The Etiquette of Salaat and Juma’ah 

The Masjid is the house of Allah, and as such there is a prescribed adab (etiquette) for those congregating there for His worship. If followed correctly, we will receive the full benefit of our worship and also not inhibit our brothers and sisters in receiving their blessings as well.           

Upon entering the Masjid

The Muslims should give Salaams to those gathered when he enters the Masjid.  

Before the Salaat or Khutbah 

After entering the Masjid, it is recommended to pray two rak’ah. The Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "When one of you enters the Masjid, he should pray two Rak'ah before sitting down.” (Bukhari and Muslim).  

When praying Nawafil (Sunnah) prayers, pray close to the wall, or place a (barrier) in front of you, to prevent people from walking in front of you. It was said of the Prophet (SAWS): "Between the place of his (SAWS) prostration and the wall, there was no more room than for a sheep to pass." (Bukhari and Muslim). He (SAWS) also said, "If you pray, then pray toward sutrah (some barrier) and get closer to it.” (Bukhari)  

Before prayer or Juma’ah, talking should be kept to a minimum and be done quietly, so as not to disturb those who are thikering, praying, or reading Quran. It is narrated from Assa'eb (R.A.), who said, "I was in the Masjid, and a man called me, I turned to him and there was Omar (R.A.). And he said: "Bring me these two men", then I brought them to him. Omar asked: "Where are you from? They replied from the people of At-Ta'ef. He said: "If you were from the people of Al-Madinah, I would have hurt you because you raised your voices in the Masjid of the messenger of Allah (S.A.W.)”.  

Upon hearing the Adhan, it is related from Muawiyyah that the prophet (SAWS) said, “ Whenever you hear the Adhan, say just as the Mu ‘adhdhin is saying. Muawiyyah also said “ and when you hear the Mu ‘adhdhin say Hayya ‘alas-Salah (come for the prayer) the believers should say : La hawla wala quwata illa billah (there is neither might nor any power, except with Allah. He (Muawiyyah) said “ I heard your Prophet saying the same”.  This shows that during the Adhan, the believers should not be engaged in side conversations, but be praising Allah.  

The Excellence of the One Who Listens to the Khutbah in Silence

Once Juma’ah begins, all talking should cease. Speaking during the Khutbah causes one to loose his blessings; even of he is trying to quiet someone else. It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (SAWS) said: “If you even ask your companion to be quiet on Friday while the Imam is delivering the khutbah, you have in fact talked irrelevance (lost your own blessings in the process).  (Muslim).  

Abu Hurairah also narrated that the Prophet (SAWS) said “He who took a bath and then came for Juma’ah prayer, and then prayed what was fixed for him, then kept silent until the Imam finished the sermon, and then prayed along with him, his (minor) sins between that time and the next Friday would be forgiven, and even three days more” (Muslim)  

The Adab of Sitting/Standing in Ranks 

When sitting down to listen to the Khutbah (sermon), it is recommended not to sit here and there, but to sit in ranks. When listening to beneficial knowledge, the Prophet (SAWS) always advised the people to gather close together. When forming the ranks, start in the middle behind the Imam, and then proceed to fill in the right side, then the left of each rank. It is imperative to straighten the rows before praying. About this, Anas relates: “ The Prophet (SAWS) would turn to face us before he began and say “Be close together and straighten your rows”. The believers should stand foot to foot with straight lines when praying. Closeness in Ibadah (worship) is a sign of brotherhood and brings the hearts together. 

When in the ranks, it is acceptable for a person in need (one who breaks his wudu, small children, or one who needs to cross to the other side) to walk in between the ranks, and this does not break your Salaat. It was narrated from Ibn Abbas that he said “ Fadl and I arrived on a riding beast while the Messenger (SAWS) was leading the salaat on Arafat. We passed in front of some of the ranks then we dismounted and tethered our riding beast. Then, we entered into the Salaat with the Messenger (SAWS). And after the Salaat, the prophet (SAWS) did not say anything to us”. In another narration, “ We rode our donkey in front of the first rank, behind the Prophet SAWS, and after the Salaat, the Prophet did not correct us, nor did any of the Sahabahs” (The common mistakes of the people who make salaat-Abu Hasan Mushur). This is a proof that the Sutra (barrier) of the Imam, is the Sutra of the people following him in salaat, and there is no need for another sutra or to hold people back from walking between the ranks when necessary.  

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