What is the ruling on learning English nowadays?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Learning it is a means. If there is a need for it as a means of calling people to Allaah, then learning it may be obligatory. If there is no need to learn it, then do not let it occupy your time or distract you from things which are more important and more beneficial. People vary with regard to how much they need to learn English. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded Zayd Ibn Thaabit to learn the language of the Jews. Zayd ibn Thaabit is reported to have said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded me to learn the language and writing of the Jews for him. He said, ‘By Allaah, I do not trust a Jew to write my letters for me.’ So I learned it, and no more than half a month passed by before I had mastered it. I used to write it for him if he wanted a letter written, and I would read it for him if a letter was sent to him.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, Kitaab al-‘Ilm, Baab Riwaayat Ahl al-Kitaab; Imaam Ahmad (in part 5, p. 186; al-Haakim, al-Mustadrak, part 1, p. 75) declared it a saheeh hadeeth, and al-Dhahabi agreed with him).

Learning English is but a means; if you need it you may learn it, and if you do not need it then do not waste your time with it.

[Source: Fataawa al-Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen, Kitaab al-‘Ilm, p. 120]

On another occassion, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked the following question:

What is your view on a seeker of knowledge learning English, especially if he wants to use it for da’wah and to call others to Allaah?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Our view on learning English is that it is a means and it is a bad means if the aim is bad. But the one thing that we must avoid is using it instead of Arabic. That is not permitted. We have heard some foolish people speaking English instead of Arabic, and some of the foolish people who are dazzled by the West, whom I regard as lackeys (of the West), teaching their children to use the greetings of the non-Muslims, and teaching them to say “bye-bye” when departing, and so on.

Because using this language, instead of Arabic, which is the language of the Qur’aan and the noblest of languages, is haraam. It was narrated that the salaf (the pious predecessors) forbade speaking in the tongues of the non-Arabs.

With regard to using it as a means of da’wah, there is no doubt that this is obligatory sometimes. I did not learn it and I wish that I had learned it. On some occasions I have been forced to use an interpreter who could not fully express what I wanted to say.

I will tell you a story of something that happened to me in the mosque of Jeddah airport, with some men from the Islamic Awareness organisation. After Fajr prayer, we were speaking about the Tijaani sect and how it is a false sect that apostatised from Islam. I began to say what I knew about them until a man came and asked me for permission to interpret my words into Hausa. I gave him permission, and he started to interpret. Then a man came rushing in and said, “This man who is interpreting for you is praising the Tijaaniyyah.” I was astonished and I said, “Inna Lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji’oon (Truly, to Allaah we belong and truly to Him we shall return).” If I had known this language I would not have needed these cheaters. The point is that knowing the language of the people whom you are addressing is undoubtedly important so that you can convey the information to them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And We sent not a Messenger except with the language of his people, in order that he might make (the Message) clear for them”

[Ibraaheem 14:4]

[Source: Fataawa al-Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymen, Kitaab al-‘Ilm, p. 143]

The following fatwa is recorded in 'Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah', 12/133

Is learning English haraam or halaal?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

If there is a need to learn English or any other foreign (non-Arabic) language for a religious or worldly purpose, then there is no reason why one should not learn it. But if there is no need then it is 'makrooh' (abhorrent) to learn it.

[Source: Fataawaa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 12/133]