How do we respond to someone who says that reciting the hadith "If you say to your companion, 'Listen,' while the Imam is delivering the sermon, you have engaged in idle talk" three times before the Friday sermon is not an innovation (bid'ah) on the grounds that it does not fall within the essence of worship, and that innovation is only an addition to the essence of worship?

Reminding people of the hadith: "If you say to your companion..." before every Friday prayer was not reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) nor from his Companions. Therefore, it is an innovation (bid'ah), based on his (peace be upon him) saying: "Whoever performs a deed that is not in accordance with our matter, it will be rejected," and "Whoever introduces into this matter of ours that which is not from it, it will be rejected." This should be explained gently and wisely, starting with what is most important, and being careful not to divide Muslims or alienate them from the Sunnah, and by communicating with trustworthy scholars.