The Method of Delivering the Khutbah

Q: Salaah-169: While delivering the Khutbah, our Imaam turns his head from side to side and delivers it just as a person gives a talk. All he does not do is move his hands. Is this correct?

Answer: The Ahadeeth state that when Rasulullaah SAW. delivered a Khutbah, his face reddened, he raised his voice and his manner of speaking became sombre, appearing like a person warning others of an army that is about to attack. Although Rasulullaah SAW. never waved his hands about like a fervent orator, he did point with his Shahaadah (index) finger when explaining or warning about something.

Therefore, it will be permissible for an Aalim delivering the Khutbah to address the Musallis as necessary, to address them in an encouraging manner when encouragement is mentioned and to address them in a warning tone when a warning comes. This is in fact a Sunnah practice. However, no narration proves that Rasulullaah SAW. turned to the right and left. Badaai'us Sanaa'i (Vol.1Pg.262) and other books state that Rasulullaah SAW. faced his back to the Qibla and faced the Sahabah RADI. when delivering the Khutbah. It is for this reason that Allaama Ibn Hajar RAH. and other research scholars state that turning to the right and left is an act of Bid'ah. There is of course no harm in looking to the right and left during the turned to the right and left.

It is obvious that only a person who understands the subject matter can address people in an encouraging or warning tone. Someone who does not understand will easily make errors and become a laughing stock to those who do understand. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.2