Question
I wanted to find out if a person has ordered medication or any other item and it is delivered at khutbah time on Friday is this permissible or not if not what should one do if the delivery is from a distance?
Answer
If by “is this permissible or not” you mean that would it be permissible for you to not attend the Jumu’ah Khutbah but rather stay behind to accept the delivery and then go for the Jumu’ah Salat, then, without a doubt, it would not be permissible to do so. Allah Ta’aala states in the Holy Quran:
«O you who have Imaan! when the call (Adhaan) is made for (the Jumu’ah) salaah on the day of Jumu’ah (Friday), then hasten towards Allah’s remembrance (the Khutbah) and leave trading. This is best for you (in both worlds), if you but knew. And when the prayer has been concluded then (you are free) to disperse in the land and seek from the Bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often so that you may be successful. (Note: Before the ensuing Ayah was revealed, the Khutbah used to take place after the Jumu’ah Salat similar to Eid’s Khutbah. The Sahabah Radhiallahu Anhum were listening to the Khutbah being delivered by Rasulullah ﷺ when a long-awaited caravan appeared in Madinah. There was a shortage of food in Madinah during that time and food prices were very high. Thinking that there was no harm in not attending the Khutbah and fearing that the Jews and hypocrites would get most of the merchandise, many of the Sahabah Radhiallahu Anhum hurried to meet the caravan without waiting for the Khutbah to end. Referring to this event, Allah says:) “When they see trade (merchandise) or futility (the caravan and its welcoming procession), they rush to it and leave you (O Rasulullah ﷺ) standing (and delivering the Khutbah).” Say, “What is with Allah is better than futility and trade, and Allah is the best of providers.”» (Surah Al Jumu’ah Ayat no.9-11)
The ideal solution would be for you to leave for Jumu’ah Salaah (so that you can be in time to listen to the Khutbah), in which case you may appoint any such family member upon whom Jumu’ah is not Waajib (for example a non-Muslim servant) to collect the parcel on your behalf from the Courier. You could even appoint female members of your family to collect the delivery from behind the door (whilst observing Purdah). In this way, the parcel can be collected and you can proceed for Jumu’ah (so as not to miss any portion of the Khutbah).
References
وأما الذكر الذي أمر الله تبارك وتعالى بالسعي إليه عباده المؤمنين، فإنه موعظة الإمام في خطبته فيما قيل. ذِكر مَن قال ذلك: حدثنا ابن حُمَيْد، قال: ثنا مهران، عن سفيان، عن جابر، عن مجاهد (إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلاةِ مِنْ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ) قال: العزمة عند الذكر عند الخطبة.
حدثنا عبد الله بن محمد الحنفي، قال: ثنا عبدان، قال: أخبرنا عبد الله، قال: أخبرنا منصور رجل من أهل الكوفة، عن موسى بن أَبي كثير، أنه سمع سعيد بن المسيب يقول: (إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلاةِ مِنْ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَى ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ) فهي موعظة الإمام فإذا قضيت الصلاة بعد. (تفسير الطبري 23/384 مؤسسة الرسالة)
والمراد بالمعوذات سورة قل أعوذ برب الفلق وقل أعوذ برب الناس وجمع إما باعتبار أن أقل الجمع اثنان أو باعتبار أن المراد الكلمات التي يقع التعوذ بها من السورتين ويحتمل أن المراد بالمعوذات هاتان السورتان مع سورة الإخلاص وأطلق ذلك تغليبا وهذا هو المعتمد. (فتح الباري 8/131-132 دار المعرفة)