And that is because Allah the Almighty says: {Whoever comes with a good deed, he shall have ten times the like thereof} (19). Recorded by Abu Dawud (20).

Section: The one who is far may remember Allah the Almighty, recite the Quran, and send blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), provided he does not raise his voice. Ahmad said: There is no harm in sending blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) between himself and his own soul. Ata, Said ibn Jubayr, al-Nakha'i, and al-Shafi'i granted him a concession to engage in recitation and remembrance. He may not raise his voice, nor engage in discussion regarding jurisprudence, nor pray, nor sit in a circle. Ibn Aqil mentioned that he may engage in discussion of jurisprudence and perform voluntary prayer. Our evidence is the generality of what we have narrated, and that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade circles on the day of Jumu'ah before the prayer. Recorded by Abu Dawud (21). Also, because if he raises his voice, he prevents those who are closer than him from hearing, thus harming them; he would therefore bear the sin of one who harms the Muslims and turns them away from the remembrance of Allah the Almighty. If he remembers Allah between himself and his own soul, without letting anyone hear him, there is no harm. Is that better or is remaining silent better? It is subject to two views: One of them is that remaining silent is better, due to the hadith of Abdullah ibn Amr and the statement of Uthman. The second is that remembrance is better, because he attains its reward without causing harm, so it is better, just as it is before the khutbah.

Section: Speaking is not forbidden for the khateeb (the one delivering the khutbah), nor for the one whom the khateeb asks, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) asked Sulayk when he entered while he was delivering the khutbah: "Have you prayed?" He said: No (22). And from Ibn Umar, that while Umar was delivering the khutbah on the day of Jumu'ah, a man from the companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) entered, and Umar called out to him: "At what time is this?" He said: "I was occupied today and did not return to my family until I heard the call, so I did nothing more than perform wudu." Umar said: "And wudu as well? You know that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to command performing ghusl."