The Language Of The Khutbah
Of Jumah
Q. "Is it necessary that the khutbah of Jum'ah
is given in Arabic language or can it be given in some other language
also. Some people say that if it is given in a local language it may be
more useful to the audience.".
(Shabbir
Ali, Toronto)
A. The Khutbah of Jum'ah is not essentially a lecture meant for the people.
Rather, it is a part of the prayer of Jum'ah. It is evident that the numbers
of Rak'at in a Zuhr Prayer is four. On the Day of Jum'ah, the number of
Rak'at has been reduced to two only, and the remaining two Rak'ats have
been substituted by a Khutbah, which is basically a form of dhikr (ritual
recitation of Allah's name), and by this name it has been referred to
in the Holy Qur'an (Surah al'Jum'ah).
Therefore, being a part of the Prayer of dhikr, it can only be performed
in Arabic. and just as the prayer of Jum'ah cannot be performed in a local
language, the Khutbah cannot be given in any language other than Arabic.
The Companions of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) went to a number of places
outside Arabia and preached Islam there, but they never used a local language
while offering a Khutbah of Jum'ah. They used the local language in other
lectures and sermons, but not in the prescribed khutbah on Friday. This
helps the Muslims being in at least verbal contact with Arabic, the language
of the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah.
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