All the people are required to listen attentively to the Friday Khutbah

Q: I would like to mention that the people of Al-Iskan mosque in Al-Dammam (Part No. 7; Page No. 124) asked me to refer the following question to you. It is regarding their weekly suffering from teenagers who mess around in the upper floor during Friday Khutbah (sermon) and make a lot of noise and disturbance which deprives them from listening to and benefiting from the Khutbah. A praying person would ask them to stop making noise and may punish them, thus making him speak during the Khutbah. I hope you will give me an answer, so that I can inform the worshipers of the mosque of the legal ruling.

A: There is no doubt that all the people are required to listen attentively to the Friday Khutbah. Speaking during the Khutbah is prohibited except for someone who speaks to the Imam who delivers the Khutbah or the one whom the Imam speaks to during the Khutbah. As for what is mentioned in the question about some ignorant people who mess around during the Khutbah, the Imam should criticize and forbid that and if they do not obey, they should be prevented from going up to this floor to evade their harm.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.