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:

assalamoalikum
i am currently a christian, but my intention is to convert to Islam, but i dont know any Arabic, is it possible to convrert to Islam without knowing Arabic, as i know that you have to pray in Arabic and read the Qu`ran in Arabic, do i need to learn it before i can convert? i have heard that i can pray in English and learn Arabic as i go, but i know that it will take me quite a while to learn it, so could you please help me, and is there any websites where i can go on, to learn Arabic?

thank you

Allah hafiz 

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Answer:

Christian revert Arabic

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever 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: is it possible to convrert to Islam without knowing Arabic,

Beloved Sister, knowing the Arabic language is definitely not a condition to become a muslim. The conditions of becoming a muslim are:

1. Believe in the Absolute Oneness of The Lord Creator, Allah Subhanah.
2. To believe in ALL the appointed Messengers of Allah Subhanah.
3. To believe in ALL the Revealed Books of Allah Subhanah.
4. To believe in ALL the Angels of Allah Subhanah.
5. To believe in the concept of the Hereafter.
6. To believe in the Divine Decrees of Allah Subhanah.

It is absolutely possible for one who believes in all the above six conditions to revert to Islam without knowing even a single word of the Arabic language. The truth sister is that the absolute majority of the muslims (almost 85%) today do not speak or understand the Arabic language; for the approved way of life ‘Al-Islam’ was never meant to be for a particular tribe or community, but it was for all of mankind.

Your Question: as i know that you have to pray in Arabic and read the Qu`ran in Arabic, do i need to learn it before i can convert?

One need not learn to pray in Arabic or learn to recite the Glorious Quran in Arabic before one reverts to Al-Islam; one should always first and foremost believe in the above listed six conditions of belief and accept Islam…..and then learn and memorize the few simple oft-repeated phrases which constitute the prayer.

Although the real beauty and the full meaning of every verse of the Glorious Quran can only be appreciated in the language it was revealed, one can easily comprehend the dictates of the deen by reading the translation of the Glorious Quran in a language they understand best.

Your Question: i have heard that i can pray in English and learn Arabic as i go, but i know that it will take me quite a while to learn it, so could you please help me, and is there any websites where i can go on, to learn Arabic?

Dear and Beloved Sister, the prayer in Islam is something that unites the believers, regardless of what nationality, color, creed or language they may belong to; thus it is always best to offer the prayers in the Arabic language.

One needs to memorize only a handful of verses in Arabic which constitute the prayer, and listed below is the transliteration of a few short Surahs, the supplications, and the phrases of praise and glorification of the Lord which form the Islamic rite of prayer.

Surah 1 Al-Fatihah (obligatory recitation in every rakah of prayer)

1 Bismilla_hir rahma_nir rahim.

2 Alhamdu lilla_hi rabbil 'a_lamin.

3 Ar rahma_nir rahim.

4 Ma_liki yaumid din.

5 Iyya_ka na'budu wa iyya_ka nasta'in.

6 Ihdinas siratal mustaqim.

7 Sira_tal lazina an'amta 'alaihim gairil magdu_bi 'alaihim walad da_llin.

Surah 103 Al-Asr (one of the shortest Surahs of the Quran for voluntary recitation)

1 Wal asr

2 In nal insa_na lafi khusr

3 Il lal ladzina a_ma_nu_ wa amilus sa_liha_ti wa tawasau bil haq qi wa tawa_sau bis sabr

Surah 108 Al-Kauthar (one of the shortest Surahs for voluntary recitation)

1 In na_ ataina_kal kautsar

2 Fasal li lirab bika wanhar

3 In na sha_ni aka huwal abtar

If you could try to secure to memory the above few short Surahs of the Quran and learn the few phrases of praise and glorification of the Lord and the few supplications which are listed below which should not take you more than a day or two, you would be well on your way to establish prayer, Insha Allah.

1. INTENTION AND TAKBIR

To make intention in your heart regarding the prayer you are about to make. Then raise your hands to your ears and say “Allah o Akbar” meaning Allah is the Greatest, signaling the start of Prayer.

2. QIYAM or Standing

Pray the Surah Al Fateha and any other aayahs from the Quran.

3. RUKU or bowing

The Prophet (saws) used to say: “Subhan Allah il Adheem” meaning Glory be to Allah, the Most Great 3 times or more (but preferably in odd number formations, 3,5,7,9….)

4. STANDING UP FROM RUKU

The Prophet (saws) used to say: “Sameh Allah ho Leman Hameda” meaning Allah listen to the one who is grateful (for the bounties received by Allah).

In reply the noble companions in the congregation used to say: “Rabbana lakal hamd” meaning O our Lord, we are grateful to you.

5. SAJDAH (Prostration)

The Prophet (saws) used to pray: “Subhana Rabb eil A’ala” meaning Glory be to Allah, the Most High. (3 times or more in odd number formation 3,5,7,9…)

6. SITTING BETWEEN TWO SAJDAHS

(This can be used to invoke any prayer to Allah.)

At times the Prophet (saws) used to make this supplication: ‘Allah hum mag firli wale waale dayya, wal lil mu’minina, wal mu’minate, wal muslemeena, wal muslemaate, hayy min hum wala hum amwaat.’

O Allah, forgive me, my parents, the true believing men, the true believing women, the believing men, the believing women, whether alive from amongst them, or those that have died. (We beg You to forgive them all)

7. TASHAHUD

At tahiya tu lillahe was salawaato, wat tayyebato lillahe.

Every kind of salutes, all kinds of prayers, and all kinds of good and pure words and things, are for Allah Alone.

As Salaam alieka ya ayyo han nabi o, wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

(Allah told the Prophet(saws) these words on the Night of Mairaaj in His audience): May Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon you, O Prophet (saws)

As Salaam o alayna wa a’la ibaa dallah hiss saleheen.

(The Prophet(saws) replied, as Allah Himself is the source of All Peace, and the Prophet (saws) could not possibly send Peace upon Allah): May Peace be upon me (saws), and the good, obedient or pious slaves of Allah.

Ash hado ann laa ilaha illahlah, wahdahu, laa sharika lahuu,

(The Prophet(saws) said to Allah in audience): I bear witness that there is no god, except Allah, Alone, He has no partners.

Wa ash hado anna Mohamed dan abdullahi wa Rasul Allah.

(And Allah replied): And I bear witness that (you, O) Mohamed, are the slave and Messenger of Allah

Allah humma salle a’la Mohamed din wa aa’le Mohamed, kama sallayta a’la Ibrahim wa ala aa’le Ibrahim

May Allah’s blessings be upon Mohamed (saws), and his ummah (or family or both), just like the blessing of Allah on Ibrahim and his ummah (or family or both)

Innaka Hameed un Majeed

For You are the All-Praiseworthy, the Glorious One.

Allah humma barik a’la Mohamed din wa aa’le Mohamed, kama barakta a’la Ibrahim wa ala aa’le Ibrahim

May Allah’s baraka be upon Mohamed (saws) and his ummah (or family or both) just like the baraka of Allah on Ibrahim and his ummah (or family or both)

Innaka Hameed un Majeed.

For You are the All-Praiseworthy, the Glorious One.

(Any Invocation to Allah)

Allah hum mag firli wale waaledayya war hum homa kama rabba yani saghira

O Allah, forgive me, and my parents, and have mercy upon them both, just as they had mercy on me when I was an infant.

8. TASLEEM to signal the end of prayer.

After completion of the ‘tashahud’, the Prophet (saws) would end his prayer by first turning his face towards his right and then left by saying: ‘As Salaam-o-alaykum wa Rahmatullah’ meaning ‘May Peace be upon you and the Mercy of Allah’.

The above is a short and concise description of the prayers as prayed by the Messenger of Allah (saws). Any believer whom you know could easily teach you the exact rites of prayer and its obligations, Insha Allah.

Beloved Sister, if we could be of any further help in your this noble intention of reverting to Islam, we would consider it an honor and deem ourselves fortunate to be given an opportunity to serve in the Cause of the Lord Most High.

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

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan