Holding a staff in the hand during the Jumu‘a khutba

Question

(1) Zayd says that delivering the khutba on the day of Jumu‘a holding a staff in the hand is a reprehensible innovation (bid‘a sayyi’a). So is it a reprehensible innovation or not? (2) In many mosques it is the practice to take a staff in the hand. Is this correct or not? (3) If it is not a bid‘a but rather mustahabb and sunna, what is the ruling of the Shari‘a regarding those who declare it a bid‘a?

Answer

(1) Holding a staff in the hand during the Jumu‘a khutba is not a reprehensible innovation (bid‘a sayyi’a); rather, it is mustahabb. It is established from the Prophet ﷺ, as [stated] in “Tahtawi” (Egyptian edition), Bab al-Jumu‘a, p. 421. (2) That practice there is correct; it is not a bid‘a. (3) Saying so is due to unawareness; have it explained to them through some ‘alim.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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