It is not the mere fact of having two sermons that matters; what truly counts is the effect those sermons produce in the community. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said, “It is not sufficient in a khutbah merely to castigate the world and mention death, for by common understanding a khutbah must move hearts and spur them on to goodness. Denouncing the world and warning against it is something even those who deny the sacred laws have recommended. What is required is to encourage obedience, forbid disobedience, call people to Allah, and remind them of His favors.” He further stated, “Nor is a khutbah attained by such brevity that its purpose is lost. Whenever the Prophet ﷺ delivered a sermon, his eyes would redden, his voice would rise, and his anger would intensify—almost as though he were warning an army—saying, ‘Morning is upon you! Evening is upon you!’”

The jurists have noted that it is recommended for the two Friday sermons to be delivered from a pulpit, because the Prophet ﷺ did so and because it makes the admonition more effective when the congregation can see the preacher before them. Al-Nawawī commented, “Using a pulpit for the khutbah is a sunnah upon which there is unanimous agreement.”

It is also recommended that the preacher greet the worshipers when he turns to face them, for Jābir reported: “When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ascended the pulpit, he would offer salām.” This was narrated by Ibn Mājah, and it has corroborating chains.