Common mistakes made during Jumu'ah

Many of us go to the mosque on Friday as a matter of tradition and
habit, without making the intention of worship, whereas an intention
is aprecondition for the Jumu'ah prayer and all other acts of
worship.Increasingly, we see people staying up late, which causes them
to miss Fajr prayer, leaving them to start their day having committed
a great major sin, while the Prophet, , said: "The best prayer in the
sight of Allaah is the congregational Fajr prayer on Friday."
People might commit mistakes out of ignorance or negligence, among
which are the following:
Slighting the attendance of the Jumu'ah sermon; some people arrive
during the sermon and others arrive while people are praying.
Abandoning or slighting praying the Jumu'ah prayer. The Prophet said:
"Let those who abandon attending the Jumu'ah prayer refrain from doing
so, or Allaah will seal their hearts and theywill become heedless."
[Muslim].
Neglecting bathing, perfuming, wearing onesbest clothing and using the Siwaak .
Shopping or engaging in trade after the Athaan (call for prayer) has
been called for the Jumu'ah sermon, while Allaah The Almighty Says
(what means): } "O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is
proclaimed for the Salaat (prayer) on Friday (Jumu`ah prayer), come to
the remembrance of Allaah [Jumu`ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salaat
(prayer)] and leave off business (and every otherthing). That is
better for you if you did but know." { [Quran, 62:9].Ibn 'Abbaas ,
said, "It is forbidden to buy or sell at that time."
Some people commit certain sins while thinking they doing something
praiseworthy, such as those who shave their beards on Friday because
it looks "cleaner".
Sitting in the courtyard of the mosque while there is space for inside.
Making people move andsitting in their place. Jaabir, narrated that
the Prophet, , said: "Let no one move his brother on the day of
Jumu'ah and sit in his place, instead heshould say: 'make space.'"
[Muslim].
Passing over people's shoulders, forcefully separating people in order
to sit between them, and harming people by forcing them into cramped
spaces. The Prophet, said to a man who was passing over people's
shoulders during the Jumu'ah sermon: "Sit down, because you have
harmed people."
Talking or reciting the Quran in a loud voice andthereby disturbing
otherswho are praying or reciting the Quran.
Leaving the mosque afterthe Athaan has been called without a valid excuse.
Not paying attention to what the Khateeb is saying during the sermon.
Praying two Rak'ah (unitsof prayer) between the two sermons, whereas
the Sunnah is to supplicate and seek forgiveness until the Imaam
stands up to deliver the second sermon.
Unnecessary movements during prayer, hastening to leave the mosque
immediately after praying and pushing people at the door to leave
without finishing the prescribed supplications after praying.
Mistakes of Imaams :
Making the sermon long and shortening the prayer.
'Ammaar, narrated that he heard the Prophet, saying: "The lengthening
of the prayer (by the Imaam) and the shortness of the Khutbah (sermon)
is the sign of hisunderstanding (of faith), so prolong your prayers
and shorten your speech;indeed some khutbahs have the effect of magic
(i.e., they are very powerful)." [Muslim].
Not being well prepared for the sermon and not choosing the correct
topic that addresses people's concerns.
Having numerous linguistic errors in the Khutbah .
Using narrations that are weak or fabricated, and quoting disliked
opinionswithout denouncing them.
Limiting the second sermon to contain supplications only.
Not using any verses from the Quran during the sermon, which opposes
the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition).
Failing to deliver a stirring sermon, while it is reported by Jaabir ,
when he described the Prophet, , he said, "Whenever the Prophet used
to deliver the Jumu'ah sermon, he would raise his voice; his eyes
would become red and he would become excited as though he waswarning
people against aconquering army which was just about to attack them."
[Muslim].