[Q 477] Kissing the Thumbs During the Friday Adhan

QUESTION:

During the Adhan before the khutbah on Friday, should or shouldn’t we kiss our thumbs? And why, please?

ANSWER:

During the second Adhan of Jumu‘ah, it is better not to kiss the thumbs upon hearing the blessed name of the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم, because according to Imam-e-Azam Abu Hanifah رحمہ الله تعالى, once the Khatib ascends the pulpit for the khutbah, talking or engaging in any other activity until the khutbah concludes is not permitted. Therefore, one should avoid doing so. However, if someone does kiss their thumbs, it is not permissible to criticise or condemn them for this act, because according to Sahibayn (the two major students of Imam Abu Hanifah), there is no harm in speaking before or after the khutbah.

This ruling applies to the Adhan that is given before the khutbah. During the khutbah itself, since remaining silent and listening attentively is Fardh (obligatory), it is strictly impermissible to recite Durood Sharif or to kiss the thumbs upon hearing the blessed name of the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم.

Imam Ahl-e-Sunnat رحمہ الله تعالى states regarding this matter:
“In responding to the Adhan of the khutbah and in supplicating thereafter, there is a difference of opinion between Imam Abu Hanifah and the Sahibayn رضي الله تعالى عنهم. It is better to refrain, though if one does so, there is no harm. Likewise, kissing the thumbs upon hearing the blessed name of the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم in the Adhan of the khutbah carries the same ruling. However, during the khutbah itself, the command is absolute silence and stillness; when hearing the blessed name during the khutbah, one should only send Durood Sharif in the heart and do nothing else—not even move the tongue.”

(Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 8, p. 468)

It is further mentioned in Fatawa Razawiyyah:
“Undoubtedly, the correct ruling is that listening to both khutbahs is Fardh (obligatory). During either khutbah, it is not permitted to perform Sunnah prayers, nor to utter words of glorification upon hearing the blessed name of Allah Almighty, nor to say صلى الله تعالى عليه وآله وسلم aloud upon hearing the blessed name of the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم, because during the khutbah, all forms of speech and greeting are absolutely Haram (unlawful). However, it is permissible to say Jalla Jalaluhu or Salla Allahu Ta‘ala ‘Alayhi wa Sallam silently in the heart.”

(Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 8, p. 437, Raza Foundation)

Answered by: Mubashir Attari (AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated Answer
Date: 9th November 2025