[AceOfHearts]

Understanding the Arabic Language does not Mean One Understands the Qur'an

The majority of the people assume that if one understands the Arabic language, it means he is capable of understanding the Qur'an. They are also quick to dismiss anyone who has a point to make about the Qur'an's verses, if they are not an Arab or do not speak Arabic. A consistent feature of these sorts of people is that they themselves know little about the Qur'an because they never attempt to research the Qur'an directly. This is because of an intentionally induced inferiority complex of not knowing Arabic which gives them the excuses they need to stay distant from the Qur'an, as well as due to some other vain excuses. They never attempt to understand the verses of the Qur'an themselves. All of their views on the Qur'an are formed entirely by following other people and texts written by those whose trust they assume. They have only read the Qur'an's verses in text books in the context created by their trusted writers, or otherwise read the Arabic verses in ritualistic recitation, or in prayer without understanding them. Sometimes, he feels he has done enough by reading the translation of the few verses he recites frequently in prayer.

As stated above, their excuse is that the Qur’an is not their language and only an Arab or an Arabic speaker can understand the Verses. The truth is however far from their mistaken beliefs. A believer can understand the Qur'an and live by it even while possessing little or no Arabic knowledge.

History is witness to many people who are proficient in the Arabic language, yet made very twisted and perverted interpretations of the Qur'an, all while they are accepted to be well skilled by the majority. The majority being the group we have identified above. These interpreters of the Qur'an consider themselves Muslims, yet made countless erroneous interpretations - even while knowing Arabic. This begs the question, does knowing Arabic mean one can understand the Qur’an? The disbelievers of Mekkah were expert in the language of the Qur'an, but they did not understand the Qur'an. They rejected it as being words of a madman.

What one needs to comprehend is that understanding the Qur'an means to understand correctly what is being told in the Verses, the concepts, lessons, signs and admonitions. When one does not understand the Qur'an, that is, makes erroneous interpretations, he is incapable of understanding these lessons, admonitions and true purposes of the Verses. One may even be in possession of great Arabic skills, yet be incapable of understanding the Verses due to his or her lack of comprehension of what is being told in the verses. We can compare this with the following scenario. Imagine you are explaining a concept to someone in perfect English. The person you are explaining to also can understand English perfectly. However, due to a lack of comprehension on their part, that person fails to understand what you are explaining to them despite your perfect explanations in English and their ability to understand the language. Likewise, the same can be said about the Qur'an. Even a an expert Arabic speaker may well be incapable of understanding and interpreting the Verses correctly as a direct result of that missing comprehension. This comprehension is given by Allah to whichever of His servants He pleases. One may be very intelligent but can lack this God-given ability to understand the Qur'an.

The comprehension mentioned above is actually a gift from Allah to His sincere believers only. A believer who does not know Arabic may be endowed with this ability to understand the Qur'an. When the verses of the Qur'an are explained to him by another true believer in his language, he grasps them correctly, even though he does not know Arabic. And it is probable that a person fluent in Qur'anic Arabic could not understand the same Verses correctly even in his own language. Skill in the Arabic language did not afford him the true interpretations of Allah’s Verses, and so he remained bereft of Allah’s guidance. Another person who is a more sincere believer could understand the Verses, even though he did not speak the language of the Qur'an.

That is why a true believer can live by the Qur'an without knowing Arabic. It is true that a non-Arabic speaking believer will need to overcome the obstacle of language, but with his sincerity and motivation, he overcomes them without difficulty. Today, there are many translations of the Qur'an available in almost any language. It is possible to draw a fairly accurate understanding of the Qur'an by studying different translations.

Translations however, are not the actual Qur'an and can be erroneous in translating certain words and expressions. Again, with the sincerity and enthusiasm to find the truth, the believer can undertake the research to find a word or expression's real meaning in the Qur'an. For example, when he encounters a certain word in the translation which seems unfitting with the Qur’an’s overall message, he looks into other Verses of the Qur’an where the same Arabic word has been used in order to see how the word has been used elsewhere the Qur’an. He may look into other translations and dictionaries to see what the alternative meanings are. He may seek advice of another sincere follower of Allah’s Book who is more learned in the language and the Qur’an.

In conclusion, people who speak Arabic do not automatically posses the comprehension to understand the meanings of the verses of the Qur’an. The comprehension is given by Allah to whom He wills regardless of ones language. All people who consider themselves Muslim must not hide behind excuses from gaining a first-hand understanding of the Book revealed by Allah, which is a guide, mercy and cure for them if they only make the effort to understand it themselves.

[wheelworks]

You forgot to mention that understanding Arabic also doesn't make you a great expert on hadith too.

[AceOfHearts]

bump.......

[Wolfn]

I was told that Qu'ranic Arabic is to conversational Arabic as Shakespearan English is to modern English.


I hope that made any sense at all. Try to say it out loud so you know where I'm coming from.

[displaced]

understanding the arabic language means you'll understand more of the quran than if you don't understand the arabic language.

so really..what's the point of this thread? people should make the effort to learn to recite quran properly.

[Revert]

Originally Posted by displaced

understanding the arabic language means you'll understand more of the quran than if you don't understand the arabic language.

so really..what's the point of this thread? people should make the effort to learn to recite quran properly.

If you know al-'am or al- 'amiya that doesn't mean you'll understand the Qu'ran at all. Al Fusha is what you need to know to read the Qu'ran in the language of revelation.

Also knowledge of Fusha isn't a ticket to knowing the Quran either. Fusha was likened to Latin when I first converted.

[displaced]

Originally Posted by Revert

If you know al-'am or al- 'amiya that doesn't mean you'll understand the Qu'ran at all. Al Fusha is what you need to know to read the Qu'ran in the language of revelation.

Also knowledge of Fusha isn't a ticket to knowing the Quran either. Fusha was likened to Latin when I first converted.

I know conversational arabic. I learned it as a nine year old. it's my second language. and the conversational arabic I learned is egyptian which is less like fus'ha than saudi.

but I can understand...oh, 90% of the quran..there are words I've never heard before but for the most part, it's understandable. I wouldn't compare it to latin, that's for sure.

[Revert]

Originally Posted by displaced

I know conversational arabic. I learned it as a nine year old. it's my second language. and the conversational arabic I learned is egyptian which is less like fus'ha than saudi.

but I can understand...oh, 90% of the quran..there are words I've never heard before but for the most part, it's understandable. I wouldn't compare it to latin, that's for sure.

Someone one told me that it is like Latin years ago..I woudln't know as I don't really know much conversational Arabic..the stuff I do know is not the same as what you speak. I was taught by a Gulf Arab..so his dialect is probably different to yours.

[ChotooMotoo]

Originally Posted by Revert

Someone one told me that it is like Latin years ago..I woudln't know as I don't really know much conversational Arabic..the stuff I do know is not the same as what you speak. I was taught by a Gulf Arab..so his dialect is probably different to yours.

As for latin... if you speak, say Italian, and you try and read something written in Latin, you're going to understand most of the Latin. You just have to make the right comparisons.

[Revert]

Originally Posted by ChotooMotoo

As for latin... if you speak, say Italian, and you try and read something written in Latin, you're going to understand most of the Latin. You just have to make the right comparisons.

So the comaprison stands then? Sweet!

[ChotooMotoo]

Originally Posted by Revert

So the comaprison stands then? Sweet!

I think so, depending on the Arabic dialect, it could be like Italian and Latin. Maybe if you get some really different dialect, like Moroccan Arabic, it would be more like Spanish and Latin, which languages are fairly different, but you could still understand a lot of the latin.

[Revert]

Originally Posted by ChotooMotoo

I think so, depending on the Arabic dialect, it could be like Italian and Latin. Maybe if you get some really different dialect, like Moroccan Arabic, it would be more like Spanish and Latin, which languages are fairly different, but you could still understand a lot of the latin.

Thats pretty cool..

[ChotooMotoo]

Originally Posted by Revert

Thats pretty cool..

My dad learned Latin in school.

[nooni]

Originally Posted by Revert

If you know al-'am or al- 'amiya that doesn't mean you'll understand the Qu'ran at all. Al Fusha is what you need to know to read the Qu'ran in the language of revelation.

Also knowledge of Fusha isn't a ticket to knowing the Quran either. Fusha was likened to Latin when I first converted.

not true.

i went to only two grade schools in an arab country between 7 - 9yrs old and learned arabic in algeria (3amiya) then, continued to speak it at home and i can understand the majority of the quran. 3amiya is very closely related to fusha, theyre not COMPLETELY different, i dont noe why ppl always assume as if they are two completely different languages like chinease and english, theyre not. and ive noticed that those who usually assume this are not arab themselves. 3amiya stems from fusha, so of course it would sound pretty similar.

[jinnzaman]