Q: Is it permissible to become occupied with Istighfar (seeking forgiveness from Allah) and Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah) at the expense of listening to the Khutbah (sermon) of the Jumu`ah (Friday) Prayer?

A: Anyone who attends the Jumu`ah Prayer must listen to the Khutbah and not become occupied with other things such as Istighfar, Dhikr, etc., because it is not permissible to speak while the Imam (the one who leads congregational Prayer) is delivering the Khutbah. A proof for this is the Hadith narrated on authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated: If, during the Jumu`ah Prayer, you ask your companion to be quiet while the Imam is delivering the Khutbah, you have engaged in idle talk. (Related by Al-Bukhari, Muslim and the other authors of the Sunan [Hadith compilations classified by jurisprudential themes]) It was related by Imam Ahmad, Al-Bayhaqy and others on the authority of Abu Al-Darda' (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: One day, the Prophet (peace be upon him) took his seat on the Minbar (pulpit), addressed the people and recited an Ayah (Qur'anic verse). Ubay ibn Ka`b was sitting next to me, so I asked him: "O Ubayy! When was this Ayah revealed?" As he refused to answer me, I repeated my question. He refused to speak to me until the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) descended the Minbar. Then Ubayy said to me: "All you got from your Jumu`ah was speaking idle talk." When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) left, I went to him and told him what had happened. He said: "Ubayy spoke the truth. If you hear your Imam speaking, then listen to him until he finishes." Allah (Exalted be He) states: So, when the Qur’ân is recited, listen to it, and be silent that you may receive mercy. (Part No. 7; Page No. 123) Some of the Mufassirs (exegetes of the Qur'an) such as Mujahid and others mentioned that the Ayah was revealed concerning the obligation of listening to the Khutbah, indicating that those who attend Jumu`ah Prayer must listen to it attentively. However, if a person cannot hear the Khatib (preacher) due to the distance between them or due to his low voice and so forth, then there is no harm if he occupies himself with Dhikr, Istighfar and reciting the Qur'an provided that he does not distract those around him; this is better than remaining silent. Likewise, there is no objection if one silently asks Allah to enter Jannah (Paradise) or distance him from Hell-fire when the Khatib mentions them, invokes Allah's Blessings and Peace upon the Prophet when he hears his name, or says: "La ilaha illa Allah (there is no god but Allah)" when the Khatib asks the congregants to mention Allah since all of the above are not considered idle talk if they are not audible.May Allah grant you success May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions!