Mahmoud Ahmad



As attending Friday prayer is a duty for Muslims so is the need to listen carefully and be attentive to the Imam’s words during the Friday sermon. It is rather an obligation. It is not permissible for Muslims to be a robot by being physically present at the mosque while being mentally at a distant place of his own choosing by displaying a careless attitude toward the Friday sermon, nor is it tolerable to even talk to others while the Imam is in the process of delivering it.



This, however, is not the case in many mosques I prayed in on Fridays. I noticed a singular lack of attentiveness on part of many faithful, while some even took the opportunity to talk with friends while the sermon was on, if they had met up after a long time.



But, though these instances are far and few, I did notice another factor that takes the piety and the interest out of the Friday sermon and it is due to the non-comprehension of the Arabic language to a multitude. The non-Arabic speaking expatriates run into a huge problem when they are listening to the Friday sermon that is in Arabic, and most of them do not understand it.



The very essence of a Muslim going to Friday prayer is to listen to the sermon, to understand it and apply its wisdom and teachings in life. This, however, is not the case in many mosques.



I am sure that the vast majorities, who religiously attend the Friday prayer, are lost soon as the sermon starts, as they totally or partially do not understand what the Imam has preached. By logical extension, this raises the question that what have we done to assist them and are there enough mosques out there for non-Arabic speaking expatriates? This in turn spawns another query, are these Friday sermons translated for expatriates after prayer?



I remember when I was studying in America, Imams in all the mosques there deliver the Friday sermon in Arabic. That’s the first part. Then it is translated in English for the non-Arabic speaking worshipers. That’s the second part. Sometimes the full translation is delivered after prayer and most worshipers would be sitting after the sermon and listening to it raptly.



On different occasions, I have asked expatriates, from India, Philippines, Pakistan and Indonesia after Friday prayer that whether they understood what the Imam was talking about. In almost all the cases, I would get answers in the negative. This (not understanding), they would say, is due to the fact that they do not speak or understand Arabic. Some would reply that they picked up a word or two, here and there, with the little Arabic knowledge they had, but were clueless about what the Imam totally said, and what the whole thing was about. This factor would then drive many to show up late at the mosque, just minutes before the prayer starts.



I believe it is our duty and obligation to at least specify more than a mosque, in different locations, where the expatriate population of a certain nationality is high. In addition, the minister of Islamic affairs and endowment should then appoint an Imam who speaks the language of the dominant expatiate community in that area, such that he can deliver the sermon in that language or at least translate it after the Friday prayer.



The fact that the sermons are delivered only in Arabic may not be a major issue for many but it has been bothering me for a long time. The fact that some of the expatriates come to the mosque late attests to the fact that they consider the sermon a plain bore and the need to listen to it not a necessity as it would serve no purpose.



I too would be frustrated if I was in their position of not understanding a word of what the sermon was about. Once an expat Muslim knows there is a dedicated mosque that would be delivering the Friday sermon in a language that he would be able to understand, then he would have the option to go and listen to the sermon. He will have a choice.



The vast majority, however, does not have an option but to sit down and talk with their friend outside the mosque or play with the carpet inside the mosque until it is prayer time. If the worshiper fails to understand what the Friday sermon is all about then the purpose of the sermon — educating the faithful — is a total waste.



When there is an Imam who can speak Urdu or Tagalog or Malayalam or Bahasa Indonesia, then it would be easier for the person to reach out to that community. The Imam can even discuss problems and issues facing that community living in the Kingdom and act as a via media with the authorities to seek ways to solve or avoid issues.



Last month, the General Presidency for the Two Holy Mosques Affairs inaugurated the instant translation project of the Friday sermon in many languages. The main aim was to improve the services provided to visitors from all over the world. A non-Arabic speaking visitor could listen to the Friday sermon at the same time the Imam is delivering it through headphone set. I believe that the same attention should be given to other mosques in the city.



I conclude here with the saying of the prophet (pbuh). The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever washes his head and his body (ghusl) on Friday, then sets out early, is present at the beginning of the khutbah and is close (to the Imam), then listens attentively, for every step he takes he will have the reward of fasting and praying qiyaam (in the night) for one year.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi



— Mahmoud Ahmad can be reached at mahmad@saudigazette.com.sa