Back to search

Does reciting the Qur’an in French carry the same reward as reciting it in Arabic?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

What is in languages other than Arabic is not the Qur'an, and no reward for reciting the Qur'an is gained by reading it. The majority of scholars agree on the impermissibility of reciting the Qur'an in other than Arabic, whether inside or outside of prayer.

Therefore, it is not permissible to recite the Qur'an in other than Arabic, whether inside or outside of prayer. The madhhabs of Shafi'i, Malik, Ahmad, Dawud, and the majority of scholars support this.

It has been authentically reported that Imam Abu Hanifa recanted his view that it is permissible to recite the Qur'an in Persian for those unable to speak Arabic. The fatwa among the Hanafis is against reciting the Qur'an in other than Arabic.

It is obligatory for a Muslim to learn the Arabic language, especially the essential amount required to validate their prayer and worship, such as Al-Fatiha and the obligatory dhikrs in prayer.

There is no harm in remembering Allah and supplicating in languages other than Arabic outside of prayer until one learns Arabic. And whoever reads a translation of the Qur'an for the purpose of seeking knowledge will be rewarded for their intention.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Read the full answer on Ftawy