When the Khateeb begins his sermon, he should say the following words in Arabic (along with the English translation if the sermon will be in English). Links to the sources in the Sunnah have been provided.

Note: This is not the only permissible formula that can be used, but it is popular and in accordance with the Sunnah. Allah knows best.

The preacher should say:

All thanks and praise is due to Allah, we seek His help and forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil within ourselves and the consequences of our evil deeds. Whoever Allah guides will never be led astray, and whoever Allah leads astray will never find guidance. I bear witness there is no God but Allah, alone without any partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger.

Allah the Exalted said, “O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims in submission to Him.” (3:102)

And the Exalted said, “O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Verily, Allah is ever watching over you.” (4:1)

And the Exalted said, “O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice. He will then amend for you your deeds and forgive your sins, and whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment.” (33:70-71)

Verily, the most truthful speech is the Book of Allah, the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad, and the worst affairs are newly invented matters. Every newly invented matter is a religious innovation, and every religious innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Hellfire.

To proceed (and then begin the sermon).