The importance of learning Arabic
Although I grew up in an Arab country, I never really became fluent in Arabic. I always read the Quran translation in English and thought it was enough. I have now realized the value of learning Arabic, how beautiful it is in it’s depth and meanings, and that any translation will never be able to give justice to the real Quran.
(Mistakenly) thinking a translation is enough
If someone told me that we should read the Quran in Arabic, I would always argue that I can’t read something I don’t understand; I knew the Quran words were divine and I could read it but since I didn’t know Arabic and I wanted to understand what I was reading, English would be enough for me.
What changed my mind?
The first thing was when I started listening to Yusuf Estes, Hamza Yusuf and other knowledgeable people on Islam. I was struck by the fact that they grew up having little or no exposure to Arabic, yet they were able to understand Arabic words easily, speak it and always quoted the Quran in Arabic.
Losing our identity
Hamza Yusuf pointed out that so many people of this new generation can speak English better than they can speak their own native tongue (I would be in this category), and that this is not a good thing, it’s actually something to be ashamed about. We are losing our heritage, our culture, and our traditions by adopting the Western culture so quickly and dismissing our own as ‘backward’.
While it is important to know English, if it comes at the cost of losing our own language, then we need to assess that.
An Arabic Quran
Allah in the Quran repeatedly says he sent down an Arabic Quran. Arabic is a language so deep that one word can have 5 different meanings. As Nouman Ali Khan points out in the video below, the Arabic words ‘Nafs’ and ‘Rouh’ are used in the Quran, but most translations will translate them both as ‘soul’. This is how limited English is, and how the Arabic language has so much depth to it. He also points out both words have slightly meanings and if Allah meant to say ‘soul’ both places in the Quran he would have used the same word for both, but He didn’t.
As Hamza Yusuf eloquently put it, ‘Why would you want to learn the Queen’s English when you can learn the King’s Arabic?’
How can we learn Arabic?
Keeping in mind that the Quran is classical Arabic, not every modern Arab person is necessarily speaking the Quranic Arabic.
There are many ways to do start learning Arabic; it will take time but the rewards are huge. To be able to read the Quran and understand it, to listen to the Khutbah and understand it, to say Duas and know what you are saying, and when praying Salah to be able to speak from your heart because you understand the words, for me are the main benefits.
Tajweed
This is the study of the Quran. Depending on where you live, you can find out if there are any classes near you.
Study online
This is way that I am going to start learning Arabic now insha’Allah, due to my busy schedule it will be easier for me to study at home in the evenings.
Kalamullah.com has this section with different e-books, audio CD’s and videos
My chosen Arabic course
I have chosen the Madinah Arabic course since it comes with Videos as well as books that you can print and follow along. I find having a teacher in front of me really helps! This is the first one on the Kalamullah link.
Why and How to Learn Arabic for Comprehension of the Quran – Nouman Ali Khan
I hope insha’Allah I am able to learn Arabic, and I will be updating on my progress! If you decide to start learning Arabic, I hope insha’Allah you find it easy and beneficial for you. Jazak Allah Khair.
