Why Pray in Arabic?

Why should we do Taqlid of the Most learned scholar?

Question: It is written in Tauzihul Masael that it is obligatory to do the Taqlid of an Aalim. What is the source of this command?

Answer: The Taqlid of Aalim, which is famous among the Mujtahids, is concluded from different proofs, from which we present one clear proof:

The following of a learned by an ignorant person is based on logic and in that sense, and in all the tribes and communities of the world it is the tradition that those who are not expert in any field, when they require the help of experts, contact those who are experts. For example those who are not acquainted with medicine when they fall ill they go to the doctor, and those who do not know how to build, to an architect or a mason. It is also clear that when the views of experts differ; for example a doctor treats his patient in one special way and thinks it to be correct, and the other doctor treats in another way and believes that he is right. So in that case the patient will follow that doctor whose medicinal knowledge is more and expansive, one who has more experience and expertise. In short that one should be more knowledgeable (Aalim) than the other. There will always be a difference of opinion among the experts of a particular field; it is logical. But people follow only that expert who in their view is the best. Different tribes and communities follow this. Whatever is said above is one of the proofs for the Taqlid of an Aalim. Mujtahids have given some proofs on this topic, whose explanation is not possible over here.

Why Pray in Arabic?

Question: Why pray in Arabic, whereas we should call Allah in our own language? Whether this situation is against that Islam is a heavenly religion?

Answer: Incidentally to recite Prayers in Arabic is one of the signs that the religion of Islam is heavenly, because people who stand in one row and are busy in the same worship, it is necessary for them that there should be one language so that they can understand each other, it means that besides the mother tongue and local language they should have a common and universal language and without that a united community cannot be formed.

In the present age many intellectuals think that unless the whole world becomes one country, it will not be able to achieve happiness. To do this practically, they have made plans to make a language universal.

In short the praying of all Muslims in one language is the sign of unity and it points to the oneness of the people, and keeping this in mind the intellectuals say that Arabic language is the most extensive and comprehensive language of the world. This reality becomes clearer that all the sects of Muslims accept it as an international language and can benefit from it for mutual understanding and similarity.

Apart from this to perform Prayers in a similar way, protects it from any subtraction or addition, any alterations, or any mixture of superstitious things and also protects it from baseless meanings (due to the translation of it in other languages by those incapable people who interfere in it) and due to this the spirit of this worship remains intact. Therefore it is necessary for every Muslim that as much as possible to be aware of the religious language and he should know what he is saying to his Lord. Incidentally to learn the translation of Prayers, (which can be written on a single page), which is so easy that it is possible to learn it in an hour (for the whole life).

In short, as we know that Tawheed is the basic root and branches of religion and turning towards one Kiblah in appointed time, in a specific language is the sign of unity.

If we are in Makkah at the time of Hajj and observe the congregation prayer in which hundreds of thousands of people from the whole world, of different races and tribes participate in it and say: Allahu Akbar together, that time we can understand its wisdom and depth and if in Prayers every person recites in their own language, there will be disparity.

Why to face the Kiblah in Prayers?

Question: Why it is necessary to stand towards Kiblah (the Holy Ka’bah) while praying, while Allah is everywhere and does not have a specific direction?

Answer: To pray in a specific direction does not mean that Allah is in a specific direction. The glorious Quran says about Kiblah and explains its reality:

And Allah’s is the East and the West, therefore, whither you turn, thither is Allah’s purpose… [Surah Baqarah 2:115]

And in another verse Allah says:

The East and the West belong only to Allah. [Surah Baqarah 2:142]

It means east and west belongs to Allah (and all places are similar for Him).

In fact to pray facing the Kiblah is due to that since a person has physical body, while praying he has to face some direction and Islam desires that for the perfection of this worship, he should take as much benefit as possible. The reason to face the holy Ka’ba is, as we all know, the holy Ka’ba is the oldest center of monotheism. It is the house built by the hands of the Pillar of Monotheism, Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) and was the center of attention of all the Prophets and guides of Monotheism that is why turning towards this center of Monotheism means turning towards Allah. It is correct that Allah is not confined by space, but when a person stands towards such a center, because of many reasons he is nearer to Allah and feels himself in Allah’s proximity. The turning of the Muslims of the world towards this holy center five times a day creates the inspiration of oneness and unity and this creates the similarity between the Muslims of the world and connection between them who are spread from East to West and shows their magnanimity and greatness and after all represents to the world the purpose and faith of Islamic teachings.