CHITRAL:  It was four months ago that retired Wing Commander Fardad Ali Shah through Chitral News proposed a meaningful initiative: that prayer leaders (imams) should briefly explain and translate the Quranic verses they recite during the five daily prayers before commencing the Salah. This, he suggested, would help worshippers, most of whom are Arabic illeterate, to  better comprehend the divine words they hear and recite.

Also read:  Prayer leaders should translate the meaning of prayers

The good news is that the proposal has been implemented at the Ataliq Jamia Masjid in Chitral bazar. Starting from Jumatul Widah, the Imam first translates and explains the meaning of the Sooras that he would be reciting in the formal rendition of prayers before reciting them. This way the prayer goers who almost all are Arabic illiterate become aware of the meaning of the Holy verses they are hearing and thus pay attention to it while the sooras are being recited in Arabic. This small step my prove a giant stride in understanding the prayers and the holy Quran instead of just rotting it as has been our practice since centuries.

Prayer goers are delighted with this system put in place which helps in understanding the meaning of prayers. It is expected that prayer goers in other parts of Chitral and Pakistan will urge their imams to follow this example and educate the prayer goers about the holy Quran by default at each prayer time .. CN report, 30 March 2025