Is it permissible to attend only the Friday prayer without attending the sermon, if the sermons do not address urgent contemporary issues of Muslims?
It is not permissible to abandon attending the Friday sermon, because Allah Almighty commanded striving for it, saying: (O YOU WHO BELIEVE! WHEN THE CALL IS PROCLAIMED FOR THE PRAYER ON FRIDAY, HASTEN TO THE REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH AND LEAVE OFF BUSINESS. THAT IS BETTER FOR YOU, IF YOU BUT KNEW!) [Al-Jumu'ah: 9]. The remembrance of Allah includes both the sermon and the prayer. The one who attends Friday prayer will not be devoid of goodness and benefit. The listener should sit humbly, gleaning wisdom and benefits, and overlooking shortcomings. Imams should not ignore what is happening in Muslim lands; they should invigorate spirits and encourage spending, and they should revive the Sunnah of Qunut for calamities. The Imam should be gently reminded of what he ought to say, and if he does not respond, it is permissible to strive to replace him, provided it does not lead to disunity among the congregation. Everyone should strive to reform themselves, their families, and society, and to connect hearts with Allah, without contenting themselves with mere criticism without striving against their own souls.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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