Delivering the Khutbah (Sermon) from the Third Step of the Minbar

Written by: Shaykh Mubashar Ahmad Rabbani (حفظہ اللہ)

Question:
Is it permissible to deliver the Khutbah while standing on the third step of the minbar? If permissible, what is the Shari’ah evidence for it? Is this practice a Sunnah of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) or a unique characteristic (خاصہ نبوی)?

Answer:
Some narrations mention that the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) ascended the third step of the minbar. For example, Ka’b bin Ujrah (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrates:

"One day, the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) ascended the minbar. When he stepped on the first step, he said: 'Ameen.' When he stepped on the second, he said: 'Ameen.' When he stepped on the third, he said: 'Ameen.' After he descended, we asked, 'O Messenger of Allah! Today we heard something unusual from you.' He said: 'Did you hear me?' They replied, 'Yes.' He said: 'When I ascended the first step, Jibreel (علیہ السلام) appeared before me and said: "May the person who finds his parents, or one of them, in old age but fails to enter Paradise through them, be distant (from Allah's mercy)." I said, "Ameen." Then Jibreel said: "May the person who hears your name mentioned and does not send blessings upon you be distant (from Allah's mercy)." I said, "Ameen." Then Jibreel said: "May the person who witnesses Ramadan but fails to achieve forgiveness of sins be distant (from Allah's mercy)." I said, "Ameen."'
(Al-Mustadrak lil-Hakim, Kitab al-Birr was-Silah, Vol. 4, Pg. 153)

Analysis of the Evidence​

This Hadith demonstrates that ascending to the third step of the minbar is permissible and valid. There is no evidence in the Shari’ah to suggest that this is a unique characteristic (خاصہ نبوی) of the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم).

Conclusion​

It is permissible for the khateeb (the one delivering the sermon) to ascend the third step of the minbar. This act is supported by evidence from the Sunnah and is not exclusive to the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم).