What is the ruling on translating the Friday sermon into other languages, given that some mosques have attendees who do not speak Arabic?
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The questioner : What is the ruling on translating the Friday sermon into other languages, given that some mosques have attendees who do not speak Arabic? Please guide us in light of this question.
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and I send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and his Companions, and upon those who follow them in excellence until the Day of Judgment. If the attendees of the Friday prayer are few, there is no need for translation, considering the majority. However, if they are many, it is necessary to consult the responsible authorities to seek their permission. If they grant permission, then the translation is good and beneficial, because in some areas there are many foreigners who do not know the Arabic language, and their attendance at a sermon they do not understand yields no benefit. For this reason, Allah the Exalted said:[Ibrahim 14:4] Thus, Allah the Mighty and Majestic made it clear that the one who conveys the Shari'ah of Allah must do so in the language of those he addresses so that they understand. In this case, meaning when there are many who do not understand the Arabic language and the authorities in charge permit the translation, the translation of the sermon should take place after the prayer. These people who do not know the Arabic language should be instructed to be in a specific area of the mosque, and someone should come to translate the sermon for them. It is a condition for this translator that he be trustworthy and that he have complete proficiency in both the language being translated from and the language being translated into. He should not undertake to answer questions unless he has the knowledge that enables him to do so.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and I send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and his Companions, and upon those who follow them in excellence until the Day of Judgment. If the attendees of the Friday prayer are few, there is no need for translation, considering the majority. However, if they are many, it is necessary to consult the responsible authorities to seek their permission. If they grant permission, then the translation is good and beneficial, because in some areas there are many foreigners who do not know the Arabic language, and their attendance at a sermon they do not understand yields no benefit. For this reason, Allah the Exalted said:
And We did not send any messenger except [speaking] in the language of his people to state clearly for them
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِنْ رَسُولٍ إِلَّا بِلِسَانِ قَوْمِهِ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمْThe questioner : May Allah reward you with good.