Arabic is one of the oldest and most eloquent languages in the world. Arabic is rich in words and expressions, but more importantly, at the time of revelation, the Arabic language was malleable to express new concepts and information.
With the Quran bringing divine guidance to all of Mankind, it surely had plenty of new principles, concepts, and ideas to express.
Only Arabic could contain and express such divine revelation. There are lengthy books written on the miraculous Quran and the choice of its language. I am merely only opening doors for you to search and explore.
Table of Contents
Why was the Quran Revealed in Arabic?
The best answer to this question comes from the Quran itself. Allah says:
- “إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ” (Surah Yusuf, 12:2)
- “Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran so that you may ponder it.” (Surah Yusuf, 12:2)
In this simple Ayah, you notice the richness of the Arabic language in the word “تعقلون” (ta’qiluun). This word encompasses multiple meanings such as “understand,” “comprehend,” “think,” “contemplate,” “research,” “reason,” “recognize truth,” and “accept it.”
So, Allah not only answers the question in a simple and eloquent way but also, in the answer itself, He (Glorified is He) showcases the richness and beauty of Arabic. The Quran was revealed in Arabic, the chosen language by the All-Knowing, as it is the best language to deliver such a message.
That’s why at the beginning of this simple yet glorious Ayah, Allah uses the “Royal Plural,” reminding us of the authority of the One above all while directing us on what to do with the Quran.
The Quran is a mercy from Allah, so we should accept it and be thankful for it.
From our end, Allah also clarifies how we should interact with the Quran. We should work on our rational faculties and make understanding the words of Allah our purpose when reading the Quran.
The Quran was not revealed to be sealed away or kept from us. It was not revealed for people to debate and argue about. It was not revealed for people to misinterpret and turn away from.
Rather, Allah Almighty Himself revealed the Noble Quran for us to ponder and think about the wisdom and guidance within it.
Why is the Quran Written in Arabic?
The Quran is considered to be a unique Arabic text, and Arabic is the only language in which it can be written. Although the meanings of the Quran can be translated, translations and even interpretations or exegesis are not the Quran. Unlike the Bible or other religious scriptures that may treat translations or interpretations the same as the original text and claim they are inspired by God, the Quran maintains a clear distinction.
The primary difference is that the Arabic-written Quran consists of the literal words of Allah, while translations or interpretations are the words of men trying to explain it. This makes the Quran completely unique, with only one version in the whole world.
There is only one Quran, and that is the Arabic Quran as declared by Allah:
- “كِتَابٌ أُحْكِمَتْ آيَاتُهُ ثُمَّ فُصِّلَتْ مِنْ لَدُنْ حَكِيمٍ خَبِيرٍ” (Surah Hud, 11:1)
- “A Book whose Ayat have been detailed, an Arabic Quran for people who know,” (Surah Hud, 11:1) Surah Fussilat
1. The Quran is an Arabic Miracle
The Quran is known to be a living Miracle and a big testament to that is the Arabic language itself.
A very notable characteristic of the Nobel Quran is its known imitability challenge. This challenge is directly related to the relationship between the Quran and the Arabic language.
A clear sign and proof of the divine origin of the Quran is how it cannot be imitated by anyone or group, even if it’s just the smallest chapter.
Choosing Arabic, a very rich and literate language with a plethora of poetry and literal texts, further solidifies this unmatched falsification test.
2. The Quran’s influence over the Arabic language
The influence of the Quran over Arabic is widely known.
All Islamic principles and concepts have been adopted into Arabic seamlessly, expanding the horizons of the Arabs and Arabic. This fits and fulfills the mission that The Quran as a divine book of guidance.
Translators would often need help with imitating such a simple task: conveying Islamic concepts in a foreign language.
That’s why not even the translations of the Quran can be considered as it’s imitations!
3. The Quran Evovled The Arabic Language
A major reason why the Quran is inimitable is its evolved language.
In His book (The Miracle, rereading of the Linguistic Miracle of the Nobel Quran) prof. Ahmed Bassam talks about an observation of how the Quran, while written in Arabic, is also written in a completely novel way that not only enriched the language but also evolved it.
Prof. Ahmed Bassam gathers a plethora of Arabic words, expressions and so on that are unique to the Quran.
No book and language in the world has ever had such a relationship. The book of Prof. Ahmed is a great research but it’s unfortunately also in Arabic.
Learn how to Read Arabic Today
How to read the Quran if you don’t know Arabic?
This is a valid question and its answer is easier than you might think.
Reading the Quran can refer to two things: Reciting its words & Contemplating its meanings.
1. Reciting The Quran
Just Reciting the Quran is a great act of worship, as the prophet peace be upon him said: (With each letter you read (Recite) from the Quran, you are rewarded with Hasanah and a Hasanah is multiplied by 10) Sahih
The good news is, you don’t need to learn the whole language to be able to read (Recite) the Quran!
There is a method developed especially to help any person to be able to read and recite the Quran correctly in an easy and seamless way.
Learn Noorani Qaida on Riwaq Al-Quran With Native Arabic Tutors
2. Understanding the Quran
Now, as for the Second meaning of reading, and that’s understanding and contemplating the meanings, this is indeed the most important and the one with the most reward. Because this is the reason why the Quran was revealed to begin with.
Also, there are many ways you can do this:
3. You can use Translations:
Even though translations fail to convey the full depth of the Quran and remain human effort, they can give good insights into the meaning of the Ayah
You can check a variety of translations on Quran.com.
4. You can continue learning Arabic:
Arabic is a language that can be learned. Allah blessed us with the ability to learn and acquire languages, not just our mother tongue. In fact, even the mother tongue was also just acquired. And if as kids we had that ability, we sure still have it as we grow.
With the right mentality and the proper guidance, you can be fluent in Arabic too.
Check the free trial of Quranic Arabic Course on Riwaq Al-Quran
5. Listen to lectures
You Can listen to lectures explaining the meanings of the Quran in your language. There are many lectures and courses on explaining the Quran and its Tafser as even in Arabic, the pearls of wisdom in the Quran are plenty and it’s best to learn it from a proper knowledgeable teacher.
Join the Quran Tafseer Course on Riwaq Al-Quran
Did Allah Create Arabic?
Yes! Allah Created everything, not just Arabic. Allah Created the Arabic language and all languages. Then He chose Arabic as the most suitable one to teach humanity about Himself and themselves.
Allah says:
“Read in the name of your Lord who Created. He Created man from a [clinging substant].
Read and your Lord is the most noble. He is the one who taught with the pen.
He Taught man what he didn’t know.” Surat Al-Alaq
All knowledge, all science, and all languages are ultimately because Allah taught it to us.
Allah put within us the ability to learn it, He is the one who taught language to Adam, and He is the one who ultimately caused the development of Arabic and all languages later on.
Is Arabic a Holy Language?
Yes, Arabic is a Holy language. Arabic is a Semitic language, and many scholars count it to be The mother of Semitic languages.
Many don’t know this but, Modern Hebrew is actually based on most parts of Arabic.
Hebrew was a dead language, and when some Jews wanted to use it again, they faced a problem when trying to reconstruct it to match modern-day lives.
So, they turned to Arabic, which they found to be very similar to Hebrew and was a living language spoken by millions. They used the similar Semitic roots of Arabic and Hebrew to complete as much as they could in their language and make it fit for the modern day.
Arabic is a holy language as it’s the Language chosen by Allah (God almighty) to reveal the Last Revelation (The Nobel Quran).
Why is Arabic written the way it is?
Arabic isn’t the only language written from right to left. Many languages are written the same way, like Hebrew or Aramaic for example.
The reason Why Arabic is always on the right is believed to be the (Nabatean Tribes) that used this convention and it became widespread in the region.
In the end, the characteristics of a language are unique to each language. And one of the ways that makes Arabic unique is the way it is written.
Is Arabic the language of Paradise?
Many scholars say that Arabic was actually the language of Adam. Also, a lot of scholars say it’s the language of Paradise.
There isn’t concrete evidence to affirm this though, as it’s primarily based on that they are quoted in the Quran in Arabic. But it’s known that the Quran quotes different languages to Arabic, like in the stories of the different prophets (Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus).
They all spoke different languages, and what they said was quoted in Arabic in the Quran.
And Allah knows best.
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Conclusion
The Quran is written in Arabic because Allah chose this rich and beautiful language to convey His message to humanity and guide them to the straight path.
Learning Arabic isn’t a prerequisite to learning Islam. People can use translations to know the meanings of the Quran and listen to lectures to explain the principles of Islam.
Learning Arabic enables those who seek a deeper connection with Allah almighty to be able to get guidance from the source directly. The guidance and benefits of the Arabic Quran are immeasurable to translations.
Allah made learning the Quran Easy, and Riwaq Al-Quran helps to serve the glorious book by providing different courses depending on the level of the learner.
Start your journey of learning and rely on Allah, as He is the best one to aid.
