What is the ruling on supplicating during prayer in a language other than Arabic, especially if the individual does not know Arabic?
Questioner: May Allah reward you. The questioner asks, what is the ruling on supplicating during prayer in a language other than Arabic, especially if the individual does not know Arabic?
Shaikh: Supplicating in a non-Arabic language by someone who does not know Arabic is permissible, whether during prayer or outside of it. This is because such a person, who does not know Arabic, if required to supplicate in Arabic, would be tasked with something beyond their ability, and Allah says: “Allah does not charge a soul except with that within its capacity.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 286)
If someone were to say: “We could teach them.” We respond: Even if you taught them the words without them understanding the meanings, what benefit is there?
In any case, it is permissible for a person to supplicate to Allah in their own language, whether it is Arabic or another language.
As for the Qur’an, it is not permissible for anyone to recite it in any language other than Arabic under any circumstances.
As for prescribed remembrances (Adhkaar), if one is unable to learn them in Arabic, there is no harm in remembering Allah in their own language. However, as you know, for example, the Lafdh-ul-Jalalah (i.e.the term “Allah”) cannot be translated into any other language. If translation is impossible, then one may supplicate in a non-Arabic language.
Thus, there are three categories:
1. What is permissible only in Arabic, which is the Qur’an.
2. What is permissible in both Arabic and other languages for those who do not know Arabic, which is supplication to Allah with non-prescribed phrases.
3. Supplication with prescribed phrases, such as remembrances and the like. We say: If one is capable of using Arabic, it should be in Arabic. If they are unable, then it may be in their language.
End of the answer.
Fatawa Al-Haram Al-Makki 1418.
Saheehus-Seerah 