Title : A letter of advice and a reminder to his eminence Ash-Shaikh Hassanein Makhlouf from Shaikh Abdul Azeez bin Abdullah bin Baaz.
[Translators’ note: Ash-Shaikh Hassanein Muhammad Makhlouf (6th May 1890 to 15th April 1990) was one of the major scholars of The Al-Azhar University. He served as the Mufti of Egypt for quite a long time. Shaikh ʿAbdul ʿAzeez bin ʿAbdullāh bin Baaz,(21 November 1912 – 13 May 1999) was a major Salafi scholar from Saudi Arabia who served as the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia from 1993 until his death in 1999. May Allah be pleased with them both.]
{The letter…}
From Abdul Azeez bin Abdullah bin Baaz to the esteemed brother, the honorable Shaikh Hassanein Makhlouf, may Allah grant him every goodness. Salamun Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu.
Ba’dahu (thus), O beloved one, I was informed by some reliable people that on the night of Thursday, 17/2/1393 AH, they tuned in to the Cairo Radio station and found it broadcasting a response stating the impermissibility of praying the Tahiyyatul-Masjid prayer, while the Imam is delivering the Friday Khutbah.
I was surprised by that; Because it is not hidden from anyone like you that it has been authentically reported from the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam), regarding his command to the one who entered (the Masjid) while he was delivering the Friday Khutbah to pray two Rak’ahs. [Translator: See Sahih Muslim 875g.]
Perhaps your eminence had forgotten that, and therefore I thought I would remind you on this issue out of (acting upon) ‘cooperation in Al-Birr (righteousness) and At-Taqwa (piety)’, and it would be better for your eminence to rectify (correct) the answer to this issue and announce it (publicly on radio) as you announced (the previous answer) the first time.
May Allah reward your efforts, and bless your efforts,and benefit from your knowledge, and make us, along with all our brothers, from callers to guidance. May He grant us correctness in speaking and acting truthfully. Indeed, He is the best of those to be asked.
Was-Salamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu.
Dated: 22/3/1393 AH.
{Reference: Ar-Rasail Al-Mutabadilah Bayna Ash-Shaikh Ibn Baaz Wal ‘Ulamaa, page 685.}
The Hadith:
Jabir bin ‘Abdullah [Radi Allahu ‘Anhu] reported: Sulaik Al-Ghatafani [Radi Allahu ‘Anhu] came on Friday when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was delivering the Khutbah (sermon). He (Sulaik) sat down. He (the Holy Prophet) said to him: “O Sulaik! Stand and observe two Rak’ahs and make them short, and then said: When any one of you comes on Friday, while the Imam delivers the sermon, he should observe two rak’ahs and should make them short.” (Sahih Muslim 875g, sunnah.com)
[Translated by Mohammed Manna, 8th January 2024.]
Saheehus-Seerah 