1.
Shaikh Bin Baz rahimahullah mentions it can be given after the Khutbah. He was asked:
Question:
“What is the ruling on translating the khutbah after the Imam finishes and before the prayer into the English language or other than it due to the presence of many people who do not know Arabic?”
Answer:
“If in the congregation there is a large group that does not understand Arabic and the khateeb delivers the khutbah in Arabic, then it should be translated for them in a language they understand or is understood by other than them and there is no harm in that. This is because this combines between two benefits: between admonishing those who understand the khutbah and admonishing those who do not understand it by translating it for them. The purpose of the khutbah is to admonish the people, remind them, teach them and direct them to good. So if there is a group among them that does not understand the khutbah, then they do not obtain the purpose. So if the khutbah is translated for them, the summary of its meaning or someone other than him from the trustworthy people translates for them so that the attendees can benefit as the others have benefited, then there is no harm in this. May Allah bless you”. End translation. [Reference]
2.
Shaikh Muqbil rahimahullah preferred it be translated before the khutbah. He was asked:
Question:
“We have, oh our Shaikh, an Imam that stands after the Jummah prayer and clarifies for the people what was included in the Khutbah in the local dialect because the khutbah was delivered in Arabic. And that is done before the Khutbah or after it?”
Answer:
“I do not know of any preventative for this. He speaks in the Arabic language and then after that or before that he translates. What is better is it is done before the Khutbah because Allah, the Exalted said:
فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَانتَشِرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوا مِن فَضْلِ اللَّهِ
Then when the (Jumu’ah) Salat (prayer) is finished, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Allah (by working, etc.), and remember Allah much, that you may be successful.
[62:10]
“. End translation. [Reference]
3.
The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Verdict mentioned it should be translated according to what is best for the listeners. They said,
“If the case is as mentioned, then the Friday Khutbah should be delivered in Arabic and then translated for the non-Arabic speaking minority into English or their own language. When translating it, you should consider what is best for the listeners; whether to translate each section or leave the translation to the end of the Khutbah. You should do what is better for the listeners.
May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions”. End translation.
4.
Shaikh Ibn ul-‘Uthaymeen rahimahullah prefers that it be done after the prayer. He said,
“In this situation, the translation of the khutbah is done after the prayer such that not to disturb the people who know the Arabic language. So they should be in a specific side of the masjid and the translator comes to them. It is a condition that the translator be trustworthy and he should have full knowledge of both languages, translating from the language and into the language. He should not answer the questions except if he has knowledge which it is possible for him to answer” End translation.
[Noor ‘ala Darb no. 595]
Translated by
Faisal bin Abdul Qaadir bin Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan
Here is an additional verdict by Shaykh Bin Baz rahimahullah on the permissibility for a translator to translate during the khutbah if the khateeb isn’t proficient in the language of the people:
وإذا كان لا يجيد ذلك فلا مانع من وجود مترجم يترجم مقاصد الخطبة للحاضرين الذين لا يفهمون اللغة العربية، سواء كان ذلك في أثناء الخطبة بعد كل جمل يتكلم بمعانيها بلغتهم، أو عند نهاية الخطبة يترجم لهم مقاصدها ومعانيها حتى يستفيدوا من ذلك، وحتى تحصل الفائدة لهم كما حصلت لغيرهم من إخوانهم الذين يفهمون لغة الخطيب.
Mentioned by
AbdulFattaah Bin Uthman
Abu Fajr
