Q 6: Is it permissible to invoke Allah's Blessings and Peace upon the Prophet (peace be upon him) if the Khatib (preacher) happens to mention his name while delivering the Friday Khutbah (sermon)?

A: It is obligatory upon the attendees of the Jumu`ah (Friday) Prayer to remain silent once the Khatib starts the Khutbah. Talking becomes prohibited in this case, for the Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: If you ask your brother to remain silent while the Khatib is delivering the Friday Khutbah, you have engaged in idle talk. (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).If, however, the Khatib makes Du`a' (supplication), the audience may say: "Amen". If he mentions the name of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the audience may invoke Allah's Blessings and Peace upon him in a low voice. In this way the apparent contradictions between various texts on this subject may be reconciled. Another reason is that one is not prohibited from saying: "Amen", or invoking Allah's Blessings and Peace upon the Prophet while listening to the Khutbah. Rather, it is an act of `Ibadah (worship) which is related to the Khutbah. (Part No. 7; Page No. 128) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.