and, moreover, no such practice has ever been transmitted. In fact, the previously cited report of al-Saʾib makes its occurrence highly unlikely, for that narration states that the first adhan was given in the marketplace, whereas the pre-khutbah sunnah prayer is ordinarily performed in the mosque. Those who were already inside the mosque would not even hear the adhan in the marketplace until the time for the congregational prayer itself.

Nor did Hisham report—when the ʿUthmānic adhan was moved from az-Zawrāʾ to the mosque gate and the Prophetic adhan was transferred inside the mosque, as mentioned earlier—that anyone prayed between the two adhans. Even had they done so, it would afford no valid proof, for this took place after the era of the Companions had passed. Whatever was not considered religion in their day cannot be considered religion today; the latter part of this ummah will only be set right by what set right its first part, as Imām Mālik, may Allah have mercy on him, said.

For that reason Ibn al-Hajj stated in al-Madkhal 2/239: “People must be forbidden from the innovation they have introduced of bowing (i.e., performing a voluntary prayer) after the first adhan of Jumuʿah, for it contradicts the practice of the pious predecessors—may Allah be pleased with them. They fell into two categories: some would begin praying as soon as they entered the mosque and would continue in prayer until the imam ascended…”