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Question: A man and his son take turns attending Jumuʿah prayer to keep their business running, one prays the first Jumuʿah while the other stays, then they switch for the second Jumuʿah. Is this permissible, or must they close the business entirely during the first Jumuʿah, considering the masjid is small and holds two congregations? Answer: At the outset, it is essential to understand that abstaining from trade and attending the Jumuʿah prayer is a undisputed obligation in Islam. Ibn Rushd stated: Chapter Six: Prohibition Before the Time of Worship This [prohibition] is mentioned in the Sharīʿah specifically at the time when walking to the Jumuʿah prayer becomes obligatory, as Allāh, Exalted is He, says: "When the call is made for the prayer on the day of Jumuʿah, then proceed to the remembrance of Allāh and leave off trade." This is, as far as I know, a matter of consensus, meaning the prohibition of trade at the time of the adhān, which is made after the sun has passed its zenith (zawāl) while the imām is on the minbar. Bidāyah al-Mujtahid (1/532). What indicates this is the statement of Allāh, the Most Majestic: {يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِن يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ} "O you who have believed, when [the adhān] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumuʿah, then proceed to the remembrance of Allāh and leave off trade. That is better for you, if you only knew." [62:9] Al-Qurṭubī, in his tafsīr, explained: The Twelfth Point: Allāh’s statement: “to the remembrance of Allāh” refers to the prayer. Others, such as Saʿīd ibn Jubayr, interpret it to mean the sermon (khuṭbah) and admonitions. Ibn al-ʿArabī commented: "The correct opinion is that it is obligatory in all aspects, with the sermon being the beginning of it." This view is upheld by the majority of scholars, except for ʿAbd al-Malik ibn al-Mājishūn, who considered it to be Sunnah. The evidence for its obligation is that it prohibits trade; if it were not obligatory, it would not render trade unlawful. A recommended act does not make a permissible action prohibited. If the “remembrance of Allah” refers to the prayer, then the sermon is part of the prayer itself, as remembrance can be fulfilled through both words and actions. Tafsīr al-Qurṭubī (18/92) It is important to note that the more reliable opinion among scholars is that holding two Jumuʿah prayers in the same masjid is not permissible. The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta reviewed an inquiry regarding this matter: "In cities like Paris, where mosques are overcrowded due to the large number of worshippers, can Jumuʿah prayers be held in the same masjid in two shifts, with separate imāms and khuṭbahs for each group?" The committee responded: "Establishing two Jumuʿah prayers in one mosque is not permissible according to Islamic law, and we know of no basis for this in the Religion of Allāh. The default rule is that only one Jumuʿah prayer is held in a single town. A second Jumuʿah is permitted only if: (i). The first mosque cannot accommodate all worshippers. (ii). The distance between locations makes attendance at a single Jumuʿah impractical. In such cases, the second Jumuʿah should be held at a different location, such as a nearby hall, residence, or public space, with proper permission from authorities." Signed by ʿAbdulʿAzīz ibn Bāz, ʿAbdurrazzāq ʿAfīfī, ʿAbdullāh ibn Ghadayān, and ʿAbdullāh ibn Qaʿūd. Fatāwā of the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Iftā, compiled by Aḥmad ibn ʿAbdur-Razzāq al-Duwaish, (8/317). Based on the above rulings, a person who attends a second Jumuʿah prayer, to maintain their business, contradicts two essential principles: (i). Allāh’s Command: The obligation to cease trade and proceed to Jumuʿah upon hearing the adhān. (ii). Avoidance of Doubtful Matters: The Prophet ﷺ said: “Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt.” At-Tirmidhī (2518)