Is it an obligation for Muslims to learn Arabic?

Question

I mean come on, doens't Allah understand english? I don't mean that as a joke, I mean that seriously. It's hard enough to try to read the entire Qur'an right now, and then to find out I have to learn Arabic? What a discouragement! Do you have to pray in Arabic?

Answer 1

Yes, you have to pray in Arabic...if you want to learn prayers, go here: http://www.islam-usa.com/pray1.html (its rly good, thats where i learned!!!)
But for prayers, you only need limited arabic...you can use the very short surahs, just memorize them and learn what they mean. That's not the same as learning arabic, lol....i hope u understand what i mean. When you start off, you can read it from a paper. That's wut i did! Until i was sure of my words =)
The only reason you need the arabic in the prayers is because you are quoting from the quran, and the qurans TRUE meaning is in arabic and cant be fully expressed in english the same way.
lol dont worry!!!!!! I certainly dont know arabic, but i know how to do my prayers...thats it....it would be REALLY GOOD to know arabic so i could better understand the quran.
AND REMEMBER ALWAYS, as a revert you are the same as a newborn baby!!!! God doesnt expect you to wake up and start knowing how to pray properly and how to read arabic with a great accent and understand arabic fully...but God expects you to try your best =)
so just do that and everything will be A.O.K
=D

Answer 2

It's an obligation to at least learn the Arabic needed for the daily prayers and some basic things. The Holy Qur'an was revealed in Arabic, and the meaning of the Qur'an cannot be perfectly translated to any other language. It's important to at least know what the Arabic means that is requried for the prayers.

I'm Arab and I can tell you that I know lots of non-Arabs who know Arabic better than most Arabs do, so it's not impossible to learn Arabic. Learning any language, from Swahili to German, just requires practice and dedication.

OK, and another thing I want to say: when you are making the formal daily 5 prayers then those are in Arabic, but if you are praying to God and asking for something then you can use any language.

And Allah (subhaanahu wa ta aala) knows best. May Allah make it easy on you to learn Arabic.

by the way, please see the link below

Answer 3

It is an obligation....You as a Muslim should read and understand the Quran.. The Quran is written only in Arabic. It is not acceptable to pray in another language other then Arabic. You should try to learn .... Of course the struggle to learn Arabic will yield a reward..
If you look at the history of Islam you can look up from Prophet Mohammed's(saw) time to Uthman and will see that some people had tried to pray and make the Quran in other languages. Prophet Mohammed(saw) was told by Allah(swt) that the language of the Quran and heaven is Arabic. Uthman was very important in this role after Prophet Mohammed(saw) died.. He made sure the Quran was perserved..

Answer 4

It is not an obligation but it is strongly recommended because it is the language of the Quran. I don't speak arabic or read arabic, so when I read the Quran I read the arabic text (written in english letters) and I read the english translation. Also I've learned enough arabic to pray in arabic and understand what I'm saying (all thanks be to God). Like someone says, when you're struggling thru the arabic you get more rewards. May Allah SWT help those who do not speak/read arabic learn and understand the language

Peace and best wishes!!

Answer 5

lol, It is an obligation in Islam to learn Arabic... How will you go to heaven? Give me one scholar who can not speak Arabic? Do not give me a political scholar or a Persian, give me a Scholar who follows the Sunnah.....
What will you say to Allah swt when your standing between his hands... "Oh, Allah I did not need to learn Arabic or read the Quran because I have a translation?"

All of the translations of the Quran hold different meanings other then the true meaning of the Quran..
Are you people crazy to say no it is not an obligation? Why do you think the Quran is in Arabic? Why has it remained unchanged? Think about what your saying before you answer questions when you have no knowledge..
Muslims who do not know Arabic or try to learn Arabic like a solider going to war in front of the enemy without a weapon.

Answer 6

You have to pray in arabic, meaning you have to memorise surah fatiha and some short surahs as well as the du'aas done during salah.
Learning Arabic can be beneficial for you,,you will understand the Qur'aan and hadith better. I have not learned arabic...but when I listen to the Qur'aan and read along the English translation and by that I have learned the meaning of alot of ayahs,the ayyahs are repeated in the Qur'aan many times with the same meaning.

Answer 7

Just pray in english until you learn the arabic. It is not necessary to speak the whole language. Learn the fatihah and maybe al Ihklas to start, it's fairly easy.

Yes, Allah understands english, but think of it this way.... as a parent you understand your child when he asks for something in "baby talk" but you're so proud when he begins to speak in proper sentences...
Once you learn the arabic, you notice there's a rhythm and vibration in the prayers that somehow take you much deeper than merely repeating the words in english.
Remember, Allah does not wish to make things difficult for you, He doesn't expect you to learn it all overnight.

try this site for learning the arabic, it really takes less than a week of 5 daily prayers to have it memorized.
this site has not only the arabic voice, but the transliteration and the english meaning, so you can hear it, read it, and understand it all together.

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

Answer 8

first I would like to know how old you are, if you are still a teen, you still have many time to study arabic.
Allah will give rukhsah or dispensation for someone who cannot learn arabic because of the age doesn't allow him.
Rasulullah SAW said " I love Arabic because:1. it is my language 2. The Quran is revealed in this language 3. the language will be used inJannah/heaven"
arabic is also the symbol of the unity of Muslim
the quran cannot be translated to other language totally.
Inshaa Allah, Allah will give His guidance for whoever that have willing to learn Arabic for reciting Quran and do what Allah asks on the Quran, AAmiin

Answer 9

Not necessary. If you know Arabic, you cannot depend on (second hand) translations by others. More you know, less dependent on others you are & all others may not be impartial & unbiased. Arabic is an easy language to understand. In India a professor at Usmania University , Syed Nabi wrote five books known as 'Minhajul Arabiah' 50 years ago. Those thin books are sufficient to learn Arabic for only Urdu knowing persons. Similar books exist everywhere. Only a good teacher is required for two years.

Answer 10

to the people who said you can pray in english... i certainly urge you to know what you are saying because it is very dangerous to just speak without knowledge! the prophet peace be upon him says that the bravest among you to give a fatwa is bravest to enter the hell fire... don't say something unless you are 100% certain...

to answer the question... allah SWT understands english ofcourse you can make dua in english... ask him for things in english... BUT you must offer your salah in arabic! some mosques may use english ONLY in the friday khutbah where the imam speaks english, but when its salah time he recites in arabic... in the qur2an there is a verse that says:

wa ratil al qurana tarteela
و رتل القرآن ترتيلا
which means: recite the quran

and i guess you cannot do that unless you know arabic... you need to at least know enough arabic to perform your prayers and know what you are saying... after that you will be greatly rewarded... you get DOUBLE of the reward a fluent arabic speaking person would get if you make an effort... it is also the language of the people of paradise so i guess you would want to speak it if u want to go there insha2allah!

its all about your will... and your concern shows you want to be a good muslim so i ask allah SWT to guide you and guide us all insha2allah...

wallahu a3lam

Answer 11

No its not an obligation for muslims to learn arabic there are millions of people around the world that dont speak arabic but still practice islam. They make translated qurans for people who dont read arabic, but ive never heard of anyone who prays in english although i believe that it has to do with your intention. If your intention is to pray for allah then most likely it will be accepted.