How is it that the Qur’an is recited and memorized throughout the world? How is it that the Qur’an is easily read and understood in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh? What is it that has facilitated the recitation of the Quran, whereas is it perfected in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines? How is it that you can listen to Quranic recitation and often not decipher where the reciter is from while at other times it is distinct?
From Print to Practice is honored to explain to you that which has simplified the different sciences of the Quran. Allah has mentioned the simplicity of the Qur’an, as He said, repeating it four times in Surah Al-Qamar:
ﵟوَلَقَدۡ يَسَّرۡنَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ لِلذِّكۡرِ فَهَلۡ مِن مُّدَّكِرٖﵞ
This entails everything which leads to contemplating and reflecting upon the meaning of the Qur’an. Whether reading, memorizing, understanding, interpreting, or implementing, these matters and more, have been made easy for Muslims to fulfill. Therefore, let’s look deeper into this matter to gain a greater understanding. Allah says:
ﵟٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِيٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبۡدِهِ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَلَمۡ يَجۡعَل لَّهُۥ عِوَجَاۜ ١ قَيِّمٗا ﵞ
“All praise is due to Allah, who has sent down upon His servant the Book and has not made in it any deviance. {He made it} straight…”
Allah the Most High praises Himself in this verse for the greatest favor bestowed upon humanity. That is none other than Him revealing the Qur’an without any ambiguity in its wording or contradictions in its meaning. Instead, the words of the Quran are clear, and the content of its meaning is straight and direct. The eloquence of its wording and the accuracy of its meaning is due to the excellence of the Arabic language. Let’s look at how Allah describes His book.
قُرۡءَانًا عَرَبِيًّا غَيۡرَ ذِي عِوَجٖ لَّعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَّقُونَ ٢٨ﵞ
“It is an Arabic Qur’an without any deviance that they may become righteous. “
It is an Arabic Quran that is free of obscurity and contradiction.
Allah explains in His book that the clarity of the Arabic language and its eloquence
is what facilitated Qur’anic recitation and comprehension. Allah says in His book
ﵟفَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرۡنَٰهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ ٥٨ﵞ
“Certainly, We have made this (Quran) easy in your tongue, (meaning in your language) in order that they may contemplate.”
Allah further explains that He revealed the Qur’an with this simplicity to benefit both the righteous and the heedless.
ﵟفَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرۡنَٰهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لِتُبَشِّرَ بِهِ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ وَتُنذِرَ بِهِۦ قَوۡمٗا لُّدّٗا ٩٧ ﵞ
“So We have made this (Quran) easy in your tongue, (meaning in your language) only that you may give glad tidings to the pious and warn with it a hostile people.”
Thus, when the Qur’an was easily read and understood, it aided in the rapid spread of Islam. What we want to highlight here is the simplicity of the Arabic language. This blessed language is spoken worldwide due to the spread of Islam. Despite the diversity in the languages throughout the world, those who learn to recite the Qur’an correctly, no accent can be deciphered from their recitation, nor can their nationality be depicted. This clearly conveys the simplicity of this blessed language. However, it is not confined to reading and articulation. It also includes fluency when speaking and good comprehension when reading and listening. Thus, Allah explains that He simplified the Qur’an with this blessed unambiguous language so that it would be understood.
ﵟإِنَّا جَعَلۡنَٰهُ قُرۡءَٰنًا عَرَبِيّٗا لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ ٣ﵞ
“Indeed, We have made it a Qur’an in Arabic, that you may be able to understand.”
Further, Allah says:
ﵟكِتَٰبٌ أَنزَلۡنَٰهُ إِلَيۡكَ مُبَٰرَكٞ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوٓاْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ ٢٩ ﵞ
“(This is) a Book (the Qur’an) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its verses, and that men of understanding may remember.”
In addition to this, Allah simplified the Qur’an with the Arabic language because humanity obtains righteousness from their understanding of the Qur’an.
ﵟوَلَقَدۡ ضَرَبۡنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِي هَٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٖ لَّعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ ٢٧
“And We have certainly presented for the people in this Qur’an from every kind of example that they may remember.
قُرۡءَانًا عَرَبِيًّا غَيۡرَ ذِي عِوَجٖ لَّعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَّقُونَ ٢٨ﵞ
“It is an Arabic Qur’an without any deviance that they may become righteous.”
Allah also says:
ﵟوَكَذَٰلِكَ أَنزَلۡنَٰهُ قُرۡءَانًا عَرَبِيّٗا وَصَرَّفۡنَا فِيهِ مِنَ ٱلۡوَعِيدِ
“And thus, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’an and have diversified therein the warnings
لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَّقُونَ أَوۡ يُحۡدِثُ لَهُمۡ ذِكۡرٗا ١١٣ ﵞ
“That perhaps they may fear Allah or it will cause them to reflect.”
When reading and understanding the Qur’an was simplified by the eloquence of the Arabic language, it evidently affected the non-Arabs from among the Muslims. This is because every Prophet was sent with the language of his people. However, our noble Prophet Muhammad was sent to all of humanity, not just the Arabs. Thus when Allah revealed the Qur’an in Arabic, it necessitated that non-Arabs learn this blessed language. Allah has said:
ﵟوَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا بِلِسَانِ قَوۡمِهِۦ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمۡۖ ٤ﵞ
“And We did not send any messenger except (speaking) in the language of his people, in order that he might make (the message) clear for them.”
This verse conveys the dire necessity for non-Arabs to learn Arabic with proficiency. Allah revealed the Qur’an in Arabic to His Prophet to make the message clear for all of humanity. Thus, it behooves every Muslim community in the world that there exist from among them those who embark upon learning Arabic so they may understand the message of their lord.
The companions of the Messenger of Allah were both Arabs and non-Arabs. Nonetheless, when they all understood the Arabic language, they benefitted tremendously from what the Prophet was sent with from the revelation of Allah. Allah says in Surah Al-Jumu’ah
ﵟهُوَ ٱلَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي ٱلۡأُمِّيِّـۧنَ رَسُولٗا مِّنۡهُمۡ يَتۡلُواْ عَلَيۡهِمۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ وَيُزَكِّيهِمۡ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَإِن كَانُواْ مِن قَبۡلُ لَفِي ضَلَٰلٖ مُّبِينٖ ٢
“It is He who sent among the unlettered a Messenger from themselves reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them Book and the wisdom – although they were before in clear error.”
Thus, they benefitted from the Quran that which uplifted them and guided them through the clear error they were once upon
In the verse which follows this, Allah informs about another group of the Companions the Prophet was sent to.
وَءَاخَرِينَ مِنۡهُمۡ لَمَّا يَلۡحَقُواْ بِهِمۡۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ ٣ ﵞ
“And He sent him also to others among them, who have not yet joined them. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.”
These Companions were non-Arabs from the country of Iran. In explanation of this verse, Al-Bukhari and Muslim collected a narration from Abu Hurairah where he says: “We were sitting with the Prophet when Surah Al-Jumu’ah descended upon him. When he read, وَءَاخَرِينَ مِنۡهُمۡ لَمَّا يَلۡحَقُواْ بِهِمۡۚ “And He sent him to others among them, who have not yet to join them”; a man said, ‘Who are they O Messenger of Allah’, but the Prophet did not respond to him until he asked two or three times. Then he said, ‘And amongst us is Salman Al-Faarisi,’ then the Prophet put his hand upon Salman, and said, ‘If belief in Allah was at the star called Ath-Thurayya, the ones who would obtain it are men from these peo ple.”
Thus we see from the beginning of Islam, non-Arabs became proficient in the Arabic language. The importance of non-Arabs studying Arabic was known from the beginning of Islam. As this is clearly seen in a narration collected by Imam Ahmed and Abu Dawud that Jabir Ibn ‘Abdullah said:
قال: خرج علينا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم ونحن نقرأ القرآن وفينا العجمي والأعرابي
“The Prophet came upon us (meaning in the masjid) while we were reciting Qur’an and amongst us were non-Arabs and Bedouin Arabs.”
قال فاستمع فقال “اقرءوا فكل حسن
He said, ‘The prophet listened’, then said: ‘Recite because all of it is good.’
وسيأتي قوم يقيمونه كما يقام القدح يتعجلونه ولا يتأجلونه”
Indeed, there will come a people who exaggerate in pronouncing and articulating it, making it straight as an arrow. They are seeking a worldly reward and not seeking a reward in the hereafter.”
From this narration, we want to highlight that the Companions, whether Arab or non-Arab studied the Qur’an, which necessitates studying Arabic. That is because there is a portion of knowledge that every Muslim community in the world must acquire despite the diversity of their languages and cultures. This is the kind of study that caused the religion of Islam to spread throughout the world. However, we clearly see the prophecy of the Messenger of Allah, that there will come a people who study the Qur’an, Arabic, and Islamic studies seeking worldly gain. This is one of the main reasons for the stagnation and lack of development we, as Muslims, suffer from.
The Muslims, before our time, worked diligently to gain knowledge. As a result, the Arabic language, the recitation of the Qur’an, and the sciences of Islam have reached this generation of ours. Thus, we should feel a heavy burden on our shoulders to deliver these treasures to the up-and-coming generations.
The knowledge of Islam is like an ocean with no shore; it is very vast. However, understanding the Arabic language and the Book of Allah is essential in the development of Muslim communities throughout the world. Allah the Most High has made his book easy to read and understand, and He, from his mercy, wants all of humanity to read his book and benefit. Listen to this verse where He, the Most High says:
ﵟوَإِنۡ أَحَدٞ مِّنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ ٱسۡتَجَارَكَ فَأَجِرۡهُ حَتَّىٰ يَسۡمَعَ كَلَٰمَ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ أَبۡلِغۡهُ مَأۡمَنَهُۥۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمۡ قَوۡمٞ لَّا يَعۡلَمُونَ ٦ﵞ
“6) And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of Allah [i.e., the Qur’ān]. Then deliver him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know.”
Allah commands His Prophet to grant protection to the disbelievers if they request it, so that they may hear the words of Allah because they don’t know the reality of this religion.
As for you, you’re Muslim. You have a greater opportunity to hear the speech of Allah and benefit from it. Allah has made the Qur’an easy with the Arabic language; therefore, you should embark upon it wholeheartedly.
The History of Islam testifies to the heart-trembling effect the Qur’an had upon many Jews, Christians, and idol worshippers in the time of the Prophet. Understanding Arabic put them in a position to be influenced by the book of Allah. Listen to the statement of Jubayr Ibn Mut’im
عن جبير بن مطعم قَالَ: «سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقْرَأُ فِي الْمَغْرِبِ بِالطُّورِ، وَذَلِكَ أَوَّلَ مَا وَقَرَ الْإِيمَانُ فِي قَلْبِي»
Jubayr Ibn Mut’im said, as it was collect by Imam Al-Bukhari: I heard the Prophet reading in the Magrib prayer from Surah At-Tur. That was the first time faith fell into my heart.
In another narration he said:
قَالَ: «سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقْرَأُ فِي الْمَغْرِبِ بِالطُّورِ، فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ:
In another narration he said: “I heard the Prophet reading in the Magrib prayer, At-Tur.
كَادَ قَلْبِي أَنْ يَطِيرَ»
He said: My heart almost flew away”
This companion was a disbeliever when he heard these verses recited. Understanding the Arabic language afforded him this great experience.
As for you, you’re Muslim. You and the Muslims in your community who worship Allah every day are in a greater position that their hearts tremble from the fear of Allah. However, understanding Arabic is a key instrument.
During the time of the Prophet, many Jews and Christians understood Arabic and were affected by what they heard from the book of Allah. Allah says:
ﵟوَلَقَدۡ وَصَّلۡنَا لَهُمُ ٱلۡقَوۡلَ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ ٥١
”And indeed We have conveyed to them the word (Qur’an) that they might be reminded.”
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيۡنَٰهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبۡلِهِۦ هُم بِهِۦ يُؤۡمِنُونَ ٥٢
“Those to whom We gave the Book before it, (meaning the Jews and the Christians they were given the book before the Qur’an), they believe in it (meaning the Qur’an)”
وَإِذَا يُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡ قَالُوٓاْ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦٓ إِنَّهُ ٱلۡحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا مِن قَبۡلِهِۦ مُسۡلِمِينَ ٥٣ ﵞ
And if it is recited to them, they say, “we believe in it, it is the truth from our lord. Indeed, even before it we have been from those who submit.”
If a Jew or a Christian would accept Islam after listening to the recitation of the Qur’an, imagine its effect upon a Muslim who understands Arabic and practices Islam.
There are several examples like this in the Book of Allah. Each example serves as an eye-opener for us regarding the importance of learning Arabic with proficiency. In the Qur’an, Allah describes the impact of Qur’anic recitation upon those who were given knowledge from the jews and the Christians.
ﵟقُلۡ ءَامِنُواْ بِهِۦٓ أَوۡ لَا تُؤۡمِنُوٓاْۚ
“Say: believe in it or don’t believe.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ مِن قَبۡلِهِۦٓ إِذَا يُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡ يَخِرُّونَۤ لِلۡأَذۡقَانِۤ سُجَّدٗاۤ ١٠٧
Verily, those who were given knowledge before it, when it is recited to them, they fall upon their faces in prostration.”
وَيَقُولُونَ سُبۡحَٰنَ رَبِّنَآ إِن كَانَ وَعۡدُ رَبِّنَا لَمَفۡعُولٗا ١٠٨
And they say: “Exalted is our lord! Indeed the promise of our lord has been fulfilled.”
وَيَخِرُّونَ لِلۡأَذۡقَانِ يَبۡكُونَ وَيَزِيدُهُمۡ خُشُوعٗا ۩ ١٠٩ﵞ
“And they fall down on their faces crying and it increases them humility.”
These verses demonstrate the immediate effect the Quran often has upon those who understand it, even if they are not Muslim. Thus, it’s a heavy encouragement for Muslims to study Arabic, individually and collectively.
There is a beautiful verse in the Qur’an concerning a knowledgeable Christian, when the Qur’an was recited to him and his eyes flooded with tears. This is the story of An-Najaashi, the king of Ethiopia. The companions of the Messenger of Allah fled with their religion from oppression and migrated to his land. Upon their arrival, they explained to An-Najaashi that they were the followers of the Prophet Muhammad. Thus he asked them if they had anything from the revelation that this Prophet came with. Therefore, Ja’far Ibn Abi Talib read to him the beginning of Surah Maryam. When An-Najaashi heard the story of Maryam from the Qur’an he cried until his beard was full of tears. Allah said regarding this:
ﵟوَإِذَا سَمِعُواْ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ تَرَىٰٓ أَعۡيُنَهُمۡ تَفِيضُ مِنَ ٱلدَّمۡعِ مِمَّا عَرَفُواْ مِنَ ٱلۡحَقِّۖ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱكۡتُبۡنَا مَعَ ٱلشَّٰهِدِينَ ٨٣ ﵞ
“And when they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of what they have recognized from the truth. They say, “Our lord, we have believed write us down among the witnesses.”
These are just a few examples from the golden history of Islam that conveys the importance of learning Arabic. It is this blessed language that Allah chose to reveal his book in. Therefore, we want to conclude this blog by contemplating upon this question from Allah:
ﵟوَلَقَدۡ يَسَّرۡنَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ لِلذِّكۡرِ فَهَلۡ مِن مُّدَّكِرٖ ١٧ ﵞ
“And we have certainly made the Qur’an easy for remembrance, is there anyone who will reflect (upon this)?”
These blogs are intended to help prepare you to study Arabic with proficiency. From Print to Practice presents to you free online classes from the book “The Beneficial Fundamentals in Learning the Arabic Language.” The book launch is approaching closely. Therefore, take the time to improve your reading skills, follow our website, stay informed regarding the launching of the book, and ask Allah for His help.
With over 20 years of experience in studying and teaching Islam and the Arabic language, Abu Rayhana Abdul-Hakim Kamil has authored the 5 part Arabic course entitled “The Beneficial Fundamentals in Learning The Arabic Language” with the goal of enabling students across the globe to become proficient in the Arabic language.
