Can Azaan be given in a language other than Arabic
The question of whether the Azaan (the call to prayer) can be given in a language other than Arabic is addressed through various narrations and scholarly interpretations. The Azaan is traditionally recited in Arabic, as it is the language in which the Qur'an was revealed.
However, there are narrations that suggest flexibility in the recitation of the Qur'an itself, which might extend to the Azaan. For instance, it is reported in Sahih Muslim that The Prophet, peace be upon him, was with the leaders of Banu Ghifar when Gabriel came to him and said, 'Indeed, Allah commands you to have your nation recite the Qur’an on one dialect.' The Prophet said, 'I ask Allah for His protection and forgiveness. My nation cannot bear that.' Then Gabriel came the second time and said, 'Allah commands you to have your nation recite on two dialects.' He said the same. Then the third time, it was to recite on three dialects. He responded the same way. Then the fourth came and said, 'Allah commands you to have your nation recite on seven dialects.' So whichever dialect they recite upon, it is correct.
Sahih Muslim 6:334. This narration indicates that there is an allowance for variations in recitation.
Moreover, Al-Kafi mentions that A non-Arab among my nation recites the Qur’an in his foreign tongue, yet the angels raise it in Arabic.
Al-Kafi 3:71. This suggests that even if the recitation occurs in a language other than Arabic, it is still accepted in the sight of Allah.
Thus, while the Azaan is primarily performed in Arabic, the flexibility indicated in these narrations suggests that it may be permissible to give the Azaan in another language, especially if it aids understanding among non-Arabic speakers.
Sources
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Sahih Muslim 6:334
Sahih Muslim · Book 6, Hadith 334 · Narrated by Abi ibn Ka'b
The Prophet, peace be upon him, was with the leaders of Banu Ghifar when Gabriel came to him and said, 'Indeed, Allah commands you to have your nation recite the Qur’an on one dialect.' The Prophet said, 'I ask Allah for His protection and forgiveness. My nation cannot bear that.' Then Gabriel came the second time and said, 'Allah commands you to have your nation recite on two dialects.' He said the same. Then the third time, it was to recite on three dialects. He responded the same way. Then the fourth came and said, 'Allah commands you to have your nation recite on seven dialects.' So whichever dialect they recite upon, it is correct.
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Al-Kafi 3:71
Al-Kafi · Book 3, Hadith 71
I came to al-Ridha (peace be upon him) asking about Tawhid (Divine Unity). He dictated to me: 'Praise be to Allah, the Originator of things by creation and the Initiator of them by His power, not from anything so that invention fails, and not due to cause that innovation be valid. He created what He wished however He wished, absolutely unique in this, to manifest His wisdom and the reality of His Lordship. The intellects cannot grasp Him, neither do imaginations reach Him, nor can the eyes perceive Him nor does any measure encompass Him. Expression and perception tire before Him. He is hidden without veil and concealed without cover; He is known without sight, described without shape, and characterized without body. There is no god but Allah, the Great, the Exalted. — OR — The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said: A non-Arab among my nation recites the Qur’an in his foreign tongue, yet the angels raise it in Arabic. — OR — I was present at the death of one of the two sons of Sabor, who were known for their piety and humility. One of them, I believe it was Zakariya ibn Sabor, fell ill. I visited him at his death, and he stretched out his hand and said, 'My hand has turned white, O Ali.' Then I went to Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him) with Muhammad ibn Muslim. When I left his presence, I thought Muhammad would inform him of the news of the man. A messenger followed me back, so I returned to him. He said, 'Tell me about this man whom you attended at death. What did you hear him say?' I said, 'He stretched out his hand and said, "My hand has become white, O Ali."' Abu Abdullah said, 'By Allah, he saw it; by Allah, he saw it; by Allah, he saw it.' — OR — I asked about the verse: 'And whoever enters it shall be safe.' He said: If a thief steals outside Mecca or commits a crime against himself and then flees to Mecca, he is not caught while in the sanctuary until he leaves it. However, he is prevented from the market, neither bought from nor associated with, until he leaves; then he is caught. If he commits the crime inside the sanctuary, he is apprehended and punished there. — OR — Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him) said: "Marry a large-eyed, dark-complexioned, physically weak, and thick-set woman. If you dislike her, the dowry is my responsibility." — OR — The manumission granted under compulsion is not to be considered valid manumission. — OR — I asked him where is the place the one who commits fornication with a close relative is struck by the sword? He said: He is struck on the neck, or he said: on the throat.
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