Is it permissible to form circles in the mosque on Friday before the prayer?

The scholars disliked forming circles in the mosque on Friday before the prayer, because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade that, as well as buying and selling in the mosque. They also disliked gathering for knowledge and discussion before the prayer, so that one may occupy oneself with prayer, listening to the sermon, and remembrance. The gathering and forming of circles should be after finishing these. The majority of scholars understood the prohibition of forming circles according to its literal meaning, because it might disrupt the rows, despite the command to come early and to fill the first rows, one after another.