Learning Arabic a Must
Qur’aanic Verse 12.2:
Transliteration:
2. Inna anzalnahu qur-anan AAarabiyyan laAAallakum taAAqiloona
Translation:
2. We have indeed revealed it as an Arabic Quran in order that you understand it.1
Study note:
1. The Qur’aan was revealed for all the peoples of the entire world. And it was to be revealed through one human Messenger to emphasise the unity of religion for mankind. And since the All-knowing Allah had chosen an Arab to be that Messenger, the language of the divine Message had necessarily to be in Arabic. It is therefore the bounden duty of every Muslim living anywhere in the world to learn Arabic. Failure to learn it betrays a grave lack of faith in Islam on the part of the Muslims.
===================================
The above is extracted from yet-to-be-published Qur’aanic Studies - Volume XXIV. It will be published, in due course, inshaAllah on the website INVITATION TO SALVATION, in continuation of Volumes I to XXIII already published and freely available thereon.
Mohammad Shafi
Author of ‘Why Do I Believe In Islam‘
August 19th, 2009 at 12:29 am
Incidently, just recently, I was listening to a lecture by Dr. Israar Ahmed (prelude to Tafseer e Qurran classes) wherein he has strongly echoed the same thoughts that Learning of Arabic Language as Fardh-e-Ain on all Muslims. More so on all educated Muslims, who learn other languages and leave out Arabic. Not excluding myself, we are all guilty of this crime.
August 19th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Assalaamu Alaykum Wa Rahmat Ullah Wa Barakaatuh,
Indeed we must emphsise the students especially our children raising them correctly by giving them the Islamic Percepective in their Education for which Teaching Arabic is one of the most Beautiful Way to Educate them and make them better human beings.
But Arabic is not the Criteria mentioned by Allah in Quran.
Infact the Ayah in which Allah SWT mentions that this Quran has been revealed in Arabic and the One who has been inspired by Allah the Noble Prophet Muhammad worthy of all praise as the creation of Allah and the Best Example for whole humanity till Judgement, it was for the sake of arguement “Hujjah” who boasted and yelled at that time in poetry, prose and literature in Arabic Language. Allah SWT brought their attention through this Ayah that this Word of Allah is Revealed in their Language, so if they want to get rightly guided they can understand it and get their souls and hearts purified from Ego and Pride and hence they will be included among the successful and Righteous ones worthy to be allowed to live in Paradise for Eternity.
Allah calls people dumb , blind and Silent only if they do not ponder at the creation laid down by Allah SWT and the voice of Conscience which is withen theirselves bearing witness of Tawheed of Allah SWT. Becos of their pride, Arrogance and jealousy for the distribution of Mercy of Allah they denied and rejected the Status of Prophethood of Prophet SAllallahu Aleyhi Wassalam and their selves disliked to give up their own characters and conducts and to adopt the manners and intentions, feelings and emotions of the Noble Prophet Muhammad Pbuh.
Becos all of them wanted to be the leaders , but Allah SWT demanded them to accept the superiority of Noble Prophet SAW and to love Him more than anything or anyone and prefer his Opinion and his Understanding in every affair of life.
That is why they denied and disbeleived becos their selves found it very heavy burden and they thought this way they will loose their honour nd prestige.
Learning or Speaking Arabic is not the pillar of Faith , Beleif or Religion of Islam. but I agree with the point it is recommended and excellent to be well versed in Arabic if someone wants to know the delicacy of Islam and Ahadeeth in great detail.
Huwallahu Lailaaha Illahu Aalimul Gaibi Wa Shahaadah HuwwaR RAhmaanur Raheem.
Wa Sallallahu Ta alaa Ala Khairi Khalqi hee, Ashraful Ambiyaai Wal Mursaleen, Sayyidina, Sanadina, Shafeeana Muhammdin Wa Alaa aalihee,
Wa Ashaabihee, Wa Atbaaihee ajmaeen
Aameen
Muneer
Mohammad Shafi comments:
No man-made translation, however meticulously done, can ever be a substitute for the original divine Message in Arabic. A believer has therefore to learn Arabic. If the elders find themselves too old to learn the language, let them at least arrange for their children to learn it.
August 19th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Ofcourse the Quran was revealed for all the peoples of the entire world as guidance. But the Almighty Allah knows who are guided and who not guided. It is pre determined .Guidance comes from Allah only. Studying Arabic is helpful to understand the Quran. But I don’t think it is a must.
Because the disbelievers, on the other hand, are not permitted access to the Quran, even if they are professors of the Arabic language (17:45, 18:57, 41:44 & 56:79).
[41:44] If we made it a non-Arabic Quran they would have said, “Why did it come down in that language?” Whether it is Arabic or non-Arabic, say, “For those who believe, it is a guide and healing. As for those who disbelieve, they will be deaf and blind to it, as if they are being addressed from faraway.”
[17:45] When you read the Quran, we place between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter an invisible barrier.
[18:57] Who are more evil than those who are reminded of their Lord’s proofs, then disregard them, without realizing what they are doing. Consequently, we place shields on their hearts to prevent them from understanding it (the Quran), and deafness in their ears. Thus, no matter what you do to guide them, they can never ever be guided.
[56:79] None can grasp it except the sincere.
The Quran is reveled in Arabic , because Arabic is the most efficient language in the world, especially when it comes to the precise statement of laws. Since the Quran is a Statute Book, it was crucial that such laws must be clearly stated. God chose Arabic for His Final Testament because of the obvious reason that it is the most suitable language for that purpose. Arabic is unique in its efficiency and accuracy. For example, the word “they” in English does not tell you if “they” are males or females. In Arabic there is a “they” for the males, “HUM,” and a “they” for the females, “HUNNA.” There is even a “they” for two males, “HUMAA,” and a “they” for two females, “HAATAAN.” This feature does not exist in any other language in the world.
The beauty and accuaracy of Arabic Language can be understand if you read the translation of the Verse 2:228, which read as follows:
[2:228] The divorced women shall wait three menstruations (before marrying another man). It is not lawful for them to conceal what GOD creates in their wombs, if they believe in GOD and the Last Day. (In case of pregnancy,) the husband’s wishes shall supersede the wife’s wishes, if he wants to remarry her. The women have rights, as well as obligations, equitably. Thus, the man’s wishes prevail (in case of pregnancy). GOD is Almighty, Most Wise
This verse enjoins the divorcee to give up her own wishes to divorce her husband, if she discovers that she is pregnant, and the husband wishes to reconcile the welfare of the child takes a priority.
The efficiency of the Arabic language was extremely helpful in stating this law. Any other language would have made it almost impossible to point out whose wishes are to be superseded, at least not in such a few words as we see in 2:228
Another Example , The word “Qaalataa” of 28:23, translates into four English words: “the two women said.” Such is the efficiency of the Arabic language
Another possible reason for choosing Arabic is the fact that “He” and “She” do not necessarily imply natural gender. Thus, when God is referred to as “He,” this does not imply gender at all. God be glorified; He is neither male, nor female. The usage of “He” to refer to God in the English language, for example, has contributed to a false image of God. This was not helped by such distorted expressions as “Father” when referring to God. You never find such a reference to God in the Quran.
Mohammad Shafi comments:
Allah Almighty expects mankind to study His Message exactly as He has conveyed it. Translations, being man-made, are prone to error. That is why it is necessary that believers learn Arabic to get to the divine Message first hand. Allah may graciously forgive anyone who is unable to learn the language despite his best efforts. But there is no excuse for others who normally learn two or three languages other than their mother tongue, but make no effort to learn Arabic.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
The Quran was revealed in Arabic, but God promised to be its teacher (55:1-4) and the One to explain it (75:18-19). God told us in the verse (41:44) that language is irrelevant, and that only the sincere ones are going to understand the Quran irrespective of their language; while those who are not sincere or failed to worship Him alone will fail to understand it, even if they speak, read, and write Arabic (56:79).
In a lot of non-Arabic speaking countries Muslims are forced as children to read the Quran in Arabic and still as adults read the Quran in Arabic but they do not understand a single word of what they read. What good is it to read the Quran like a parrot without understanding its meanings or like a donkey carrying valuable books (62:5)? It does not make any sense. The blessing of the Quran does not come by just reading it, but it comes by understanding it and accepting its message. The majority of those who learn Arabic to study the Quran do not excel enough to understand the implications or interpretations of certain words when used in a special way in the Arabic language. Therefore, if you wait until you become a good Arabic speaking person, you may waste a lot of precious time of your life before being able to read the Quran.
Of course, if you insist in reading the Quran in Arabic you can do so by studying the Arabic language and reading the Quran in English at the same time. The Quran is a message, not just another beautiful language book. We have to trust God and know that He is the teacher of the Quran. He will teach it in any language and to any nationality, He created all things.
Mohammad Shafi comments:
Had we resorted to reading only the translations, we would end up no better than the Christians, who go on effecting changes in their holy book, Bible. In a way it is good that the Muslims stick to reading the Qur’aan in Arabic, although they may not understand what they read. At least it helps maintaining the sanctity of the divine Message intact. But reading the Qur’aan in Arabic is not enough. Muslims have to learn Arabic in order to understand what they read. And reading the translations in other languages can mislead them as the Christians have been misled. Muslims are indeed failing in their duty by not learning the language of the Message of their Creator and Lord. They are thus failing to grasp the divine Message in its pristine purity.
August 20th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Islam and Muslims these are the words which Allah wants we to attain through our submission to the Divine Will of Allah. Quran has all the Directions which guides us ultimately to know the Life of the Prophet Muhammad Peace be upon him upon whom Allah the Lord revealed this Criteria of Right and Wrong in which Allah SWT explained in great detail the lives of the Prophets of the Past well known by the People of Scriptures Jews and Christians.
Allah wants we to understand the Divine Message and share it with maximum people.
And the Message of Islam is not just GOD is Allah and He is One, no doubt this is the Greatest Truth and the Principle and the Basic Fundamentals of Islam. But the Ultimate directions what Allah SWT gives us in Quran is to know the Beautiful Nature of our Blessed Prophet Muhammad the Praise worthy, praised by Allah Himself for His beautiful Dispostion, Beautiful Nature, Beautiful Character, Beautiful Intentions, Beautiful in all his efforts and expressions (All together Lovely).
When we immagine and experience the inner states of our Blessed Prophet PBUH we experience Islam and the Delight of Faith. Our
Prophet Muhammad PBUH did not only teach us the Doctrine of Islam,
But at the same time He imparted and incalculated the pearls of knowledge and wisdom of Hikmah , how to do our actions in excellence in perfection. He taught us the Good intentions and showed us all through his Beautiful Example how to strive and Struggle in the Path of Love and calling upon the servants of Allah with Beautiful Preaching and with Hikmah.
This Hikmah is concealed in the Historical Records and Narrations which were transmitted through His companions and those who learned and listened from the Blessed and Honourable , Trustworthy and Truthful companions of our Prophet SAW and then to the successive generations this Art of planting the seed of Faith and Beleif in the Hearts of people was taught and learned till now and it will continue till the Last Day of this Earth , InshaAllah Rahman.
This is the time for us , we are right now in the feild, we are present now living in this Earth of our Lord by His Leave and Permission.
Allah SWT Wants we to adopt the beautiful inward and outward of our Blessed and Noble Prophet who is the Greatest from among the entire creation with honour and status with His Lord on basis of His Love.
How Much He SAW Loved, Longed and Yearned for His Lord, How Much He SAW shared this Love of His Lord with all sorts of creation at his time whose strongest impact and immpressions are still as alive and fresh like all the muslims and non muslims feel like he is still with us. Yet we know and beleive that Rasul Allah SAW passed away from this transitory world to the Heavenly world and Rasul Allah SAW do not share the Ilm Gaib and that He SAW is not All Hearing and All Knowing like Allah SWT.
But when it comes to worship which means How to Love Allah and How to get Loved there is only One condition.
Obey Allah SWT (in the spirit of Ibadah) and Obey Rasul SAW(in terms of Seerah and Akhlaq)
May Allah forgive us our sins and correct and enrich us with good moral characters.
Aameen
Mohammad Shafi comments:
Muneer has diverted from the subject. Such completely diverting comments shall have to be deleted in future. It is erronious to make a distinction between ‘obey Allah’ and ‘obey Rasul’. The Prophet (peace upon him) was a Messenger of Allah. And the Qur’aan is the divine Message he conveyed to us. By following the Qur’aan, we follow both Allah and His Messenger.