Is it a sin to read Quran in English?

Hazrat Usman R.A stated that Holy Prophet PBUH said:

 

“He is the best person among you who learn and teach the Quran to others”. ( Al. Bukhari)

 

No, reading the Quran in English is never a sin. However, there is a significant difference between reciting the Quran in its original language (Arabic) and reading the Quran in a translatory language such as English or any of the many other languages. It is necessary to recite the Holy Quran in Arabic and read its exact text to comprehend it. Every language has its meaning, and translators can only translate it based on their limited knowledge. However, the Quran is Allah's Book, and Allah has placed a variety of meanings in each word that we cannot understand on our own due to our limited knowledge.

 

Our beloved Holy Prophet PBUH said: One who recites a letter from Quran, will be rewarded with a good deed, and one good deed will get a tenfold reward. Further, PBUH said, Ali, Lam, and Meem are not one letter instead Alif is a single letter, Lam is another letter and Meem is the third letter. (Al. Tirmizi)

 

Now, we can understand that there is a great reward for reading Quran in the Arabic language. The word “Tafsir” derives from the root word "Fassara," which means "to explain." Thus, the Tafsir of the Quran refers to the true interpretations of Quranic verses performed by great Islamic scholars with extensive knowledge and intellectual understanding of Islam. Knowing how to interpret Quran messages will help you find answers faster and more accurately.

 

"Indeed, this Quran leads to the most right path." (Al-Israa Surah)

 

Hazrat Ayesha R.A stated that Holy Prophet PBUH said: “One who recites the Holy Quran in beautiful voice and smoothly, alternatively, he will be with the noble angels and the one who finds it difficult to read, and recites with stammering and stumbling then he will have to get twice that reward”. (Al-Bukhari and Muslims)

 

Following the Quran, the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) serve as a secondary source of guidance for Muslims. As a result, the second type of Tafsir attempts to explain Quranic verses through Prophet Muhammad's traditions (PBUH).

 

Allah Almighty says: “Eat and drink till the black thread distinct from the white thread of the dawn.” (2:187)

 

Narrated ‘Adi b. Hatim: I said: 'O Messenger of Allah! What does it mean for the white thread to be distinct from the black thread? Are these two threads connected? ‘You are not intelligent if you watch the two threads,' he said. 'No, it is the darkness of the night and the whiteness of the day,' he continued. [Itqan 11. pp. 191-205.]

 

The companions of the Holy Prophet PBUH get the true understanding of Quran teachings from Him directly. Thus, they are the only people who conserved the verses of the Quran with true intellectual understanding from the Holy Prophet PBUH. Hence, the companions of the Holy Prophet PBUH are also authentic pertaining to understanding the Quran with true meanings.