Question:
What is the ruling on greeting salām for the khaṭīb (imam) to the congregants on the pulpit prior to commencing the Friday khuṭbah (sermon)? In some cases I have seen imams render the salām greeting. Most Ḥanafī imams do not say salām on the pulpit prior to starting the khuṭbah. What is the reason for this?
Answer:
In the Name of Allāh, Most Merciful, Most Kind
Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for your question.
The variance in practice you see is based on the difference of opinion originating from weak ḥadīths suggesting the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) practice.
All narrations found in Ibn Mājah, Ṭabrānī, Muṣannaf ʿAbd Al Razzāq and Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah, that report the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) making salām on the pulpit (mimbar) before commencing the khuṭbah are of a weak nature in terms of authenticity. (See: Iʿelā Al-Sunan).
For this reason, according to the Mālikī and Ḥanafī methodologies, this practice cannot be considered an established, authentic sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). However, if an imam does render the salām on the pulpit, the validity of the khuṭbah will not be affected.
Another reason for the variance of the opinion is that once the khaṭīb ascends the pulpit, the instruction to the congregants is to listen silently. Responding to salām or talking would be against this principle.
Numerous mufassirūn (commentators) of the Qurʾān, including Imam Jalāl Al-Dīn Al-Suyūṭi (may Allāh’s mercy be with him) state that the following verse was revealed regarding the Friday sermon:
“When the Qurʾān is recited, listen to it, and remain silent.” (Qurʾān 7:204)
The following are the opinions of the four schools of jurisprudence:
Shāfʾīe School:
The khaṭīb is to greet people with salām when entering the masjid or before ascending the pulpit. The khaṭīb will also greet the audience with salām before sitting after ascending onto the pulpit.
Ḥanbalī School:
The khaṭīb is to greet the congregation when appearing in the masjid and also after ascending the pulpit.
Mālikī School:
The khaṭīb is to greet the congregation with salām when appearing in the masjid for the khuṭbah. The sunnah salām is whilst appearing in the congregation for the khuṭbah. It is considered makrūh (disliked) for the khaṭīb to delay the greeting of salām up until the time of ascending the pulpit. If the khaṭīb does delay the salām to this point, it is not necessary for the congregants to respond to the salām (as they are to be listening rather than talking or responding).
Ḥanafī School:
It is makrūh (disliked) to greet the congregation with salām from the mimbar (pulpit). In the well-known Ḥanafī fiqh manual, Nūr Al-Iḍāḥ, it is stated, “The khaṭīb should not make salām to the people when he ascends the pulpit.”
(Fiqh ʿAlā Madhāhib Al Arbaʿa)
And Allāh Knows Best