Must a New Convert Learn Arabic?

Although Arabic is the language of the Qur’an, the final revelation to humanity, as such, every Muslim should consider learning it to be a priority. On the other hand, there is nothing in authentic sources that indicates that learning Arabic is a prerequisite for being a Muslim; nor do we know of any recognized scholar of Islam who considers it to be a prerequisite for being a Muslim. However, a new convert who finds it hard to learn Arabic must still memorize a few portions of the Qur’an in Arabic to use in salah.

The prominent Muslim scholar Sheikh Muhammad IqbalNadvi, director and imam of Al-Falah Islamic Center in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, states the following: A new convert must memorize a few portions of the Qur’an in Arabic to use in salah. In general, it is highly recommended for Muslims to learn Arabic because it is much different to understand the Qur’an and Sunnah directly from the Arabic texts than to depend on translations, which sometimes suffer from deficiencies.

However, if learning Arabic is hard for a new convert, then we should know that all languages are from Allah Almighty, who says in the Qur’an, [And that you differ in tongues and colors](Ar-Rum 30: 22).