Being proficient in foreign languages

Assalaamoualaikoum wa Rahmatullahi
wa Barakaatouhu ...


Proficient in a foreign language.

A Muslim should not forget to pay attention to foreign languages, because these days, learning a foreign language is one of the most important tasks required of the active Muslim who understands the demands of contemporary Islamic life.

Fifteen centuries ago, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) encouraged the study of foreign languages so that the Muslims would always be able to communicate with various nations and races, and convey to them the message of truth that Allah The Exalted has entrusted to them to proclaim throughout the world. We see evidence of this in the hadith narrated by Zayd ibn Thaabit (ra), in which he says that the Prophet (pbuh) told him; "Oh Zayd, learn the writing of the Jews, for by Allah I do not trust the Jews to write anything down for me." Zayd said; "So I learnt it and it only took me a month to become proficient in it. Then I used to take down whatever letters the Prophet (pbuh) wanted to send to them, and I would read for him the letters that they sent him,"

In another report he said, "The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) asked me, "Do you know Syriac? I have received a letter in this language." I said, 'No.' He said, 'Then learn it.' So I learnt it.' [Tirmidhi who said it is a hasan saheeh hadith]

Similarly, Ibn az-Zubayr (ra) was proficient in a number of languages, but learning them did not distract him from his religion or preparing for the Hereafter. He had a hundred (male) slaves, each of whom spoke different language, and he used to speak to each slave in his own language. If you were to see this man when he was dealing with worldly affairs, you would think that he was a man who did not give a second's thought to the hereafter, and if you saw him dealing with religious matters, you would think that he was a man who did not give a second's thought to this world. [Al-Haakim and Ibn Na'eem]

Nowadays, more than ever before, the Muslim needs to be proficient in foreign languages so that he may know what is going on around him, both positive and negative, and so that he may understand what has been written about his Ummah (nation) and its heritage in languages other than his own, and thus be able to defend his nation from evil and speak up for its well-being.

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May Allah rewards us all.