Q 3: Once the Imam (the one who leads congregational Prayer) has ascended the pulpit and has not yet started the Khutbah, is it permissible to supplicate Allah at this time or is it obligatory to remain silent and wait for the Khutbah to start?

A3: It is obligatory to hearken and pay full attention during the Khutbah based on the directions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Supplication is permissible while the Imam is sitting on the pulpit as well as during one's Sujud (Prostration) and after the conclusion of the last Tashahhud (a recitation in the sitting position in the second/ last unit of Prayer) before Taslim (salutation of peace ending the Prayer). When the Prophet Muhammad was asked about Sa`at Al-Ijabah (an hour when invocations are more likely to be answered by Allah) on Friday, he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied: It is when the Khatib (preacher) sits on the Minbar (pulpit) until the end of Salah. (Recorded by Imam Muslim in his Sahih (authentic collection of Hadith) on the authority of Abu Musa Al-Ash`ary (may Allah be pleased with him).May Allah grant us success and peace and blessings be upon our Prophet and his family and companions!