Is it Permitted to Send Blessings on the Prophet & Say Amin During the Friday Sermon?

Answered by Sidi Salman Younas

Question:  Is it permitted to say Amin when the one giving the Friday sermon makes supplications? Is it also permitted to send blessings upon the Blessed Prophet when his name is mentioned in the sermon?

Answer: assalamu `alaykum

It would be permitted to do so in one’s heart, but not vocally.

Ibn `Abidin states, “Baqqali said in his Mukhtasar, ‘When he [s: the Imam] begins invocations, lifting the hands [in supplication] is not permitted for the people and nor is saying Amin vocally with the tongue. If they do this, they will be sinful. It was said that they would be blameworthy and there would be no sin upon them. The correct position is the first and fatwa is given upon it. Likewise, if the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him) is mentioned, it is not permitted to send blessings on him vocally outloud but rather one does so in one’s heart…'” [Ibn `Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

The reason for this is the general command of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) such as, “If you say to the person next to you, ‘Be quiet’ on Friday during the sermon then you have committed a blameworthy and idle act.” [Muslim] He (Allah bless him and grant him peace) also taught people to “listen attentively” and “remain silent” during the Friday sermon. [Ibid] This position was also held by many of the Companions such as `Ali, ibn `Umar, and ibn `Abbas. [Ibn Abi Shayba, Musannaf]

Wasalam
Salman

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani