The Quran

وَإِذا رَأَوا تِجارَةً أَو لَهوًا انفَضّوا إِلَيها وَتَرَكوكَ قائِمًا ۚ قُل ما عِندَ اللَّهِ خَيرٌ مِنَ اللَّهوِ وَمِنَ التِّجارَةِ ۚ وَاللَّهُ خَيرُ الرّازِقينَ

Ali Unal

Yet (it happened that) when they saw (an opportunity for) business or pastime, they broke away for it and left you standing (while preaching the sermon). Say: “What is with God is better (for you) than pastimes and business.¹ God is the Best to be sought as provider with the ultimate rank of providing.”

This verse alludes to an event that took place during the time of the Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings. There had been a famine in Madīnah when a long-expected caravan arrived from Syria. The Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, was giving the Jumu’ah sermon, and on hearing the trumpet sound to proclaim the coming of the caravan, most of the congregation left the mosque. So the verse warns all Muslims to be attentive to the remembrance of God during the Prayer.