The imam descending from the minbar after the khutba and sitting at the place of prayer

Question

On the day of Jumu‘a, after both khutbas, the imam descends from the minbar and sits at the place of prayer facing the qibla, and then at the “حي على الصلاة” of the iqama the imam and the followers (muqtadis) stand up. Is this in accordance with the sunna or not?

Answer

This way is not established from the sunna; rather, the jurists have written that when the khutba ends, the takbir (iqama) should be begun immediately, that is, the beginning of the takbir should be joined to the end of the khutba; and when the imam reaches the place of prayer from the minbar, the takbir should be finished.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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