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Originally Posted by SwiftSword  I am hoping to become a Muslim one day, inshAllah, but there is something that has been concerning me for a while.
My Arabic is extremely weak and I'm having difficulty learning the prayers. Of course it should be no trouble for me to learn the prayers after a while. My issue is that when I recite the prayers that I do know in Arabic, I feel as though all I'm really doing is reciting, without fully understanding what I'm saying, whereas when I say the prayers in English, I'm fully aware of what the prayers mean. |
Yes, I know what you mean. I recite in Arabic, but I think in English terms. That means that I basically learn both.
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I suppose my question is simply, can a Muslim pray in English, or is it necessary to learn all the prayers in Arabic to become a Muslim?
I'm prepared to do this if it's necessary, but I feel that I should know what I'm saying to God in my prayers.
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I encourage you to learn the Arabic for Al-Fatiha in stages, reciting what you know and building on it as you can.
You may find this website helpful in learning the Salah.
http://www.muttaqun.com/salahframes.html
I would not hesitate to say the Shahada until you know your prayers. One never knows when he will die and it is definitely better to testify as to the Oneness of Allah (swt) and the Messengership of Muhammad (saaws) before one dies. This is the single most important act in one's life followed by the 5 daily Salah.