Q 2: I offered the Jumu`ah (Friday) Prayer in the Prophet’s Mosque and I saw a man there whose appearance indicated that he was a religious scholar. When I offered two Rak`ahs (units of Prayer) after the first Adhan (call to Prayer) and before the last one, he told me that this was not permissible. (Part No. 8; Page No. 249) When I asked him for the evidence, he said that it was just not permissible. I saw that same man interlacing his fingers during the Friday Khutbah (sermon). When we had finished the Jumu`ah Prayer, I said to him, “I have heard a Hadith that says that interlacing the fingers during the Friday Khutbah is not permissible.” He answered, “It is in fact permissible, and the only time it is not permissible is during the Du`a' (supplication)." Please advise me!

A: Firstly, there is no Sunnah Ratibah (supererogatory Prayer performed on a regular basis) before the Jumu`ah Prayer, but it is permissible to offer as many supererogatory Prayers as you wish before the Imam (the one who leads congregational Prayer) enters. Secondly, the evidence cited from the Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) forbid the interlacing of the fingers during the Salah (Prayer), while waiting for the Salah, and while walking to the Masjid (mosque). It is related by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad, on the authority of Abu Sa`id Al-Khudry (may Allah be pleased with him), who reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: If any of you is sitting in the Masjid, they should not interlace (their fingers), for interlacing is from Satan. You are deemed to be in Salah as long as you are in the Masjid until you leave. Al-Haythamy said in Majma' Al-Zawa'id, "The Sanad (chain of narrators) of this Hadith is Hasan (good) and there are proofs supporting its authenticity."May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.