Khutba (خطبة) is an Arabic term
referring to the Islamic sermon delivered either 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 Islamic countries, Fridays are
holidays, however they are considered as the sixth days 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 (prayer leader), 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. |
