Date: June 1st, 1999

Title: Jummah Khutba Training (Session 1)

Author: Imam Yahia Abdul Rahman Ph.D.

1. THE FRIDAY - JUMAA - PRAYERS , BACKGROUND:

It is a FARD (Required). It cannot be waived except for an acceptable excuse as ordained by the jurists. Please see sura / chapter "Jumaa - No. 62" in the Holy Qur'aan" aya / verse 9 and 10.
It is a weekly "State of the Community" address and the best forum for motivating, galvanizing, educating and bonding the community.
It is the most important activity of any Islamic Center or Islamic Community.
The Jumaa Khutba is the most important part. It is the tool of educating and bonding the community, uniting the community, giving hope to the community, guiding the community, improving the quality of the community and propagating Islam (dawa).

2.THE IMAM - JUMAA PRAYER LEADER:

2.1.The Imam is the leader of the congregation and the leader of the community.

2.2.The Imam should remember that he is standing in the place of our beloved very first Imam and Leader Prophet Muhammad (S).

2.3. The Jumaa Imam's responsibility is the most burdensome and serious responsibility a Muslim can ever accept.

2.4. The Imam is responsible for every person praying behind him. If he makes a mistake he is responsible for his mistake and of all those who followed him. If he misleads or uses the Khutba for the wrong purpose, he will be responsible for his action and for all those who follow him.

2.5. The Imam's dress should be modest, not tight, clean and humble.

2.6. The Imam should have read the Qur'aan, understood it well and continues to make serious efforts to understand it further, and to memorize as much as possible of it. Remember that the one who is most qualified to lead is the one who understands the Quraan and who lives according to it.

2.7. The Imam should be the example and the model for the community, the heart of the community, and the tongue of the community. He should be able to listen to the community, express and articulate its pains, its aspirations and its dreams.

The successful Imam is one who is optimistic, one who is able to paint an image of the future and who can capture the imagination of the congregation in order to bring that image to reality.

3. THE GLOBAL STANDARDIZED FORMAT

3.1. Standard Introduction:

It includes the Praise of Allah, and the prayers on His prophets & the last of all prophets, Prophet Muhammad (S).

"Al-Hamdu Lillahi Thumma Alhamdu Lillah"
"Al-Hamdu Lillahi Alzi Hadana Lihaza wama Kunna Lanahtadiya Law'la Ann Hadana Allah."
"Al-Hamdu Lillahi Ghafiriz Zunibi Jamee'ihaa Illa Shirka Bih."
"Wasalatu wasalamu ala rasulil'ahh."

Meaning:

Praise is due to Allah,

Praise is due to Allah who guided us to the righteous path, and indeed we wouldn't have attained this state of guidance without Him Allah,

Praise is due to Allah who forgives all sins and misdeeds except associating others with Him.

3. THE STANDARDIZED GLOBAL FORMAT

3.2. Body of the First Part of the Khutba:

This includes your messages, supporting quotations from the Holy Quraan, the sayings of Prophet Muhammad and other sources like history.
Always write your Khutba. Read from the transcript. Do not just read, live the Khutba. Put life in it. You have to demonstrate that you believe in every word that you say.

3. THE STANDARDIZED GLOBAL FORMAT

3.2. Body of the First Part of the Khutba

3.2.1. Strategy:

My strategy has been to use current events as a vehicle and a locomotive to achieve a domestic local goal and to make a difference but perhaps, not too political.

3.2.2. Methodology:

Define what you want to talk about/ the theme of the Khutba.

Spend time researching your theme. Imagine that you are in fact giving it. Live it. Dream of it. Sleep with it in your mind and in your heart.

When you talk to people, read the paper, read a book, watch the news or even while driving ideas will pop into your mind. Write the ideas down if applicable, these ideas can form the bases of a great Khutba.

Start by a reflection on God's greatness and creation in order to inject spirituality in your audience

State the subject you want to discuss and, if applicable, the event that ties in with the subject. State your opinion and your justification based on Islamic foundations.

Elaborate using facts and figures if applicable. Remember that every word from the Imam is a great responsibility. So, please research your subject and figures in detail.

Give your messages. How do people apply these messages to their daily lives and to their goals in this life?

3. THE STANDARDIZED GLOBAL FORMAT

3.2. Body of the First Part of the Khutba

3.2.3. Suggested Topics:

Current Events
Historic Events in Islam like Hijra, Israa & Miraj, Ramadan, Story of Abraham
Important Modern Historic Events like Islam in Europe, Islam in America, etc.
The Family
Importance of Education, political action, financial independence, inviting to the way of Allah

3. THE STANDARDIZED GLOBAL FORMAT

3.3. Conclusion of the First Part of the Khutba:

The first part is concluded with an invitation to the congregation to make a du'aa (supplication):

"Id'oo Allaha Yaghfir Lakum Zunubakum"

Meaning:

Make a supplication to Allah, He will accept your prayers &forgive your sins

SIT DOWN & MAKE A DU'AA YOURSELF

3.4. The Second Part of the Khutba:

This part starts with the same standard form as in 3.1 above.

It includes a summary of the messages you wanted the congregation to remember till next week's Khutba.

Leave them with at least three messages and no more than five to remember.

Messages should be in the form of brief but striking "bullets" that can be remembered.

3.5. The Du'aa - Supplication:

Again, for the sake of global standardization using the global "Islamic Language", one uses a standard and brief du'aa:

"Allahuma' Eghfir Lil' Muslimeena wal Muslimat…. Stop for the congregation to say AAMEEN"

" Wal Moumineena wal Mouminaat…Stop for aameen"

"Al-Ahya'ee minhum wal amwat…stop for aameen"

"Innaka samee'un mujibul dawat… stop for aameen"

Meaning:

"Almighty God, forgive the Muslim men and women,
Forgive the believing men and women,
Those who are alive and those who died,
You are indeed the One who listens and accepts all supplications"

Then you can make any du'aa (supplication) in English that is of your liking and is appropriate for current events.

3.6. Globally Standardized Conclusion:

Ibada Allah:

Inna Allah Ya'amuru Bil Aadli wal Ihsan, wa Ita'ee Zil Qurbaa
Wa Yanhaa Anil Fahshaa'ee wal munkaree wal bagh'yi
Ya'Izukum La'allakum tazakkaroon"

Meaning:

Servants of Allah:

Indeed Allah orders us to be just and to excel in what we do,
Be generous and to take care of our kin and relatives,
Never do what is forbidden of all sins and
Not to transgress,

"He almighty advises you so you can remember"

Then you conclude by saying to the mu'azzin:

Aqimi Salah,
Innaa Asalata tanha anil fahshaa'ee wal munker,

Meaning:

Addressing the muazzin - (the person that calls for the prayers) - to call for establishing (iqamah) prayers.

Then you come down to lead the prayers.

4. DO'S AND DON'TS IN DELIVERING A KHUTBA:

4.1. DO's

1. Be brief and to the point. Khutba should not exceed 20 to 25 minutes.

2. Be Optimistic and positive. Never complain.

3. Be cheerful and never forget to smile, always with sincerity.

4. Be honest and straight in your statements and clear.

5. Motivate the community.

6. Try to be as general in your statements as possible, especially regarding nationalities and ethnicity. Remember that you have a diverse audience.

7. Be current in your examples and themes.

8. Be organized and structured. Write your Khutba. You may use script or note cards.

9. Use simple words, no more than 3 syllables. Remember to speak slowly and punctuate. Use simple and easy English.

10. Have a positive delivery style with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.

11. Use eye contact. You need to give the feeling that you really are talking to each individual in the congregation.

12. Initiate action before you conclude the second part of the Khutba. Let people leave the masjid with a list of things to do.

13. Be people oriented. When you are seated getting ready to deliver the Khutba, use eye contact, smile great people and be sincere.

14. Choose a diversified coaching board.

4.1. DO'S

15. SHAKE HANDS, MINGLE, OPEN YOUR EARS, OPEN YOUR EYES, OPEN YOUR HEART AND GET FEEDBACK:

"Read people's eyes while delivering the Khutba."

"After the prayer, spend at least 15 minutes mingling with people shaking their hands, hugging them if applicable and look in their eyes as if you are asking (begging) for feedback."

"Listen carefully when they start to speak to you their feelings and feedback. Never discount what they tell you. Never be defensive. Never justify. Explain what you meant and show empathy. Then you correct yourself in the next Khutba."

4.2. DON'TS:

1. Never give a Khutba without extensive preparation for it. It usually takes from 15 to 30 hours to prepare a Khutba. Remember that it is a very serious responsibility.

2. Never use the Minbar (pulpit) to attack persons regardless of what your justification is. Never be controversial.

3. Never read your Khutba as if you are just reading. Live your Khutba.

4. Never think to isolate your community.

5. Never single out another community and play the elite, who has done it all, and who knows it all.

6. Never be self-serving.

7. Never be too emotional. However, you need to show your personality by expressing your feelings honestly.

8. Never be negative.

9. Never shout.

10. Never give a Khutba and run. Stay behind to shake hands with almost every member of the community.