Translating the Friday Khutbah

A: There are no Hadiths related from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that confirm that it is a condition for the Friday Khutbah to be delivered in Arabic. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to deliver the Friday Khutbah and other Khutbahs in Arabic, because that was his mother tongue and that of his people. He delivered sermons, guided people, and gave them lessons in their language, which they could understand. He also sent letters to kings and people in authority in Arabic; although he knew it was not their language, but he knew they would translate his letters into their language to understand their content.Based on that, it is permissible for an Imam delivering the Friday Khutbah in a country whose people or the majority of whose people does not know Arabic, to deliver the Khutbah in Arabic and then translate it into the language of that country. This way the people will understand what he is advising them and reminding them of and benefit from his Khutbah. The Imam can also deliver the Friday Khutbah in the language of the country, (Part No. 8; Page No. 254) even if it is not Arabic, in order to guide, teach, advise, and admonish people, and to fulfill the goals of delivering the Khutbah. However, delivering the Friday Khutbah in Arabic and then translating it to the listeners’ language is better, as it combines between following the guidance of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in his Khutbahs and letters and fulfilling the aims of the Khutbah, and it is a solution for the disagreement on this matter.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.