New to Islam and have questions.

It is not valid to recite Qur’an in any language other than Arabic, because when the Qur’an is translated, it is no longer Qur’an; rather it is a tafseer (explanation) of Qur’an. Hence the majority of fuqaha’ are of the view that it is obligatory to recite Qur’an in Arabic in prayer, and that recitation is not valid except in Arabic.

This is in contrast to the view of Abu Haneefah (may Allah have mercy on him), who regarded it as valid to recite in a language other than Arabic, but his two companions – Abu Yoosuf and Abu Muhammad – restricted the permissibility of doing so to one who is unable to learn Arabic.

It says in Tabyeen al-Haqaa’iq Sharh Kanz ad-Daqaa’iq (1/110):

With regard to reciting in Farsi, it is permissible according to the view of Abu Haneefah.

Abu Yoosuf and Muhammad said: It is not permissible if the person is able to recite in Arabic, because the word Qur’an refers to the text that was revealed in Arabic, as Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “Indeed, We have made it an Arabic Qur'an” [as-Zukhruf 43:3] and “Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an” [Yoosuf 12:2]. This refers to the language of the Qur’an. End quote.

Ibn Qudaamah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: It is not acceptable to recite in any language other than Arabic, or to replace any of its phrases with another Arabic phrase, regardless of whether a person can recite in Arabic or not. This is the view of ash-Shaafa‘i, Abu Yoosuf and Muhammad.

Abu Haneefah said: That is permissible. Some of his companions said: It is only permissible for one who does not speak Arabic. He quoted as evidence the verse in which Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “And this Qur'an was revealed to me that I may warn you thereby and whomever it reaches” [al-An‘aam 6:19]. And it is not possible to warn any people except in their own language.

Moreover, Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “as an Arabic Qur'an” [Yoosuf 12:2] and “In a clear Arabic language” [ash-Shu‘araa’ 26:195]. Moreover, the Qur’an is a miracle in both its wording and its meanings, and if it is changed it is no longer Qur’an or like Qur’an; rather it is a tafseer (explanation) of it, and if its explanation were like it, that would mean that they would be able to bring something like it, but Allah challenged them that they would not be able to bring a soorah like it.