Saying Thikr in language other than Arabic

10-10-2016 | IslamWeb

Question:

In one of the fatwas, you stated that doing Thikr (expressions of remembrance of Allaah) of some recitation is advised for a man before having intercourse with his wife. However, I would like you to tell me whether I should say that verse in Arabic only or if I can read its translation in English too? Would that be the same or not?
Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported from Ibn 'Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said, "If one of you, when he lies with his wife, says, 'In the Name of Allaah; O Allaah, ward off the devil from us, and ward off the devil from what you bless us with,' and if it is decreed that they have a child, then the devil will never harm him."
This hadith indicates that a man is advised to say what is mentioned above.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. 

A person who knows Arabic well should not say this Thikr or any other reported Thikr in a language other than Arabic,because many scholars held that this is disliked (Makrooh).

Ibn Taymiyyah said in Iqtidhaa’ As-Siraat Al-Mustaqeem, “Many scholars of Fiqh or most of them dislike making a supplication and saying a mention of Allaah in a language other than Arabic.”

Nonetheless, if there is a need, then it is no longer disliked, as is the case regarding someone who does not know Arabic well; so there is nothing wrong for him to say it in a language other than Arabic.

We have not come across any statement of the scholars about whether or not the one who says this supplication in a language other than Arabic has the same reward as the one who says it in Arabic.

Allaah knows best.