Forgive me if I sound harsh in regards to the state of the Friday sermon. I admit I have high standards, based on the milieu in which I was raised.
From my earliest childhood until I left home as an adult, I would witness my parents spending their Saturdays — every Saturday — penning the sermons they would deliver in church on Sunday morning.
Though I may diverge with them in theology, what I can say is that these were speeches crafted with a passion, probably the fruit of week-long rumination before being put down on paper and moulded into form. That’s how it should be.
Most of our khutbahs, by contrast, sound as though they popped out of the orator’s mouth mid-thought. If they were written down at all prior to that, it can only have been on the back of an envelope. No effort is made to inspire the congregation with profound sentiments.
“This is a bit harsh.” Yes, you’re right. But sometimes harsh is necessary when the one charged with conveying the message is failing those who must listen to him. Ask yourself, from experience, how many young Muslims you met actually knew anything about their religion at all.
If they do learn anything beneficial, it won’t be in the mosque on Friday. For that, they will have to go elsewhere.
Last modified: 18 September 2022
