Islam and Muslims: Jumuah and Khutbah Guidelines

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KHUTBA RULES & GUIDELINES
Muslims should attend Juma'a (Friday) prayers because it  is  or-
dained  on them by Allah.  In Surat #62 Al_Juma'a comes the clear
order from Allah :
62:9) O you who believe! when the call is made for prayer on Fri-
day,  then hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trad-
ing; that is better for you, if you know.
The remembrance of Allah is interpreted as (While performing  the
salaat of Juma'a):
The listening to a khutba that focuses on Muslims' loyalty to Al-
lah,  with the main objective of inspiring and motivating Muslims
to order and practice virtue (ma`roof)  and forbid vice (munkar).
This is supported by several authentic Hadiths, the following ap-
pears in Sahih Muslim:
Narrated Abu Huraira "The person who takes a bath then  comes  to
the  Jum`a  prayer,  then offers the prayer that was destined for
him, and then keeps silent till the Imam finishes the sermon, and
then  prays  along  with  him, his sins between that time and the
next Friday would be forgiven,  and  even  of  three  days  more"
(similar  hadiths  appear  in  Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah, & Ahmad bin
Hanbal)

THEME OF KHUTBA: The objective of the Khutba is to  give  Muslims
hope  and  encouragement.   Emphasis should be on forgiveness and
chance for repentance rather than on punishment.  Keeping in view
the  work environment, no bad language or Dua'a damning any other
group of people is to be used in Juma'a Khutba. Rather,  ask  for
the  misguided to be guided by Allah.  Fiqh matters that are com-
mon to major schools and have the agreement of  the  majority  of
the  Jurists  are  to  be brought up. Do not discuss differences.
Muslim social problems are to  be  addressed  positively  without
hurting  anyone by singling out or "pointing fingers", but rather
by using generality and examples of our Prophet's (PBUH) life  in
dealing  with similar problems. The Khutba is not the right place
to settle personal conflicts between Muslims.   Political  events
are to be mentioned, if at all, only to relate causes and effects
that are relevant to Muslims.  Political events  should  be  men-
tioned only with the purpose of educating the Muslims and raising
their level of awareness, and should  be  evaluated  against  the
Qur'an and Sunnah guidelines and principles.  In general, any to-
pic that might cause division "fitnah" among Muslims is forbidden
to  be  mentioned,  any  topic  that  might  lead to the Unity of
Muslims is encouraged in the Khutba. Khutba is  not  a  place  to
settle scores.

FORMAT OF THE KHUTBA: The khutba should be formed  of  two  parts
with  a  short  break  of (istighfar) asking Allah's forgiveness,
between them.  The Khateeb takes his place and greets the Muslims
by  Assalamu'Alaikum.  The Adhan is called.  The two parts of the
Khutba begin with Hamd to Allah (swt) and Thanaa on  His  prophet
(pbuh).   Khateeb  mentions the title of Khutba and explains what
he means using Qur'an and Hadith where possible.   In  all,  both
parts  have  to contain at least one Ayat from the Qur'an and one
Hadith of the the prophet (pbuh).  The two parts  of  the  Khutba
have  to  be closed by Duaa of forgiveness and request of Allah's
guidance to us.  It is  preferable  that  the  second  Khutba  is
largely devoted to Duaa.  THE SALAAT OF JUMA'A: It is two rakaa't
jahran (said aloud).  Imam of  salaat  may  or  may  not  be  the
Khateeb.  (Should  be  selected  according to Qur'anic knowledge,
age, and marital status respectively). This is supported  by  the
following  Authentic Hadith: "The Imam of the group should be the
one who is most knowledgeable^ about the book of Allah;  if  they
are  equal in that respect, then the one most knowledgeable about
the Sunnah; if they are equal in that respect, then the  one  who
emigrated  first; if they are equal in that, then the eldest one,
and let no one lead another amongst his family (or in his  house-
hold),  or  in his dominion, or take a better place than him, ex-
cept by his permission", (appears in all six Sahih  books  except
Bukhari,  Also appears in Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal).  ^ - The fol-
lowing footnote appears in the translation  to  Sahih  Muslim  by
`Abdul  Hamid  siddiqi: "The original word ('aqra'uhum) means one
who is the greatest reciter (of the Qur'an) among them. But  here
recitation does not mean mere reading; it implies one who is well
versed in the Qur'an, who has a deep insight into it, who has the
greatest  devotion to it, and who can recite it well." Iqama only
is called after the khutba is completed. No additional  adhan  is
said  before  the  salaat.   THE SUNNAH SALAAT & AFTERWARDS: Time
should be given for Muslims to perform  Sunnah  (2  or  4  rakat)
after  the  Juma'a is over, and after announcements are made. Re-
frain from talking loudly when others  are  still  praying.   The
Khateeb or another person, after taking the khateeb's permission,
should announce special events relevant to the community. All an-
nouncements  must  also  be  previously cleared with the ISC off-
icers.  The place of Salat (Masjid) should be left quietly,  with
solemnity.

DURATION: Traditionally, the Khutba of the Prophet (PBUH) did not
exceed  10  minutes.  His salaat was longer than his Khutbas. But
some Sahabah kiram (followers of the Prophet (PBUH)) during their
time  took  more  than  10 minutes in their Khutbas. Yet, no more
than about 25 minutes. However, the companions of the Prophet, in
general followed his example; long salaat and short Khutba.

KHATEEB CHARACTER:
Should have good knowledge of the Qur`an and Sunnah.  Must  be  a
male  adult and hopefully sane Muslim.  Should be practicing what
he preaches.  Should be in good relationship with Allah, and  al-
ways  aspiring to improve it.  Should be a good Daia, e.g. should
not lose his temper, insult etc., does  not  discourage  but  en-
courages  people  to  Islam,  is  not  harsh in behavior, will be
listened to by Muslims and (interested) non-Muslims alike. A good
example of the Ayat of Sura #3 'Al `Imran:
3:159) Thus it is by the mercy of Allah that you deal  with  them
gently,  and  had you been rough, hard hearted, they would surely
have  dispersed  from  around  you;

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