Khutab Mukhtara
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- Editions
- Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da'wah and Guidance - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Khutab Mukhtara (Selected Sermons) is an anthology of Islamic Friday and advisory sermons compiled and published by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da‘wah, and Guidance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, introduced by the Minister Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muhsin al-Turki .
Purpose and Scope
The work was commissioned by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da‘wah, and Guidance to serve as a practical reference and guide for mosque imams and preachers (khatibs) . Its stated objective is to revive the prophetic methodology of the Friday sermon by gathering essential legal rulings regarding the address, along with a curated selection of transmitted sermons from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the early caliphs, and later Sunni scholars . The collection addresses foundational topics including Islamic creed (Aqidah), acts of worship (Ibadah), transactions, and moral virtues .
Structure and Contents
The book opens with an introductory section outlining the jurisprudence and etiquette of the Friday sermon . It emphasizes adherence to key principles:
- Jurisprudential guidelines: Focusing on core tenets of faith rather than superficial topics, maintaining brevity and conciseness in accordance with prophetic practice, and avoiding unnecessary elongation .
- Responsibilities of the preacher: Emphasizing religious knowledge of the Quran, the Sunnah, and the understandings of the early generations (Salaf), as well as verifying news, considering the public interest, and encouraging public virtues .
- Rulings and virtues of Friday: An overview defining the nature of the address, the virtues of Friday, and recommended practices such as ritual bathing, arriving early, listening attentively, and avoiding disruptive behavior .
The body of the book includes:
- Sermons of the Prophet ﷺ: Transmitted addresses such as his call to his kinfolk at al-Safa, sermons delivered in Medina, exhortations at al-Khayf in Mina, and the Farewell Sermon (Khutbat al-Wada) .
- Sermons of the Early Caliphs: Addresses recorded from caliphs such as Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, Umar ibn al-Khattab, and Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz .
- Thematic Scholarly Sermons: Pre-composed model sermons selected from classical and contemporary scholars—such as Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab and Salih al-Fawzan—organized by subject matter, covering the explanation of the two testimonies of faith, warnings against polytheism (shirk), acts of devotion, and general religious counsel .
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