Question:
Assalaamu ‘Alaikum
I would like to know the ruling with regard the permissibility or the non-permissibility of transacting at the time of the call of the adhaan for the Jumu’ah prayer. Shukraan.
Answer:
Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuHu,
In the 9th verse of Surah al-Jumu’ah, Allah the Almighty says,
“O You Who Believe, when the call is made for prayer on Friday, then hasten to remember Allah and leave your trade…”
In Rawdah al-Talibin, Imam Nawawi mentioned that on Friday, before the sun has passed its zenith, buying/selling is permitted. And on Friday, after the sun passed its zenith, but prior to the prayer, it is disliked. After the imam is on the minbar and the adhan has been called, then it is unlawful. If one who does not need to perform the Friday prayer transacts with one who does, then they have both sinned. If adhan is made before the imam is on the minbar, then it is not unlawful. When one hears the adhan and sets out to the mosque intending the prayer, and subsequently enters into a transaction en route, or reaches the mosque and enters into a transaction there, it is not unlawful. According to the relied-upon opinion, transacting in the mosque on Friday is disliked. In the Ziyadah, Imam Nawawi stated that all transactions and occupations are similar to a sale [bay’]. Even if unlawful, transactions at this time are valid. (v. 1, p. 552-53)
Arabic quotation:
In Minhaj al-Talibin, this is stated in brief,
“It is unlawful for one having to make the Friday prayer that he is occupied with buying/selling or something else, after the adhan has went between the khatib’s two hands [KS: in a state of sitting on the minbar]. If he buys/sells it is valid. It is disliked before the adhan and after the sun has passed its zenith. And Allah knows best.”
Arabic quotation:
In Mughni al-Muhtaj, an exception is related from Adhra’i and others. If one needs to purchase something, like water for purification, clothing to cover one’s nakedness, or food for one in extreme hunger, then it is permissible. (v. 1, p. 443)
Arabic quotation:
In conclusion, Allah has prohibited buying and selling so that one is not distracted away from performing Friday prayers. Analogously, other transactions and occupations are also prohibited at that time. Business is permitted on Fridays. However, between the sun’s passing its zenith and the prayer business is disliked, and after the adhan and the imam getting on the minbar it is unlawful; an exception is made for necessities.
And Allah the Almighty knows best.
Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.