Do I need to learn Arabic to become a practicing Muslim?

Question

I am an American who recently converted. But I only know English and I have a Qur'an that is English only. I have memorized most of the everyday sayings in Arabic. But I was wondering if I have to learn Arabic to be perceived as a true Muslim to Allah, instead of a hypocrite.Should I just memorize enough Arabic to learn the Qur'an or can I still pray and read the Qur'an in English and that be okay?

Answer 1

I am sorry to interrupt, but some IMPORTANT FACTS should be clarified here:

"The short answer is no." Julius said.

How can you be a practicing Muslim without reading Qura'an???

Qura'an MUST BE READ in Arabic. Yes there are many trusted translations but when you pray you MUST recite Qura'an in Arabic. Yes you can make "Dua" in any language, but Qura'an Must be read in Arabic. So, the answer here is "Yes, you have to learn Arabic. At least the how to read, then understand the meaning from the translation."

" HADITH ARE NOT THE WORD OF ALLAH" Really!!! How come? So it is the word of who???? The prophet Muhammad? Ok, Qura'an was inspired as revelation to prophet Muhammad too.

Hadith is the actions, deeds, and sayings of prophet Muhammad. The prophet was impeccable and showed Muslims how to practice the rituals through Hadith. So, we cannot ignore Hadith! The only issue is that we should pick the truthful hadiths "Mutawater" because there are a lot of fake ones.

The "four schools [Hanafi, Sha'afi, Hanbali, and Maliki are sects. Join none of the, for sectarianism is Forbidden by Allah.

Yes sectarianism, racism, and all forms of oppression are prohibited by Allah. The forbidden sectarianism is to be a Sunni or Shiite. There is no Sunni and Shiite in Islam. The prophet was Muslim. The early Muslims were just "Muslims" who followed the Qura'an and prophet's instructions "Hadith."

How about the four schools?

The four scholars are practical instructions of praying. fasting, charity giving, marriage. These are simplified practical instructions to show people how to worship Allah correctly according to Hadith and Qura'an. None of the four scholars' instructions contradict with Hadith or Qura'an. So, they cannot be sects.

The only thing that you should keep in mind is to worship Allah as the Qura'an said, and the prophet did. Be sure not to fall in any false source of information. Simply, Islam came to unify people and abolish ignorance. If you find something that looks "vague" or "strange" and contradict with humanity, be sure it is not from Islam.

Answer 2

Al-Salaam'alaikum:

The short answer is no. A hypocrite is one who is not sincere about his faith and who knowingly disobeys the Word of Allah. Assuming your purpose is the salvation of your soul and not social, you only need to learn the meaning of the Word of Allah so you can follow it

However, you do need to read different translations of the meaning since you are literate in English. There are at least 30-40. Yusuf Ali, Muhammad Ali and Mohammed Shakir's translations are reassonably accurate though not completely. Muhammad Muhsin Khan's translation is filled with Saudi-arab propaganda. Also you need to frequently consult those who know the Arabic of Qur'an. Quranic Arabic frequently uses the same words differently from their use modern arabic.

Arab/middle Eastern culture is not Islam. They use hadith to brain-wash you into arab/Middle Eastern culture. Many people from overseas ignorantly think so. HADITH ARE NOT THE WORD OF ALLAH. So be careful. Demand proof of the consistency of any hadith with the Qur'an. Consult NON-SECTARIAN Muslim scholars for clarification. The "four schools [Hanafi, Sha'afi, Hanbali, and Maliki are sects. Join none of the, for sectarianism is Forbidden by Allah.

Remember the following:

Q.7.170 Those who hold fast to the Book (Kitab a/k/a Qur'an) and stand for prayer, never will be lost the reward of the righteous.

Q.43.044 It (Qur'an) is indeed the message, for you and your people, and (about it) you shall soon be questioned.

When you go to masjid (mosque), follow what the congregation does. They and their ancestors have been making salat, fasting, and being charitable for 1,400 years. There is no hersay there as with the hadith. This concept is known as Mutawattur. Hadith is hearsay. Mutawattur is reliable.

Q.2.013 When it is said to them: "Practice faith like the people practice faith, " They say, "Shall we believe as the fools believe?" No. Truly they (the real hypocrites) are the fools, but they do not know.

It should be noted that Arabic of Qur'an uses a rhythm that has a dramatic effect upon the brain a little like inspiring music. So those who learn it experience a Blessed Peace that is difficult to put into words

Be safe and may Allah Help you.