Reference: Sharh ‘Umdatil-Fiqh – Tape No.6, Question No.55
Question: It has been narrated that you said the prayers and salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ during the second [part of the] khutbah is an innovation; so is this correct?
Response: The one who conveyed this has lied; I did not say that it is an innovation. [Rather], I [said, and continue to] say [is] that to conclude the second [part of the] khutbah with prayers and salutations upon the Prophet is contrary to what has been [authentically] transmitted. The khutbah should be concluded with the Qur.aan, aayaat from the Qur.aan, and nothing has been [authentically] transmitted that it should be concluded with prayers and salutations upon the Prophet. Rather, prayers and salutations upon the Prophet should be said at the beginning, the beginning of [the first part of] the khutbah – after the shahaadatayn; this is where the prayers and salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ should be said, and not at the end of the khutbah. This is what I say.
