The lajnah were asked:

Question:

“Is it allowed for the custodian of the masjid to speak during the Khutbah to organize the lines of the men or silence the women or direct some of the congregants to the place of wudu or other than that from the affairs?”

Answer:

“It is not allowed for the one in the masjid to speak with another during the Khutbah at all, whether in straightening the rows or silencing the women or directing some of the congregants to the place of wudu or other than that. As for the Imam, then he can speak in what he sees to be of benefit because the Prophet (ﷺ) saw a man enter the masjid and sit without praying two rakats. He said to him while he was giving the Khutbah,

قم فصل ركعتين

‘Stand and pray two rakats’

[Reported by Ahmad 3/297, 316-317, 389, Muslim 2/596 (no. 875), Abu Dawood 1/318-318,668 (no. 467,117), Tirmidhi 2/384-385 (no. 520-511), an-Nasai 3/101 (no. 1395), Ibn Majah 1/353-354 (no. 1112-1114), Ibn Abi Shaybah (1/340) and al-Bayhaqi (3/193-194)]

Like this, it is allowed for someone from the congregation to ask the khateeb in what calls for a necessity. This is because the Prophet (ﷺ) did not detest the one who requested from him to pray for rain while the Prophet (ﷺ) was giving the khutbah. Rather, he answered him and sought aid from Allah.

With Allah is Tawfeeq.

And May Blessings and Peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon his family and Companions.

Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and verdicts

Chairman:

Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz

Vice-Chairman:

Abdurrazzaq ‘Afifi

Members:

Abdullah ibn Abdurahman al-Ghudyaan

Abdullah ibn Qu’ud” End translation. [Reference]

Translated by

Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan