What must a person recite in prayer if they are unable to recite the Quran correctly in Arabic?
Chapter on the Description of Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
If a person is unable to recite correctly in Arabic, learning it becomes obligatory. If they neglect learning despite being capable, their prayer is invalid. If they are unable to learn or fear missing the prescribed prayer time, and they know one verse (Ayah) of Al-Fatiha, they must repeat that verse seven times. This is because that single verse brings them closer to fulfilling the obligation than anything else. If they know more than one verse, they repeat what they know that number of times.
Supporting text
An alternative view suggests that if one knows one verse, they should recite other verses instead of repeating the known one, drawing an analogy to someone who finds only some water for purification and uses it before resorting to dry ablution (Tayammum). Furthermore, if a person only knows part of a verse, repetition is not required; instead, they should recite something else, based on the Prophet's instruction to one unable to recite the Quran to say phrases like {Praise be to Allah} (Al-Hamd), which is only part of a verse, without commanding repetition.