Reflections on Friday Sermons in North America
By Dr Shahid Athar
Indiana
“Believers! When the call to prayers are made for Friday prayer, then hasten to remembrance of Allah and leave all your trade, that is better for you if you knew it.” ( Qur'an 62:9)
With the above verse, Friday congregational prayer became an injunction and a religious duty for all Muslims all over the world. Friday prayer replaces the daily noon (dhur) prayer. The dhur prayer has four rikat of obligatory (fard) prayer while the Friday prayer has only two. It is said the two rikat of dhur prayer is given to the sermon of Friday. Thus listening to the sermon on Friday is essential. It is also said: an angel stands at the door of the mosque and enters in his book the names of those who come for Friday prayer. As soon as the Khateeb starts his sermon, the angel closes his book and joins the Muslims attending the sermon.
In the last 45 years I have attended over 2000 Friday sermons in the USA and given many myself. My reflections below are not about how to give a Friday sermon as many scholarly books are available on this subject. I make my observations and concerns about the content of a sermon and the etiquette of the attendees.
First, about the etiquette and duties of the attendees: Friday is a working day in a non-Muslim society. Many Muslims are not able to take time off from their work but many are able to do so. If they do, only by mercy of Allah, then be thankful to Allah to be invited to visit His house. They should take a bath, put on a nice clean dress, and apply some perfume. Try to reach the mosque before the beginning of the sermon.
Friday is a blessed day for Muslims. It is advised by our beloved Prophet saws that on this day we recite Surah Al-Kahf (or at least first 10 verses of it) and send our salaam (darood) to Prophet Mohammad (saws). After entering the mosque one should offer two rikat of nafil prayer first. Once the sermon has started, one should sit down and listen quietly and not engage in any personal conversation. If one has a disagreement or question for the khateeb, one should wait till the end of Jumah and ask the imam about it separately. Muslim women should be encouraged, not discouraged, to attend Friday prayers. It is their right. Those men, whose wives and grown-up children are unable to attend the Friday congregation, should share their learning from the sermon with them. They can do this at maghrib or Isha prayer if performed at home. To be sure, it is the duty of Muslim men to share the gift they receive with their families.
Now about the khateeb and the content of the sermon. My reflections are:
o Who can give a khutba? A khutba is not a classroom lecture, nor a political speech. A sermon is a reminder about being a witness to the Oneness of Allah, finality of Prophet Mohammad and asking the congregation to be conscious of Allah (taqwa)
o There is no ordained clergy in Islam. A Muslim adult man, who is pious, is regular in obligations, who can read the Qur'an correctly and speak fluently the common language of the American Muslims, can give khutba. A Muslim who is an alim, qari and hafize at the same time is the preferred one but that is not essential.
o The khateeb should be dressed appropriately and preferably wear a cap, have a beard (the length does not matter), and not wear a tie.
o He should be cordial and humble in his sermon. Should stay within the time allotted - around 20-25 minutes. The prophet has said the khutba should be short but qirat can be long. Usually, we see otherwise. He should keep his voice pleasant and low and shouldn't shoutor appear angry.
o He can use the khutba to remind Muslims of the current sufferings and theirshortcomings and offer some solutions supported by the Qur'an and hadith.
o He can end the sermon with a prayer for love, forgiveness and unity for all Muslims and salutation for beloved prophet, his pious wives and four guided caliphs.
o He should encourage them to be better Muslims without making them feel guilty. Muslims should go home uplifted, inspired, and motivated after receiving some education.
o Should the content of a khutba be preauthorized by mosque BOT or the government? No (though in several Muslim countries sermons have to be preapproved) but the khateeb should avoid giving an extempore, political and inflammatory khutba. He should be careful in choosing his words and avoid giving personal opinion not supported by the Qur'an or Sunnah.
o Can a khateeb be also the imam? Yes, but this is not essential. An imam preferably should be a hafize and qari.
o He should avoid topics which are controversial or divide Muslims.
For example, as I have observed:
o Attacking policies of the US government is a big NO. There are other formats for this than the pulpit. Do not try to justify or defend the acts of terrorism as a response for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Not too long ago an American Muslim was profiled at the airport retuning to US from a Muslim county. Questions asked from him included which mosque does he attend and what does the priest talk about in his sermon. I am told of another incident in which the khateeb criticized the US government in three sermons and each time a young Muslim came to him and told him, “Uncle! Do not do so”. When the khateeb did not listen to the advice, the young Muslim revealed his identity. He said, “I am from the FBI and I had warned three times. I will now make sure you will be deported," and this was done.
o Attacking another faith is wrong and against Qur'anic advice (6:108). Emphasis should be on commonality and peace between all faith traditions in worshiping God and service to humanity.
o Asking a question from the khateeb during khutba is not allowed. It has happened to me when someone raised his hand during khutba and asked for a daleel (proof) of what I had said. I told him to see me after the prayer.
o Avoid being seen as a racist. I have listened to khutba against indigenous Muslims and against immigrant Muslims.
o Do not just represent one school of thought. Recently, I listened to a khutba about bida (innovation). According to the khateeb, anything not done by the Prophet (saws) was bida. He talked against Qur'an khawani (khatm e Qur'an), offering food to people after death of a loved one until estate has been settled. He himself was wearing a pant-shirt, used a microphone and did not have a cap. Such Muslims also consider celebrating birthdays of children as bida.
o In matters of dietary laws, one school (Hanafi) prefers only Islamically slaughtered (dhabiha) meat while the others (Shafi and Maliki) allow food of the people of book after saying BismilAllah. Both may be right but to insist only one school is right and the other is wrong may be hurtful.
(Words meaning: Khutba (sermon), Khateeb (priest who gives sermon), Imam (the Muslim leader who leads prayer), Qari (one who recites the Qur'an), alim (scholar)
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