| Ishan Ibrahim |
STATE Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Dr Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned recently gave a prime address to the participants of an intensive course for the presentation of Khutbah (sermon), emphasising the proper and efficient method of delivery that is obligatory to the Friday prayer service.
“There are specific techniques in the presentation of Khutbah that are aimed at the congregants attending Friday prayers,” he explained. “This way, the contents of Khutbah should be more attractive to the congregants.
“The message of Khutbah must be clear and focussed on its intent, so that it will be fully understood by those in attendance at the Friday prayers.”
The State Mufti said in order to present Khutbah in a more efficient manner, Khatib must be well-informed on the issues about to be delivered to the masses.
He also cited Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as a role model, who understood the concept of a meaningful and well-presented Friday sermon.
“Some Khatibs tend to sound tense, with their voices pitched quite high from the beginning of the sermon to the end,” said the State Mufti. “This was not Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)’s practice when delivering the Friday sermon.
“Khatibs must fully understand the basics of reading the holy verses of Al-Quran and the contents of the Hadith, and to present them in a comprehensible manner which can be heard and understand by the Friday congregants.”
The State Mufti then elaborated on the rules of etiquette for both the obligatory and Friday prayers.
“These prayers must be done correctly, in accordance to the Islamic rules that regulate them,” he said. “The congregants following the Imam’s lead must be positioned correctly, according to the requirements. All of these rules are the responsibility of every individual and every congregant, which must be adhered to.”
Held at Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB), the course involved the refinement of prayers in adherence to the principles of Mazhab Shafi’e which form the basis of the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) and the Brunei Constitution, while enhancing the institution of the mosque as a place of Islamic education.