Is it permissible for an Imam to supplicate in English, knowing Arabic, and is it permissible for a non-Arab to supplicate in English at all times?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is better for the supplication (du'a) to be in Arabic, because the was revealed in it. However, it is permissible to make supplication in another language, such as English, if the listeners do not understand Arabic, or if the Imam is not proficient in Arabic and no one else is available. If these reasons are absent, then it is better to make supplication in Arabic. Non-Arabs should learn Arabic because it is the language of the Qur'an.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/36465
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 36465
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy