The jumu’ah khutbah is a condition (shart) for the prayer. The jumu’ah prayer is not complete without the khutbah. Furthermore, this condition can only be fulfilled by the performance of dhikr Allāh (remembrance of Allah).

It is sunnah for the khutbah of the jumu’ah and ‘eidain (the two ‘eids) to be in Arabic, and in opposition to this, to perform the khutbah in another language is a bid’at (innovation). [Sharh Muwatta by Shah Waliullah, Kitaab-ul-Adhkaar of an-Nawawi and Durr-e-Mukhtaar, Shuroot-as-Salaah, Sharh-ul-Ihyaa]

Similarly, performing the khutbah in Arabic and then giving its translation in another language before the prayer is also an innovation and must be avoided. Of course, there is no harm in giving the translation after the prayer- rather this is a better way. There is also no harm if the translation is given after the khutbahs of the ‘eidain, and it is even better to step away from the mimbar and give the translation in order that a clear distinction be made. [As in Taqreedh-ar-Risaalah based on the hadith of Muslim]

It is sunnah to have wudū’ while giving the khutbah. Not having wudū’ while giving it is makruh. It is also sunnah to stand up while giving the khutbah- to sit down is makruh. [‘Alamgiri and al-Bahr]

It is sunnah to face the people while giving the khutbah. Facing the Qiblah or any other direction while giving it is makruh. [‘Alamgiri and Bahr-ur-Raa`iq]

To say “A’oodhu billāhi min ash-shaytān ar-rajīm” softly before starting the khutbah is sunnah. [As stated by Imām Abu Yūsuf, likewise in al-Bahr]

Saying the khutbah in a loud voice so that the people can hear it is sunnah. Saying it softly (so that not all can hear) is also makruh. [‘Alamgiri]

It is sunnah to give a moderately short khutbah and not make it too long. The limit that it should be kept to is the same time as it would take to read one of the tiwāl- mufassal sūrahs (any surah between al-Hujurāt and al-Burūj). Making it any longer is makruh. [Shami, ‘Alamgiri, Bahr]

It is sunnah that ten things be observed in the khutbah:

- to start with hamd (praise of Allah);

- to glorify Allāh (thanā);

- to say the shahādatain;

- to send blessings and salutations (salāt wa salām) on the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam);

- to state some words of instruction and advice;

- to read some verse of the Quran;

- to sit for a little while in between the two khutbahs;

- to make du’aa (supplication) for all Muslim men and women;

- to say “Alhamdu lillaah” in the second khutbah, as well as thanā and durūd;

- to make both khutbahs no longer than the time it takes to read a surah of the tiwāl-mufassal. [‘Alamgiri, Bahr]

[This is a translation of an article written in 1350H by Maulānā Muftī Muhammad Shafī’ of Darul-Iftaa, Darul-‘Uloom Deoband, Allah have mercy on him. It appears in Khutbaat-ul-Ahkaam li Jumu’aatil-‘Aam by Māulānā Ashraf ‘Alī at-Thānwi (Allah have mercy on him), Madinah Publishing Co., Karachi 1382H.]