Necessity of Praying in Arabic...

[Muslimsister]

The reason I originally asked this question is because I have often been referred to an hadith in which the blessed prophet (pbuh) said "Pray as you have seen me pray" (sorry, I dont have a volume and # reference for this, it has just been referenced to me).

My question is simply; how do we know that the blessed prophet (pbuh) did not mean "pray as you have seen me pray - in your native language". I mean the quote stops after "as you have seen me pray" and gives no further explanation of exactly what he meant by that phrase. If the prophet (pbuh) MEANT in arabic would he not have added that to his reply, thus making it "pray as you have seen me pray - in arabic"?

Not trying to be difficult at all so please forgive me - I am just naturally suspicious of anything that appears to me could have been a man-made addition to a pure religion and this looks like it could be one of those things to me.

The Quran in Salah must be said in arabic, I don't expect there to be any problem in that. Other than the Qur'an, there are only few phrases in arabic that need to be learnt and said. And then one may add whatever dua in ones own language for example in sujuud etc. Thus many of us end up praying in our own language as well.

I have heard of a position with some ulama, that state that one may say everything else in salah, except the Quranic passages, in whatever language. Allahu alim, though. It may have something to do with the fact that saying subhaana rabbiyal aala for example is not classed as a fardh in a certain madhab, so then according to the same madhab one may even leave it out (and then replace with something in one's own language). I will try (or you can try as well) to see how sound such a position is within any madhab, or in sunni islam altogether.

But my humble advice would be to just follow the sunnah of the Beloved Prophet as it is, without altering a single thing. Surely, if we (as we should) do it out of love for the Blessed prophet we will only gain, no?

As to the hadith in question, it is best laymen are not the ones to deduce rulings with our logic, as the scholars surely have much more understanding of what kind of logic can be used and what not.

[amatullah]

The reason I originally asked this question is because I have often been referred to an hadith in which the blessed prophet (pbuh) said "Pray as you have seen me pray" (sorry, I dont have a volume and # reference for this, it has just been referenced to me).

My question is simply; how do we know that the blessed prophet (pbuh) did not mean "pray as you have seen me pray - in your native language". I mean the quote stops after "as you have seen me pray" and gives no further explanation of exactly what he meant by that phrase. If the prophet (pbuh) MEANT in arabic would he not have added that to his reply, thus making it "pray as you have seen me pray - in arabic"?

Not trying to be difficult at all so please forgive me - I am just naturally suspicious of anything that appears to me could have been a man-made addition to a pure religion and this looks like it could be one of those things to me.

Brother I recommend a very authentic site that you can submit your questions to:

Ask imam Website

Academic questions on Qur'aan and Hadith have to be directed to the learned scholars who have studied them in detail . Please do submit this and any other questions you have to this website, I have faith that you will benefit tremendously insha Allah (God Willing)

I have not read previous replies in depth.A comment that I have - the majority of the prayer is Qur'aanic text (in Arabic)...

What is beautiful about Allah setting one language for the Salaah (Prayer) is that a Muslim can be of any nationality , speaking any language on earth - to an extent that he can not even understand a word of the language of the place ( an American in Japan who does not understand Japanese for instance)...but yet the American can lead the prayer in Japan...the moment he becomes the Imam (Leader in Prayer) and says 'Allahu Akbar' (Allah is the Greatest) and raises his hands to signify the beginning of the Salaah , the entire congregation behind him knows that the Salaah has begun and they too raise their hands and begin their Salaah...

The moment he says 'Allahu Akbar' again they know that it is time to bow down to their Lord...and so on.

An excellent example is in the Holy Lands of Makkah and Madina - a congregation of 3 million at times yet it doesn't matter! Allahu Akbar! All from the entire world follow the same Imam and all perform their salaah easily , Alhumdulillah (Praise be to Allah)...Allah has indeed been merciful to us by setting a unified standard for us in Salaah.I can't fathom the confusion otherwise.

On another note...Prayer is not only restricted to offering the five daily prayers. We also have a direct communication with Allah at any time through Dua (supplication) be it supplication with words and hands raised or with the heart...Allah is the knower of all things.

Our Beloved prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has stated (something to the effect) that Dua is the essence of worship.

We can supplicate to Allah for our every need in whatever language we choose. And by the way Allah loves us to turn to Him and supplicate to Him in our EVERY matter big or small in all times Happy or sad - so much so that He becomes angry if we do not ask of Him. Imagine! He wants us to turn to Him for our every need and He is Willing and happy to accept our prayer . He does not become annoyed with us He is WAITING for us to turn to Him at ANY time. While I am on the topic (and sorry for veering off a little) Allah answers our supplications in 3 ways:

1)He gives us what we want in this world

2)He averts a difficulty that was to befall us

3)He gives us rewards in the Hereafter

NoNameAtAll I pray that Allah grants you the Best of Both worlds.Ameen

[Kareem]

salat, the ritual prayer can only be offered in arabic. you dont have to actually learn arabic for this, just memorize what is said in prayer and memorize what it means.

supplication can be done in any language.

[azba]

can ppl help me ere iz dere a website or sumet lyk dat.... dat can help me to find the meaning of u say when u pray plz

[Kareem]

can ppl help me ere iz dere a website or sumet lyk dat.... dat can help me to find the meaning of u say when u pray plz

http://islamonline.net/english/intro...ticle04b.shtml

[Muslimsister]

Thread was split, the other part is found here:

http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11874

[basidd1]

Another very important reason is to preserve the sanctity of the Qur'an and its subtle nuances, which must be kept in Arabic to do so. To rely solely on the Qur'an in translation is to dilute and possibly even lose its meaning. It is to ensure that the Qur'an remains pure.