Arabic holds a unique status in Islam. It is the language of the Qur’an and the final revelation. Most classical scholars agree that certain pillars of the khutbah —namely, the opening praise of Allah ( al-hamdu lillah ), the testimony of faith ( shahadatayn ), and the prayers upon the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)—must be uttered in Arabic. This requirement is rooted in the fear of losing the prophetic formula and the sacred text.
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However, the khutbah is also meant to be understood. The majority of scholars (including the Hanafi and Shafi’i schools) state that the reminder ( wa’dh ) portion, which constitutes the main body of the sermon, should ideally be in the local language of the audience. The goal is guidance, not mere recitation. Therefore, the ideal khutbah is not an either-or proposition but a thoughtful blend: preserving the Arabic arkan (essential pillars) while delivering meaningful content in the people’s tongue. Arabic holds a unique status in Islam