Why the Friday Prayer and Khutbah are So Important
Allah commands the believers to hasten to the Friday prayer and leave their trade behind:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِن يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ
"O you who have believed, when [the adhan for] prayer is called on Friday, then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade." - Quran 62:9 (al-Jumu'ah)
The khutbah isn't just a break before the prayer. It's a part of worship and the weekly reminder (dhikrā). The Prophet ﷺ warned against neglecting it:
"Whoever leaves three Friday prayers out of indifference, Allah will seal his heart." - Abu Dawud 1052, at-Tirmidhi 500 (hasan/sahih)