The Importance of
Friday Khutba (Sermon)
Salah is the 2nd pillar of Islam which is obligatory on every Muslim five times a day. Friday (Jummah) prayer has greater status in the life of Muslims. Friday prayer has a different format in terms of number of Rakats. The distinction of Salah on this day is evident from the fact that there is a separate Surah “Al-Jumu`ah” in the Holy Quran, in which Allah Almighty has mentioned about strictly maintaining it. “O you, who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu’ah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave the trade. That is better for you if you only knew.” (Quran, 62: 9)
The Friday Sermon (Khutbah) is conducted before every Friday prayer as per Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is mandatory for Muslims to hear. Muslims have to avoid acts of carelessness during Jummah Khutbah like talking, sleeping, fidgeting etc. There are many Ahadith that narrated to explain virtues of listening to Friday Sermon (Khutbah) carefully. The importance of listening to Friday Sermon (Khutbah) with silence is so much that Prophet (SAW) said: “If you say to your companion, ‘Listen attentively’ on a Friday, when the imam is delivering the khutbah, then you have engaged in idle speech” (Bukhari).
The first Adhan for prayer on Friday is given by Muadhin about one hour ago before the start of the actual congregation, and when Khatib (orator) ascends rostrum and starts Bayan which consists of religious and social instructions etc. Muslims are directed to leave their private dealings and move towards the mosque at this time. The essential component of this occasion is the sermon (Khutbah) which is a form of a lecture that is delivered from Imam which is done after second Adhan and before performing Iqamah for Salah.
This is Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to clean yourself thoroughly before Friday Sermon (Khutbah) like ghusl, applying perfume, wearing clean clothes etc. Friday is like a special occasion in a Muslim’s life due to this importance Allah Almighty gives the reward of Jummah prayer equal to the reward of fasting and praying Qiyam for one year. Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Whoever washes his head and his body (ghusl) on Friday, then sets out early, is present at the beginning of the khutbah and is close (to the imam), then listens attentively, for every step he takes he will have the reward of fasting and praying Qiyam for one year.” (Tirmidhi)
The Friday sermon is a reminder, a call, a guidance and a means of education for Muslims. The real significance of reaching the Mosque House of the Almighty Allah holds in entering it before the start of Khutbah (Friday Sermon) as described in the Hadith: “On the day of Jummah, the angels stand at the entrance of that Masjid in which Jummah prayer is to be offered. They write down the name of the person who enters the Masjid first, and thereafter the name of the person who follows, and they continue doing this. The person who entered first will receive the reward of sacrificing a camel in the path of Allah; the one who followed him will get the reward of sacrificing a cow, thereafter a chicken, thereafter the reward of giving an egg as a charity in the path of Allah. Once the khutbah commences, the angels close the register and begin listening to the khutbah.” (Muslim)
“Because when the Imam comes out (to deliver Khutbah), the angles come to listen to the Dhikr” (Bukhari). Angels of the Allah Almighty also pay attention to the words of the preacher in Friday sermon (Khutbah), since it contains the references from the Holy Book, so it adds more to the significance of this address. The Friday Sermon (Khutbah) is different from other normal speeches and has a much greater spiritual impact on one`s heart and soul by the remembrance of the Merciful Lord.
May Almighty Allah accept our prayers and give us the strength to follow the teachings of Islam in the best manners.