Reading Quran in English / urdu during Ramzan

Society Religion & Philosophy
1

Salam, Every year in ramzan I try to read the whole Quran. In past its always been in arabic. However, I don’t understand a word that I read. I am not saying that in a negative way. This year I am thinking of doing that in english or urdu. I thought of this since I learned meaning of Ayats in namaz. I think my namaz has much more effect on me now because I kind of understand what I am reciting.
However, I have been told “NO” you have to read Quran in Arabic only to achieve the purpose? Is anyone aware of any Ayats or Hadis that states this?

Thanks

2

Roshnie,

That's exactly the way I feel too. I don't have any scholarly advice to offer but would quickly like to make a point.

Ask the people who have said "NO", what is the purpose of the Quran? and how can you achieve the purpose without understanding what you are reading. I realize that some of the meaning is lost or not conveyed during translations but u get so much more of the message than not understanding anything.

Did you ever notice that everything in Islam has a reason and so it all makes sense. In the past I too, only knew the arabic w/o understanding the meaning so Islam was like going through mechanical motions without true meaning. What's the use of doing everything it says without understanding it? Learning the meaning of some surahs and everything done in Salah has given a meaning to me. Isn't the point of Islam, Taqwah ( Awarness of Allah subhana watala). Without the meaning, the words didn't mean that much to me. When I know the meaning I'm able to connect with Allah and truly appreciate him. So from my personal experience I agree with you. And to me, it makes more sense to read the Quran in English so that I can know the message that Allah has sent down to us. Even if i read the quran day & night a 100 times, I'm not going to understand the message right now, until I gain the quranic Arabic language skills.

So here's my 2 c.

3

u can read the tranlsation of the Quran in other languages to understand it....
but its recitation in Arabic adds to ur good deeds....

also u r not allowed to read the Quran in any other language except Arabic when u pray....
all ur prayers (salaat) MUST be in Arabic....
u cannot read the translation during the prayers....

it is a very good deed, however, to learn the meaning of the Quran but u must not forget the benefits of the recitation of the Holy Quran in in its original Arabic recital....

4

[quote]
Originally posted by armughal:
**but its recitation in Arabic adds to ur good deeds....

[/quote]
**

Can you please cite a valid source?

[quote]
**
all ur prayers (salaat) MUST be in Arabic....
u cannot read the translation during the prayers....

[/quote]
**

Good point, I'm glad u brought that up. We wouldn't want someone to mistaken that its ok to perform Salah in any other language.

[quote]
**
it is a very good deed, however, to learn the meaning of the Quran but u must not forget the benefits of the recitation of the Holy Quran in in its original Arabic recital....**
[/quote]

by benefits, are you talking solely about sawab or others? If so, please list the benefits.

5

Well, I am an Arab, I do read the Quran in Arabic but I don’t understand some of the words also, I mean since the Quranic Arabic is more formal and all, but I still read it in Arabic and read the meaning in English. But it is very sweet to read it in Arabic, even though you might not understand it, it still touches your heart.

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/flower1.gif

Wa Salam

6

The arabic being receited touches my heart when I have a general sense of what is being said. I think it touches your heart, majestic, b/c you’re able to get a general idea of what the quranic arabic is saying.

7

I don't understand if you are saying that Namaz should be read in English/Urdu or just Quran.

Namaz should be read in Arabic but there is no problem if you want to understand Quran in English or Urdu.

Remember, translations are only the closest meaning and according to Hazrat Aisha (ra) Prophet (pbuh) is the best translation of Quran. Hence, Prophet (pbuh) sunnah should be taken into account for understanding the ayats. An example of Quranic translation is this ayat which talks about wife beating and non-muslims normally object to that. Even some scholars when they translate this ayat they put "in a light manner" in brackets after the word beat. It seems that they are embarass of the word beat (idhrib in Arabic). Famous scholars have not put any such thing in the brackets coz they know that since the best translation of Quran is prophet (pbuh) life and in his life he never beat any of his wife so this word "idhrib" is not a literal meaning beating. Some people claim that prophet's (pbuh) wives were different from other women then we see in Quran which says that Prophet (pbuh) wives acted like normal women and sometime conspired against each other but even then prophet (pbuh) never used any violence so the translation of this ayat doesn't mean you can just start beating your wife. Now, if u read a direct translation then it is good coz u r trying to understand but it's better if you take every possible authentic thing into account before being convinced that it is the right translation.

I don't know if I have confused u but in brief you should try to recite Quran (in Arabic) and you get more reward when you try to understand it but shouldn't try to read your namaz in English/Urdu.

[This message has been edited by khan_sahib (edited November 16, 2001).]

8

Thank you all for your responses.

I am sorry that I was not clear about namaz. I never meant to offer namaz in any other language but Arabic. All I meant was that now when I offer namaz I know the meaning as I am sayng it in Arabic. It has made a huge difference for me.

And Yasmine has described my feelings exactly. Islam is a based on reason and if one understands what they are reading, adds much more meaning to it.

I no longer want to rely on Mullahs and mulvis to find out the meaning of Quran.
Well this year I have decided to read whole Quran in English to get a better undestanding because when people ask me questions, I go numb. I want to understand the Quran rather than just read it for the sake of sawab. I think that in present day and time its very important to understand and be able to clearify and defend (if needed) and not just talk without reasoning.

As far as sawab is concerned, its between me and God as it is Haqooq ul Allah and He is very Rehman ur Raheem.

Thanks for the replies. Appreciate it much.

9

If you don’t understand what you read, what’s the purpose of it to begin with? Nimaz/Quran should be read in the language that one understands.

10

[quote]
Originally posted by NYAhmadi:
If you don’t understand what you read, what’s the purpose of it to begin with? Nimaz/Quran should be read in the language that one understands.
[/quote]

Very incorrect answer. I am surprised at a post which is based purely on conjecture and personal impressions rather than on knowledge.

My simple question to those who feel that the Qur'an can be read in some other language only. Can you get the same benefit out of a translation in Urdu of Shakespear or in English of Iqbal? The beauty lies in the original language and no matter how good the translation. The translator cannot translate perfectly. Each language has its own words and perspectives. As one of the Arabic speakers has written, the language of the Qur'an is not the Arabic of today. Does that justify the conversion to current version. I am sure you will agree that the answer is a big NO.

Thus when you want to read the Qur'an for the sake of getting sawab, you must read it in its pure form. When you want to understand it, you may read it in any language. But even here it is preferable to read an ayat in its original form and then read its meaning and tafseer.

Insha Allah, Allah will give you the ajr for your efforts.

11

Can you get the same benefit out of a translation in Urdu of Shakespear or in English of Iqbal?<<<

There’s your answer Factfinder. If you believe that the non-native speakers draw little benefit from translations, you can imagine what kind of difficulty they must face if reading in something that is completely foreign to them. I am sure, if all the so-called keepers of the faith got together, they can come up with acceptable translations. The fact is that Mullahs of Saudi Arabia are the strongest opponents of any such effort. There was a movement in North Africa where Berbers wanted Quran to be read in Berber, but it was suppressed by force and by objections from the Saudi Arabian and Egyptian scholars. It is nothing but Imperialism that has kept this great book from being understood in the languages that people understand.

FYI Factfinder, if something is not confined to your standards, it is not necessarily "incorrect".

12

You miss the point. The Qur'an was revealed in Arabic and must be read in Arabic. It must remain in the same language to remain universal. It must also remain in that language to fulfill the guarantee to remain in-tact till the Day of Judgement.

Demands to change it have to be firmly met so that we do not have hundreds of versions like the bible. Translations are not interpretations per se, but they are renditions in the language of the translator. That would be against the spirit of the Divine text.

13

How many millions out of One Billion followers of Islam understand Arabic? More Muslims speak Bengali than Arabic (about 25 time more). There is nothing in Quran that says that it can not be read in other languages. It was revealed in Arabic because Prophet Mohammad, may blessing and peace be upon him, spoke Arabic. Torah and Ingeel were reveled in Hebrew. Quran was meant to be revealed to the entire humankind, and it is not important if it was revealed in Arabic or Pashtoo. If you keep it out of understanding reach of millions upon millions of Muslims, it defeats the purpose. If a bunch of Mullahs cannot agree upon the “correct” translation of the Book, they don’t deserve to be in a position of spiritual dominance. They should instead sell Pakooras in Ramazan.

14

never thought there’ll be a day.. but I agree

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/hehe.gif

15

Indeed. Cannot agree more

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif

Factfinder: I never said that I would start reading Quran in English only. You know why problems are arising in our society because we the common public don’t understand a word of arabic and believe in whatever is told to us. Have you seen any or most mullahs emphasizing the fact that you must read the meaning. Instead in khutbas all they do is to talk about hell and hoors!
God is very generous- not so zalim as potrayed by the mullahs. And to find that out you got to read the meaning. And I agree we get sawab if we do it in arabic but is there again any reference that sawab will be less if Quran is read in any other language for the sake of understanding it?
Factfinder you called this post based on personal impression etc, but where is your fact? You are again giving me suni-sunai bateen.

Thanks

16

I'm in total agreement with what FactFinder has said, wa JazaahuAllaah khairun.

Some have obviously not understood FactFinder correctly. The brother did not say that we are not permitted to read the translation of the Qur'aan, but rather, the weight and importance of the Arabic language in the context of the Qur'aan, can in no way be substituted for another language. As he pointed out, by all means we can turn to a translation of the Qur'aan to understand it's message for those of us who are not familiar with the language, but we must be careful not to give this precedence of the original Arabic revelation.

We need to understand two things. Firstly, as we know the Companions of the Prophet - salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam - came from sevral lands and varying ethnic races and languages, many of whom could not speak Arabic, let alone understand it. For example Salmaan Al-Faarisee (Persian) and Suhayb Ar-Roomi (Roman). And when they, and other non-Arabs, embraced Islaam, they did not revert to translantions of the Qur'aan in their mother tongues, but rather learned the language of the Qur'aan in its orginal form. If you look at the biographies of the companions, there was not a single companion that could not speak Arabic before accepting Islaam, who after accepting it failed to learn the language. This alone shows the importance of the beautiful language and why we should strive to learn it. However, perhaps many of us cannot due to personal situations and circumstances. Nevertheless, we should make it a priority to teach our children, and help them benefit from what we could not.

Secondly, another reason for reading the Qur'aan in Arabic, is that clearly there is more reward for it as FactFinder and some others have stated. The Messenger of Allaah - salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam - said:"Whoever reads a harf (letter) from the Book of Allaah, there is reward for him. And each reward is multiplied by 10 times, for example, i am not saying that alif-laam-meem is one letter, but 'alif' is one letter and 'laam' is one letter and 'meem' is one letter."

Therefore we should make a special effort to recite the Qur'aan in Arabic as often as we can, just as we can only recite the Salaah (namaaz) in Arabic. Hoever, in the case of reciting the Qur'aan, that is not to say, we must not turn to translations to understand the text. But rather, we may need to refer to the translation of the Book to benefit from the Words of Allaah. Otherwise we may not feel the full impact in our hearts.

[quote]
Originally posted by NYAhmadi

If a bunch of Mullahs cannot agree upon the “correct” translation of the Book, they don’t deserve to be in a position of spiritual dominance. They should instead sell Pakooras in Ramazan.
[/quote]

It's easy to take cheap shots at mullahs, especially if one himself is so ignorant.

"No leaf falls except that he knows of it, and no rain drop forms except that He has willed it."

[This message has been edited by Hasnain (edited November 20, 2001).]

17

It's easy to take cheap shots at mullahs, especially if one himself is so ignorant.<<<

I think, the alternative thinking hurts. The companions of Prophet Mohammad lived some 1400 years ago, at the dawn of any movement, translations do not exist, and only when a movement is caught up worldwide then their prevalence is deemed important. If my views seem ignorant to you, do you think that your’s seem any different to me? Really! If you don’t have any logical explanation other than getting Sawab, it is better to duck and not open your licentious mouth. Salam.

While you are at it, can you quote some Ayas from Quran where it is said that it must be read in Arabic? Since Prophet Mohammad did not read Arabic, do you think that he would have objected to anyone reading it in the language they understood? These are 2 question. Take a shot at both.

18

[quote]
The companions of Prophet Mohammad lived some 1400 years ago, at the dawn of any movement, translations do not exist, and only when a movement is caught up worldwide then their prevalence is deemed important.
[/quote]

You obviously missed my point. These companions (may Allaah be pleased with them all) made an effort to learn the Arabic language, rather than even rely on one verse in their own languages. At the time there were numerous parchments of the Qur'aan translated (as well as in Arabic)sent to the leaders of various nations inviting them to Islaam. Also, even when these earlier Companions became learned in Arabic, they did not start translating the Qur'aan for the benefit of the newer Muslims from their tribes and homelands, but encouraged them and made efforts to teach them the Arabic language. And this is well known during the years of the expanding Islamic Empire.

[quote]
If my views seem ignorant to you, do you think that your’s seem any different to me?
[/quote]

Of course it will not. I thought that would have been obvious. For the simple reason, that your arrogance prevents you from accepting the truth when it comes to you. Your desires have taken a hold of your ability to think three dimensionally and you are being led by your whim. But please don't worry, i've seen people in your state before. Some of them have even made it through.

[quote]
If you don’t have any logical explanation other than getting Sawab,...
[/quote]

I can see you're not interested in good deeds at all, but you'll find that many of us Muslims try to accumulate sawab, which is the 'name of the game', as you've clearly failed to notice. You seem to brush away the idea of good deeds and earning its rewards, as though it doesn't matter at all, holds no significance.

[quote]
...it is better to duck and not open your licentious mouth. Salam.
[/quote]

My my, quite the emotional chap aren't you?
What's the matter? Can't stand the heat? Then you know whet to do ....
You really ought to get a hold of your emotions. It's not doing you any favours to say the least. It's actually hindering your ability to reason.

[quote]
While you are at it, can you quote some Ayas from Quran where it is said that it must be read in Arabic?
[/quote]

Alif-laam-meem [Soorah Al-Baqarah 2:1]
Alif-laam-meem-saad [Soorah Al-A'raf 7:1]
Alif-laam-raa [Soorah Yousuf 1:12]
Alif-laam-meem-raa [Soorah Ar-Ra'ad: 13:1]
Yaa-seen [Soorah Yaseen 36:1]

These are just some of the proofs, according to one of the scholarly opinions. But i won't go into the explanation behind it in depth, as you don't seem to be genuine in wanting to establish the evidence. And i really don't wish to waste my breath.

[quote]
Since Prophet Mohammad did not read Arabic, do you think that he would have objected to anyone reading it in the language they understood? These are 2 question. Take a shot at both.

[/quote]

Firstly, the Prophet - salallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam - may have initially been unlettered, but he was not illiterate. Secondly, you're really not clued up at all as to what is being discussed here are you? No one has said, that Qur'aan cannot be read in a translated language if it suggests to understand its meaning for non-Arabic speakers. What has been said, is that it cannot take precedence of the original text.

Anyway, i have nothing more to say to you in this topic, except that do not allow your emotions and desires to cloud your thoughts. It may lead to people taking advantage of your lack of tolerance and understanding.

"No leaf falls except that He knows of it, and no rain drop forms except that He has willed it."

[This message has been edited by Hasnain (edited November 20, 2001).]

19

Husnain, are you saying that everyone who has posted above is emotional (not psychopath like you) in agreeing that Quran should be read in the language that makes sense to them? No need to psychoanalyze (like Mullahs have made a business of doing) people. Just make your case when you are out of the hole. Really.

Your argument is like that TV programs should all be broadcasted in English since thet technology was developed in the USA. And my questions were really very simple and straightforward, I thought you might be able to answer at least one of them. Well, may be some other time.

20

salam to all.

Reciting Quran in Arabic in salaat is a different issue than reading Quran when not saying salaat.

If there is a hadeeth of "alif laam meem" and reward being multiplied by 10 times.... there are other ahadeeth of learning whats in the Quran. Reciting Quran in Arabic will bring 'sawab' benefits for you, but if you read Quran and understand it will be very useful too.

Its very obvious these days that general public is unaware of Quranic teachings thus leaving them to beleive whatever molvis tell them to beleive, why? because people considered the sawab in 'reciting only'.

Learning Arabic for understanding Quran is much more beneficial than reading a translation of Quran. There are plenty of words which do not have "exact" translation in English. If you can't learn Arabic, then DO NOT depend on only one translation to pickup a beleif/command.

It is preferred that we learn Arabic for understanding Quran.