Asalamualaikum I would like to find out the ruling concerning whether istimaa’ is necessary for women when listening to the juma khutbah live over the radio. It has become the norm for “Islamic” radio stations to play the juma khutbah live, sometimes for more than an hour. Generally the womenfolk are engaged in cooking and don’t pay much attention to it. 1. Would the normal laws of listening to a khutbah apply here ie is it wajib? 2. Would it make a difference whether the khutba is played before zawaal or after? 3. Do menfolk also have to listen attentively? What if they have already performed juma? 4-A person who doesn’t listen attentively talks while listening will he be sinful?
Answer:
(Fatwa: 2110/3760=B/1429)
(1) It is wajib (necessary) for the people present in Jama Masjid to listen the khutbah of Juma given by the imam before the salah of Jumah. It is not wajib to listen the khutbah broadcasted on radio.
(2) According to the Hanfi Fiqh, it is not permissible to call Azan and give khutbah before zawal.
(3) It is wajib to listen to the Juma khutbah, it is unlawful to talk during khutbah, and anyone who talks will be sinful.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband