Question:
Reciting the Faatiha:
Is it permissible to pray in a language besides the Arabic language?
Answer:
It is not permissible to pray in other than the Arabic language when having capability, so it’s incumbent that a Muslim learns from the Arabic language which he can not be ignorant concerning, and from this is learning the Surah Al-Faatiha, and the Tashahhud, and the Tasmee’, and Tahmeed, and the Tasbeeh in Rukuu’ and prostration, and Rabi Ighfir lee between the two prostrations.
As for those that are unable in terms of the Arabic language, then upon them is to come with what has been mentioned in their language, except the Faatiha as the Faatiha is not valid in other than the Arabic language, similarly other than it from the Quran, so it’s upon them to perform Tasbeeh and Tahmeed and Tahleel and Takbeer in its place.
Due to the Hadith of Abdullah bin Abi Awfaa, may Allah be pleased with him:
A man came to the Prophet ﷺ, and said: I can’t grasp anything from the Qur’an, so teach me what will suffice me.
Whereby he said:
(قل: سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ)
“Say: “Subhaanallaah” (Exalted is Allah), and: “Alhamdulilaah” (all thanks and praise be to Allah), and: “Laa ilaaha illalaah” (there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah), and: “Allaahu Akbar” (Allah is most great), and: “La hawla wala quwwata illa billaah” (there is no might and no strength but with Allah).”
Narrated by Ahmed, Abu Daud, Nasaa’i, and authenticated by Ibn Hibban and Daraqutni and Haakim.
Due to the statement of Allah, Exalted is He and the Most High:
(فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا ٱسْتَطَعْتُمْ)
“So keep your duty to Allah and fear Him as much as you can”
[At-Taghaabun:16]
And the statement of the Prophet ﷺ:
(وَإِذَا أَمَرْتُكُمْ بِأَمْرٍ فَأْتُوا مِنْهُ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ)
“If I have commanded you with a commandment; fulfil from it as much as you are able”
Until they learn the Arabic language, it’s upon them to hasten to this.
End of speech, relayed in wording from the Fataawa of the standing committee (401/6).
And the Hadith of Abdullah bin Abi Awfaa is declared Hassan by Albaani, may Allah have mercy upon him in Irwaal Ghaleel No.(303).
Answered by:
Shaykh Abu Hamza Hassan bin Muhammed Ba Shu’ayb – may Allah preserve him
Source:
“at-Tasheelu wal-Iydaahu li kayfiyyatis-Salaati”
“The Simplification and Clarification of the description of the prayer”
Page 69-70 of the book.
What’s been translated so far:
https://t.me/bashuaiben/1693
Translated by:
Abu ‘Abdirrahman ‘Abdullaah bin Ahmed Ash-Shingaani