Can We Use Other Than The Language Of Arabic When

[NewBeginning]

Can we use other than the language of Arabic when we pray to Allah Almighty?


Well, there is no Noble Verse from the Noble Quran, nor there is any Saying (Hadith) from Prophet Muhammad peace be upon that directly say that praying to Allah Almighty has to be done with the Arabic language.


It is obvious that Prophet Muhammad taught us how to pray in Arabic, because that was the only language he spoke. And it is obvious that the Noble Quran was revealed also in Arabic. But to me, these are NOT good enough reasons or proofs to tell a new English-speaking Muslim convert for instance (such as an American, British or Australian) that he or she can not Islamically prostrate to Allah Almighty until they memorize few Noble Verses in Arabic so they can recite them in their prayers.


These new Muslims don't speak Arabic. To them, Arabic is nothing but babbling. It's like me reciting in Chinese. It will not mean anything to me, because I don't speak Chinese. This will disable the spiritual connection of the new non-Arabic Muslim convert with Allah Almighty. It is important to Allah that we have the spiritual connection with Him in our prayer. If we don't have it, then our prayer is worthless:


"Do ye enjoin right conduct on the people, and forget (to practise it) yourselves. And yet ye study the Scripture (i.e., the Noble Quran)? Will ye not understand? Nay, seek (Allah's) help with patient perseverance and prayer: It is indeed hard, except to those who bring a lowly spirit--Who bear in mind the certainty that they are to meet their Lord, and that they are to return to Him. (The Noble Quran, 2:44-46)" Notice here that Allah Almighty clearly says that prayer is hard except on those who have the spiritual connection with Him. So, unless the Muslim really knows what they are reciting in their prayers, there is no way they can establish that spiritual connection.


Allah Almighty doesn't care about our Physical prostration if it's not also spiritual: "The hypocrites--they think they are over-reaching Allah but He will over-reach them: When they stand up to Prayer, they stand without earnestness, to be seen of men, but little do they hold Allah in remembrance. (The Noble Quran, 4:142)" Notice here how the hypocrites for instance don't have that spiritual connection even if they physically prostrate to Allah Almighty.


"Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to thee, and establish regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt. And Allah knows the (deeds) that ye do. (The Noble Quran, 29:45)" How can prayer restrain someone from shameful and unjust deeds if he doesn't have the spiritual connection with Allah Almighty because his prayer doesn't make any sense to him what so ever when he performs it?


Certainly the hypocrites as shown above don't have the spiritual connection, even though they do sometimes prostrate. So it is not the physical prostration alone that Allah Almighty is looking for. How can a new non-Arabic speaking Muslim brother or sister have the spiritual connection when his/her prayer doesn't make any sense to him/her?


I am not in anyway trying to put our Muslim brothers and sisters who don't speak Arabic in the same categories as the hypocrites. No, that is not what I am trying to do here. I am just using the case of the hypocrites in the Noble Quran to help strengthen the case of our non-Arabic speaking Muslim brothers and sisters in Islam.


So my advise, or my opinion, or my verdict, whatever you wish to call it, is that a Muslim should try his best to prostrate to Allah Almighty. If he doesn't speak Arabic, then it is ok for him to recite the Noble Quran in his mother language and to perform the rest of the prayer also in his mother language, including Glorifying Allah Almighty and making wishes to Him, until he is able to master few Noble Verses in Arabic from the Noble Quran, and is able to memorize and appreciate the true Arabic meaning of the Glorifying of Allah Almighty and the making wishes parts. Until he is comfortable with that, he should stick with his language and perform the prayer in his language.


And Allah Almighty knows best.

[Anyabwile]

Hmm interesting, not sure i agree but interesting. I've learnt about 75-80% of my prayers in Arabic but i still forget or don't know some. Any gaps i try to fill in my head in english until i learn them. I could memorise the sound of the words in Arabic but i'd still forget the meaning and prayer would mean nothing. Something interesting i've found is that ever since i stopped praying with my notes beside me, which i used when i first started, and just letting the Arabic flow out of my mouth, it felt so much better, i actually felt closer to my creator. I didn't understand everyword i was saying, only some of them, but i felt so much closer than reading the translations off the page. Almost like i could feel the meanings in my heart, then when i confirmed them, they were correct. Anyway after these prayers i would read the translations after i had said them, and this is how i'm learning it at the moment.


Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) revealed his words in Arabic so to me, it seems only natural to strive to learn them. I see it as Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) would accept us not understanding for as long as is reasonably possible, but if we continue not to strive to know the original tongue of the word Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) revealed his message through, simply because we can't really be bothered to learn it, or we are doing too many other things that take that time up we could devote to learning the prayer, that's a little lame in my eyes. If we are trying bit by bit Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) will surely help us and guide us, the quickness at which i learnt my prayers in Arabic stunned me, like i said i still have a way to go but if you really want to, then it's easily possible, and why wouldn't we want to learn them in Arabic? why not want to be closer to God. Using excuses nto to learn the prayer in the words God himself revealed it, i don't really understand? I see your point Shauneebut why wouldnt you want to learn them in the tongue of the Prophet?? (Peace be upon him)


When you delve into Arabic you see how deep the language is, and it makes clear sense why the word was revealed through this language. I was speaking to a brother recently and he told me of the classical Arabic word that denotes someone deaf and dumb to knowledge, and it stunned me, as the actual sound of the word, sounded like that of some one stumbling to speak. Like an almost physical description of the sound.? ahh i can't explain it, but it opened up my eyes to the deepness of the language. It makes more and more sense for the Quran to be revelaed in Arabic the more i learn about the language to be honest. It has many roots and meanings its stunning.


So i think if we are bit by bit striving to learn our prayers in Arabic as reverts then Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) will see this, will love us and help us. But if we can't be bothered to even try to learn them, while we recite some them in english, or if we feel "why should we learn them" then with that kind of arrogance why would Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) help us or even worse accept our prayers?

[NewBeginning]

Any, that is wonderful how Arabic flows from you so naturally, really it is..... however....... that cannot be said of everyone.


By posting this.... I am in no way shape or form telling people forget about Arabic. Maybe you should read the original article over again and see if maybe you took it the wrong way?


For further discussion on this matter, here is more for anyone to read.


Details of Fatwa


Title of Fatwa Why Must Muslims Pray in Arabic?


Date of Fatwa 12/ October/ 2002


Date of Reply 12/ October/ 2002


Topic Of Fatwa Salaah (Prayer)


Question of Fatwa Dear scholars, As-Salaam `Alaykum. Why must Muslims pray using the Arabic language? I need a fatwa on this. Jazakum Allah khayran.


Name of Mufti Islam Online Fatwa Editing Desk


Content of Reply Wa`alykum As-Salaam Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh.


In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.


All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.


Dear questioner, we would like to thank you for the great confidence you place in us, and we implore Allah Almighty to help us serve His cause and render our work for His Sake.


Being a universal religion, Islam is meant for all people with their different languages. Although Arabic is the language of the Qur'an and Islamic heritage, Islam did not aim at eradicating other languages that are mother tongues of Muslims in some parts of the globe. Islam views the differences of human tongues as one of the Signs of Allah in His creation. This is proven by the fact that Arabic is not the native tongue of the majority of Muslims. However, Muslims are required to perform prayer in Arabic with few exceptions, as in case of new converts until they become able to say their prayers in Arabic, according to the Hanafi Juristic School.


Explaining the wisdom behind this ruling, Dr. Muhammad Hamidullah in his well-known book,Introduction to Islam, states the following:


"(1) It is well known that during their service of worship [salaat], Muslims employ only the Arabic language: They recite certain passages of the Qur’an and pronounce certain formulae to attest to the sublimity of God and humility of man. This is done both by the Arabs and the non-Arabs, even by those who do not know a word of Arabic. Such was the case in time of the Prophet Muhammad and such has been the case (since to this day, whatever the country and the tongue of Muslims.


(2) At first sight it may seem normal and even desirable that the faithful should address his prayer to the Lord in a way that he is fully conscious of what he says. Of course, the mother-tongue is the medium best suited for the purpose, the worship being performed in as many languages as are spoken by the Muslim community. But a little deeper consideration shows that there are reasons that militate strongly against such a solution.


(3) It is noteworthy that according to the Islamic belief the Qur'an is the Word of Allah, the recitation of which is considered as something meritorious. This is evident from the spiritual point of view. It stands as the faithful journey's unto the Lord through the sacred word of the Lord Himself. His Word is the path towards Him, something like a wire to conduct the electrical current that illuminates the bulb. The journey unto the Lord is of course the ultimate goal that every soul aspires to reach. The original Word has been revealed in Arabic: any translation would be a human work and human word, and this can scarcely serve the purpose of this mystical journey.


(4) For those who would seek more mundane reasons, let us recall first that a clear distinction is to be made between prayer, in the sense of supplication (Du`aa'), and the prayer in the sense of the service of worship (Salaat), in so far as Du`aa' is concerned -- i.e., the prayer in general and outside the formal way of worshiping Allah, the tête-à-tête with the Lord (munajaat)-- nobody has ever raised the slightest objection to the liberty of the individual to address one's need, one's petitions to the Lord in any language and in any physical posture one prefers. It is purely personal and private affair and concerns the relations of the individual creature directly with the Creator.


The Salaat [prayer], on the contrary, is a collective and public affair, where the needs and requirements of other companions of the congregation are evidently to be taken into consideration. It is pointedly to bring into relief that the Salaat is in principle and preferably to be performed in common along with others (congregation): the Salaat individually and in isolation is only tolerated and never recommended, the preference going to the congregational service. Let us see now more closely the diverse aspects of this collective and public act which is performed in the company of others.


(5) Had Islam been a regional, racial or national religion, one would certainly have employed the current language of the region, of the race, of the nation. But quite different are the requirements of a universal religion, whose members speak hundreds of regional languages -- of which each is incomprehensible to all the rest of the human groups -- belonging to all the races and inhabitants of all the regions of the earth. Our life today is getting more and more cosmopolitan, and practically every town has Muslims belonging to several linguistic groups, both from among the permanent residents and the travelers in transit, and has to take into consideration the aspect of courtesy and hospitality to strangers. Supposing an Englishman goes to China and knows not a word of its language, and supposing he hears in the street something like "chen chu chih shan", evidently he would not understand what is meant by that; and if it is the regional translation of the well-known call to prayer, the Allahu Akbar, he would fail to perceive it and would miss the weekly prayer on Friday, or the congregational prayer of the moment.


Similarly a Chinese Muslim, traveling through other countries, would find nothing in common with his co-religionists if these others said their congregational worship in their local tongues. So a universal religion requires certain basic things to be common to all the faithful. The call to prayer and the formulae to be recited in the act of worship evidently constitute part of such fundamental and basic elements of the practice of the cult. A passing remark may be made about the fact that sometimes words of two different languages sound alike but have different significations, at times the harmless word of one signifying something ridiculous or obscene in another. Such a risk is greater in languages with which one is utterly unfamiliar, and hears them only during a journey for example. This would be contrary to the dignity of the service of worship to Allah. Things familiar from childhood avoid such complications, even if the individual is a non-Arab and recites in Arabic the required formulae.


(6) One cannot neglect the psychological aspect of human beings who have at times petty prejudices of xenophobia. Occasions would arise daily when political (national) or even personal and individual frictions would induce, for instance, an Englishman not to participate in the Salaat led in French or Russian or some other language. Arabic, as the language of the Qur'an and the Hadith, has a respect and a halo in the minds of every Muslim, and one employs it not as the language of the Arabs but as the language of the Prophet Muhammad, the language of the Mothers of the Faithful, the language Allah Himself has chosen for revealing His latest Word for us.


(7) The needs of unity among the co-religionists can never be too much stressed upon. One should create new links to strengthen their ties of fraternity, rather than destroy those that already exist.


(8) There is another aspect of the question which is no less important. In fact no translation ever replaces the original. There are for instance, nowadays numerous translations of the Holy Qur'an in English (as also in practically every language of the world), yet every now and then there are new and unceasing attempts to produce another translation, thinking that the older ones are partly defective. This is true not only of English but of every language of the world, and true also of the translation of any and every work. Should one utilize a defective thing or the perfect one, the translation or the original?


(9) Let us recall in this connection that practically no religion, excepting Islam, possesses today integrally the original of the Revelation on which it is based, the original teaching of its founder: It is the translation, or at best fragments, of which dispose the Christian, Jewish, and other communities. How fortunate the Muslims are that they form an exception, and possess integrally the original text of the Revelation, the Holy Qur'an!


(10) One should not lose sight of the fact that in the entire Salaat there are very few passages to recite. There are first the Adhan and Iqamah (call to prayer). Then inside the service of worship there are the formulae Allahu-Akbar, Subhana rabbiyal-'azim, Subhana rabbyal-a`la, the short chapter al-Fatiha, two other short chapters, the Tashahhud, and that is all. The totality does not exceed a page of small size, and most of the words of these texts are commonly understood by the Muslim masses and have penetrated into all the languages of the Muslim countries, so much so that even a child or a beginner learns their meaning without pain and without strain. And once the significance of these formulae is learnt, the Salaat of a Muslim remains no more a mechanical recitation without understanding.


(11) There is an aspect of Arabic language which merits to be brought into relief here. Apart from its incomparable musical qualities, recognized on all hands, the Arabic language itself, in its literary form, has changed since at least 1500 years neither in grammar, nor vocabulary, nor spelling, nor even pronunciation. Those who understand the language of Arabic newspapers and radio broadcasts today understand as perfectly the language of the Holy Qur’an. For a religion brought by the last of the Messengers of Allah and the Seal of the prophets, and also destined for all times till the end of the world, is it not providential that the language selected for this Message should also be otherwise stable and unchanging? Otherwise Allah in His unlimited mercy would uselessly be obliged to repeat the same Message to a new prophet in a new book comprehensible to the living men.


(12) To end, there are writers who say that they have the backing of such authorities as the Imam Abu Hanifah (d. 767 C.E.) to say that the recitation of the translation of the Qur'an in the service of worship is permitted. But this is only a half-truth. These writers omit to mention that the Imam Abu Hanifah, although he had this opinion in the beginning changed it later on, and that he rallied to the general opinion that in normal cases only the Arabic text is to be employed in the services of worship. Of course, there are provisions for exceptional cases, such as the needs of a new convert: immediately on his embracing Islam, he has to commence to perform the five daily services in which it is necessary to recite by heart the prescribed formulae. Until such time as he learns these formulae by heart, he may use their sense in any other language he can. For this we have the very high precedent of Salman al-Farisi, who sent the translation of al-Fatiha to some Persian converts, with the authorization of the Prophet Muhammad himself and they used it until their tongue got familiarized with the Arabic text. So, for some hours or some days, the new converts may use validly the translation.”


Allah Almighty knows best.

[Anyabwile]

Any, that is wonderful how Arabic flows from you so naturally, really it is..... however....... that cannot be said of everyone. 

Nope nope nope thats not fair Shaunee, never said that, when i said the Arabic flows out of my mouth i didn't mean i magically know the Arabic language all of a sudden when i never knew it before. It's obvious you knew i didn't mean that, and if i'm taking your humor wrong forgive me (im from UK REMEMBER ) If you're not being humourous, why would you imply i said i instantly know Arabic? That's not fair Shaunee i've never been harsh on you like that...(have i? i'm too tired to check) All i know from Arabic is the same any revert could learn in three or four months of reciting the prayers, about 75-80% as i said before.


What i was trying to say (but rushing because i was on a 15 min break at work at the time) was i have memorised the sounds of the Arabic words, and i prefer <b>saying</b> the words which i admitted i don't understand, rather than reading them, and then reading the english translations afterwards, as i said below...

<b>I didn't understand everyword i was saying, only some of them</b>, but i felt so much closer than reading the translations off the page."

I do my prayers, and then read the translations at another time to learn what i was saying and remember it for next time....as i also belive i said.
So...as you suggest i should go back and read what you said, maybe i should do that, because at the time i was on a short break at work, and did read it quickly but in its entirety note. But may i suggest you re read what <b>i </b>wrote, because as i have pointed out in this post, you really didn't get what i said. Also may i suggest you not be offended at the fact that i suggested really you shouldnt be making exuses not to learn it. Of course IMO you shouldn't, but it wasn't directed at you, i'm just the same, there's many times i'm relaxing back or putting my feet up when in all honestly i could put aside a few minutes to learning my prayers. I think you got offended thinking i was singling you out, thus your rudeness at the beginning of your post, no please, i wasnt singling you out. But i didn't understand why you wouldn't just learn it in Arabic.


Also i will read the article you posted tommorow morning..i really should be sleeping now...and


<b>Assalamu alaikum </b>

[Rehmat]

Can we use other than the language of Arabic when we pray to Allah Almighty?

No, a Believer is not allowed to do that.


Learning of Arabic language is very essential in order to understand the true meaning of the Word of Allah (Holy Qur'an). Without this, the translators have been known to change the meanings of the Holy Message to serve their own interests. For example, Western converts like Muhammad Assad (Leopard Weiss) have translated "Nasara", wrongfully as Christian, while in sense it refer to Nazarene - "Yahud", as Jews, while it refer to the Israelites who followed the Law of Moses - Followers of John the Baptist (Yahya, as).


Same way, the Qadiani sect has its own translation of "Khatum-e-Nabuet (Finality of Prophethood)" and the armed Jihad. So does the Qur'an printed by Israeli Zionists.


However, one is allowed to read the translation inhis or her own mother tongue, or make "Dawua", but even the Qur'anic translation without Arabic text is not acceptalable. In 1400 year history of Islam, no one has forced the Muslims to perform prayers other than Arabic - with the exception of Mustapha Kemak, Ata Turk of secularized Turkey.


Allah Knows the best.

[laian]

Bismillah,


Assalamu alaikum Shaunee and everyone


Alhamdulillah, Allah says in the Qur'an that he has made the Qur'an easy to understand and to remember. Allah says it, it must be true.


Shaunee, I understand your concern, but you must understand two things. First, the Qur'an is the word of God, and it is revealed in Arabic. Therefore, the English translated words are not the words of Allah, only the Arabic words are the real words of Allah. It is important to use the Arabic when making the salat, especially because as Anyabwile mentioned the Arabic words have much more meaning and significance than the English words ever could.


Now if you understand why it is important to use the Arabic during salat, then you should understand that the Qur'an truly is easy to understand and remember, as Allah promised.


When I first converted I knew absolutely no Arabic, expect the basic bismillah, alhamdulillah, etc. Within one week of converting I had the entire salat memorized in Arabic, including surah al-ikhlas, and I knew all the meanings. SubhanAllah, it was SOOOO easy! Alhamdulillah!


I'm not saying it has to be that easy for everyone, and it probably won't be. Allah blessed me, but he will make it easy for everyone as much as they need. SubhanAllah Anyabwile has most of the prayer memorized and he feels the benefit of saying the Arabic. InshaAllah I hope you too will soon feel that benefit.


I will tell you how I memorized the salat so quickly, and inshaAllah maybe this technique will help you.


I made flash cards for each section of the prayer on regular 3x5 cards. On the left side of the card I wrote the transliteration of the Arabic (Arabic sounds in English letters), and on the right side of the card I wrote the English translation. During my salat, I <b>never</b> said the English translation, <b>only</b> the Arabic, but by glancing at the translation as I read it was easy to take in the English meaning at the same time as saying the Arabic.


The flashcards also helped because at the end of a section, such as al-fatihah and then another surah, I could write a note to myself like "say Allahu Akbar with hands up and then bow"


This way was so easy for me because as I said, I never said the English, only the Arabic, so my mouth and tongue and mind got used to sounds of the Arabic, but I also had the English translation right next to it so I was learning the meanings right along with it.


If you think about it, in one week you will have said the Arabic needed for the prayer 119 times -- that's the number of rakahs you will make in one week with the fard prayers. That's alot of repetition!


So Shaunee, please don't feel discouraged about learning the complex and intimidating language of Arabic..... rather, this is both a test from Allah (for which you will get great reward inshaAllah) and an opportunity to come closer to Him by offering proper salaat.


I really hope you take my suggestion, and inshaAllah I hope Allah will make it easy for you.


Here is a good site that has nice transliteration of the entire salat with sound clips so you can hear the pronunciation, as well as detailed instructions to make it easy:


http://www.islamway.com/english/images/prayer/pray1.htm


I encourage you, Shaunee, and any other new muslim, to try this and Shaunee I would really love to hear back from you after a week to see how your prayer is going!!


May Allah make things easy for you Shaunee as you begin your new life, inshaAllah ameen

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


as salam alykom


Mash a Allah Shaunee u already had an excellent feed back from two non arabic speaker reverts.


And the fatwa is so comprehensive.


Although I am not a revert myself and Alhamdulelah a native arabic speaker, yet I fully understand the feeling. I went thru this with a number of reverts in real life.


But the fact that u r execused from Allah is also a bonus. Shaunee I know that u were kind of looking for an evidence to confirm the mandatory of holding Salat in Arabic. I can see the fatwa is enough. But remember that at the beginning, if u r unable to memorize everything, and just use Sobhan Allah, Alhamdulelah, Allahu Akbar wa la ilaha ila Allah. Your prayer will be accepted. Just start praying.


And as the fatwa and Rehmat indicated, there is much difference between talking to Allah at any time that u may do in any style or language. And the formal prayer Salat.


Just start and dont be scared or concerned Allah Shall help u.


Anay Mash a Allah I am so happy with the development now the sheets are not even next to u any more. Alhamdulelah

[Anyabwile]

Anay Mash a Allah I am so happy with the development now the sheets are not even next to u any more. Alhamdulelah

Thank you, i still need notes to recite two long portions in the prayer, but everything else i have pretty much memorised. And no when i pray at work the sheets are not next to me, i just go with what i know. Just need to get it stuck in my head what i'm saying. My problem is...from day one since becoming Muslim...i have no patience with learning, for me it has to be now. Sometimes i look how far i have to go and it knocks me back. The thirst for knowledge when yo ubecome Muslim is unliek anything else, it's overwhelming, there's so much i want to learn as i said to you in PM. But yes i'd say i can say 80% of the prayer in Arabic without looking and know the meaning of just over 60% of what i'm saying, without looking. So Insha Allah step by slow step i will get there.

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


I understand what u r saying Anya. O BTW I dont think Shaunee was being funny I think she really meant what she said that she is happy u can do that.


Shaunee BTW when u intend to try doing something in the name of Allah u will be amazed for the support u will receive.

[NewBeginning]

Well, I've been reading this thread as it's been going along, being very diciplined not to post a reply. The reason is that it went in the wrong direction, and the more two people try to get a missed point across, it sometimes does turn into an argument.


I have a friend who told me that the one who wins a debate is the one who leaves the debate first.


Well, what all these posts meant was, there are some people who struggle more than others, and sometimes during the compulsery prayers, we really NEED to feel that total one on one connection to God. Sometimes the only way is using our mother tongue. Of course we have to strive to learn Arabic, but I strive harder to be closer to God, and when he wants me to know the language, I'm sure I will be a very good Arabic speaker.


Peace Peace Peace Peace Peace