(91) Chapter: Brevity in Preaching

'Ammar bin Yasir (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "Prolonging Salat (prayer) and shortening the Khutbah (religious talk) indicate the religious knowledge of the person. Make your Salat long and your sermon short." [Muslim]. Commentary: A prolonged Salat (prayer) by no means implies a disregard of worshipper's constraints. It is indeed forbidden. Rather the Imam is emphatically told to perform a brief and concise Salat because his followers also include, amongst others, the weak, the aged and the sick people. Herein an emphasis is laid on prolonging Salat instead of Khutbah (religious talk). The Friday Khutbah is meant to be brief. It must not be too lengthy in relation to a brief Salat offered heedlessly and in sheer haste. Salat must be offered in all humility and with full attention and concentration of mind. Furthermore, a worshippper ought to maintain a well-paused equilibrium in different postures of its performance. Brevity should be kept in view of Khutbah.