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Fatwa CenterWhy the Athaan is only in Arabic
Question
Please could you give me the answer as to why Athaan should not to be recited in different languages?
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.
The scholars 
differed in opinion about calling the Athaan (call to the prayer) in a language other than Arabic. The Hanafi and Hanbali Schools of jurisprudence are of the view that it is not permissible to call the Athaan in any other language even if it is understood to be the Athaan, as they set a condition for its validity to be in Arabic. The reason for its impermissibility is what Al-Buhooti 
said: "It is not permissible to call the Athaan in a language other than Arabic because it is not reported in the Sunnah that anyone ever called the Athaan in any other language."
However, the Shaafi'i School and some Hanbali scholars provided some details about it. They said: "The Athaan for congregational prayers is not permitted in a language other than Arabic when there are people who are fluent in Arabic, but if there is no one fluent in Arabic then it is sufficient [acceptable] to call the Athaan in a language other than Arabic. The Athaan in another language is also sufficient if one prays on his own and he is not fluent in Arabic."
The Shaafi'i School are of the view that: "It is absolutely not permissible to say in a language other than Arabic words the purpose of which is miraculous in their pronunciation and interpretation [like the Quran].
However, if the purpose of these words is not miraculous (by which Allaah challenged the people), then if one is able to say them in Arabic, he is not allowed to say them in another language, like the Athaan, Takbeerat-ul- Ihraam (Saying Allaahu Akbar when starting the prayer), Tashahhud, the legislated mention of Allaah, the mention of Allaah in the prayer like when bowing or prostrating, when concluding the prayer and in the Friday Khutbah."
As regards the words the purpose of which is only the meaning and it is not essential to utter them in Arabic, then it is permissible to say them in a language other than Arabic, like trading, Khul' (divorcing in return of compensation), divorce and so forth."
It appears that these details are the most appropriate and correct.
Allaah Knows best.
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