Making Du'a in English

14-1-2002 | IslamWeb

Question:

Our Imam makes supplications in both Arabic and English even though he knows Arabic. Is it accepted for the Imam to make Du'a in English? Also, what about a non-Arabic speaker, is it acceptable to make the Du'a in English at all times?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Supplicating in Arabic language is desirable for everyone whether he is an Imam or somebody else since Allah revealed His Last Sharee’ah in Arabic language. Allah Says (what means): {A Book whose verses have been detailed, an Arabic Qur'an for a people who know.} [Quran 41:3]

However, supplicating in a language other than Arabic is permissible if there is any Islamic purpose such as when the listeners do not understand Arabic language and the Imam intends to make them aware of what he is saying and make them able to respond by saying 'Ameen', etc.

One may supplicate in a language other than Arabic if he lacks command of Arabic language, and no one else is eligible to perform this job. It is also permitted to supplicate in English or any other language.

Therefore, if there is any benefit, one may supplicate in English or any other language whether he is an Imam or not; otherwise it is preferable to supplicate in Arabic because it is the language of the Quran and Islamic Sharee’ah.

Allah Says (what means): {The Trustworthy Spirit has brought it down. Upon your heart, [O Muhammad] - that you may be of the warners. In a clear Arabic language.} [Quran 26:193-195].

At the same time, we would like to draw our Muslim brothers' attention that they should not spare any effort to learn Arabic language and to teach it to their children. In fact, whoever does not know Arabic can not comprehend the full meaning of the Quran and Hadeeth.

For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 90654 and 318661.

Allah knows best.