[Nikitka]

Salamu alaikum wr wb,

Today at the masjid I my friend who is a new revert was looking for help. She ended up going up to a sister in the cafe who she thought would be able to help her learn the salat.

This sister told her that everything must be in arabic, and she pretty much disregarded the fact that the revert was a non-arabic speaking American.

I was told by my all of my Islamic studies teachers, and by my Quran and tajweed teacher that when a new convert who has not had time to learn the entirety of the salat in arabic, it is okay for them to say the parts that they know in arabic and then say the rest in their native tongue as best as they can, until they have learned it in arabic. But that they should learn as soon as possible.

I told the sister what my teachers said about this matter, since it can be very difficult for someone who just converted to learn what to say in salat in arabic in a matter of hours before the next salat. She basically said that I was wrong and who ever told me that she can say what she knows in the beginning until she learns to pray properly was wrong too. Im pretty sure that what my teachers said was right, and reasonable, because its nearly impossible to for a non-arab to learn all of that in a matter of hours in time for the next salah. Which method is correct? what would you advise the convert sister to do in this situation?

[Lån-Penge]

My suggestion in this situation would be for her to do the following:

1) Make a sincere effort to begin learning the religion, especially how to perform salat.

2) In the meantime, depending on the Madhab she plans to follow, she can pray behind an imam and their recitation will be sufficient for her (this is the case according to the Maliki Madhab).

3) If she prays alone or does not think her prayers were valid, she can remove her doubt by doing qada (make up) prayers. This can be done a few days or weeks after, once she has greater confidence.

As a new Muslim, I would personally suggest that she learn to practice according to one of the 4 Madhabs. If she is an American, I would particularly encourage her to consider the Maliki Madhab, which has a wide following among African Americans and many new Muslims in North America.

A really great and comprehensive resource for learning how to practice that I have found is the Guiding Helper (an English language document on practicing according to the Maliki Madhab). It can be found in PDF by simply searching for it online (Try: Guiding Helper Maliki).

The specific sections I would recommend are:

1) Pages 45-65 for Wudu (Ablution)
2) Pages 65-71 for Ghusl (Full Bath for Major Impurities)
3) Pages 77-82 for Prayer Times
4) Pages 82-92 for Salat (Prayer)

Of course, there is so much more to go through and read, but in terms of prioritizing, this is certainly what I recommend.

Inshallah, this will be helpful. If you have any questions, either about what I mentioned or the Guiding Helper, please don't be shy to ask.

[horaAppagob]

The first thing that you have to teach a new Muslim when it comes to Salaat is how to read Surah al Fatihah in Arabic. This is the most integral part of the Salaat, as the Prophet said "There is no Salaat without the recitation of al Faatihah."

So the new Muslim should concentrate on this first. Once this has been accomplished, then you can teach them the other things, such as the tasbeehaat which are recited throughout the prayer, and other issues.