The Ruling on Preaching and Reminding Before the Sermon

Question:
In some Islamic countries, it has become customary for the imam to deliver a sermon to the worshippers before he ascends to the pulpit. Is that permissible? And is it permissible to recite Surat Yasin for a person who is dying?

Answer:
This was not the practice during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). When he entered the mosque, he would go directly to the pulpit and sit on it until the mu'adhdhin finished the adhan, and then he would begin the khutbah. He did not preach to them before that. When he reached the pulpit, he would sit on it, then the mu'adhdhin would call the adhan, and then he would begin the khutbah. This is what is prescribed. As for preaching to them before that, it is not prescribed. Rather, he should go to the pulpit and sit on it, and after the mu'adhdhin finishes, he should begin the khutbah.
As for reciting Yasin for a person who is dying, a hadith has been reported regarding this, and some scholars have graded it as weak. If the Qur'an is recited for a person who is dying, that is good.