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:

Is it absolutely necessary to say these duas in Arabic. If I cannot memorise them all can I say them in English instead? I know it is more beautiful in the Arabic language but is it more effective than in any other language?

Thank you for your time and help. It is always a pleasure visiting your site. May Allah reward you for your work, Amin.

A sister

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Are duas to be said in Arabic only

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.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 186:

And if My servants ask you, O Prophet, concerning Me, tell them that I am quite near to them. I hear and answer the prayer of the suppliant, when he calls on Me. So let them respond to My call and believe in Me. (Convey this to them), perhaps they may be guided aright!

Nu'man b. Bashir reported that the Prophet (saws), said, "Verily! Supplication is worship!"

Narrated by Ahmad and Sunan.

Abu Hurairah reported, "The Prophet (saws) said, "Nothing is more dear to Allah than one's supplication to Him.''

Narrated by Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah.

Salman reported that the Prophet (saws), said, "Your Lord, the Blessed and the Exalted One, is Modest and Generous, and He loathes to turn away His servant empty-handed when he raises his hands to Him in supplication."

Narrated by Ahmad and Ibn Hibban.

Beloved Sister in Islam, our Lord Most High is All-Knowing and All-Hearing, and He is not limited at all by language or any other barrier; He is the One Who Knows our condition and is well aware of even the deepest secrets of our hearts! One may supplicate the Lord in any language on wishes, for the Lord is ever-ready to respond to the supplications of His believing slaves.

Fiqh-us-Sunnah Fiqh 4.112

Ahmad records that Abu Sa'id reported that the Prophet (saws) said, "Any Muslim who makes a supplication containing nothing that is sinful and nothing that involves breaking ties of blood relationships, will be given for it by Allah one of these three things: He may accept his request, or assign its reward for him in the next world, or turn away from him an equivalent amount of evil." Those who heard it said, "We would, then, make many supplications." The Prophet (saws) replied, "Allah is more than ready to answer what you ask!"

If one understands and comprehends what he is beseeching and imploring his Lord, it is obvious that such supplications will hold a greater value in the Presence of their Bounteous Lord; for it is obvious that the implorer will then supplicate with his heart and soul and in all humility and hope rather than just reciting some phrases and chants in a language which he does not understand.

Abdallah b. 'Umar reported that the Prophet (saws) said, "Hearts are like vessels, some more attentive and capacious than others. When you supplicate Allah you should be certain of being answered, and know that Allah does not answer a supplication that comes from a careless and inattentive heart."

Narrated by Ahmad

Your Statement: Thank you for your time and help. It is always a pleasure visiting your site. May Allah reward you for your work, Amin.

May Allah Subhanah reward you with the best of this world and the Hereafter for your kind comments of encouragement for our humble efforts in the propagation of the Truth. If our humble and modest efforts have helped even one brother or sister get closer to Allah and His Deen of Truth, then we would consider ourselves indeed fortunate to have been given this opportunity by the Lord Most Merciful to serve in His Cause. We hope, beg, and pray the Merciful Lord accepts our humble and weak efforts, forgives us our shortcomings, and saves you, us, and all the believers from the torment of the Hell Fire. Ameen.

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