The eleventh distinctive feature (1): Praying on Friday when the sun is at its zenith is not disliked according to al-Shāfi‘ī (2) and those who agree with him. This is also the view preferred by our teacher, Abū al-‘Abbās Ibn Taymiyyah. He did not base his view on the hadith transmitted by Layth, from Mujāhid, from Abū al-Khalīl, from Abū Qatādah, reporting that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, disapproved of praying at midday except on Friday, and said: “Hell is stoked except on Friday” (3). Rather, he based it on the recommendation that anyone who comes to the Friday prayer should pray until the imam comes out. An authentic hadith states:
“No man takes a bath on Friday, purifies himself (4) as thoroughly as he can, applies some of his oil or some perfume from his home, then goes out without separating two people, prays whatever has been ordained for him, and listens silently when the imam speaks= but that his sins between that Friday and the next are forgiven.” Reported by al-Bukhārī (5).
Thus, he encouraged him to pray whatever had been ordained for him, and did not prohibit him from doing so except when the imam came out.