The Supplication during the Friday Sermon

Question :

The Imam who delivers the sermon in our mosque always ends the second sermon by saying: "I ask Allah's forgiveness for me and for you and all of the Muslims." And sometimes, he says: "I ask Allah for me and for you Al- Firdaws Al-A'la," and this is the best supplication, because the Messenger said:
*This is what we were talking about."

But some of the worshippers say: "This is a great day and we are in the right time to have our supplications answered, so we want a long supplication which suits the prevailing circumstances, such as, the supplication for rain at the time it is needed, or supplication for help for the Muslims and those in charge of their affairs by following the truth, or supplication against the enemies of Islam, that they be divided and their ranks destroyed and other such fitting supplications."

But the Khatib said: "The Messenger did not practice such supplications as these, whatever they might be, neither did the caliphs and the Companions, nor those who came after them. And I follow their way."

This has caused some of the worshippers to leave this mosque and travel to a mosque which is far from their homes, because its Imam closes his sermon with many supplications, to which they respond: "Ameen". And they have no cause for abandoning the mosque which is near to them, except that the Imam does not practice this supplication. What is the ruling of the religion and what is your advice, and who is correct?

Answer:

The supplication of the Imam in his sermon for the Muslims is lawful and the Prophet used to do this. But the Imam should not adhere to one particular supplication, rather, he should vary it, according to circumstances. As for its length or brevity, that should be according to need. And the Prophet used to repeat his supplications three times sometimes, and sometimes he would repeat them twice. Therefore, the Sunnah for the Khatib is to pursue what the Prophet used to do in his sermons and supplications. And through Allah is attained success. And may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, Muhammad and upon his family and Companions.

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