Is It Necessary to Use Arabic Language in Praying for the Sick? Here’s the Explanation

Praying for the sick is a common practice among Muslims. As Muslims, we are commanded to always pray to Allah SWT. According to Surah Gafir verse 60, Allah SWT says: ‘And your Lord says: ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.’ Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible.’ Normally, prayers for the sick are recited in Arabic. So, can Muslims pray with languages other than Arabic?
Buya Yahya mentioned in his lecture that prayers outside of prayer time can be in any language, including Indonesian. He emphasized that prayers during prayer should be in Arabic, while outside of prayer, one is free to use any language, but following the guidelines. The best prayers are those recited by the Prophet. This means there is no prohibition against using Indonesian to pray for the sick in a language other than Arabic. However, the best prayers are those recited by the Prophet in Arabic. The book ‘Panduan Shalat Rasulullah’ compiled by Imam Abu Wafa explains that according to Shafi’i scholars, praying in Indonesian is divided into two categories: prayers from the Qur’an and Hadith, and prayers not from the Qur’an and Hadith. Prayers originating from the Qur’an and Hadith can be used for those unable to speak Arabic, but not for those proficient in the language. Other opinions allow it for anyone, while some say it should not be allowed for anyone due to the lack of urgency.
Additionally, it is permissible to pray in a language other than Arabic if the prayers do not come from the Qur’an and Hadith, as long as they are permissible and do not contain hostile words or sin, nor words that sever family ties. Muslim scholar M Quraish Shihab also mentions the permissibility of praying in Indonesian. Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) of Madiun KH Miftahul Huda also shares the same view, stating that praying in any language other than Arabic can be done. He explains that Allah SWT knows the intentions of His servants, even if someone cannot verbalize them. According to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, here is a prayer for visiting the sick, as quoted from the book ‘Al-Adzkar’ by Imam An-Nawawi, translated by Ulin Nuha: ‘O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the affliction, heal, You are the Healer, there is no healing other than Your healing, a healing that leaves no ailment.’ There is also a shorter version of the prayer for visiting the sick, recited when the Prophet visited a mildly sick Bedouin: ‘No harm, [it will be] a purification, God willing.’ (HR Bukhari)