Dear Brother,
Assalamu alaikum.
Several times I have received messages containing the following statement:
"The practice of the holy Prophet was to deliver a short sermon on
Friday, since he realized that he could not keep people from their business
too long, and Allah also commands the people to go to their business as
soon as the prayer is over." ..translation from Surah Jum'ah, verse # 10.
[bold emphasis is mine]
I felt that this statement requires some examination.
1. The statement above is confusing as to are you referring to a Qur'anic
verse or "quoting" a Qur'anic verse. Obviously, this is not a quotation
from the Qur'an even though you are using quotation mark and saying
"translation from Surah Jum'ah, verse #10".
2. Here are three different translations of the relevant verse.
062.010
YUSUFALI: And when the Prayer is finished, then may ye disperse through the
land, and seek of the Bounty of Allah: and celebrate the Praises of Allah
often (and without stint): that ye may prosper.
PICKTHAL: And when the prayer is ended, then disperse in the land and seek
of Allah's bounty, and remember Allah much, that ye may be successful.
SHAKIR: But when the prayer is ended, then disperse abroad in the land and
seek of Allah's grace, and remember Allah much, that you may be successful.
As you will see each of the translations, it is not
stated or implied that
"Allah also commands the people to go to their business AS SOON AS
(emphasis is mine) the prayer is over". Indeed, the message of the Qur'an
is quite contrary.
Yes, people should hasten to prayer as soon as Adhan is called. That is a
command in the Qur'an. "O ye who believe! When the call is proclaimed to
prayer on Friday (the Day of Assembly), hasten earnestly to the Remembrance
of Allah, and leave off business (and traffic): That is best for you if ye
but knew!" [62/al-Jumuah/9]
Then, in verse #10 as quoted above states that, yes, once the Jumuah is over, they may/can/should disperse. The commandment is not that they should disperse immediately AS SOON AS the prayer is over. The idea is that this prayer is a very important duty and people should hasten to it as soon as the call is made. Once it is finished, then people should seek the blessings of Allah in their regular life. It is part of Deen as well.
Indeed, the next verse #11 clarifies this point that there should not be
any haste in dispersing.
"But when they see some bargain or some amusement, they disperse headlong
to it, and leave thee standing. Say: "The (blessing) from the Presence of
Allah is better than any amusement or bargain! and Allah is the Best to
provide (for all needs)."
3. As the above verse #11 indicates, people should not be in haste in dispersing leaving the Prophet (s) standing alone, particularly motivated by bargains/amusements. But there is another important aspect.
At the time of the Prophet (s), Jumuah was not merely for prayer. This was a more comprehensive congregation, where sometimes a military contingent would be dispatched at the end of the Jumuah or an important decision with relevant consultation would be taken. Thus, leaving the Prophet (s) alone and dispersing for bargains/amusements is discouraged. There is nothing wrong, if there is nothing to be dealt with at the end of the prayer and the Imam would indicate so, then the people normally disperse.
4. The posted statement says that "The practice of the holy Prophet was to deliver a short sermon on Friday". If the implication of this statement is that we should give Khutba in our time similar to what the Prophet (s) did, then our Khutbah should be 5-10 minutes long. However, from the posted Khatib schedule as well as what we observe routinely is that we do have Khutbas that are longer than what the Prophet's (s) time.
This is a pragmatic as well as necessary development. At the time of the Prophet (s), even the Hypocrites used come to the daily congressional prayer 2-3 times a day. The entire community was interacting with the Prophet (s) routinely. The Prophet (s) was educating, guiding, and inspiring them constantly.
In our time, we are not dealing with any prophet and Imams on a regular basis do not play or occupy the same role in our life. Yet, Friday is the only time on a weekly basis when Muslims of a community get together. Thus, this is the main time not for just worship, but also to educate and motivate. But the Jumuah at the time of the Prophet (s) was more than just congregation for worship. It was an important social event, where military as well as other relevant decisions were made and activities taken care of.
For all these reasons, I believe that the statement which induced to write this reply should be appropriately modified.
Allah knows best. I seek forgiveness for any error on my part.
Fi amanillah.
Farooq
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