The Question:
“Is allowable for me to pray behind an Imam who reads the second khutbah in a language other than Arabic?”
The Answer:
The origin is that the Friday sermon is conducted in the Arabic Language, and this is the opinion of the majority of the scholars. However, Abu Hanifa, may Allah have mercy upon him, allowed for the sermon to be given in a language other than Arabic. Therefore, there is nothing to stop one from praying with this Imam particularly if the people of that country do not [speak/understand] Arabic. However, we advice this Imam to, at a minimum, mention a few words in Arabic during the Friday sermon such as, remember Allah and seek Allah’s pardon. These [Arabic phrases] will allow him to avoid falling into a disliked act, the differences and the doubts that surround this issue. We ask Allah to guide you and us.
Dr. Abdullah bin Bayyah