How to Deliver the Friday Khutbah

(The Khateeb stands on the mimbar or on the same level as the congregation, and says:

"Assalamu 'Alaikum"; (He sits down.)

Standing before the Imam, the Mu'adh-dhin says the Adhan

The Khateeb stands and says :

"A'uudhubillaahi mina-sh shaytaani-r rajeem, Bismillaahi-r Rahmaani-r Raheem

He praises and thanks Allah and sends blessings and greetings to Prophet Muhammad, peace be on
him, to his family and to his companions, by saying:

"Al Hamdu Lillahi Rabbil 'Alameen." "Wa-ssalatu was-salamu 'alaSayyidinaa Muhammad wa 'ala
aalihi wa Sahbihi ajma’een."

Saying “Amma ba‟d” (roughly meaning „Now to proceed‟, he then recites a verse or verses of the
Qur‟an relating to the subject of his talk by saying:

Qaala-l laahu Ta‟aala fi kitaabihi-l majeed meaning „Allah the Almighty has said in His Glorious
Book‟

He follows it with a Hadith from the Prophet about the subject he is going to talk about by saying: Wa
qaala rasuulu-l laahi – salla-l laahu „alayhi wa sallam‟ and then the actual words of the hadith.

7. He then deals with the main theme of his khutbah.

8. He ends his first khutbah with an Ayah and a Hadith. It is preferable that they be recited in their
original Arabic texts.

9. Before he sits down, he should ask the congregating Muslims to ask Allah for forgiveness, guidance
and mercy. He should ask forgiveness for himself, also.

10. After a few moments of pause, he stands up and starts the second khutbah.

11. The second khutbah should start with praise to Allah, followed by blessings (Salat) and greeting
(Salaam) to the Prophet, his family, his companions and unto their followers, by saying:

" Al Hamdu Lillahi Rabbil 'Alameen wa-s salaatu wa-s salaamu alaa sayyidinaa Muhammad wa 'ala
Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa man wala."

12. It is preferable that the second khutbah be devoted to Du'a' (supplications).

13. The best Du'a' are those from the Qur'an as well as from the Prophet. The starting of the Du'a'
could begin as follows:

Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, said in the Qur'an, in Surah Al-Ahzab (The Confederates), the
following:

"Indeed! Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet. O you who believe! Send blessings
on him, and salute him with a worthy salutation." (33:56)

The Khateeb is to continue to say the following:

"Allahuma Salla 'Ala Muhammadin Wa 'Ala Ali Muhammadin, Kama Sallaita 'Ala Ibrahima Wa 'Ala
Ali Ibrahim.

Allahuma Barik 'Ala Muhammadin Wa 'Ala Ali Muhammad, Kama Barakta 'Ala Ibrahima Wa 'Ala Ali
Ibrahim. Fil 'Alameen Innaka Hameedun Majeed."

"O Allah! Send benediction on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you sent
benediction on Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim."

"O Allah! Bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you blessed Ibrahim and the
family of Ibrahim. Indeed You are (Ya Allah) Ever-Praised and Ever-Exalted in the universe!"

14. The Khateeb should then recite some Du'as or supplications.

15. It is then recommended that the Khateeb end the khutbah by saying:

"Glorified be your Sustainer, the Possessor of Majesty, from that which they attribute (unto
Him). And peace be unto all His messengers. And all praise and thanks be to Allah, Sustainer of
all creation!" (37:180-182)

16. Then he may say the following:

"Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and giving to kith and kin, and He forbids all
indecent deeds, and evil and rebellion: He instructs you, that ye may receive admonition."
(16:90)

17. The Khateeb then instructs the Mu'adh-dhin to give the Iqaamah for the Salaat by saying:

Aqimu-s Salaat. And then adds:

Indeed, Salat keeps one away from lewdness and iniquity, and the (constant) remembrance of
Allah is most great. And Allah knows whatever you do." (29:45)

18. Now, standing in the direction of the Ka‟bah, the Khateeb starts the Salat of two Rakaat Fard
Salatu-l Jumu'ah in a jama'ah.

19. The Salat is a regular one, with the recitations of Qur'an done vocally like those of Fajr, Maghrib
and Isha' prayers.

20. Time should be allocated for the congregating Muslims to perform the after Sunnah Salat as well
as to make their Tasbeeh and Du'a'.

21. Muslims should leave the Masjid politely with solemnity and serenity. While leaving, they
should get to know each other and improve their relationships.

Summary

The essential features of Friday Khutbah are the following according to the Sunnah of the Prophet.

 The Imam should be in Wudu and should be properly dressed.

 It should be given from a pulpit (minbar). According to the Sunnah the minbar should be at the right
side of the mihrab. It should have three steps. The Imam should go up on the minbar, stand on the
second step and sit on the third step. If minbar is not available then one can stand on any elevated place.
If that is not available then one can stand on the musalla facing the people.
 The Imam should go on the minbar, while facing the people in the standing position he should say ,
"Assalam 'alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh." The audience should answer the Imam. The he
should sit down and the Adhan for Khutbah should be given.
 After the Adhan, the Imam should stand up and deliver the Khutbah. The Khutbah should begin with
the praise of Allah (hamd), the declaration of faith (two shahadah), peace and blessing upon the Prophet
(salat and salam), then at least one ayah from the Qur'an should be recited. All these things should be in
Arabic. After this the Imam can use the local language to speak to the people and remind them about
their faith and their religious duties.
 The Khutbah should be in two parts. After finishing the first part the Imam should sit down for a short
while (for so long that three short verses of the Qur'an or three times Subhanallah can be recited.)
 First Khutbah should be on any topic of concern and relevance for the community. But the second
Khutbah should end with peace and blessings on the Prophet and his companions and with du'a for all
the people. It is recommended to give the second Khutbah based on the recommended prayers (ad'iyah
ma'thurah). These prayers should be recited in Arabic.
 It is recommended that the Khutbah is not too long and should be inspiring and motivational. It should
also avoid controversial subjects. The audience must listen to the Imam quietly without any
interruption. People should not talk to each other or engage in any other activity during the Khutbah.