Fatwa ID: 21997
Title: The ruling on performing prayers in English
Category: Prayer
Scholar: AMJA Resident Fatwa Committee
Date: 10/14/2012

Question
It is hard for me to learn how to perform prayers in Arabic, so is it permissible to pray using English language until I learn Arabic? Or is it permissible to stop praying altogether until I learn Arabic?

Answer

Obligatory prayers are never dropped at any how. The commandment obliged however, is connected to the extent of one`s ability to abide by them. Allah has said, {no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear} and the Prophet (P.B.U.H) said, {when I order you to do something, then do as much of it as you can}.

A Muslim has to fear Allah as he/she can, and realize that the orders of Allah are to be followed within the limit of his/her ability and endurance. Therefore, there is no wrong with performing your prayers temporarily in the languages you know well.

 Otherwise, you shall be limited to glorify Allah, praise Him, magnify Him and proclaim His Oneness, provided that you should learn in Arabic language what makes your prayer valid and correct; namely to learn in Arabic at least Al-Takbir (Saying, "Allah Akbar" [Allah is the Greatest]), reciting al-Fatiha (the opening) and Tashahhud. And that is easy insha`a Allah. However it is not permissible to give up praying because of the language or any other reason. Allah the Almighty knows best.