What is the ruling on the Imam prolonging the Friday sermon and reciting long surahs in prayer, despite the worshippers' request for brevity?
On Friday, it is a Sunnah to shorten the sermon and lengthen the prayer, contrary to what many preachers do today. As for other prayers, it is requested to lighten them, based on the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, saying: "If one of you leads the people in prayer, he should lighten it, for among them are the young, the old, and the weak..." And lightening it is further emphasized if the worshippers request it or are harmed by prolongation. To know what is recited in each prayer, one should refer to books of Fiqh, in the chapter on the description of prayer.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/35648