✿ Saying Salam Before the Friday Khutbah: Innovation or Permissible? ✿
📚 Source: Fatāwā ‘Ilmiyyah – Volume 3 – Miscellaneous Issues – Page 276
❖ Question
It is frequently observed that Ahl al-Hadith scholars, before delivering the Friday Khutbah or during reformative programs, while standing on the pulpit, say to the audience:
“As-Salāmu ‘Alaikum wa Rahmatullāhi wa Barakātuh”.
However, a brother from the Ahl al-Hadith claims that it is a bid‘ah (innovation) for the khatīb (preacher) to say “As-Salāmu ‘Alaikum wa Rahmatullāhi wa Barakātuh” while standing on the pulpit before beginning the speech.
❖ Answer
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد
There is no authentic Hadith that confirms the Prophet ﷺ used to say “As-Salāmu ‘Alaikum” to the people after ascending the pulpit.
📖 Reference:
(See: Ba-Taḥqīqī Maqālāt, Volume 3, p. 157, Statement 6)
However, to the best of our knowledge, it has been authentically reported from the trustworthy Tābi‘ī, Imām ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azīz (رحمه الله), that when he would ascend the pulpit, he would greet the people with Salām, and the people would respond to it.
📖 Reference:
Musannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah (2/114, Ḥadīth 519) – Chain is ḥasan (sound)
✔ Conclusion
From this practice of the best generations (khayr al-qurūn), it becomes clear that:
✔ It is permissible for the khatīb to say Salām before the khutbah.
❌ Hence, to label this act as a bid‘ah is incorrect.
✅ At the same time, not saying Salām in this context is also perfectly valid.
هٰذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
