370 – Ibn ʿAbbās (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever speaks on Friday while the imam is delivering the sermon is like a donkey laden with asfār (large books); and whoever tells him, ‘Be quiet!’ has forfeited his Friday (reward).” Related by Aḥmad with an isnād that is acceptable (1).

This narration elucidates the hadith of Abū Hurayrah recorded in the two Ṣaḥīḥs, in which the Prophet ﷺ said, “If, during the Friday sermon, you say to your companion, ‘Listen!’ you have engaged in idle talk.” (2)

Hadith grading
The report consists of two statements:

1. “If, during the Friday sermon, you say to your companion, ‘Listen!’ you have engaged in idle talk.” – This wording is authentically traced back to the Prophet and is found in both al-Bukhārī and Muslim; it is the principal portion of the hadith.
2. “Whoever speaks on Friday while the imam is preaching…” and so forth – this clause clarifies the first.
   The author notes that Aḥmad transmitted it with a chain that is sound enough. Al-Ṣanʿānī adds: “It also has a strong mursal corroboration in the Jāmiʿ of Ḥammād.”

Vocabulary
• asfār: plural of sifr, a sizable book; the term denotes large written works.