Tips- Famous Muslim Women

Think about incorporating stories of famous Muslim women in your next khutbah.

There is a growing collection of these stories to be found at the Women's Initiative in Spirituality and Equality website, under the Muslim Women Past and Present section (follow link).

Once you have a name, start a Google search and begin to research some inspiring Muslim women.

Happy researching!

The Khutbah Instruction Manual

The Khutbah Manual

Introduction

This manual is intended for people who are giving a khutbah (sermon) at Muslim congregational prayer on Fridays. The khatiba (she who delivers the khutbah – a man is called the khatib) speaks and the other Muslims listen. Muslims in the congregation are not expected to speak during the khutbah because they are in a state of worship. However, they are encouraged to speak to the khatiba after all prayers (khutbah + salat (standard prayers) + sunna (extra prayers) have been completed.

Ideally, after the jummah (Friday) service there will be a space provided where Muslims can meet and talk informally, discuss the khutbah and determine whether anyone in the community needs assistance (“touching bases” with everyone). Most importantly, Muslims need to listen to one another, even when they have opinions which differ. The Friday prayer is where Muslims come together to listen and discuss respectfully. Ideally, the Muslim audience will be a diverse one, representing a variety of nations, cultures, and differing levels of secular and religious knowledge. We all have something we can learn from one another. The khatiba should provide a source of inspiration, motivation, and demonstrate tolerance towards the diversity of her audience.

The authors of this manual recommend jummah should consist of a small group of people- as many as you would have at your home for a large dinner party.  In this way, everyone will get to know one another and form a communal bond. Furthermore, it is highly encouraged that anyone who is interested should give at least one khutbah. Giving a khutbah is an excellent exercise in reading and analyzing Quranic and hadith (sayings of the Prophet, pbuh) texts. It is an opportunity to exercise one’s creativity and to apply the Islamic scriptures and lessons to real world problems facing today’s believer. All of us have something to learn from each other. All of us need to listen to each other.

Structure of a Khutbah (Sunni)

The structure of a traditional Sunni Khutbah is discussed in the following paragraph. However, it is the prerogative of the khatiba to give whatever khutbah she would like. Nevertheless, in deference to the audience, it might be good to incorporate a few of these points so they will feel more comfortable with what you have to say. They are accustomed to a particular structure, however, it is the content which is more important. Consider the structure simply as the scaffold, the skeleton, of what you want to say. Some Muslims may not be bothered by a different structure, and it is important for the khatiba to determine the most effective way to communicate with believers. The khutbah is something to be shared between the khatiba and her community.

The traditional khutbah is composed of two speeches with a short break in between. In a formal setting, the khatiba gives the speech standing, sits down during the break (about 40 seconds), and then stands up again to resume the second speech. The khutbah should only be 10-20 minutes long (1800 words written out). It is also permissible to have a very short khutbah (5 minutes) and then spend a more time in salat reciting longer passages from the Quran, this being the example of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). [link Abdullah ibn Abi Awfi “The Prophet used to extend the salat and reduce the khutbah” ?Nissa’ee]

Order of Khutbah

1.    Azan (call to prayer) link: must be given by someone other than khatiba.

2.    Khatiba starts with (in Arabic) I seek refuge in Allah and from the outcast Satan. “A’zu Billiahi Min Ash-shaitan ir-Rajeem.”

3.    Then mentions the name of Allah “Bismillah ir-Rahman ir Raheem”

4.    Praising Allah with “Al Hamdu lillahi Rabbil ‘Alammen”

5.    Send blessings to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his family. More examples listed in this section (link). An example is here : “Wassalatu Wassalmu ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala Alihi wa Sahbihi wa Salam.”

6.    After this introduction, the khatiba announces the title of her talk in English.

7.    The khatiba begins the first speech. Traditionally, this part of the talk should include quotations from the Quran and how it relates to the title. Examples from hadith and the biography of the Prophet, his family, or his Companions may also be used.

8.    Before the pause, the khatiba should ask the congregation to ask Allah for forgiveness, guidance, and mercy. She should also ask for forgiveness for herself because she probably made some kind of mistake while giving her speech.

9.    After a few seconds of pause (say a few ‘Astighfar”s - supplication for protection - here) and letting the audience digest what has been said, the khatiba starts the second khutbah. 

10.The second khutbah begins with praise to Allah, followed by greetings and praise to the Prophet, his family, and his companions. This should be said in Arabic. There are examples here (link).

11.The end of the second khutbah should include a du’a. Du’as can be taken from the Quran. Any time a prophet is imploring or talking to Allah is an appropriate du’a. Du’as said by Prophet Muhammad are also permissible. It is advisable that when choosing a du’a from the Quran that you put it in proper context. For example, if you are giving a khutbah about the importance of respecting parents, you might not want to choose a du’a where Abraham is asking God to protect him from his murderous, polytheistic father.

12.After the “amen” of the du’a, the khatiba is to instruct someone to give the Iqamah for Salat (link).

13.Once the khatiba has made sure everyone is lined up, facing the Kaabah and ready, the khatiba starts her salat of two rakaat of Salatul Jummu’ah. Salat is said out loud in Arabic.

Note: If the khatiba is menstruating, she may ask another person in the congregation to lead prayer. Biology happens, but it should not interfere with giving the khutbah if it is your turn.

14.Time should be given for people to perform the sunnah prayers after  the communal jumm’ah prayer, as well as make their tasbih and other du’a if they are so inclined.

15.It is highly encouraged to provide a room or outdoor space away from the prayer area where Muslims may meet and greet each other informally and have an opportunity to get to know one another as well as to discuss the theme of the khutbah. The khatiba should also be available for questions.

Examples of Closing Du'as (Prayers)

I.                    Examples Closing Du’as

The Quranic example with surah: ayah is listed, as well as a short description of the Quranic context in which the du’a is spoken.

Example 2:201   Context:  At the end of hajj, pray to God as your fathers did but with even greater sincerity.  It’s not enough to just ask for good things in this world. The people who ask God for good in this world and in the afterlife will be rewarded.

Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil’ akhirati hasanatan waqina ‘azaban-nar.

Our Lord! Grant us benevolence in this world and benevolence  in the hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the fire.

Example 2:250    Context:  Saul’s small army is facing Goliath and his huge army.  They are clearly outnumbered by a stronger force. This is the du’a Saul’s soldiers make before engaging in battle.

Rabbana afrigh ‘alayna sabran wa thabbit aqdamana wansurna ‘alal-ghawmil kafirin.

Our Lord! Pour down patience on us, and make our steps firm and assist us against the folk, the ones who are ungrateful.

Example 2:286   Context:  The last ayah of Surah 2, The Cow

Rabbana la tu’akhizna in-nasina aw akh-ta’na. Rabbana wa la tahmil ‘alayna isran kama hamaltahu ‘ala-llatheena min qablina. Rabbana wa la tuhammilna ma la taqata lana bih, wa- ‘fu ‘anna wa ‘ghfirlana warhamna anta Maulana fansurna ‘alal-ghawmil kafirin.

Our Lord! Do not punish us if we forget or make a mistake. Our Lord! Do not load on us a severe test as You did burden on those before us. Our Lord! Do not impose upon us that which we have not the strength to bear; and pardon us and forgive us and have mercy on us, You are our Defender, so help us against the ungrateful  people.

Example 3:191-193    Context:  This prayer is said by people who remember God in meditation, who reflect, and who contemplate the nature world. After they say this du’a, God answers them in ayah 195 with “I suffer not the good deeds of any to go to waste, be he a man or a woman: the one of you is of the other.” God has a lot more to say about this, but go read 3:195 for yourself.

*Rabbana ma khalaqta hadha batilan, subhanaka fa-qina ‘adhaban-nar. Rabbana innaka man tudkhilin-nara fa-qad akhqaytahu, wa ma liz-zalimina min ansar.

Rabbana innana sami’na munadiyan yunadi lil imani an aminu bi-Rabbikum fa-amanna, Rabbana faghfir lanan dhunubana wa kaffir ‘annna sayyiatina wa tawaffana ma’al-abrar. Rabbana wa atina ma wa’adta-na ‘ala russuli-ka wa la tukhzi-na yauma-l-qiyamati innaka latukhlifu-l-mi’ad.

Not in vain have You made them (heaven and earth). All praise be to you, O Lord, preserve us from the torment of Hell. Whoever, O Lord, should be cast into Hell shall be verily disgraced; and the sinners shall have none to help them. We have heard, O our Lord, the crier call inviting us to faith (saying) ‘Believe in your Lord’. O our Lord, to faith we have come, so forgive our trespasses, deliver us from sin, and grant us death with the just.

Example 14:40-41   Context:  Abraham’s prayer after he has left Hajar and Ishmael in the desert.

Rabbi ‘j’alni muqima’s-salati wa min thurriyati. Rabbana wa taqabbal du’a. Rabbana ‘ghfirli wa li walidayya walil-Mu’minina yawma yaqumul-Hisab.

My Lord! Make me keep up prayer, and my off-spring too. Our Lord! Accept the prayer. Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents and the ones who believe on the day that the reckoning will be taken.

Example 18:10   Context:  The du’a of the young men who took refuge in the cave just before they fell asleep.

Rabbana atina min ladunka rahmatan wa hayyi’ lana min amrina rashada.

Our Lord! Give us mercy from Your presence and shape for us right mindedness in our affair.

Example 20: 25-28    Context:  God has just changed Moses’ staff into a viper and has made Moses’ hand white. Then He tells Moses he has to go face Pharaoh. This is Moses’ du’a in response to God’s command.

Rabbi-‘shrah li sadri wa yassir li amri wa-hlul’ uqdatan min lisani yafqahu qawli.

My Lord! Expand my breast for me and ease my task for me; and untie the knot from my tongue (that) they may understand my saying.

Example 25: 65-66   Context:  The servants of the Merciful are described as humble, address the ignorant with “Peace!”, and spend the night praying. This is one of the du’a that they say. After this du’a there are more characteristics described for these people, but you ought to read it for yourself. (25:67-76)

Rabbana isrif ‘anna ‘adhaba Jahannama, inna ‘adhabaha kana gharama, innaha sa’at mustaqarran wa muqama.

Our Lord! Turn away from us the punishment of hell, truly its punishment has been a continuous torment. Truly how evil a habitation and resting place.

Example 25: 74    Context:  Describing people who when they are reminded of God’s revelation to not turn away deaf or blind. Instead, they offer the following du’a.

Rabbana hab lana min azwajina wa dhurriyyatina qurrata a’yunin waj’alna lil-muttaqina imama.

Our Lord! Grant us in our spouses and offspring the joy of our eyes and make us role models for those who are Godfearing (= have taqwa).

Example 46: 15    Context:  Describing a man who is kind to his parents as he turns forty years of age. The people who say this du’a are promised Paradise and their faults overlooked.

Rabbi awzi’ni an ashkura ni’mata-ka-llati an’amta alayya wa ‘ala walidayya wa an a’mala salihan tardahu wa aslih li fi dhurriyyati inni tubtu ilaika wa inni minal-muslimin.

My Lord! Arouse me that I should be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed on me and my parents, and that I should do good such as You are pleased with and make things right for me and my offspring. Truly I have repented unto You and truly I am of those who submit.

Example 59: 10    Context:  Some people have emigrated away from their homes for the sake of Allah and there are people who help the emigrants adapt to their new environment. The helpers make this du’a.

Rabbanaghfir lana wa li-ikhwaninal ladthina sabaquna bil-Imami wa la taj’al fi qulubina ghillan lil ladhina amanu. Rabbana innaka Ra’ufun Rahim.

Our Lord! Forgive us and our brothers who have preceded us in belief, and do not allow any grudges to remain in our hearts towards those who have believed. Our Lord! Truly You are Kind, Compassionate.

Example 60: 4-5    Context:  Abraham makes a speech rejecting his idol-worshipping community. Then he turns to his father and tells him he will ask Allah to forgive him, even though he (Abraham) has no power to prevail over God’s will. This is the du’a he makes on behalf of himself and his polytheistic father.

Rabbana ‘alaika tawakkalna wa ilaika anabna wa ilaikal-masir. Rabbana la taj’alna fitnatan li-lladhina kafaru waghfir lana Rabbana innaka Antal ‘Azizu-l-Hakim.

Our Lord, on You we have placed our trust, and to You we are penitent, and to You is the eventual returning. Our Lord! Do not make us a cause for their pleasure for those who are ungrateful and forgive us. Our Lord! Truly You are the Mighty, the Wise.

Example 3: 8    Context: There are people who misinterpret the Quran and there are people with knowledge who get it right. The people who have knowledge and intuition make this du’a.

Rabbana la tuzigh qulubana ba’da idh hadaitana wa hab lana min ladun-ka rahma, innaka antal wahhab.

Our Lord! Do not make our hearts deviate after You have guided us and bestow on us mercy. Truly You alone are the Giver.

Example 7: 23   Context: Adam and Eve’s reply to God after God asks them Why did they eat from the tree and why couldn’t they remember Satan was their enemy.

Rabbana zalamna anfusana, wa in lam taghfir lana wa tarhamna la-nakunanna minal-khasirin.

Our Lord! We have been done wrong to ourselves, and if You do not forgive us, and have mercy on us, we shall certainly lost.

Example 7: 155-156   Context: Moses’ people have been worshipping the calf while he was on his forty day meditation. Moses comes down with the commandments, finds his people worshipping the wrong thing and he’s furious. Once his anger has subsided, Moses chooses seventy of his people and takes them up Mt. Sinai. When they get there, there is an earthquake and Moses makes this du’a. (this is an excerpt)

…Anta waliyyua faghfir lana warhamna wa anta khayrul-ghafirin. Waktub lana fi hadhihid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati inna hudna ilayka.

“…You are our Guardian, so, forgive us and have mercy on us, for You are the Best of the Forgivers. And ordain for us good in this world’s life and in the hereafter, for surely we turn back to You.

Example 10: 85-86   Context: Moses’ followers make this du’a after Moses has defeated Pharaoh’s magicians in a magic contest.

Rabbana la taj’alna fitnatan lil-qamiz-zalimin. Wa najjina bi-rahmati-ka minal-ghawmil kaafirin.

Our Lord! Do not make us a target of oppression for these tyrannical people. And deliver us by Your mercy from a people who are ungrateful.

From Surah Al-Hajj – last 2 ayahs