“Learn Arabic as it settles the mind and increases chivalry.” ( Ahmed Shawky)
Why should we learn Arabic although we have all these other languages to learn? Arabic is one of the world’s most important, beautiful languages and the richest one ever. It is becoming more and more popular as any school subject or any language all over the world as the number of those who speak and write Arabic is about 350 million people and the number is increasing. It is the fourth or fifth most spoken language in the worldwide. In addition, it is the language of the second religion of the world.
However, it’s also undeniably one of the most difficult languages to learn, particularly if you’re trying to learn it alone at home or online without a structured course or a teacher. But like any other language, if you’re committed and open to trying different methods and techniques, mastering it will be both possible and satisfying. In the following paragraphs, we will reflect upon the importance of learning Arabic from the religious aspect.
In fact, Arabic is the language chosen by Allah (the Almighty) as the language of Islam. The Holy Quran, the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and all Islamic teachings were provided in Arabic. As a result, when one learns it, he isn’t just learning a language, but a way for better and sound understanding of Islam and its teaching.
Firstly, The Holy Qur’an is written in Arabic as it was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH in the Arab peninsula where the Arab live. In addition, the act of reciting the Holy Qur’an correctly is a difficult matter that is not possible through interpreting its verses as this interpretation in English is by people and there may be some deficits in it. Thus, the only way for sound understanding of its verses is through learning Arabic. In addition, the correct recitation of the Holy Qur’an helps in easily memorizing it as well as performing prayer.
Arabic was chosen as the language of Islam and the Qur’an instead of all other languages and this fact alone is a sufficient reason to learn Arabic. Allah (SWT) said in the Holy Qur’an:
“Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’an that you might understand.”(Quran, 12:2)
This verse shows that it is a language that every human can learn and understand.
Secondly, the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the teachings of Islam all are written in Arabic. The analysis and explanation of these teachings is written as well in Arabic. Although they were translated into English and other languages, the only true understanding can be conveyed in Arabic. As a result of learning Arabic, one will be able to read and teach these teachings from their original sources, avoid the misconceptions about the basics of his religion and appreciate the religion’s special principles.
Thirdly, the reading of these teachings whether the explanation of the Qur’an, Hadith or the other teachings in Arabic represent a better connection between individuals and Allah. This connection is a spiritual devotion and it cannot be formed without a deep understanding of the teachings written in Arabic. On the contrary, understanding Arabic helps in forming this spiritual devotion with Allah the Almighty. This is clear as when one prays, recites, listens to Qur’an or the sermons, he is spiritually affected and his love for Allah and his teachings increases creating a deep connection with Allah (SWT).
Allah (SWT) said in the Holy Qur’an: “Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’an, or are there locks upon [their] hearts?”
(Quran, 4:24)
Fourthly, Arabic has acquired the quality of holiness as the Holy Quran is not read in any language other than Arabic and this gave it great importance in the lives of Arab and non-Arab Muslims in various parts of the world. Therefore, Muslims of different nationalities, regardless of their languages and dialects, learned Arabic and those who did not learn it, memorized Qur’anic verses in Arabic, so that they could perform the rituals of the Islamic religion.
Prayer, for example, is accepted only by reciting Fatiha and the verses of the Qur’an. Furthermore, it is immortal and as long as Islam exists, the Arabic language exists, and therefore it will only disappear with the end of Islam, and this will only happen with the disappearance of the world.
To sum up, the Arabic language has a great position among the other languages as it is the language of many countries and many Muslim and non-Muslim nations speak it. The above-mentioned points show the importance of learning Arabic in understanding the Islamic teachings and spiritual devotion and in man’s life in general.
The key words: learning Arabic, the religious importance, the Islamic teachings, traditions of the Prophet, the holiness of Arabic, language of Islam, recitation, memorizing Qur’an.
“Learn Arabic as it settles the mind and increases chivalry.” ( Ahmed Shawky)
Why should we learn Arabic although we have all these other languages to learn? Arabic is one of the world’s most important, beautiful languages and the richest one ever. It is becoming more and more popular as any school subject or any language all over the world as the number of those who speak and write Arabic is about 350 million people and the number is increasing. It is the fourth or fifth most spoken language in the worldwide. In addition, it is the language of the second religion of the world.
However, it’s also undeniably one of the most difficult languages to learn, particularly if you’re trying to learn it alone at home or online without a structured course or a teacher. But like any other language, if you’re committed and open to trying different methods and techniques, mastering it will be both possible and satisfying. In the following paragraphs, we will reflect upon the importance of learning Arabic from the religious aspect.
In fact, Arabic is the language chosen by Allah (the Almighty) as the language of Islam. The Holy Quran, the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and all Islamic teachings were provided in Arabic. As a result, when one learns it, he isn’t just learning a language, but a way for better and sound understanding of Islam and its teaching.
Firstly, The Holy Qur’an is written in Arabic as it was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH in the Arab peninsula where the Arab live. In addition, the act of reciting the Holy Qur’an correctly is a difficult matter that is not possible through interpreting its verses as this interpretation in English is by people and there may be some deficits in it. Thus, the only way for sound understanding of its verses is through learning Arabic. In addition, the correct recitation of the Holy Qur’an helps in easily memorizing it as well as performing prayer.
Arabic was chosen as the language of Islam and the Qur’an instead of all other languages and this fact alone is a sufficient reason to learn Arabic. Allah (SWT) said in the Holy Qur’an:
“Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’an that you might understand.”(Quran, 12:2)
This verse shows that it is a language that every human can learn and understand.
Secondly, the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the teachings of Islam all are written in Arabic. The analysis and explanation of these teachings is written as well in Arabic. Although they were translated into English and other languages, the only true understanding can be conveyed in Arabic. As a result of learning Arabic, one will be able to read and teach these teachings from their original sources, avoid the misconceptions about the basics of his religion and appreciate the religion’s special principles.
Thirdly, the reading of these teachings whether the explanation of the Qur’an, Hadith or the other teachings in Arabic represent a better connection between individuals and Allah. This connection is a spiritual devotion and it cannot be formed without a deep understanding of the teachings written in Arabic. On the contrary, understanding Arabic helps in forming this spiritual devotion with Allah the Almighty. This is clear as when one prays, recites, listens to Qur’an or the sermons, he is spiritually affected and his love for Allah and his teachings increases creating a deep connection with Allah (SWT).
Allah (SWT) said in the Holy Qur’an: “Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’an, or are there locks upon [their] hearts?”
(Quran, 4:24)
Fourthly, Arabic has acquired the quality of holiness as the Holy Quran is not read in any language other than Arabic and this gave it great importance in the lives of Arab and non-Arab Muslims in various parts of the world. Therefore, Muslims of different nationalities, regardless of their languages and dialects, learned Arabic and those who did not learn it, memorized Qur’anic verses in Arabic, so that they could perform the rituals of the Islamic religion.
Prayer, for example, is accepted only by reciting Fatiha and the verses of the Qur’an. Furthermore, it is immortal and as long as Islam exists, the Arabic language exists, and therefore it will only disappear with the end of Islam, and this will only happen with the disappearance of the world.
To sum up, the Arabic language has a great position among the other languages as it is the language of many countries and many Muslim and non-Muslim nations speak it. The above-mentioned points show the importance of learning Arabic in understanding the Islamic teachings and spiritual devotion and in man’s life in general.
The key words: learning Arabic, the religious importance, the Islamic teachings, traditions of the Prophet, the holiness of Arabic, language of Islam, recitation, memorizing Qur’an.