Welcome Back To Islam - Making salat in English

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More About Making Salat in English & Translations of the Qur'an

Further responses by Abdulkader Stephen Thomas to the questions mentioned in Making Salat in English & Translations of the Qur'an

I read the postings and there is an intermediate solution which is to make salat as often as possible in jaamia'a/congregation (which may be as few as two) so that the primary obligation of recitation is upon the imam. This brings additional ajr (reward). And, it enhances the bonds between believes whilst creating more opportunities to learn at least Al Fatiha and three verses of any sura or a short sura from someone who already knows. No matter how difficult learning Arabic or Quran may seem, the minimum requirement for prayer is not burdensome.

"My question is if you cannot make salat in English, why is it ok to read the Qur'an in english?"

AST: It would be ideal to have the time and ability to learn Arabic and catch the nuances of the Qur'an. But, enough of the meaning is captured in most English renderings of the meaning or through one's dialogue with knowledgable Muslims, that the obligation to read in Arabic is not imposed.

"I understand that the translation from Arabic to English re: the Qur'an is a very difficult thing to do, and thus causes for much confusion... but to me this says that anyone learning Arabic for whatever reason, will never really know the true translation of the Qur'an... as you have to explain the arabic word in English terms!"

AST: The Qur'an describes itself as clear. In the Hadith, our beloved Prophet, upon whom we ask God's blessings and abundant kindness, concurs that the religion is simple. Hence, it is one thing to recognize that one can never appreciate a book in translation, especially the Holy Qur'an, as one can in another language, and very much another thing to allow the differences in interpretation due to translation to cast a veil of mystery over the book, its intentions and guidance.

"Does that make you a different Muslim then, because if you do not know Arabic Qur'an... you really do not know? To me this answer given says that if you just read the Qur'an in Arabic and you do not know arabic you will eventually have religious enlightenment? Granted, my heart swells and I often tear up when I hear a beautifully spoken surrah... but that doesn't mean that I understand it nor ever will, unless I read it in English first!"

AST: There are rewards for seeking the knowledge of the Qur'an whatever the language or means the believer applies; rewards for reading the Qur'an aloud or silently without endeavoring to explain or understand it; and rewards for helping others to understand and apply the Qur'an. The rewards are not scaled by language, but by intention, sincerety, and taqwa.

"I totally agree with the enormous amount of translations leading to variations in what the original text says... hence a lot of my own frustration in what I read and what others tell me is sunnah. I have two different Qur'ans in English, and some parts of them I can read the exact same surrah, etc, and they can mean two totally different things to me. It was written how the translator perceived it to be, and possibly what English word and meaning he thought it best coincided with."

AST: Perhaps the site may propose some brief analyses of the different translations of the meaning of the Qur'an to help people grasp which one might best suited to one's needs and abilities. For instance, in my twenty years as a Muslim who knows some Arabic, I have some very clear ideas about some of the versions, and I am sure that others do too. In sha'Allah, all of us based on sound knowledge and good intentions.

May Allah most merciful guide us to the straight path and keep us on it!

- Abdulkader Thomas, 20 July 2002

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