Khutbah in a foreign language

Question: You say that it is not permissible to conduct Khutbah in a foreign language. But does not Khutbah mean a speech or a talk? And should it not be conducted in a language that everyone may understand?

Answer: There are two aspects in Khutbah: the aspect of Zikr and that of Tazkeer (talk). The first aspect requires it to be conducted in the Arabic language just as we do Tasbeeh Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar and Durud Shareef, etc. Now, when we look at the second aspect, it requires to be conducted in a language that everyone can understand. Hence, we find ourselves in quite a difficult situation. If we conduct it in the local language, we will neglect the aspect of Zikr and if we conduct it in Arabic, we will neglect the aspect of Tazkeer. So, we should analyse which aspect should be given priority and should be taken more into consideration. To do that, we should see which of the two aspects is stronger than the other. 

If we conduct it in the local language, we find that some people consent to it while others do not consent to it. We see that the 4 main Aimmah; Imaam Abu Hanifah, Imaam Malik, Imaam Shafi’i and Imaam Ahmad Bin Hambal (Rahmatullahi Alaiyhim) do not agree with the principle of conducting Khutbah in another language besides Arabic. On the other hand, if we conduct it in Arabic, no one says that it is not valid. 

It also shows us that the aspect of Zikr is predominant in Khutbah. Therefore, it is absolutely normal and logical that priority and more consideration should be given to the aspect of Zikr and that we should conduct it in the Arabic language only. In this way, it is valid according to everyone. Something, which is permissible and acceptable by every individual guarantees more harmony and therefore deserves more consideration than a principle which brings about dissension and upheaval. 

Now, to solve the second weaker aspect of Khutbah, there is the practice of conducting a talk by the Mimbar that dates from the time of Hazrat Umar (Radiyallahu Anhu). In this way, each of the two aspects of Khutbah were taken into consideration according to their merit and degree of importance and all the goals have been achieved without the structure of Khutbah being changed.

[English version of "Khutbah en créole" – Al Jamiat – Vol.1 No.5]