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hc18
08-28-2017, 04:47 PM
Hello,

I am a 19 year old woman who has been raised by very devout Catholics. However, in the past year, I have been learning about the Muslim faith and have found more solace in reading about it than I ever did in my Catholic faith. However, I speak NO arabic and this is, in a way, putting me off I suppose because I know all prayers are recited in Arabic as well as the Quran being written in arabic (I have begun to read the english translation, however, I know that it doesn't necessarily give the same effect. My two questions for you are:

1) What is some advice you could give me to further my knowledge before I convert? and
2) Does me not knowing Arabic matter in the long run?

Also as another note, I am planning on taking an Arabic course this summer at my college and I have Muslim friends who speak Arabic who have offered to help me practice.

Thank you for your help,
Harley
Reply

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lvrge
08-28-2017, 04:55 PM
Hello Harley

Great to hear that you've been interested in Islam

My personal advice would be to take it slow and easy, if you do decide to convert, your are not expected to learn Arabic and every prayer like in a fortnight, but rather it's a learning curve, where you slowly start to pick up the prayers and get to know some Islamic terms and phrases, and day by day you will definitely get better.

Regarding the 5 pillars of Islam, taking shahadah is in Arabic but is simple, 2nd one is prayers and like I said you will get there slowly by learning. 3/4th are charity and fasting and they don't really require a lot of Arabic as it's just actions, lastly it's Hajj, which again comes after time, when you start to learn how to pray etc.

So my overall advice is not to worry so much on the Arabic language aspect as your intentions and actions are key. You will slowly pick up prayer and with the help of your Muslim friends, you will learn much faster.

Hope I have gave some insight into your query.
May Allah give you Hidayat (guidance) and shower his mercy upon you
Reply

Hamza Asadullah
08-28-2017, 05:35 PM
format_quote Originally Posted by hc18
Hello,

I am a 19 year old woman who has been raised by very devout Catholics. However, in the past year, I have been learning about the Muslim faith and have found more solace in reading about it than I ever did in my Catholic faith. However, I speak NO arabic and this is, in a way, putting me off I suppose because I know all prayers are recited in Arabic as well as the Quran being written in arabic (I have begun to read the english translation, however, I know that it doesn't necessarily give the same effect. My two questions for you are:

1) What is some advice you could give me to further my knowledge before I convert? and
2) Does me not knowing Arabic matter in the long run?

Also as another note, I am planning on taking an Arabic course this summer at my college and I have Muslim friends who speak Arabic who have offered to help me practice.

Thank you for your help,
Harley
Greetings dear sister,

Most of us here do not speak Arabic but can only read it and have memorised little parts of the Quran. So there is absolutely nothing to worry about in that regard. A good friend of mine was worried about the very same thing before he converted but now he says that he did not know why he ever worried as Allah makes it easy for us to learn to read and memorise parts of the Quran even though it is not our primary language.

With regards to learning then sister learning is an ongoing process so what I would advise you to do is that if you accept the oneness of God and that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah and that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) is the last Messenger along a line of Prophets and Messengers since the first Prophet Adam (Peace be upon him), then you must not delay in making the proclamation of faith (Shahada) as our enemy Satan looks for many excuses for us to delay the most important thing of all which is to proclaim faith in the one who created until he puts enough doubts in us to deter us from accepting the truth or death over takes us.

So my sister do not delay as that is what our enemy wants. After you have accepted faith then no doubt you will get the necessary help with learning and memorising and will find many other sisters to befriend who will also help you along your journey by the will and help of Allah.

Please also refer to the following thread for Islamic resources and learning:

Very useful Islamic Information for Reverts

If you need any help or advice then we are here for you and you can be a part of our little community online. So please do not hesitate to ask or participate.

May Allah enable you to accept the shahada and make you of great benefit to the Ummah. Ameen
Reply

eesa the kiwi
08-28-2017, 11:51 PM
format_quote Originally Posted by hc18
Hello,

I am a 19 year old woman who has been raised by very devout Catholics. However, in the past year, I have been learning about the Muslim faith and have found more solace in reading about it than I ever did in my Catholic faith. However, I speak NO arabic and this is, in a way, putting me off I suppose because I know all prayers are recited in Arabic as well as the Quran being written in arabic (I have begun to read the english translation, however, I know that it doesn't necessarily give the same effect. My two questions for you are:

1) What is some advice you could give me to further my knowledge before I convert? and
2) Does me not knowing Arabic matter in the long run?

Also as another note, I am planning on taking an Arabic course this summer at my college and I have Muslim friends who speak Arabic who have offered to help me practice.

Thank you for your help,
Harley
Hi Harley

I'm a convert to Islam myself and don't know Arabic, in fact a larde percentage of the Muslim world does not understand Arabic either

Don't let this phase you. If you have any questions about Islam or converting please don't hesitate to hit us up

Also have a look at this site www.islamreligion.com they have a bunch of good articles about islam and a live chat q&a for you to ask questions
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crimsontide06
08-29-2017, 01:58 AM
Hello! Here are some resources I hope will help you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKblG-Zoagk
http://islam1.org/how_to_pray/index.htm
http://www.howdoipray.com/howdoipray/Home/
http://www.islamcan.com/salat/duas/index.shtml

Biography of the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) podcast series, started from the bottom
http://www.qalaminstitute.org/seerah/#.WaTIusiGMdV

Some English speaking speakers (they start with a Arabic supplication then speak in English)
Yasmin Mogahed
Nouman Ali Khan
Abdul Nasir Jangda
Omar Suleiman
Yusha Evans
Reply

talibilm
09-03-2017, 05:36 AM
format_quote Originally Posted by hc18
Hello,

I am a 19 year old woman who has been raised by very devout Catholics. However, in the past year, I have been learning about the Muslim faith and have found more solace in reading about it than I ever did in my Catholic faith. However, I speak NO arabic and this is, in a way, putting me off I suppose because I know all prayers are recited in Arabic as well as the Quran being written in arabic (I have begun to read the english translation, however, I know that it doesn't necessarily give the same effect. My two questions for you are:

1) What is some advice you could give me to further my knowledge before I convert? and
2) Does me not knowing Arabic matter in the long run?

Also as another note, I am planning on taking an Arabic course this summer at my college and I have Muslim friends who speak Arabic who have offered to help me practice.

Thank you for your help,
Harley

Peace & greetings to those who seek guidance to their Creator.

Welcome Sister and here is a thread which also share important info on conversion to Islam like every other good post by members here.

What should a new convert to Islam know?

kindly go through the links there .
Reply

cinnamonrolls1
09-06-2017, 06:56 AM
hey sis, you can learn the arabic for prayers of youtube videos or online pretty easily.
As for not knowing Arabic remember that there are lots of Muslims/muslim countries in the world that dont speak arabic-Indonesia(the country with the most muslims),Malaysia,Pakistan,Bangladesh,India,Bosnia n muslims etc. Arabic is not the be all. Allah Swt knows that you are trying your hardest. Take it in baby steps-don't try and do everything overnight. I wish you the best!
Reply

YahyaAE
09-06-2017, 08:24 AM
Arabic is helpful for Quranic recitation and for studying hadith, but beyond that you don't need to know the language. Even here in the Middle East, even though most of the population are Muslim, most people speak English. There are even Arabs here who don't speak Arabic (but thats because they grew up in the West:p)

Don't let the language thing be a deterrent. It's almost irrelevant.
Reply

SeekersElite
09-07-2017, 07:50 AM
Never border about your inability to speak Arabic. Everything in Islam is so easy and simple. Becoming a Muslim means obeying the five pillars of Islam, and among these pillars, there is nothing like "You must speak Arabic". Everything is a process. All you need to do is to be steadfast the process.

Maybe this article may help: Must I know Islam well before I can be a good Muslim?

Jazakallah Khairan Katheeran
Reply

Umm Malik
09-09-2017, 05:50 PM
aassalamoalaykum and welcome Harley
there are a lot of Muslim who don't know Arabic and this is not a problem
because you can learn it gradually
but converting is the most important thing especially if you feel like you feel like you are sure about your decision and you are ready to be a Muslim.
as for Arabic you can take courses and take your time in learn it and Allah will reward your effort
I am here If you need help because Arabic is my mother language.
welcome again bewen us
your sister Maryam
Reply

Yahya8
09-10-2017, 04:36 AM
I converted and didn't know Arabic. Youll pick it up on the way insaallah
Reply

IslamLife00
12-12-2017, 01:30 PM
It's been over 3 mths since you posted. Have you said your shahada? If you no longer have doubt, don't delay it.

The rest you can learn. Allah has guided you to Islam, He will make it easy for you to learn Arabic inshaAllah
Reply

Abdul Aalee
02-16-2018, 12:39 AM
If you feel the call to convert, then by all means, do it and the rest will come.

"Allah intends for you ease, and does not want to make things difficult for you" [2:185]; and "Allah does not want to place you in difficulty" [5:6]

There are resources online that will help you learn salah. I started with a sheet of paper in front of me, praying in english, until I eventually memorized enough to do it all in Arabic. Take it slow and know that you are rewarded for your sincere efforts. Try not to burn out, like I did, spending hours reading different scholarly opinions on obscure points of doctrine. Pray, cultivate your relationship with Allah (swt), read the Quran, and the rest will come.

Alhamdulillah, Islam is so amazing when you open yourself up to it. I'm getting mushy just thinking about it. I converted from strict Christianity and I have never felt closer to my Creator. May Allah (swt) guide you.
Reply

talibilm
02-16-2018, 02:33 PM
most of us here do not speak arabic too but we are muslims :D
Reply

Ümit
02-16-2018, 02:42 PM
Yeah...do not worry about Arabic. I am also a Muslim and do not know Arabic at all.
In your daily 5x per day prayers you need to recite some verses in Arabic from memory, but since the Quran is built up poetically, it is pretty easy to memorize, even if you do not understand it.

You can memorize those in time...no need to rush it. and if you are interested you can look up their translations.
Most of others things, you can do in your own language. that would be no problem.
Reply

space
02-16-2018, 02:54 PM
Same here, myself am a non-arab speaking member.. we need to learn Arabic in order to understand Quran and Sunnah properly.. there is no obligation to learn it in order to use in daily life, otherwise it sounds shauvinistic.. all the prophets who came before Muhammad(s.a.w) did not know Arabic language, so? Some people even claim that human beings will speak Arabic in the afterlife which is absolutely nonsense
Reply

Mahir Adnan
02-16-2018, 07:47 PM
1) What is some advice you could give me to further my knowledge before I convert? and
2) Does me not knowing Arabic matter in the long run?
1) https://abdurrahmanorg.files.wordpre...baanah-com.pdf
2) at least learn sura fatiha & 4 other suras which seem easy for you

...
Reply

cinnamonrolls1
02-16-2018, 09:21 PM
Learn at least al fatiha and a couple other short surahs for salah.

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cinnamonrolls1
02-16-2018, 09:21 PM
format_quote Originally Posted by space
Same here, myself am a non-arab speaking member.. we need to learn Arabic in order to understand Quran and Sunnah properly.. there is no obligation to learn it in order to use in daily life, otherwise it sounds shauvinistic.. all the prophets who came before Muhammad(s.a.w) did not know Arabic language, so? Some people even claim that human beings will speak Arabic in the afterlife which is absolutely nonsense
What a strange claim

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space
02-16-2018, 09:43 PM
format_quote Originally Posted by cinnamonrolls1
What a strange claim

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elaborate please about my "strange claim" ;)
Reply

cinnamonrolls1
02-16-2018, 10:10 PM
format_quote Originally Posted by space
elaborate please about my "strange claim" ;)
Abt the claim that arabic will be spoken in the afterlife

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space
02-16-2018, 10:33 PM
format_quote Originally Posted by cinnamonrolls1
Abt the claim that arabic will be spoken in the afterlife

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according to the majority I know in real life, even on the internet whom you could meet, they usually tend to claim it
Reply

azc
02-17-2018, 01:53 PM
Learn the basic surahs with the help of transliteration
Reply

Ümit
02-19-2018, 02:31 PM
format_quote Originally Posted by space
according to the majority I know in real life, even on the internet whom you could meet, they usually tend to claim it
Yes I confirm this. I also heard a couple of times from several people that the spoken language in the afterlife would be Arabic.
Do not know where this comes from...maybe we should check for hadiths about this.

- - - Updated - - -

update:

I just did a quick check and there is one hadeeth which speaks about speaking Arabic in Paradise, but this is not a saheeh Hadeeth.
So no, no solid evidence that the spoken language in the Afterlife is Arabic
Reply

space
02-19-2018, 05:51 PM
format_quote Originally Posted by umie
Yes I confirm this. I also heard a couple of times from several people that the spoken language in the afterlife would be Arabic.
Do not know where this comes from...maybe we should check for hadiths about this.

- - - Updated - - -

update:

I just did a quick check and there is one hadeeth which speaks about speaking Arabic in Paradise, but this is not a saheeh Hadeeth.
So no, no solid evidence that the spoken language in the Afterlife is Arabic

before Quran the other Holy Books were written in the other languages.. this does not mean if Quran was in Arabic the entire population on planet Earth will exclusively speak in Arabic in the other life.. this sounds soooo chauvinistic
Reply

azc
02-20-2018, 12:43 PM
format_quote Originally Posted by space
before Quran the other Holy Books were written in the other languages.. this does not mean if Quran was in Arabic the entire population on planet Earth will exclusively speak in Arabic in the other life.. this sounds soooo chauvinistic
https://islamqa.info/en/83262

Is Arabic the language of the people of Paradise? - islamqa.info
I would like to know what the language of the people of Paradise is. Is it Arabic....
Reply

azc
02-20-2018, 01:13 PM
Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymeeyah-Rahimullaah-was asked:

‘In what language will the people be spoken to on the Day of Resurrection? Will Allaah Ta’ala speak to the people in Arabic? Is it true that the language of the people of Hell-fire will be Persian and the language of the people of Paradise will be Arabic?’

He-Rahimullaah-answered:

‘All praise belongs to Allaah the Lord of all the worlds, it is not known in what language the people will be spoken to on that day, nor in which language they will hear the address of the Lord–Jala wa Ula’-because AllaahTa’aladid not inform us of anything about this, nor did His Messenger-sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam.
It is not authentic that Persian is the language of the people of the Hell-fireorthat Arabic is the language of the people who will be in eternal blessing.
We do not know of a dispute between the Companions–Radi Allaahu anhum–, rather all of them refrained from this, because speaking about these types of things is from futile speech . . . However, there occurred a dispute between the people who came later so some of them said that: the people will converse in Arabic. Others said: ‘No, the people of Hell-fire will reply in Persian and it is their language in Hell-fire.’
Others said: ‘They will converse with Syriac(an Eastern Aramaic language) because it is the language of Adam and from it all other languages branched off.’
Others said: ‘No, the people of Paradise will speak Arabic.’
There is no basis any of these opinions by those who hold them, neither intellectual nor transmitted, rather it is a claim devoid of evidence and Allaah– Subhana wa Ta’ala –is most Knowledgeable and most Just.’

Taken from ‘Majmoo’ Fatawa’ 4/300-301
Reply

فصيح الياسين
02-20-2018, 04:11 PM
format_quote Originally Posted by umie
Yes I confirm this. I also heard a couple of times from several people that the spoken language in the afterlife would be Arabic.
Do not know where this comes from...maybe we should check for hadiths about this.

- - - Updated - - -

update:

I just did a quick check and there is one hadeeth which speaks about speaking Arabic in Paradise, but this is not a saheeh Hadeeth.
So no, no solid evidence that the spoken language in the Afterlife is Arabic
How u got tht hadeeth about arabic is zaief....

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A786
02-20-2018, 10:18 PM
format_quote Originally Posted by hc18
Hello,

I am a 19 year old woman who has been raised by very devout Catholics. However, in the past year, I have been learning about the Muslim faith and have found more solace in reading about it than I ever did in my Catholic faith. However, I speak NO arabic and this is, in a way, putting me off I suppose because I know all prayers are recited in Arabic as well as the Quran being written in arabic (I have begun to read the english translation, however, I know that it doesn't necessarily give the same effect. My two questions for you are:

1) What is some advice you could give me to further my knowledge before I convert? and
2) Does me not knowing Arabic matter in the long run?

Also as another note, I am planning on taking an Arabic course this summer at my college and I have Muslim friends who speak Arabic who have offered to help me practice.

Thank you for your help,
Harley

Mash-Allah sister that is amazing that you are looking into converting to the religion of truth and tranquility. May Allah better help guide you. In my opinion, best thing to do is listen to Islamic scholarly lectures on you tube about convert stories of Christians and see how they have turned their life around after embracing Islam. You will be able to relate to that a lot more. Also, knowing Arabic is a beautiful language that is no doubt a huge element of Islam, however, inshallah with your will to learn Allah will increase your knowledge and make it easier for you. Remember, the more struggle you make in the way of Allah (Jihad) the more Ajar (provisions by Allah) you will be granted InshAllah.

May Allah open up your heart and give you immense knowledge. Also, it will really help to listen to recitation of the Quran and surahs for better pronunciation.
Reply

Saadullah
04-02-2018, 10:53 AM
Assalamualaikum, May Allah (swt) guide you and all of us to the path of believers.

Islam is the religion chosen by the Almighty for all of the humanity. It doesn't belong to any ethnicity or region. The beautiful language of Arabic had been chosen by Allah (swt) as the language of the Holy Quran and we all should try to learn the language but it doesn't necessarily mean that you should know Arabic in order to be a Muslim. Majority of Muslim ummah today is non-arabic speaking. Its your Taqwa or Faith thats matter, so please don't let a language comes in between you and the true word of God.

It is good that you are trying to learn Arabic but in the meantime learn about Islam in English Books by authentic writers.

May Allah forgive us and protect us from evil.
Reply

peacefulone
04-23-2018, 07:03 PM
Hi Harley,
Thats wonderful that you are studying Islam and taking it seriously. Masha Allah may allah guide you further into this great deen. Ameen.
I wanted to point out that you do not need to be an Arabic speaker to be a Muslim. There are millions who come from a non Arab background.
So Arabic is not a pre-requisite for being a Muslim.
It is not difficult to memorize a few short surahs and be able to do the prayer of a Muslim. You can memorize them with the translation for a good understanding.
But its not necessary to be able to converse in Arabic. There is no need. Even though that is a blessing on you if you can do it. But don't pressurize yourself and make things harder then they are.
Just put that learning Arabic in the back of your mind and focus on the figh, aqeedah and tawheed of Islam. The basic principles. If you can agree with the basics of Islam in your own language then you are ready to be a Muslim.
Take care
Reply

glitterprincess
04-27-2018, 01:17 PM
It isbetter to learn arabic to understand what tour saying but its not a necessity just remember a few short surahs and duas and learn how to pray and your going to be alright not all muslims know arabic i hope allah guides you ameen
Reply

monira.syeda
05-15-2018, 05:28 PM
Sister I am born muslim and do not speak Arabic.
Reply

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