The Friday Prayer at the Beginning of Its Time

Question

For about forty years the time of the Friday adhan in our mosque has been one o’clock and that of the khutba a quarter to two. This mosque is in the centre of the city and is regarded as the central Friday mosque of the Hanafi school, since the old Friday mosque is under the management of the Ahl-e Hadith. Now some people say that the khutba should be at half past one, and others say it should be at a quarter to two; two factions have formed.

Answer

It is better (afdal) to perform the Friday prayer at the beginning of its time. If, for the convenience of the worshippers, there is some delay, there is no harm in that either.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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