The Ruling on Lengthening the Friday Sermon

Question:
The questioner says: Honorable Shaykh, regarding the Friday sermon, what is the ruling on lengthening the Friday sermon? May Allah reward you. And what is the Prophetic guidance in this matter?

Answer:
Lengthening the sermon is contrary to the Sunnah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged shortening the sermon. He said (peace and blessings be upon him): "If a man's sermon is short and his prayer is long, that is a sign of his success." Some imams, may Allah guide them, are currently going against the Sunnah by lengthening the sermon, and it may not contain any benefit despite its length; it is merely repeated words or words of no benefit, while the prayer is one minute or less. This is contrary to the Sunnah, and it may also compromise the prayer. So they should fear Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and follow the Prophetic guidance. However, a short sermon, if it is given attention and focused on, is better than a hundred sermons, and it is the guidance of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). His sermons were a few blessed words, as the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) said. Who is it that lengthens the sermon? Yes.