Khutba (Arabic: (خطبة) is the Islamic sermon
delivered before the Friday Salah (see: Jumu'ah) and after the
Eid Salat.
The most common type of khutba is that delivered every Friday,
before the Friday prayers.
In the Islamic world Fridays are holidays. However, Friday is
considered the sixth day of the week. The other khutba is
delivered on Eid, twice a year, after the Eid prayers. There is
also a khutba delivered during Hajj in the plains of Arafat,
just outside Mecca. This khutba addresses the entire Muslim
nation, as its message is carried back by pilgrims to their
respective homelands.
The person who delivers the khutba is called the khateeb (see:
khatib). The khateeb is usually the Imam, but sometimes the two
roles can be played by different people. There are no
requirements of eligibility to become a khateeb, although the
person must be a male who has attained the age of puberty. It is
also required that the khateeb be in a state of physical purity.
The khutba is usually delivered inside a mosque, from a pulpit,
although Muhammad preferred to stand on the ground. The audience
is expected to quiet down, and listen attentively. Many scholars
suggest that the members of the audience refrain from everything
(even performing Salat) and give the khateeb their undivided
attention.
There are many forms and modes of delivery of the khutba. While
the vast majority of Muslims agree that the khutba should be
delivered in the most widely understood language in locality,
many disagree. They suggest that the khutba should only be
delivered in Arabic. Others further argue that the khutba should
only be the repetition of the exact words said by Muhammad.
Those who argue against a non-Arabic khutba, usually give a
non-Arabic "lecture" either before or after the "khutba".
The Friday khutba generally consists of two parts, separated by
minutes of silence in reflection. The content of the parts and
their length is solely at the discretion of the khateeb,
although it is estimated that the entire khutba of Muhammad
never exceeded 15 minutes. At the end of the khutba, and before
the Salah the khateeb along with the audience make supplications
out loud. The Eid khutba consists of only one part, and is much
longer than the Friday one (usually about 30-40 minutes).
The content of the Friday khutba is subject to intense debate.
It is generally understood that the Friday khutba is to be based
on Islam as well as contemporary daily life. The Friday khutbas,
however, have become increasingly political in recent years. In
several Muslim countries, such as Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the
content of the Friday khutbas is regulated by the government.
The purpose of the Eid khutba is to provide Muslims with a
holistic perspective of their community, and strengthen their
unity. Because Eid is a day of celebration, the khutba usually
keeps clear from intense politics. The khutba delivered on
Arafat examines the political, economic and social affairs of
the entire Islamic world. The topic for the khutba delivered
during the Hajj of January, 2006, was the sufferings of Muslims
all over the world.
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