Q:

Is it OK to use cell phone during Friday Khutbah?

A:

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

It is obligatory upon those who attend Friday Prayer to listen attentively to the khateeb (one who delivers Friday sermon) and thus it is prohibited to engage in any idle activity.

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “He who touches pebbles, [during the Friday sermon] has engaged in idleness.” [Muslim]

It is even prohibited to give advice to another one as dictated by the prophetic declaration, ‘If you say to your fellow “Be quit”, while the imam is delivering the sermon on Friday, then you have engaged in idleness.’ [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Accordingly, using one’s cell phone during Friday sermon is similarly prohibited. One should rather shut down his cell phone and give heed to the sermon.

Almighty Allah knows best.