Guidance of the Prophet regarding Khutbah

A: Upon his ascending the pulpit on Friday, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would turn towards the congregation and say: "As-Salamu alaykum (peace be upon you)." During his deliverance of the Khutbah, his eyes is overwhelmed with tears, his voice would rise, and his fear for people is intensified as if he was warning them of an army that was about to invade them. After praising Allah, he would say: "To proceed, the best of speech is the Word of Allah, and the best of guidance is that of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and the most evil of matters are innovations, and each innovation is a Bid`ah (heresy in Islam), and every Bid`ah is Dalalah (deviation from what is right)." He used to start off his Khutbah with celebrating Allah's praises. In most cases he would make extensive use of Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) from the (Part No. 7; Page No. 111) Qur'an. Throughout his Khutbah, he would celebrate Allah's praises, offer thanks for His bounties, ascribe Attributes of perfection to Him, explain the principles of Islam, and remind worshippers about Jannah (Paradise), Hellfire and the Day of Judgment. He would also command Muslims to fear Allah, Exalted be He, and would clarify and warn them of the things that incur His wrath and the things that bring about His Pleasure. He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to keep his Khutbah brief. It was authentically reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) stated: Lengthening Salah and shortening the Khutbah (sermon) is the sign of a man's deep understanding of Islam. So lengthen Salah and shorten the Khutbah. (Related by Imam Muslim in his Sahih (authentic collection of Hadith). Whenever he observed a mistake committed by someone, he would never mention the name of the sinner. He would only use such general expressions as "What is the matter with some people who say such and such?" His Khutbah always suited the various circumstances of the congregation. He would sometimes shorten his Khutabah to meet the convenience of the people. His causal Khutbah used to be lengthier than his regular one. He would sometimes address women separately, encouraging them to give Sadaqah (voluntary charity) and to invoke Allah much for forgiveness.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.