Good Khateebs Are So Hard To Find These Days

*Alhamdulillah, we would like to introduce SaqibSaab as a new associate writer for MuslimMatters.org. He is from Chicago and also writes on his own blog. When was the last time you were absolutely thrilled to listen to a Jummah khutbah? If you're like the majority of Muslims, you probably haven't heard a solid khutbah in a long time. That's because khateebs nowadays are lacking in so many ways vital to giving that solid khutbah we're all wanting to hear.

I asked some brothers what they felt was the #1 problem about Jummah khutbahs for them. Here's some responses and reflections.

Problem: “Reading off of a paper and not delivering from the heart…they're boring!”

The Jummah khutbah is the most opportune time to deliver a killer sermon and give the Muslims an intense Eman rush that lasts all week. Unfortunately, it's also the most common time to hear a boring half hour long speech where someone is reading off an article printed from the internet.

One of the Prophet's (SAW) blessed teaching methods was that he never bored the people.

Not every khateeb is going to be as good as the next, but that shouldn't stop khateebs from striving their best to give better khutbahs. Imagine if a khateeb were to attend a seminar or read a book on effective speaking techniques. Not only would the community benefit, the speaker would rake in great reward for trying to do something for Allah with ihsan (excellence).

Also many brothers complain about khateebs not being innovative enough in their topics. Or talking about the same old things week after week, focusing on less important issues (politics) and not giving anybody anything to go home with.

One brother said:

“Khateebs love to talk about how Muslims are so bad and [how the Ummah] has it so bad. There's no emphasis on the positive being done, and no real effort to inspire people with hope and positive energy.”

Problem: “Khateebs speaking outside their bounds not knowing their limits in terms of knowledge.”

Sometimes the layman is put on the stage to address the Jama'ah on Friday. Next thing you know, a star is born who can speak words of silk and stir the hearts of the crowd. They're not the most knowledgeable, but their delivery and influence on the people is higher than others.

And then, of course, the people praise him so much that his ego gets inflated, Shaytan whispers to him, and we now have a khateeb who thinks he can do it all. He's now lightning-quick to talk about issues and pass judgments and verdicts on things they have barely looked into or have little to no idea about. The words “haraam” and “halaal” flow off of their tongues without any second thought, all of which will occur even within the Jummah khutbah and afterwards when speaking to other laymen.

Allah (SWT) tells us:

“And pursue not that of which you have no knowledge; surely the hearing and the sight and the heart, all of these, shall be questioned about that.” (Surah Isra 17:36)

If only out khateebs knew that they have to be very careful about what they say, maybe then we'd have more cautious khateebs.

Problem: “Lack of Khateebs due to poor excuses.”

This seems to be a problem particularly within the MSAs. The person in charge of finding khateebs is frustrated, because everyone he goes to ask says, “I don't know enough about Islam and therefore I can't/don't want to give the khutbah,” or something pessimistic like, “I'm not pious enough.”

A local MSA's Jummah Coordinator said about this problem, “Look, we know none of us are scholars, and none of us are gonna give these mind-blowing, life-changing khutbahs. But, we can [at least] go up there and regurgitate a speech we've listened to by a scholar and reflect a bit on the Qur'an and Sunnah and share some reflections with an audience, it's not that hard.”

These young brothers are not only ignorant or “not pious enough” to give khutbahs, they also aren't doing jack about it.

The Prophet (SAW) said:

“He who treads a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path from the paths of Paradise.” (Ahmad)

If more Muslims realized that learning Islam is an easy ticket to Paradise and actually went out and learned their religion, we probably wouldn't have such problem of Khateeb scarcity in the name of ignorance.

Problem: “Khateebs with bad character.”

A distant friend told me about one khateeb in his community. Famous for speaking throughout the MSAs in the area and even in various masajid, he's known for being a role model for the people, both old and young. One day, my friend was accidently forwarded an Email from that very khateeb. The Email had an attachment of a supermodel, with the khateeb's comments on how much he admired her beauty, physique, and more. Since that day, my friend has hestiated in ever hearing that khateeb give khutbah.

From my understanding, the khutbahs are to be given by people of example. People of knowledge, people who can motivate the masses for change, and most importantly, people who are role models and leaders. SubhanAllah, what kind of leaders do we have standing at our minbars today?

The other day a friend asked me how to advise someone who says, “Salah is between me and Allah (SWT) – that's why I don't pray.” Before I could look into some ways to help someone with such a mindset, my friend revealed the bad news. This argument on why one doesn't need to pray came from someone who gives khutbahs in his community.

If I'm supposed to get something out of the khutbah once a week, what could I possibly take from someone who has such serious problems? I can't imagine much.

Solution

The problems with our khateebs are many and frightening, but the solution is simple. We need to realize the importance and power of Jummah.

Every week the Muslims gather on Fridays, taking out time from their busy schedules to go for Jummah prayer. They come just to hear a couple words, only twenty minutes or so, after which they stand together to pray, filling the masjids and MSA rooms with numbers unfound at any other time during the week. This weekly experience can be the biggest way to charge the Eman of the Muslims. If people knew the importance of this day, then maybe they'd place some more effort into improving a key part of it, the khutbah.

I leave you with a quote from one of the brothers I asked whom I asked What do you wish was different or better about MSA khateebs?:

“I wish people realized that the khutbah is the weekly re-energizing for the community, whether it be at a Masjid or on campus. People come to get pumped up on Islam for the next week of trials and tribulations that they'll undoubtedly come in contact with. Realize the importance, and that it's not just something you where you can just read off your notes and walk away expecting people to be satisfied. Oh, and take criticism to heart, it helps us in the long run.”

I ask Allah (SWT) to increase our knowledge, improve the abilities of our khateebs, forgive their sins, and help us give the Jummah khutba its due rights.