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Language of the Friday Khutbah 

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by Qibla.com

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

I have read Mufti Taqi’s Uthmani’s (available on www.albalgh.net) article with the above title, it argues that the  Jummah kutbah should be in Arabic and not in any other language. Firstly, I cannot remember the noble Mufti ever giving a reference (although I trust him) when he presents the position of Imam al Azam and his two companions, does anyone have a reference for the books that record their positions?

I understand that there was a healthy debate in the US over this issue, I am interested in receiving the “other side of the argument”, is anyone aware of any articles, books etc that have been written presenting the evidence that according to our madhab, one may deliver  the khutbah in English ? Or, can anyone summarise the evidence presented by this group of scholars ?

Is there a genuine difference of opinion within our school over this issue, and have the early Ulema differed upon this ?

Answer:
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Walaikum assalam,

It is very important to have respect of scholars. As Mufti Taqi’s work, and other material in Urdu and Arabic from the Indo-Pak Hanafis, shows, there is a basis for allowing the khutba to only be in Arabic.

Others refer to texts from Hanafi texts that seem to indicate that it is permissible to give the khutba in other than Arabic.

The result: there is scholarly disagreement. Our duty: respect both opinions, regardless of what one understands to be correct.

Wassalam,
faraz

[sent by a subscriber]

mufti taqi uthmani has a booklet in English on this issue complete with references and even the original Arabic quotes along with the translation of the quotes. it is entitled the language of the friday khutbah, it has a blue cover and is available in most good bookshops.

Shaykh Abu Usamah’s clarification

Al-Salam alaykum

No. There is no genuine difference of opinion within our school and the ulama of old have not differed over this. This is something that was brought out over the last century. Interestingly the same matter was disputed in India and it was mainly those inclined to the ahl al-hadith who advocated the khutbah’s being in a language besides Arabic. In Fatawa Mahmudiyyah there are lengthy discussions on it. I have translated various questions and answers on the very same topic. However these are not in type (as yet) as I did them on paper. You can refer to the Urdu Fatawa Mahmudiyyah under the Chapters on Jumu`ah. This topic is discussed in various volumes.
The gist is that this has always been the practice of the Ummah ever since the time of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). The Sahabah also delivered the khutbah in Arabic in Non-Arab lands.

If you still require more information on any specific aspect then please ask. I will look for the details Insha Allah.

Abu Usamah

This answer was indexed from Qibla.com, which used to have a repository of Islamic Q&A answered by various scholars. The website is no longer in existence. It has now been transformed into a learning portal with paid Islamic course offering under the brand of Kiflayn.