Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Can we pray namaaz in gujrati instead of Arabic not transliteration but reciting the meaning in gujrati.?

Can we pray namaaz surahs by looking in the book or must be always learnt by heart?

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Answer:

Can we pray namaaz in Gujrati?

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and who-ever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your question: Can we pray namaaz in gujrati instead of Arabic not transliteration but reciting the meaning in gujrati.?

We are commanded by Allah in the Holy Quran to follow the example of the Messenger of Allah (saws).

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzab verse 21: There is indeed the best model for you to follow, in the Messenger of Allah, for every such person looks forward to Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisa verse 79-80: We have sent you (O Mohamed) as a Messenger to mankind, and Allah’s witness suffices for this. Whoever obeys the Messenger, in fact obeys Allah, and whoever turns away from him, he will be accountable for his deeds. Anyhow, we have not sent you (O Mohamed) to be a guardian over them.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imran verse 31-32: Prophet, tell the people, “If you sincerely love Allah, follow me. Then Allah will love you and forgive you your sins, for He is All Forgiving, All Merciful.” Also say to them, “Obey Allah and His Messenger.” And if, in spite of this, they do not accept your invitation, warn them that Allah does not love those, who refuse to obey Him and His Messenger.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) taught the believers how to offer ‘salaah’, and he (saws), his companions and all the believers offerred the salaat in the exact prescribed way as taught by the Messenger of Allah (saws). Thus, it becomes imperitive that the salaat must be prayed in Arabic as was the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws).

The Prophet (saws) said that the salaah is a but a prayer, a slave of Allah makes to his Lord and Creator at the prescribed times. Thus for a person who does not understand Arabic, it would be more useful and beneficial if he understood the meanings of the prayers, so that he can pray with ‘khushoo’ or sincerity. Although, the actual prayers cannot be prayed in Gujrati or in any other language, it would definitely be more beneficial to the person who understood the meanings of the prayers, in the language that he speaks and understands.

Your comment: Can we pray namaaz surahs by looking in the book or must be always learnt by heart?

All the scholars of Islam are unanimous in their opinion, that none of the five obligatory or ‘fard’ prayers can be prayed by looking in the book. These must be prayed by memorization.

But for any ‘nafl’ or non-obligatory prayers, most scholars are of the opinion that there is no harm in looking in the book and praying the salaah.

And Allah Alone Knows Best, And He is the Only Source of Strength.

May Allah guide you and us all to the Straight Path of Islam.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan