Is “Namaz” a Sanskrit Word? Understanding Its Use in Islamic Context

The Use of “Namaz” vs. “Salah” in Islamic Worship

Question: A scholar mentioned in his speech that “Namaz” is a Sanskrit word. If this is true, should we avoid using the word “Namaz” and instead use “Salah”?

Answer: “Namaz” is a Persian word. You can check Urdu dictionaries like Feroz-ul-Lughat, which state that “Namaz” is an Urdu word. Even if “Namaz” were a Sanskrit word, there would be no harm in using it. This word is used to denote worship, and Urdu is a composite language that includes words from Hindi, Sanskrit, Persian, English, and many other languages.

Our religion is in Arabic, and when we translate it into our language, it is natural to use words from our own language. This issue is not limited to the word “Namaz” but extends to thousands of words we use in translation. Therefore, whether it is the word “Namaz,” “Roza” (fasting), or other translated words, there is no harm in using them. The same applies to other languages, such as English, where “Namaz” is expressed with various terms, and their use is also permissible.

 Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi

Jeddah Dawah Center, Hayy Al-Salamah – Saudi Arabia