Is it permissible to derive Islamic legal rulings from a translated version of the Quran?

The Quran is not the only source of the rulings of Islamic law. Rulings are also derived from the fundamental sources of Islamic legislation, namely, the Quran, the Sunnah, consensus (ijma’), and analogical reasoning (qiyas). Deriving rulings from these sources is restricted to qualified scholars, the mujtahids, who meet numerous conditions. Allah Almighty says, “Say: My Lord has only forbidden immoralities—what is apparent of them and what is concealed—and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has sent down no authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know”
(Quran, 7:33).

Among the essential conditions for deriving rulings from the Quran is specialization, as noted by imam al-Shafiʿi and reported by al-Khatib al-Baghdadi in Al-Faqih wal Mutafaqqih (2:331), “It is impermissible for anyone to issue a fatwa concerning the religion of Allah unless he is knowledgeable of the Book of Allah—its abrogating and abrogated verses, its clear and ambiguous verses, its interpretation and revelation, its Meccan and Medinan verses, and the meanings intended by it.” These conditions are not found in every scholar. Therefore, a non-mujtahid or layperson is required to consult expert scholars known for engaging in ijtihad due to the words of Allah Almighty, “So ask the people of the message if you do not know” (Quran, 16:43).

Translations of the Quran into languages other than Arabic are not literal translations; rather, they are translations of the meanings derived from Quranic exegeses. Translating the Quran requires a deep understanding of the Arabic style in which it was revealed, as well as knowledge of the context of the verses, the occasions of revelation, and other factors, to produce accurate and faithful translations without any addition or omission. Any translation of the Quran requires review by specialists in these Islamic disciplines. The Quran’s call to reflect upon its verses is not meant for deriving legal rulings, but to affirm belief in the existence of the Creator and to ponder His creation.

 

The ruling

Based on the above, anyone who lacks sufficient knowledge of the Arabic language and seeks to learn certain matters should not rely solely on translations of the meanings of the Quran in order to independently derive detailed legal rulings. Instead, they should consult qualified specialists regarding the rulings they seek—such as Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta, which provides answer to questions in various languages.

And Allah Almighty knows best.