Early and Late Arrival of the Khatib on Friday

Question:
We received this question from one of the imams. He says: I am an imam and khatib, but Shaykh Salih, I delay the Friday prayer until after the time has entered. Which is better for the khatib in the mosque, to arrive early or to delay? May Allah reward you.

Answer:
It is better to arrive when the time enters. When the sun passes its zenith, the time for the midday prayer enters, so he should hasten. This is because the congregation is detained in the mosque, and among them are those who arrive early, those who are advanced in age, and those who need to renew their wudu (ablution), among other things. So he should not detain them. He should arrive early from the time the Friday prayer time enters, and he should not lengthen the khutbah (sermon) either. Rather, he should focus on it, strive in it, and urge brevity. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: So lengthen the prayer and shorten the khutbah. Yes.