Monday, January 12, 2004

Salam asked: is it OK to give the khutbah (speech) of Friday Prayer in a language other than Arabic?

Answer: Yes, it is valid according to Abu Hanifah. However, it is better if the leader does the following in Arabic: al-hamd, salaat 3ala al-Nabiyy, and advicing muslims to be pious in both speeches. The leader should also recite an aayah with a complete and understandable meaning from the Quran in one of the two speeches. He should also make a supplication in Arabic for the muslims in the second speech. This is better because these are obligations according to al-Shafi3iy. It is also preferred that he starts both speeches with al-hamd and salaat 3ala al-Nabiyy in Arabic.