Can the Friday khutbah be delivered in any language?
Delivering the Friday khutbah in the language of the congregation is not just permissible according to recognised scholarly opinions and established fatwas, but important.
It is not imperative that the Jumu’ah khutbah be delivered in Arabic. The khutbah is intended to remind people of Allah and strengthen their imaan. It is also meant to guide their conduct. Therefore, understanding its message matters. It should be relevant to the lives of the congregation and where necessary topical as well – resonating with congregation and addressing the issues facing the community with guidance from the Quran and Sunnah.
If the khutbah is delivered in a language that most worshippers do not understand, much of its teaching and practical guidance will be lost on them.
Allah says:
“We have not sent a messenger except in the language of his people to clarify ˹the message˺ for them.”
(14:4)
This verse establishes the importance of communicating guidance clearly. Although it does not specifically prescribe the language of the khutbah, scholars have cited it in support of addressing congregations in their own language.
The Prophet ﷺ delivered two khutbahs, sitting between them, reciting the Qur’an and reminding the people (Sahih Muslim). His khutbahs combined worship with important lessons. He spoke the language they understood.
The permissibility of using another language has been expressly affirmed by scholarly bodies. In Resolution No. 5 of its fifth session, the Islamic Fiqh Council of the Muslim World League ruled that Arabic is not a condition of validity for Friday and Eid khutbahs in non-Arabic-speaking countries. It recommended delivering the introduction and Qur’anic verses in Arabic, followed by admonition and guidance in the congregation’s language.
In December 2008, the Secretary-General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy drew attention to this resolution and urged those responsible for mosques to help worshippers understand and benefit from the khutbah.
Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta likewise permits a non-Arabic khutbah and confirms the validity of the prayer. It cites Imam Abu Hanifah’s position and explains that the khutbah’s purpose includes conveying religious guidance and teaching Islamic rulings.
Arabic should be retained for the essential religious elements. A sound practical format is to include praise of Allah, salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ and an exhortation to taqwa in Arabic in both khutbahs; recite Qur’anic verses in Arabic; and include supplication for the believers in the second khutbah. The explanation, advice and application to everyday life can then be delivered in English.
Where the congregation is multinational, the main message of the khutbah should be delivered in the language most widely understood by those attending. In the UK, this should be English. Another option is to deliver the first khutbah in one language and the second in another, while preserving the required Arabic elements.
In some mosques, the main religious address—whether the formal khutbah or a preliminary talk—is delivered in Urdu or another language familiar to the founding generation. These imams have often served their communities faithfully for many years. Unfortunately, this means that worshippers from other backgrounds and younger generations may feel alienated by this and there is a risk that they become disengaged and, in some cases, stop attending Jumu‘ah altogether.
Not understanding the khutbah does not, by itself, excuse someone for whom Jumu‘ah is obligatory from attending. It does, however, underline the responsibility of mosque leaders to make its guidance accessible.