Is it an act of Sunnah (whatever

Q 1: When the Imam (the one who leads the Prayer) of the Jumu‘ah (Friday) Prayer ascends the Minbar (pulpit) does he knock three times with his stick before the Mu'adhin (caller to Prayer) calls the Adhan (call to Prayer)? Did the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) do this or not? Did the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with them) do this or not?

A: It has not been confirmed that the Prophet (peace be upon him), any of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs, or any of the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them all) did this, as far as we know. It is in fact a Bid`ah (innovation in religion), as the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Anyone who does something in this matter of ours (the religion) that is not from it, it will be rejected." In another narration he (peace be upon him) said: "Anyone who does something that we have not ordered (in worship) it will be rejected." (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim and the wordings are from Muslim)May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.