When new to performing the Salats--is it ok to recite them in english until you can better grasp...?

Question

...the Arab language?? Also, is there a site where I can find my local times to perform the Salats? I am from Indiana, USA.

One more thing--when performing Wudu--is it necessary to get hair *completely* soaking wet? Especially when I'm at work?? Thanks :)

Answer 1

Salat is only to be recited in Arabic try your best to learn and pray with what you have learned.

I'm at work and I can't go to youtube site but there are all kinds of video animations available to help you learn salah in Arabic. There sites that help as well such as this one.

http://muslim-canada.org/salaat.html

it has pictures as well as transliteration.

You do not need to soak your hair wet, all you have to do is touch the beginning of your hair with your wet hands and go over the rest of your hair or hijab with your wet hand.

Answer 2

  Yes, it is.  But, you should try to learn the Arabic as soon as possible

The main important aspect is that you're establishing the salat.  Allah subhana wata'ala knows best-

I started out with a script of what I was supposed to say and what I was suppose to do.  Within a short time, I was making salah in Arabic, alhamdullah.

Answer 3

As everyone else already said, it must be done in Arabic. It seems intimidating to learn the phrases and such, but it's very much possible. What helped me learn it was by reading the Arabic text along with hearing its pronunciation. This site here has audio for that purpose:

http://muslimconverts.com/prayer/how-to-...

Insha Allah the Arabic will come easily to you. As for the prayer times, go to this site and just provide the necessary information:

http://www.islamicity.com/prayerTimes/

If you're near a computer often enough, you can also download this program which plays the adhan when it is time to pray. It has really come in handy for me.

http://www.islamicfinder.org/athanDownlo...

And no, when doing Wudu, you just need to run your wet hands over your hair :)

Good luck!

Answer 4

I've heard many do so and I personally think its ok, since you don't know how to recite in arabic. About the praying schedule, I think you should go to a local mosque and ask there.

No you don't have to "completely" soak your hair.

P.S- As long as your intentions are in the right place, I don't think the language or  these kind of things matter.

Best of luck and God bless!

Answer 5

First of all, it's a pleasure to receive your question and to see how Muslim converts are interested in knowing the teachings of Islam, which Allah has chosen for His servants as a way of life.

Salah must be performed as specifically taught and demonstrated by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). It must be done in Arabic. Du`a’ and dhikr, however, can be said in any language. It is, therefore, imperative on every new Muslim to learn the rules of Salah; it is the priority of priorities for him/her to do so. It must also be equally stressed that every Muslim who facilitates the conversion of anyone to Islam has an obligation to acquaint him/her with the basic rules of Salah.

It is understandable that it is rather difficult for those who do not speak Arabic to say all of the Salah in Arabic. But since Islam is flexible, the new Muslim can go about learning it in a gradual way. S/He can first start saying some tasbihs (formulas of glorification of Allah) such as the words of subhana Allah, al-hamdu lillah, la ilaha illla Allaha, etc.), followed by memorizing surat al-Fatihah, and later on the last short surahs of the Qur’an (surahs 112, 113, 114). All of this, in sha’ Allah (Allah willing), should be fairly easy for him/her with Allah’s help and with a bit of help from fellow Muslims.

Please also see:

Can One Make Salat in English?  

http://islamdoor.com/Englishs.htm

For prayer times in Indiana USA,

http://www.indiana.edu/~msuweb/ (You will notice a small prayer tab on the left bottom which gives you prayer times)

Muslims must have perfect physical purity to pray the Salah (ritual Prayers), and therefore, not even one hair should be left dry even if you are at work. I am sure that the hair dries off after offering salah! Pass the wet palms of both hands over your head and back; which would make your hair wet.

May Allah help us all lead a righteous life based on Islam!

Answer 6

hi, and may Allah bless you with patience while you learn in the most beautiful time of your life!

It is good to repeat the arabic words (transliterated until you memorize) while doing your salah...however, Allah knows our intentions and if you are more comfortable for a short time saying it in english..ok..but you must memorize it all in arabic anyway, so just start off that way and insha'allah it will be very easy for you.

congrats on becoming muslimat! :-)

Answer 7

NO

Answer 8

not sure about the language but i don't think the hair has to be soaking.  

Answer 9

awww mashallah! it's nice to read your questions!

for prayer and wudu you can check out this web-site inshallah http://understand-islam.net/site/ -->>> Salaah Program.

here is a website to find out about prayer times http://www.islamicfinder.com/

and also prayer http://www.islamicfinder.org/prayer/inde...

The Qur'aan must be recited in Arabic, but supplications can be made in own language.  

The suggestions I can give you are, memorise the Surah Fatiha(1) first, and then another small surah, may be suratul ikhlaas (112).  I can send you transliterations if you need, and listen to it from a website, may be http://www.reciter.org/

http://www.qurancomplex.com/default.asp?...

http://english.islamway.com/sindex.php?s...

keep repeating/reviwing throughout the day when you get chance.  After you know two surahs, then the rest is much easier.

until then, many writes the transliterations down and read from it when praying.

And when making wudu, don't get hair soaking wet, we are only to wipe with wet hands.

Answer 10

you can just say La illaha illahla Muhammaddur rasurullah like three times. But say that in the starting and  when you bow down just say Allah couple times. Everytime when you stay up, say la illaha illahla muhammaddur ra surullaa..everytime your down just say Allah

and i know you want to meet a muslimah and i know who....

He is a white new muslim and is a scholor...

i know you live in indiana...

My dad will give you his info...

and you only have to wash 1/3 of your hair in wadu...it says in the hadith...

Thanx

Answer 11

The Salat and in fact "ALL" the prayers that you wish to do (either on your own volition or Obligatory), "MUST" be delivered in the language YOU UNDERSTAND and feel comfortable with.

There is ABSOLUTELY NO condition of ANYTHING to be strictly in any specific language. It is NOT some magical sound code that opens the doors of mercy of God. God KNOWS exactly and PRECISELY what you mean to say. The objective of Salat is to:

1-  Remember God.

2-  Ask for help.

3-  Magnify God greatly.

In fact what is told to you as the specifics of salat, are baseless. The Quran does outline the basics of Salat:

1-  It is composed of standing, praying, bowing and prostration.

2-  Under unusual circumstances it can be shortened as per requirement AND also delivered while walking or moving around.

One of the specifics of salat is that YOU must be reverent and must be aware of what you are saying:

[4:43]  

O you who believe, do not observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) while intoxicated, so that you know what you are saying. Nor after sexual o****m without bathing, unless you are on the road, traveling; if you are ill or traveling, or you had urinary or fecal-related excretion (such as gas), or contacted the women (sexually), and you cannot find water, you shall observe Tayammum (dry ablution) by touching clean dry soil, then wiping your faces and hands therewith. GOD is Pardoner, Forgiver.

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Regarding wuddu:

The COMPLETE details of wuddu are in 5:6

     Ablution

[5:6]

O you who believe, when you observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), you shall: (1) wash your faces, (2) wash your arms to the elbows, (3) wipe your heads, and (4) wash your feet to the ankles. If you were unclean due to sexual o****m, you shall bathe. If you are ill, or traveling, or had any digestive excretion (urinary, fecal, or gas), or had (sexual) contact with the women, and you cannot find water, you shall observe the dry ablution (Tayammum) by touching clean dry soil, then rubbing your faces and hands. GOD does not wish to make the religion difficult for you; He wishes to cleanse you and to perfect His blessing upon you, that you may be appreciative.

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As you may see, there is NO such thing as wetting the entire hair. It only says WIPE your HEAD.  

NOT

wet you hair.

Wiping is with water. So wipe your head as you may consider wiping. If you are in situation where even wiping may be inappropriate, then go for dry ablution or perform dry wiping.

God does not wish inconvenience for us. Just do what you can do easily and appropriately.

Answer 12

Umm Abdul Rahman and Hassan  answered very well

Jazakallahuma Khair