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Fatwa CenterPronouncing the Names of Allah in a Language other than Arabic
Question
Assalaamu ‘Alaykum. I currently supplicate by thanking Allaah and saying his names in english, like “You are the Entirely Merciful” as an example, saying Allaahumma salli ‘alaa Muhammad, may peace and blessings be upon him, or something similar, and then asking for what I want. Is this acceptable, and can you give me ways of praising and calling upon Allaah that I could use?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
If you are unable to recite the supplication in Arabic because you do not speak it, you may supplicate Allah in your own language and it is not disliked, Allah willing.
However, pay attention to pronounce the Names of Allah, The Exalted, in Arabic. Some jurists held that it is prohibited to pronounce the Names of Allah in languages other than Arabic because they are determined through revelation. Others are of the view that it is permissible.
The Maliki book Mawahib Al-Jaleel by Al-Hattab reads: “Scholars held different opinions on pronouncing the Names of Allah in languages other than Arabic because they are determined through revelation and such names are not mentioned in the Sharee‘ah texts. If a non-Arab wants to supplicate, he should mention the Name of Allah in Arabic and then complete the supplication in his own language. Other scholars held that it is permissible to pronounce the Names of Allah in different languages and this is the view held by the jurists …”
As for the ways of praising Allah, The Exalted, and calling upon Him, the best thing for you is to learn some supplications reported in the Quran and Sunnah. These supplications included the ultimate praise of Allah and the best invocation.
Allah knows best.
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