Reading/listening Quran in another language
The Qur'an emphasizes the importance of recitation and understanding its meanings. It explicitly states that the Qur'an is a Scripture whereof the verses are expounded, a Lecture in Arabic for people who have knowledge
41:3. This highlights that while the Qur'an is revealed in Arabic, its teachings are meant to be understood by those who seek knowledge.
In addition, there are teachings from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ regarding the recitation of the Qur'an. For instance, it is recounted in Sahih al-Bukhari that I heard Hisham ibn Hakim ibn Hizam reciting Surah Al-Furqan during the lifetime of the Prophet (peace be upon him). I listened to him and found that he was reciting it in many different dialects which the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not recite to me. I almost caught him in the prayer. So I waited for him to finish and said, 'Who taught you to recite this Surah in that way that I heard?' He said, 'The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught me.' I said, 'You lied, by God! The Messenger of Allah taught me this Surah in a way different from what I have just heard from you.' I took him to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, I heard this man reciting Surah Al-Furqan in manners you did not teach me, while you taught me to recite it differently.' The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Hisham, 'Recite it.' He recited it in the way I had heard. The Prophet said, 'It was revealed like this.' Then he said to me, 'Recite it, O Umar.' I recited it as the Prophet had taught me. The Prophet said, 'It was revealed like this.' Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'Indeed, the Quran was revealed in seven dialects; so recite whichever is easier for you.'
Sahih al-Bukhari 66:65.
This narration indicates that the Qur'an accommodates various dialects, allowing for diverse communities to engage with its message in ways that resonate with them, thereby facilitating their understanding and connection to the text.
Sources
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41:3 · Fussilat
41:3 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
كِتَٰبٌۭ فُصِّلَتْ ءَايَٰتُهُۥ قُرْءَانًا عَرَبِيًّۭا لِّقَوْمٍۢ يَعْلَمُونَ
A Scripture whereof the verses are expounded, a Lecture in Arabic for people who have knowledge,
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Sahih al-Bukhari 66:65
Sahih al-Bukhari · Book 66, Hadith 65 · Narrated by Hisham ibn Hakim ibn Hizam
I heard Hisham ibn Hakim ibn Hizam reciting Surah Al-Furqan during the lifetime of the Prophet (peace be upon him). I listened to him and found that he was reciting it in many different dialects which the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not recite to me. I almost caught him in the prayer. So I waited for him to finish and said, 'Who taught you to recite this Surah in that way that I heard?' He said, 'The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught me.' I said, 'You lied, by God! The Messenger of Allah taught me this Surah in a way different from what I have just heard from you.' I took him to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, I heard this man reciting Surah Al-Furqan in manners you did not teach me, while you taught me to recite it differently.' The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Hisham, 'Recite it.' He recited it in the way I had heard. The Prophet said, 'It was revealed like this.' Then he said to me, 'Recite it, O Umar.' I recited it as the Prophet had taught me. The Prophet said, 'It was revealed like this.' Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'Indeed, the Quran was revealed in seven dialects; so recite whichever is easier for you.'
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