more helpful to him. If he does not do so, it is recommended that he keep his limbs still, either by placing his right hand over his left, or by dropping them both still at his sides (27). It is recommended that he begin with the praise of Allah (Hamd) before the exhortation (Maw'izah), because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to do that, and because any matter of importance that does not begin with the praise of Allah is devoid of blessing (abtar). Then he should follow it with the prayer upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), then he exhorts. If he reverses this, it is valid, for the intended purpose is achieved. It is recommended that in his sermon he be measured, clear, and eloquent, not rushing through it nor dragging it out, and that he be humble, taking heed of what he exhorts the people with; for it has been narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that he said: "A group of people were shown to me whose lips were being cut with scissors of fire. It was said to me: These are the preachers from your nation who say what they do not do" (28).
Section: Ahmad was asked about one who recites the Surah of Al-Hajj [reciting it] (29) on the pulpit; does it suffice him? He said: No. People have always preached by praising Allah the Almighty and invoking blessings upon the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He said: There is no sermon except as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) preached, or a complete sermon, and because this is not called a sermon and does not meet its conditions. If he recites verses containing the praise of Allah the Almighty, the exhortation, and invokes blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), it is valid because the conditions are met.
Section: If he recites a verse of prostration (Sajdah) during the sermon, if he wishes, he may descend and prostrate, or if it is possible to prostrate on the pulpit, he should prostrate upon it. If he omits the prostration, there is no blame, as Umar did so and omitted it (30). Al-Shafi'i held this view. Uthman, Abu Musa, Ammar, Al-Nu'man ibn Bashir, and Uqbah ibn Amir also omitted it. The companions of the school of opinion (Ashab al-Ra'y) held this view, because prostration in their view is obligatory (31).
= Ahmad, in: Al-Musnad 4/212. (27) In [copies] A and M: "ma'a" (with). (28) Recorded by Imam Ahmad, in: Al-Musnad 3/120, 231, 239. (29) In M: "'an qira'at" (about the recitation of). (30) Omitted from the original manuscript. It was recorded by Al-Bayhaqi, in: The Chapter on the Imam reciting a verse of prostration on the pulpit, from the Book of Jumu'ah. Al-Sunan al-Kubra 3/213. (31) However, it is obligatory with delay. See: Al-Ikhtiyar 1/96.
