Tarjama (translation, and speaking in other tongues in worship and law)

Tarjama is conveying speech in a tongue other than its own. Its rulings vary across prayer, marriage, divorce, judging and the teaching of the Qur'an. ^{1 2}

In the language, tarjama is explaining speech; one translates another's words by expressing them in another tongue. It keeps to the amount of the original, without addition or loss, unlike tafsir, which may run long. ¹ Al-Shatibi divides Arabic into an original meaning shared by all tongues and an accessory meaning belonging to Arabic style. Meanings can be carried across, while the style cannot easily be. Ibn Qutayba denied that the Qur'an can be translated on the second level. ^{2 6} Translation is literal, keeping the word order, or sense-for-sense, which serves as tafsir. ⁶

Some Hanafis allow writing one or two verses in another tongue; Salman al-Farisi (may God be pleased with him) is reported to have written the Opening chapter in Persian for some Persians. A reading in another tongue is never called the Qur'an. ⁶ The jurists differ over speaking in another tongue in prayer. The Hanafis allow takbir and remembrance in another tongue; Abu Yusuf and Muhammad allow it only for one who cannot speak Arabic. The Shafi'is and Hanbalis forbid it to one who can speak Arabic and allow it to one who cannot. The sounder Shafi'i view requires the Friday sermon to be in Arabic. ^{3 7} The Malikis forbid supplication in a tongue whose meaning is unknown, and allow it when the meaning is known. ⁷

Most jurists hold that an unbeliever who wants to become a Muslim and cannot speak Arabic may say the two testimonies in his own tongue. The Hanafis and the sounder Shafi'i view allow it even for one who speaks Arabic; the Malikis require Arabic unless one is unable. ⁸ A safe-conduct in another tongue is allowed by agreement, since God knows all tongues. ⁸ Most jurists hold that a man who cannot speak Arabic may conclude a marriage in his own tongue. The Hanafis and the sounder Shafi'i view allow it in another tongue even for one who speaks Arabic. A clear divorce in another tongue takes effect, and an allusive one takes effect by intention. ⁴

Most jurists allow a judge to employ a translator. The Hanafis and one narration of Ahmad allow one just man; the Malikis allow one if the judge appoints him. The Shafi'is and the Hanbali school treat the translating as testimony, with its conditions, so that it needs as many witnesses as the case requires. ^{4 5}