Delivering the Friday Khutbah in a Language Other Than Arabic

Ruling on Delivering the Friday Khutbah in a Language Other Than Arabic


Source: Fatawa Arkan al-Islam

Question​

Is it permissible to deliver the Friday khutbah in a language other than Arabic? What is the Shar‘i ruling if the khatib does not speak in Arabic?

Answer​

Alhamdulillah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:

Purpose of the Khutbah​

• The objective of the khutbah is not merely reciting words, but clarifying Allah’s commands to His servants and advising them.
• Language is only a means of communication; therefore, delivering the khutbah in a language understood by the audience is essential so that the message and its meaning are clear.

When It Is Permissible to Use a Language Other Than Arabic​

• If the audience does not understand Arabic, and the khatib delivers the khutbah only in Arabic, the purpose of the khutbah is lost because people will not comprehend it.
• In such a case, the khatib should deliver the khutbah in the language of the audience so that they understand the guidance.

Evidence from the Qur’an​

﴿ وَما أَرسَلنا مِن رَسولٍ إِلّا بِلِسانِ قَومِهِ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُم ﴾
(Surah Ibrahim: 4)
"We have not sent any messenger except [speaking] in the language of his people so that he might make the message clear to them."

Recitation of Qur’an in the Khutbah​

• Qur’anic verses must be recited in Arabic.
• Their explanation should then be given in the audience’s language so that the meanings are fully understood.