The tradition of giving a khutba was introduced by the first Caliph, Abu Bakr, (632-637), who, after his election, pledged in his inaugural address to rule according to the Quran and Islamic traditions. The practice was continued by his successors, the Umayyad and some Abbasid caliphs. It was discontinued on the assumption of autocratic rule by the Abbasids. It was then that the second khutba substituted the first and became one of the symbols of Muslim royalty.

As long as the Abbasids remained strong their names were recited in the khutba throughout the Muslim world. The recognition of sovereignty was conferred on independent Muslim rulers on the condition that the name of the caliph and the ruler should be recited in the khutba. But with the decline of their power the situation changed.

The occupation of Baghdad by the Buyids (945) and their usurpation of the caliph's powers put the Muslim rulers in an awkward position. To acknowledge the caliphate meant recognising the superiority of the Buyids, which on political and religious grounds was abhorrent to most of the Muslim dynasties.

The Samanids, who were rivals of the Buyids, refused to acknowledge Muti (946-976) as the caliph. They, however, found a new way to maintain their relations with the caliphate in order to legitimise their rule. They continued to pay homage to Mustakfi (945-946) who was deposed by the Buyids, recited his name in the khutba, and inscribed it on coins, even after his death in 949. This practice was adopted by all the other Muslim rulers, who whether for political or personal reasons, did not like the present caliph.

The conversion of the Mongols to Islam brought another dimension to this concept. Considering themselves politically stronger, they refused to acknowledge the Abbasid Caliphate in Egypt, which was nothing but a shadow under the Mamluks (1250-1517). To provide a base for the legitimacy of their rule, they started to recite the names of the four orthodox caliphs, in the case of Sunnis, or twelve Imams, in the case of Shias, in the khutba.

The Mughal emperors, who inherited this tradition from their predecessors, continued it in India. The name of the new emperor was recited in the khutba on the first Friday after the coronation ceremony (Takht Nashini), before a Muslim congregation. It was regarded as an official and religious proclamation and as recognition on the part of the people of the country.

The khutba was composed of praise of God, the Prophet and the four orthodox caliphs; names of the former rulers were recited and the name of the new ruler was added and recited for the first time thus “O God, bless the ruler of the age (his name and titles were announced) and make him kind and favourable to his people.” It was repeated on every Friday in every mosque and on the occasion of Eidul Fitr and Eidul Azha throughout the empire.

The recital of the name of the new emperor in the khutba was a dignified ceremony. The new emperor went to the mosque along with the princes and nobles for Friday prayer and joined the congregation like an ordinary worshipper. When the Imam started the khutba, he was awarded a robe of honour after the name of each of the emperor's predecessors from Amir Timur; when he recited the name of the new emperor, he was given a golden robe of honour.

If some noble and his supporters caused his name or that of someone other than the ruling emperor to be recited in the khutba, it was considered open rebellion against the ruling emperor and treason to the state. Khan Zaman and Baba Khan Qaqahal, in Oudh and Bengal respectively, had the name of Mirza Hakim (d.1585), younger brother of Akbar, recited in the khutba. Akbar dealt with these rebels with an iron hand.

Provincial Muslim states which had risen in Bengal, Gujrat, and the Deccan before the advent of the Mughals, were required to recite the name of the Mughal emperor in the khutba on Fridays and Eid prayers, this being considered an open recognition of Mughal sovereignty.

In the states of Hindu Rajas, who offered their allegiance to the Mughal emperors and accepted them as their Sovereign Lord, the name of the emperor was recited in the khutba on Fridays in every mosque throughout their states.