Question

Q. Is there any merit/reward in reading the English translation of the Quraan. Considering the fact that the person is a revert to Islam.

Answer

Muhtaram / Muhtaramah

In the Name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāh wa-barakātuh.

Allah Ta’ala says:

كتاب أنزلناه إليك مبارك ليدبروا آياته وليتذكر أولو الألباب

“A Book, We have revealed to you, it is blessed, so that the people ponder over its verses and so that the intelligent are admonished.” (38:29)

Although it is important and commendable for one to try and understand the verses of the Quran by reading the translation, it is not enough. One will not receive the reward specified for recitation of the Quran except by reciting it in the original Arabic text. This is because translations of the Quran do not carry the same status as the Quran itself. No translation can be justified with the original Arabic text of the Quran in which it was revealed.

One must also make effort to at least learn how to read the Quran in its original Arabic text. The recital of the Quran either with or without understanding is incumbent upon every Muslim. It is considered an act of worship and is highly rewarding:

حدثنا محمد بن بشار حدثنا أبو بكر الحنفى حدثنا الضحاك بن عثمان عن أيوب بن موسى قال سمعت محمد بن كعب القرظى قال سمعت عبد الله بن مسعود يقول قال رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم- « من قرأ حرفا من كتاب الله فله به حسنة والحسنة بعشر أمثالها لا أقول الم رف ولكن ألف حرف ولام حرف وميم حرف ».

“Abdullah Ibn Masud (Radiyallahu Anhu) says that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: Whoever recites a letter of the Quran, there is for him a reward in it and every good deed is multiplied ten times. I do not say that ‘Alif Laam Meem’ is a letter but ‘Alif’ is a letter, ‘Laam’ is a letter, and ‘Meem’ is a letter.” (Sunan Al-Tirmidhi, Vol. 2, P. 118-119, HM Saeed)

It is understandable that the person is a convert to Islam. However, if they falter while they are learning to read the Arabic text and they stay with it, they are rewarded highly by Allah Ta’ala:

عن عائشة قالت قال رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم- « الماهر بالقرآن مع السفرة الكرام البررة والذى يقرأ القرآن ويتتعتع فيه وهو عليه شاق له أجران ».

“Aisha (Radiyallahu Anha) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: The one who recites the Quran and is well-versed in it will be in the company of the angels who are all noble and righteous, and the one who recites and falters in it and has difficulty in reading it (yet he reads it), will receive a two-fold reward.” (Sahih Muslim, Vol. 1, P. 269, Maktaba Thanvi)

While making this great effort one should also make dua to Allah Ta’ala to make it easy.

(Contemporary Fatawa, P. 332, Idara-e-Islamiat)

(Aap Ki Masaail, Vol. 3, P. 205, Maktaba Bayyanat)

And Allah knows best
Darul Iftaa

Madrasah Inaa’miyya