If I Miss the Friday Khutba (Sermon), Is My Friday Prayer Valid?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question: I missed the Friday sermon but prayed the Friday prayer. Is my Friday prayer valid?

Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate

Walaikum assalam,

I hope you’re doing well, insha’Allah.

Friday prayers are valid if one catches any part of the imam’s prayer before the closing salam. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah]

However, it is an incumbent duty for resident, able Muslim men to attend the Friday sermon (khutba) from the beginning—and it is also incumbent to leave worldly engagements such that one is able to catch the sermon in full.

Allah Most High commands, “Believers! When the call to prayer is given on Friday, then hasten to the remembrance of Allah, and leave your transactions…” [Qur’an, 62.9] The scholars concur that it is the Friday sermon (khutba) that is meant by “dhikri’l Llah” (remembrance of Allah) in this verse, as confirmed by many hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (peace & blessings be upon him).

If one is late for the Friday sermon, one should seek Allah’s forgiveness, and repent sincerely—through (1) remorse; (2) leaving this mistake; and (3) resolving never to repeat, to the best of one’s ability.

Reader on Repentance (tawba): A Reader on Tawba (Repentance)

Please see also: The Rulings Related to Friday Prayer

And Allah is the giver of success and facilitation.

Wassalam,
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a scholar and researcher of Islamic law and translator of several Arabic works to the English language. After ten years overseas, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in the Summer of 2007. In May 2008 he founded SeekersGuidance to deal with the urgent need to spread Islamic knowledge—both online and on the ground—in a reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible manner.