Is it Mubaah?

Mubaah is a degree of authorisation. A practice is Mubaah as long as it does not necessitate the neglect of a principle of Deen. Likewise, it will remain Mubaah as long as it does not become a means of falling into what is not permissible. If one gives Khutbah in another language, it will undoubtedly be necessary not to do it in Arabic. So, at this stage one must know the importance of making Khutbah in Arabic. We all know that the Khutbah of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) was in Arabic. Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) has never done it in another language. After Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam), the Khulafaa-e-Raashideen (Radiyallahu Anhum), the Sahaabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu Anhum) in general, the Taabi'in and the Tabi Taabi'in, all of them, have always given Khutbah in Arabic. There is nothing that proves the contrary.

There is no Hadith which says that it is permissible to do so in another language. Likewise, there is no Hadith which says that it is not permissible to do it in another language. But the 'Ulama have deduced that it is not permissible because of the practice of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam), the Sahaabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallaahu Anhum) and the Taabi'in. For example, they have always seen Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) giving the Khutbah in a standing posture. In the same way, they saw Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) giving 2 Khutbah. Similarly, they saw Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) taking a break by sitting between the two Khutbah. All this made them understand that these are the principles that should be observed and should not be neglected deliberately. If this is true and consequently, these practices are automatically proven, then it must be the same for the practice of giving the Khutbah in Arabic. The fact that Khutbah has always been given in Arabic ever since the time of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam), is an indication that it must be done in this way itself. This continued in Arabic ever since although that there were circumstances that required it to be done in another language. Never has anyone made it in another language besides the Arabic language. Thus, this led the 'Ulama to understand that the Khutbah must be done in Arabic. Trying to do it in another language besides Arabic so that people understand is nothing more than an excuse. One cannot give priority to this pretext to the detriment of the Arabic language. Therefore, to do it in another language besides Arabic does not remain Mubaah anymore because it requires neglecting a Sunnah of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) which has been practiced from generation to generation. So, this is a strictly undesirable practice.

[English version of "Eski li Moubaah ?" – Al Jamiat – Vol.7 No.10]