Can I Perform My Obligatory Prayers in My Own Language Rather Than Arabic? – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question

Can I perform my obligatory prayers in my own language instead of Arabic?

Answer

The desire to connect with Allah is commendable. However, the obligatory prayer (salah) must be performed in Arabic as taught by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

The Prophet said: “Pray as you have seen me pray.” [Bukhari]

The essential acts of prayer—especially Quran recitation—must be in Arabic.

Allah Most High says: “Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book…” [Quran, 29:45]

And: “Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran.” [Quran, 12:2]

Since the Quran’s language is inseparable from its revealed form, the prayer must remain in Arabic.

What Should You Do?

Learn the meanings of what you recite in prayer.

Reflect on the significance of phrases like Allahu Akbar and SubhanAllah.

Study the meanings of Surat al-Fatiha and the short suras you regularly recite.

Before prayer, take a moment to reflect—so your heart aligns with the words you’re reciting.

This approach allows for a heartfelt connection while preserving the prophetic way of prayer.

Resources

Prayer Reader: The Ultimate Guide to Prayer in Islam- https://seekersguidance.org/articles/…
The Best Chapter of the Quran- https://academy.seekersguidance.org/c…

[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani, a distinguished scholar in the Islamic sciences, is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance. He studied under renowned scholars globally for ten years, beginning in Damascus and continuing in Amman, Jordan. Notable mentors include Shaykh Adib al-Kallas and Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi. After completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007 and established SeekersGuidance, dedicated to spreading reliable, relevant, and inspiring Islamic knowledge online and on the ground.