Translating Hadeeth into foreign languages
Fatwa No: 21219

Question

Is it permissible to translate Hadeeths (narrations) of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, literally into English, German, or any other language?

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.

 

It is permissible to translate the Hadeeths (narrations) of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, into a foreign language other than Arabic on the condition that the translator understands the meaning correctly and masters the target language in order to be able to convey the meanings accurately.

The majority of scholars said that it is permissible to relate the meaning of the Hadeeth, and this proves that it is permissible to render the Hadeeth into another language if the meaning is conveyed correctly.

Allaah Knows best.

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