Surah 62

Surah 62:11

"But when they see (the chance of) some (business) transaction or diversion, they rush off to it, and leave you standing. Say: ‘What is with God is better than any diversion or transaction. God is the best of providers.’"
The Prohibition of leaving the Masjid while the Imam is delivering the Friday Sermon Verses 62:11
Show Full Scripture Context (62:11) — 1 Verse
Verse 11

وَإِذَا رَأَوۡاْ تِجَٰرَةً أَوۡ لَهۡوًا ٱنفَضُّوٓاْ إِلَيۡهَا وَتَرَكُوكَ قَآئِمٗاۚ قُلۡ مَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ خَيۡرٞ مِّنَ ٱللَّهۡوِ وَمِنَ ٱلتِّجَٰرَةِۚ وَٱللَّهُ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّـٰزِقِينَ

But when they see (the chance of) some (business) transaction or diversion, they rush off to it, and leave you standing. Say: ‘What is with God is better than any diversion or transaction. God is the best of providers.’

11. And when they see some merchandise or some amusement, they disperse headlong to it, and leave you standing. Say: "That which Allah has is better than any amusement or merchandise! And Allah is the best of providers." The Prohibition of leaving the Masjid while the Imam is delivering the Friday Sermon. Allah criticizes what happened during one Friday sermon, when a caravan arrived at Al-Madinah and the people rushed out to the merchandise. Allah said, And when they see some merchandise or some amusement, they disperse headlong to it, and leave you standing. meaning, on the Minbar, delivering the Khutbah. Several of the Tabi'in said this, such as Abu Al-'Aliyah, Al-Hasan, Zayd bin Aslam and Qatadah. Muqatil bin Hayyan said that the caravan belonged to Dihyah bin Khalifah before he became a Muslim, and there were drums accompanying it. So they rushed to the caravan and left Allah’s Messenger standing on the Minbar. Only a few remained, according to the authentic Hadith that Imam Ahmad recorded that Jabir said, “Once, a caravan arrived at Al-Madinah while Allah’s Messenger was giving a Khutbah. So, the people left, and only twelve men remained [with the Messenger]. Then Allah sent down this Ayah, And when they see some merchandise or some amusement, they disperse headlong to it,” The Two Sahihs also recorded this Hadith. Allah’s statement, And leave you standing. proves that the Imam should deliver the speech on Friday while standing. In his Sahih, Imam Muslim recorded that Jabir bin Samurah said, “(During Jumu'ah,) the Prophet gave two speeches, and he used to sit between them. The Prophet would recite the Qur’an and remind the people (of Allah).” Allah’s statement, Say: "That which Allah has..." means the reward that is with Allah in the Hereafter, is better than any amusement or merchandise! And Allah is the best of providers. means, for those who trust in Him and seek His provisions when they are allowed to do so. This is the end of the Tafsir of Surat Al-Jumu'ah. All praise and thanks are due to Allah and from Him comes the success and immunity from error.

— from Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Vol. 9, Page 646-648)

About this Source & Scholarly Authority (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

Universal Sunni Consensus: Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azim by Hafiz Ibn Kathir (701–774 AH / 1301–1373 AD) is universally regarded across all major schools of Sunni Islam (traditional, Salafi, Ash'ari) as the most authoritative classical exegesis. It is prized because it relies on Tafsir bil-Ma'thur—interpreting the Quran using the Quran itself, authentic Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad, and recorded statements of the early Companions (Sahabah).

Standard English Edition: This text is from the standard 10-volume English abridgment published by Dar-us-Salam Publications (supervised by Shaykh Safiur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri), which is the official, most widely distributed English Quranic commentary in mosques and Islamic libraries worldwide today.