Do I HAVE to read Surah al-Kahf in “ARABIC”? Can I just read the translation only, if I’m slow in reading Arabic and I don’t understand it?

by Asma bint Shameem

ANSWER

In order to achieve the rewards of the recitation of the Qur’aan, that must be done in the language that the Qur’aan was revealed in. 

🍃 Allaah says:

“And thus We have revealed to you (O Muhammad) a Qur’aan in ARABIC that you may warn the Mother of the Towns (Makkah) and all around it, and warn (them) of the Day of Assembling of which there is no doubt, when a party will be in Paradise (those who believed in Allaah and followed what Allaah’s Messenger brought them) and a party in the blazing Fire (Hell) (those who disbelieved in Allaah and followed not what Allaah’s Messenger brought them)”

[al-Shoora 42:9]

No doubt that reading the translation of the Qur’aan to understand its meaning and reflecting on it, is rewarding, and an essential thing to do especially for those of us who do not understand Arabic. 

However, the reward that’s associated with reading the Qur’aan comes only from reading the Arabic. 

🍃 Allaah said,

‎إِنَّآ أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ قُرۡءَٲنًا عَرَبِيًّ۬ا لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ

“Verily, We have sent it down as an ARABIC Qur’aan in order that you may understand.” (Surah Yusuf: 2)

🍃 Ibn Katheer said in his Tafseer of this aayah:

“The Arabic language is the most eloquent, plain, deep and expressive of the meanings that might arise in one’s mind. Therefore, the most honorable Book was revealed in the most honorable language, to the most honorable Prophet and Messenger ﷺ, delivered by the most honorable angel, in the most honorable land on earth, and its revelation started during the most honorable month of the year, Ramadhaan. Therefore, the Qur’aan is perfect in every respect.”

(Tafseer Ibn Katheer, Surah Yusuf: 2)

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said: 

“Whoever recites a ‘harf’ of the Book of Allaah will have one hasanah for it, and each hasanah brings a tenfold reward. 

I do not say that Alif-Laam-Meem is a harf; rather alif is a harf, laam is a harf and meem is a harf.”

(at-Tirmidhi 2910; saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Sunan at-Tirmidhi).

So here the Prophet ﷺ is telling us that the reward comes from reading each harf in the ARABIC language.

🍃 Shaikh Ibn Baaz said:

“The writing and recitation that brings reward for the one who recites a letter of the Book of Allaah only refers to the one who writes it and reads it in Arabic, as Allaah revealed it.”

🍃 And he said:

“Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, revealed His Noble Book in the Arabic language. 

It is an Arabic Qur’aan; so it is not permissible that it be read in other than the Arabic language. 

Its meanings are only to be translated to other languages for the purpose of understanding the meanings and teaching the meanings so that the people who speak languages other than Arabic may know the meanings of the Speech of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic; and in order that they may benefit from the rulings of His Book, Glorified and Exalted be He. 

However, it is upon them to learn the words of the Qur’aan so that they may recite it in the prayer and outside the prayer in the Arabic language. 

Its Tafseer is only to be translated; its meaning is the Tafseer. 

Meaning, clarify to the one who does not know Arabic the meaning of: 

‎اللّهُ لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ

Allaah; none has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists.(Al-Baqarah 2:255)

And the meaning of:

‎حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةُ وَالْدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ الْخِنْزِيرِ

“Forbidden to you (for food) are: Al-Maytah (the dead animals - cattle-beast not slaughtered), blood, the flesh of swine” (Al-Ma'idah 5:3)

And so on; 

Clarify to them the meanings and the legislative rulings so that they may understand them in their language; and that language is not (considered to be) the Qur’aan. 

It is only the explanation of the Qur’aan and a translation. 

The Qur’aan is only that which is recited in the Arabic language, as Allaah, the Glorified and High, has sent it down. 

The scholars who know other languages may translate its meanings for their Muslim brothers in order that they may understand it. 

Similarly, (they may do so) for the non-Muslims for the purpose of calling them to Allaah and clarifying the rulings of Allaah so that the non-Muslim may know the reality of the Qur’aan and what it contains from knowkedge and that may be a reason for his entrance into Islaam.”

🍃 Imaam ash-Shafi’ee said:

“The language that Allaah favored/chose was ARABIC.

He revealed His glorious Book [The Qur’aan] in this language and He made it to be the language of His final and last prophet, Muhammad ﷺ.

 Therefore, we say: everyone who has the ability to learn this language should do so, because it is the most desired language [one should learn due to the Qur’aan and the Sunnah being revealed in it].” 

(Sharh Iqtidaa as-Siraat al-Mustaqeem pg. 342)

🍃 And Umar bin al-Khattab wrote to Abu Musaa radhi Allaahu anhumaa and said:

“To proceed, learn the Sunnah, learn ARABIC, and learn the Qur’aan in Arabic for surely it is Arabic.”

🍃And he also said:

“Learn the Arabic language for surely it is from your religion, and learn inheritance for surely it is from your religion.”

(Sharh Iqtidaa as-Siraat al-Mustaqeem pg.345)

🔺Advice:

So my advice would be to read Surah al -Kahf in Arabic, even if you don’t understand Arabic and even if you’re slow.

Read one Aayah in Arabic at a time then read the translation to understand what you read. 

Even if you go slow, it doesn’t matter. 

The purpose of sending the Qur’aan from above the seven heavens is to read it, understand it then implement it in our lives. 

Keep in mind the beautiful hadeeth of the Prophet ﷺ:

“The one who is skilled in reciting Qur’aan will be with the noble, honorable scribes and the one who recites Qur’aan and falters therein, and finds it difficult, will have a double reward.”

(al-Bukhaari 4937 and Muslim 798)

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Don't just “READ” Surah al -Kahf every Friday....

🔺UNDERSTAND.

🔺REFLECT.

🔺IMPLEMENT.

And Allaah knows best