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Fatwa CenterShe prefers to read the translation of the meanings of the Quran
Question
Assalamu aleikum,
Because it is very hard for me to read Arabic, and when I read in Arabic, I don't understand much, I prefer to read the translation of the meaning of the Quran. This is because I want to understand. Which is better?
Also, I don't pronounce the Quran exactly the way it should be pronounced because it is difficult to say certain letters right, etc. Is this something to be blamed for or does Allah accept of his slaves whatever is in his/her ability?
Another thing, I don't really have the time or opportunity to go and study at any Islamic center, so all I do is self-study. I listen to tapes (Quran and lectures) and read lots of books (hadith, stories of the prophets, etc.). Is this sufficient?
JazakAllahu khair
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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
Reading the meaning of the Noble Quran does not take the ruling of reading the Quran itself, whether the meanings are in Arabic or in any other language. That is because Quran is Allaah’s Words revealed in Arabic to the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, for the purpose of worship and as a miracle (of Allaah). There are many texts pinpointing the virtue of reading the Quran itself. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book.} [Quran 29:45] It was narrated on the authority of Ibn Mas‘ood 
that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allaah, he will be credited with a good deed, and a good deed gets a ten-fold reward." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
As for reading the translation of the meanings of the Quran, there is much goodness in it, but it does not reach the level of reading the Quran itself. Therefore, a Muslim may read his daily portion of the Quran and part of the translation. For further information, see Fatwa 84570.
However, a Muslim who reads the Quran with difficulty is rewarded, not sinful. It was narrated on the authority of ‘Aa’ishah 
that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "The one who recites the Quran while he is proficient in its recitation will be with the honorable and obedient scribes (angels), and the one who recites the Quran while it is difficult for him to recite will have a double reward." [Ahmad, Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi]
It is fine that a Muslim listens to tapes of the Quran and Islamic lectures, and reads in the books of Hadeeth and Seerah. No doubt, he will be rewarded for that. Finally, we draw your attention to the fact that a Muslim, male or female, should do his/her best to learn Arabic; as sometimes it becomes obligatory on him/her to learn it. For further benefit, see Fataawa 86262 and 84628.
Allaah Knows best.
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