What is the ruling on writing down key points of the sermon while the Friday sermon is being delivered, and does it invalidate the sermon's conditions?

Summary

Listeners are recommended to stay silent and avoid any activity other than listening to the sermon. This fatwa leans towards the view that it is better to refrain from writing down the sermon's contents while it is being delivered, since it may distract attention and draw the notice of people nearby. The view permitting note-taking to improve understanding is answered by noting that a writer may miss parts of the sermon. Writing does not invalidate the sermon because the writer is still listening, and the contents can be obtained from the Religious Department or an audio recorder.

Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.