The early generations consistently disapproved of changing the distinctive practices of the Arabs, even in everyday dealings—namely, “speaking languages other than Arabic”—unless there was a need, as Mālik, al-Shāfiʿī and Ahmad explicitly stated. Mālik even said, “Anyone who speaks a language other than Arabic in our mosque is to be removed from it.” This is despite its being permissible for speakers of other languages to speak them. They nevertheless allowed their use when needed and disapproved of it without need, in order to preserve the distinguishing features of Islam. For Allah revealed His Book in the Arabic tongue, sent His Arab Prophet with it, and made the Arab nation the best of nations. Preserving their distinctive practices thus became part of fully preserving Islam.

What, then, of someone who presumes to alter Arabic speech—its individual words and its verse—changing and replacing it, departing from its rules and compelling people to abandon it? This is comparable to what certain misguided, ignorant shaykhs do when they target a rational man, befuddle him and make him effeminate. They oppose the Messenger, who was sent to rectify people’s minds and religion and to perfect humankind, and who prohibited everything that impairs reason, in all its forms. When these people approach someone of sound mind and corrupt his reason and understanding, they have opposed Allah and defied His judgment.

Those who alter and corrupt the Arabic tongue incur a share of this blame and punishment in proportion to what they open the way to. A person is commanded to cultivate soundness of mind and speech, and this helps bring faith to completion. Its opposite leads to discord, misguidance and loss. Allah knows best.

He—may Allah have mercy on him—was asked:

“Is it permissible for someone to entertain people with fabricated statements and stories, all of them lies?”