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Khutba
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Khutba (Arabic: (خطبة khuṭbah) is the Islamic sermon delivered before Friday prayers and after Eid prayers. There is also a khutba delivered during Hajj in the plains of Arafat, just outside Mecca. This khutba addresses the entire Muslim nation, as its message is carried back by pilgrims to their respective homelands.
The person who delivers the khutba is called the khatib. The khatib is usually the Imam, but sometimes the two roles can be played by different people. A khatib must be a male who has attained the age of puberty. It is also required that the khatib be in a state of physical purity.
The khutba is usually delivered inside a mosque, from a pulpit, as Muhammad, the last prophet of Islam, did when delivering a khutba (http://www.islam1.org/khutub/Rules_of_Friday_Prayer_1.htm). The audience is expected to quiet down, and listen attentively. Many scholars suggest that the members of the audience refrain from everything (even performing Salat) and give the khatib their undivided attention.
There are many forms and modes of delivery of the khutba. While the vast majority of Muslims agree that the khutba should be delivered in the most widely understood language in locality, many disagree. They suggest that the khutba should only be delivered in Arabic. Others further argue that the khutba should only be the repetition of the exact words said by Muhammad. Those who argue for an Arabic khutba usually give a non-Arabic "lecture" either before or after the "khutba".
The Friday khutba generally consists of two parts, separated by minutes of silence in reflection. The content of the parts and their length is solely at the discretion of the khatib, although it is estimated that the entire khutba of Muhammad never exceeded 15 minutes. At the end of the khutba, and before the Salah the khatib along with the audience make supplications out loud. The Eid khutba consists of only one part, and is much longer than the Friday one (usually about 30-40 minutes).
The content of the Friday khutba is subject to intense debate. It is generally understood that the Friday khutba is to be based on Islam as well as contemporary daily life. The Friday khutbas, however, have become increasingly political in recent years. In several Muslim countries, such as Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the content of the Friday khutbas is regulated by the government.
The purpose of the Eid khutba is to provide Muslims with a holistic perspective of their community, and strengthen their unity. Because Eid is a day of celebration, the khutba usually keeps clear from intense politics. The khutba delivered on Arafat examines the political, economic and social affairs of the entire Islamic world. The topic for the khutba delivered during the Hajj of January, 2006, was the sufferings of Muslims all over the world and the Grand Mufti urged muslims everywhere to unite under the banner of Islam.
- Nahj al Balagha - a collection of Kutba's ascribed to Ali by the Shias.