Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “The Arabic language is the symbol of Islam and its people.” That highlights the virtue of Arabic. However, the concept of the Qur’an for Arabic speakers doesn’t mean it’s limited to Arabs as the message of Allah has come to all people all over the world. In this blog, learn the difference between Classical Arabic of the Quran and spoken Arabic, the privileges of the Arabic language that make it the language of revelation, the rewards of reading the Holy Quran in Arabic, and the question of “the Qur’an is for Arabic speakers ?” and more.
Is Quran Arabic Different from Spoken Arabic?
The Holy Quran was revealed in the 6th century, for sure its written Arabic is different from today’s spoken Arabic. The difference stands out in the context, grammar, and vocabulary words. You can obviously notice that once you start reading the Holy Quran. The Quranic Arabic is distinguished by the special symbols that indicate the right pronunciation and emphasize specific words, which just can be helpful in the oral reciting of the Quran. The Quran is for Arabic speakers, as they have familiarized themselves with such symbols and the Quranic text since childhood because it’s a part of their standard education.
On the other hand, Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is widely used in everyday life across Arab countries and is employed in a wide range of life aspects, from television shows to newspapers and everyday books. Thus, Modern Standard Arabic is close to Quranic Arabic, just slight differences like using modern words in MSA that don’t exist in Quranic Arabic. You can see that classical Arabic is still used in literature and writing, while modern standard Arabic is often spoken. You may like Teach Me How to Speak Arabic.
Why Did Qur’an Reveal in Arabic Language?
There are two perspectives to answer this question. Firstly, Arabic is a very rich language, where you can find countless vocabularies that are able to communicate your message eloquently. Since the time of the Quran revelation until now, the Arabic language has been the widest and the most eloquent language, as it has strong systematic rules of Grammar and word formations. Just a statement can deliver a lot of messages inside it. Moreover, for any condition, you can find the vocabulary that precisely describes it to make you see the full picture, ponder over this verse to grasp my point:
“ثُمَّ خَلَقْنَا النُّطْفَةَ عَلَقَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْعَلَقَةَ مُضْغَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْمُضْغَةَ عِظَامًا فَكَسَوْنَا الْعِظَامَ لَحْمًا ثُمَّ أَنْشَأْنَاهُ خَلْقًا آخَرَ ۚ فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ”
“Then We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot, We made a (foetus) lump; then we made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then we developed out of it another creature. So blessed be Allah, the best to create!”
Arabs, who are aware of both Arabic and English, will notice the difference in the precision of the description.
The Quran was revealed in Arabic because it was the most growable and rich language at that time. Arabic is renowned for being the mother tongue of many languages.
Before the Quran’s revelation, Shem and his descendants had spoken some languages, just as Arabic and Hebrew languages. The Holy Quran is revealed in precise and clear Arabic that Allah knows it would deliver its message.
“إِنَّآ أَنزَلۡنَٰهُ قُرۡءَٰنًا عَرَبِيّٗا لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ”
“Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’an that you might understand.”
Allah guarantees its precision, that’s why it’s the chosen language for the Holy Quran. If you are interested in learning Arabic from the beginning, the Arabic Foundation Course is a perfect choice to help you achieve fluency in Arabic.
Can Arabic Speakers Read the Quran?
Absolutely, Arabic speakers since childhood grow up exposed to the Holy Quran and the Arabic language everywhere from school to cartoons on TV, so the Qur’an is for Arabic speakers just fine and can be read smoothly.
However, some Quranic vocabulary is a little bit strange to the modern ear, which makes them able to read but find it difficult to grasp. Understanding the Quranic texts depends on an individual’s effort and desire to learn how to master the Quran. Therefore, The Holy Quran can be understood by Arabic speakers without any effort, it requires study and dedicating time for it to dive into their interpretations and meanings.
Arabic speakers learn the grammar rules of the Arabic language from the Quran, pondering over why this word is written with this Tashkeel, and so on. Keep training and rehearsing until they master reciting the Holy Quran in the proper way without any mistakes as Arabic grammar is less straightforward and contains a lot more rules than English.
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The Qur’an Is for Arabic Speakers
As a matter of fact, not all Arabic speakers have deep knowledge of how to recite the Holy Quran flawlessly or the Arabic language and its eloquence. Therefore, you can find it challenging to recite and master the Holy Quran for all people whether Arabic native speakers or non-Arabic native speakers. It’s addressed to all those who know Arabic from birth and those who learn it later on.
- Thus, the Qur’an is for Arabic speakers and non-Arabic speakers, both are seeking to learn and exerting effort in this pursuit. The difference is just in the level of difficulty for both of them. However, if you sincerely want to learn the Holy Quran and allocate specific time for it, this won’t take a long time until you master it, Allah says in Surah Al-Qamar :
“وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا الْقُرْآنَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ”
“And We have certainly made the Qur’an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?”
- When it comes to learning the Holy Quran, you’re supposed to grasp the first thing that crosses your mind by just reading it, as what you see is only a fraction of the whole and there are multiple hidden meanings inside each word, in addition to the stories and the Islamic culture you can learn from your journey with the the Holy Quran.
You need to learn how to read the Holy Quran, Tajweed rules, and its interpretations to avoid any misconceptions about a specific topic because of lack of sufficient knowledge, you can find that in the Quran Recitation Course.
What Does the Quran Say about Arabic as the Language of Quran Revelations and What Should Others Do Who Are not Arabs?
Allah says in Surah Taha:
“وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَنزَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا وَصَرَّفْنَا فِيهِ مِنَ الْوَعِيدِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ أَوْ يُحْدِثُ لَهُمْ ذِكْرًا”
“And thus We have sent it down as a Quran in Arabic, and have explained therein in detail the warnings, in order that they may fear Allah, or that it may cause them to have a lesson from it (or to have the honor for believing and acting on its teachings.”
The Quran was revealed in Arabic, so learning this language enables you to have a deeper understanding and acknowledgment of the Holy Quran, its interpretations, and its meaning.
The Arabic language is rich with a wide range of vocabulary that exquisitely communicates the meanings, on the other hand, if you try to read the Holy Quran in another language, you will not live in this atmosphere or the deep connection that the Arabic language does.
Once you read the Holy Quran in the Arabic language, which is revealed in it, you form a deeper connection with the Quran, which strengthens your relationship with Allah and also can facilitate the Quran memorization ahead.
- One of the most challenging obstacles that may be faced by non-Arab speakers is to learn the Quran recitation and reading it with proper Tajweed correctly, so that you can grasp the Holy Scripture written in the Arabic Language. Al-Walid Academy facilities approach to reciting and understanding the Holy Quran, you can find a simplified explanation of how to recite the Holy Quran correctly with the Arabic language Course to overcome this obstacle by learning it online inside your own house comfortably through superior Arabic instructors that graduated from Al-Azher and qualified you to have an engaging and meaningful learning process.
Rewards For Reading the Quran in Arabic
Once you start reciting the Quran, the scale of good deeds begins to tip in your favor. Aside from the rewards you will have in your life as soon as you commit to reading the Holy Quran in Arabic, such as:
Delivering the Meanings of the Holy Quran
The Arabic language takes you to the message of Allah behind the Quranic verses. The Holy Quran holds its authenticity in the Arabic language according to the eloquent vocabulary that helps deliver the meanings, which can be caught when you read it in its original language. Muslims can understand the true essence of Allah’s message efficiently when they read it in The Arabic language which makes you feel and live the atmosphere of the Quran’s beauty that can’t be obtained by translations. Figure out how you can master and get a good grasp of the Holy Quran with Arabic and Quran Courses from Al-Walid.
Countless Rewards
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “[Whoever recites a letter] from Allah’s Book, then he receives the reward from it, and the reward of ten the like of it. I do not say that Alif Lam Mim is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Mim is a letter.” Reciting the Holy Quran in Arabic brings multiple blessings. Based on this hadith, you will have numerous rewards if you just read the Holy Quran in its original form for less than an hour.
Enhancing the Arabic Language
Demonstrating a higher level of dedication and commitment is also rewarded by Allah, That (the fruit of) his striving will soon come in sight وَأَنَّ سَعْيَهُ سَوْفَ يُرَىٰ. Specifically, when it comes to learning a Challenging language like the Arabic language, by committing to the regular recitation of the Holy Quran, you will notice progress in your reading of Arabic reading and Grammar rules effortlessly.
Read about: the benefits of Reading The Quran in Arabic
Conclusion
The Qur’an is for Arabic speakers and non-Arabic speakers, if you were born and raised in a country where Arabic is not the native language, you definitely will struggle with reading the Holy Quran, but it doesn’t mean you won’t read it. Luckily, Learn Arabic And Quran Online simplifies your learning process to gain wide knowledge from your cozy home.
FAQ
Can I Read the Quran in its Translation?
Even if you don’t understand the Arabic language, it’s better to read the Holy Quran in Arabic because of its spiritual significance. Translations should be just supplementary resources instead of substitutes for the original text. Read about: Is it Halal to Read the Quran in English?
Is it Difficult to Read the Quran in Arabic If I have No Idea about It?
Through the guidance of specialized instructors and regular listening to reciters, you can read it effortlessly and correctly after a short time.
How Long Does It Take To Learn Reciting the Holy Quran in Arabic?
It depends on your diligence, but with a structured curriculum and intensive reading, you can be able to read the Holy Quran after 3 months.
Can I Learn Arabic from the Holy Quran?
Indeed, all Arabic teachers take the Holy Quran as the ultimate resource for giving examples, whether for grammatical rules or eloquent vocabulary. Therefore, reciting and memorizing the Holy Quran qualifies you to master the Arabic language, making you highly proficient in it.