibn Numayr narrated to us. They said: Waki' narrated to us, from Sufyan, from 'Abd al-'Aziz ibn Rufa'i, from Tamim ibn Tarafa, from 'Adi ibn Hatim, that a man delivered a sermon in the presence of the Prophet (ﷺ), saying: Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has followed right guidance, and whoever disobeys them has gone astray. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: What a bad preacher you are! Say: Whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger. Ibn Numayr added: He has gone astray.