Abu Shamah remarked, “The fact that a number of the Companions were seen praying before the Friday service is simply an instance of unrestricted voluntary prayer. There is nothing objectionable about the act itself; what is objectionable is the common folk—and even some students of jurisprudence—assuming that it constitutes a prescribed sunnah attached to the Friday prayer beforehand.”

The Shaykh added, “The better course for anyone who arrives early for Jumuʿah is to remain engaged in prayer until the imam comes out, for the authentic narration says, ‘then he should pray whatever has been allotted for him.’”