There are preachers who lengthen the sermon, which causes boredom among the worshippers. Is there a specific time limit for the sermon?
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The questioner : This is a questioner from Riyadh, O honorable Shaykh. He says: There are preachers who lengthen the sermon, O honorable Shaykh, which causes boredom among the worshippers. Is there a specific time limit for the sermon? And the other part of the question is: What is your opinion, O honorable Shaykh, regarding those who delay the prayer on Friday, where they do not go out to pray until just before one o'clock in the afternoon? I hope for your guidance, may Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : Lengthening the sermon in a boring manner is contrary to the Sunnah.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And this is evidence of the shortness of the preacher's jurisprudence, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). Therefore, the Sunnah for the preacher is to shorten the sermon, to limit himself to the most important and significant matters, and not to bore the people.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Because boring the people makes them dislike the sermon and the exhortation. However, if there is a reason for lengthening the sermon, there is no harm in it. Generally, if there is a reason for lengthening the sermon, the people listen to it well and do not become bored by it. The wise person knows how his sermon should be long or short. But the preacher should also consider what is needed in the topics he speaks about and be wise in what he says. If he sees that speaking is better, he speaks, and if he sees that silence is better, he remains silent, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family)Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2500Sahih (Darussalam).
And it should be known that speech may be true and good, but mentioning it at this time is not appropriate, or mentioning it in this place is not appropriate, or mentioning it in this situation is not appropriate. The wise person chooses the topic he speaks about and chooses the time and place in which he speaks. So he does not speak except at an appropriate time, in an appropriate place, in an appropriate situation, and on an appropriate topic. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you, O honorable Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Lengthening the sermon in a boring manner is contrary to the Sunnah.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And this is evidence of the shortness of the preacher's jurisprudence, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family)
The length of a man's prayer and the brevity of his sermon are a sign of his jurisprudence.
إن طول صلاة الرجل وقصر خطبه مئنة من فقههThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Because boring the people makes them dislike the sermon and the exhortation. However, if there is a reason for lengthening the sermon, there is no harm in it. Generally, if there is a reason for lengthening the sermon, the people listen to it well and do not become bored by it. The wise person knows how his sermon should be long or short. But the preacher should also consider what is needed in the topics he speaks about and be wise in what he says. If he sees that speaking is better, he speaks, and if he sees that silence is better, he remains silent, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family)
And whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, then let him say what is good or remain silent.
من كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الأخر فليقل خيرا أو ليصمتAnd it should be known that speech may be true and good, but mentioning it at this time is not appropriate, or mentioning it in this place is not appropriate, or mentioning it in this situation is not appropriate. The wise person chooses the topic he speaks about and chooses the time and place in which he speaks. So he does not speak except at an appropriate time, in an appropriate place, in an appropriate situation, and on an appropriate topic. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you, O honorable Shaykh.