Translating the Friday Khutbah

Some of the scholars said
that it is not permitted to translate the khutbah given from the minbar
on Friday and the two Eids into foreign (non-Arabic) languages. Their
intention (may Allaah have mercy on them) was to maintain and preserve
the Arabic language, and to follow the way of the Messenger

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions (may
Allaah be pleased with them), which was to give the khutbah in Arabic
in the lands of the Persians and others, and to encourage the people
to learn Arabic and pay attention to it. 

Other scholars said that
it is permissible to translate khutbahs into other languages if most
of the people being addressed do not know Arabic, based on the reason
for which Allaah enjoined the khutbah, which is to teach the people
about the rulings that Allaah has prescribed for them and to tell them
of the sins which are forbidden, to guide them towards good characteristics
and to warn them against bad characteristics. Undoubtedly paying attention
to the aims and purposes is more important and takes precedence over
paying attention to the words used, especially when the audience does
not understand Arabic and the khutbah does not have any effect on them
and does not motivate them to learn Arabic. (Especially in these times
when the Muslims have fallen behind and others have advanced, and the
language of the dominant people has become widespread and the language
of the defeated is in a weaker position). 

If
the aim of conveying knowledge and Islamic teaching to the people can
only be achieved among non-Arabs by translating the khutbahs into their
languages, then the view that it is permissible to translate the khutbah
into the prevalent language of the audience so that they may understand
what is being said takes precedence and should be followed, especially
if not translating the khutbahs will lead to conflicts and arguments.
Undoubtedly translating the khutbah in such a case becomes essential
to serve the people’s interests and avoid mischief.

 If
there are some people in the congregation who do understand Arabic,
then the khateeb should combine the two languages, giving the khutbah
in Arabic then repeating it in the other language which the other people
understand. In this manner he will achieve the two purposes, avoiding
mischief and conflict among the people whom he is addressing.

 There
is a great deal of evidence to support that in the pure sharee’ah, such
as the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

“And
We sent not a Messenger except with the language of his people, in order
that he might make (the Message) clear for them.”

[Ibraaheem
14:4]

 And
the Messenger of Allaah

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded Zayd ibn Thaabit
to learn the language of the Jews so that he might send letters to them
in their language and establish proof against them, and so that he might
read their letters when they were sent, and explain to the Prophet

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) what they said. And when
the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) attacked the Romans and
Persians, they did not fight them until they had called them to Islam
by means of interpreters. When they conquered the foreign countries
they called the people to Allaah in Arabic and commanded the people
to learn it. Whoever among them did not know Arabic, they called him
in his own language and made him understand what was meant in the language
that he did understand. Thus proof was established. Undoubtedly this
is the only way, especially at the end of time when Islam is like a
stranger and every people is clinging to its own language. There is
a very real need for translation now, and the daa’iyah cannot convey
his message without it.

The khateeb should do that which best suits the interests of the people
he is addressing. If the best is to give the khutbah part by part, in
Arabic and then translated, then he should do that. If the best is to
translate the entire khutbah, after giving the khutbah (in Arabic) or
after the prayer, then he should do that. And Allaah knows best.