✿ Saying Salam Before the Friday Khutbah: Innovation or Permissible? ✿
Source: Fatāwā ‘Ilmiyyah – Volume 3 – Miscellaneous Issues – Page 276
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.
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)
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
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
