We have not sent a messenger except in the language of his people Quran (14:4)

𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧 (𝟏𝟒:𝟒)

Mohamad Mostafa Nassar
Twitter:@NassarMohamadMR

The question

First, I was browsing one of the sites, and if an atheist questioned Holy Qur’an, especially the following Noble verse:

“We have not sent a messenger except in the language of his people to clarify ˹the message˺ for them. Then Allah leaves whoever He wills to stray and guides whoever He wills. And He is the Almighty, All-Wise.” Quran (14:4)

And the atheist said: that the messenger must be from the same nation and speak their language, so how can God send for instance the Chinese and Africans into Hell when He did not send them a messenger who speaks their language?

Answer:

Praise to Allah the lord of all worlds,

First:

Allah Exalted He sent our Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, to all people and all mankind, not only to his people Mecca or to Arabic speaking people only, and in the Noble Qur’an there are many verses indicating this definitive indication that there is no possibility of it.

“Say, ˹O Prophet, ˺ “O humanity! I am Allah’s Messenger to you all.” Quran (7:158)

“Blessed is the One Who sent down the Standard¹ to His servant,² so that he may be a warner to the whole world.^”Quran (25:1)

“We have sent you ˹O Prophet˺ only as a deliverer of good news and a warner to all of humanity, but most people do not know.” Quran (34:28)

Second:

The universality of Islam message to humanity and all mankind as stated in the above- mentioned Noble Quranic verses, is NOT restricted by the Noble Quranic verse in Quran (14:4):

Simply because Allah Exalted He did NOT say:

We have not sent a messenger except TO his own people.

But Allah Exalted He said:

We have not sent a messenger EXCEPT in the language of his people to clarify ˹the message˺ for them.

This means that Allah when He sent Prophets and messengers, each Prophet and messenger must speak the same language of the people he is originally from as a prerequisite to eb able to communicate with his own people in their language that he speaks as well.

That does not necessarily mean that his message is restricted to them only, because the followers of the prophets and messengers usually will translate it to other languages and spread it to other nations and other people.

For instance, that atheist that has been questioning the Glorious Quran and claiming that it was sent only to the Arab speaking people. We can also turn around and question him atheism and ask him , why did he become Athesit despite it had been known that the Roots of Modern Atheism is from Pagan ancient Greece.

Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

The verse “We have not sent a messenger except in the language of his people to clarify ˹the message˺ for them. Then Allah leaves whoever He wills to stray and guides whoever He wills. And He is the Almighty, All-Wise.” Quran (14:4)

Refers to the fact that the prophets and messengers of Allah must speak the language of their own people that they were born and raised among.

The followers of the Prophets and messengers do not have to speak the same language of the prophets and messengers

This means that it is permissible for the followers of the Prophet and messengers to convey the messages of the Prophets and messengers of Allah, in any language they can translate to.

Even if the followers of The Prophets and messengers of Allah personally are unable to translate the whole messages to other languages, they still can try to convey the message of Islam as much as possible by hiring translators for example or use any communication methods to be able to spread the message of Islam to mankind.

Some scholars have stated that the wisdom behind revelation of the Glorious the Qur’an in the Arabic language, despite it was sent to all humanity and mankind with their different languages and tongues is that Arabic language is the richest language in the world and is very rich in vocabulary.

Beside as we all know that for the purpose of preservation of the Glorious Quran, the Quranic verses itself are not translated, but the clarifications and meaning of the Quranic verses are translated.

A question might raise here, and someone might ask, why would not translate the Quran itself?

The answer is very simple, and to answer we need to give you an example.

A software program usually uses the same computer language or coding across all electronic devices itself need to be compatible. The reason the software program uses the same computer language or coding across all electronic devices is to maintain its integrity, security, and smooth operation.

Similarly, medical doctors from around the world need to learn Latin Language as a common language where medical terminology as usually used, this practice is used to ensure the integrity of the medical terminology.

Imam Al-Shawkani, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

The various Quranic verses clearly states that, Prophet Mohammed peace be upon him, was not sent to his own people in Mecca or Arab speaking people or Humanity or mankind only from various ethnic and linguistic backgrounds. But was also sent to Jinn as well that is why there is a chapter seventy-two (72) under the name of the Jinn, which details that matter.

And if the Qur’an was revealed in all the languages of all and every linguistic group on Earth those it was sent to, which Allah could have done that and made his messenger Prophet Muhammed deliver the message of Islam and all languages to people from different languages, such hypothesis or assumption.

If to happen each linguistic groups would open the door to each language speakers to start to think that there might be difference to the message of Islam, they have to another language speakers.

might think that the message of Islam that another linguistic group have might be different, also each linguistic group may claim meanings in its tongue that others do not know, and this may also lead to distortion and correction because of the false claims that fanatics fall into. End quote from Fath al-Qadeer (3/129).

Third:

Islam never claimed that Chinese or Africans for instance or anyone else in general is going automatically to Hellfire. If they did not hear about Islam or Prophet Muhammed or previous prophets. Then they are excused, and their final destiny in the Hereafter is up to Allah Exalted, and we do not judge them with Paradise or Hell.

Anyone who did not hear about the true message of Islam, which the only acceptable religion in the sight of our lord of all worlds Allah Exalted He Islam, then they are excused, and their final destiny in the Hereafter is up to Allah Exalted, and we do not judge them with Paradise or Hell.

As for people died before Prophet Muhammed, they would need to follow their respective Prophet at the time. If they did not hear about any Prophet at the time, then they are excused, and their final destiny in the Hereafter is up to Allah Exalted, and we do not judge them with Paradise or Hell.

Allah Exalted He say in the Glorious Quran:

Whoever chooses to be guided, it is only for their own good. And whoever chooses to stray, it is only to their own loss. No soul burdened with sin will bear the burden of another. And We would never punish ˹a people˺ until We have sent a messenger ˹to warn them˺. Quran (17:15)

As for those to whom the call of Islam reached, and the Qur’an was translated for them, and the truth was explained to them through the preachers who addressed them in their language, then the argument has been established against them.

Hence hellfire is the abode and place for anyone who hears about Islam and reject it

It is NOT a condition for the validity of anyone’s belief in Islam and the Glorious Qur’an, that the Qur’an be revealed in his own language.

Just as a person translates scientific and other books, accepts what is in them, and benefits from what is in them.

Sane people will agree that the same rule applies, and one would not reject the truth about our creator merely because it was revealed in a language other than their own native language.

Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

And Prophet Muhammed’s people in Mecca – peace be upon him – to them he was sent first, and to them he called first, and warned first.

It does not mean that he was not sent to others as well, as we have explained earlier in this article and provided overwhelming evidence from the Glorious Quran and authentic Hadith.

It would not make any sense if the prophets and messengers of Allah did not start by warning their own people first and foremost as the cornerstone to their delivery of the message of Allah.

Once the people of any Prophet or messenger of Allah understand and believe in the message of their respective Prophet or messenger of Allah.

It becomes evidence, easier and clearer to other people who are not of his people.

It is possible after this, that people other than his people start knowing him: either by learning it in their tongue, or by defining it in their language to understand the message of Allah.

Allah Exalted He says in The Glorious Quran:

“And warn ˹all, starting with˺ your closest relatives” Quran (26:214)

It is not an appropriate or a valid excuse for sane people who know that fact that death is the fate of all living creations, not to think wisely about their destination.

People compete in acquiring materialistic things in this world despite they are sure that they are going to die and leave it behind. During the process they strive to learn new skills, sciences and they either personally translate the books of those sciences and new skills.

Or accept translated books of those new skills and sciences without making any excuses such as those books are in another language.

Conclusion

In Summary, if you are willing to translate or accept translated books of news skills and sciences to improve your temporary life on Earth.

So, you have no excuse to accept the authentically translated religious books of Islam which will benefit you in both worlds here on Earth and in the Hereafter.

Allah knows Best.

The reconciliation of Allah’s saying: (And We did not send to them any warner before you) and Allah’s saying: (And there is no nation but a warner in it) and Quran (10:47), Quran (16:35), Quran (35:24), Quran (40:5), Quran (22:34-67)

Qur’anic Accuracy Vs. Biblical Error: The Kings & Pharaohs Of Egypt

Evidence from the Bible – Prophet Muhammed is the Paracelete Comforting advocate

The Problem of the Bible: Inaccuracies, contradictions, fallacies, scientific issues and more.

The Scientific Miracles of the Qur’an

Every Nation Was Sent A Messenger…..

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