On Sun , Adil Salahi wrote:
Khutbah in English
Adil Salahi | Arab News
I have recently moved to the UK to pursue my studies. Friday prayer is
offered in the university, but I wonder whether the practice of giving the
khutbah in English is acceptable. I find this strange. May I also ask whether
it is permissible to offer Maghreb prayer only a short while before Isha, if
one has missed it at the appropriate time because of a lecture or some urgent
business. (Z. Majah)
Islam requires the Muslim community to hold the midday prayer on Friday
in congregation, and that it should be preceded by a speech in which the imam
discusses some issues that are important to the community, the general
situation of the Muslims, and reminds his audience of their duties to God, and
the Day of Judgment. For the congregation to benefit by the khutbah, or the
sermon, it must be delivered in a language they understand. If the
congregation, or a clear majority, is composed of people who do not speak
Arabic, what benefit would they have if the imam gives his sermon in Arabic?
The very purpose of the sermon will be defeated.
In universities and colleges, the sermon is given in English because it
is the common language understood by those who attend. This is the proper way.
Unfortunately, in most mosques in the UK, and other places as well, the sermon
is given in Arabic when only a small percentage of the audience understands it.
It is often the case that the imam himself does not understand Arabic. He reads
the sermon from a book, and makes it very short. In most cases, it is given in
less than four minutes. Ninety percent of the audience could not understand a
word. Even Arabic-speaking people might not understand because of the speed
with which it is delivered. This is a poor reflection on the status of the
Muslims today. Wherever the community does not speak Arabic, the sermon should
be in its own language. Thus, it should be delivered in Turkish or Urdu or
Malay, according to what is spoken locally.
Some schools of thought severely limit the time range of Maghreb
prayer, allowing it only within a brief time range after it becomes due. Other
schools of thought extend its time range to the moment when Isha becomes due.
Each view has its evidence. It is always better to offer one’s prayer at the
beginning of its time, but when one has some difficulty, it is better to resort
to the easier view. God always wants what is easier for people, as He has
stated in the Qur’an.
