Why Is Arabic Important in Islam? | The Key to Understanding the Quran

The Quran is the Guide of the entire Muslim Ummah, and every Muslim must read it to ponder on its verses, but it is in Arabic, and for the non-arabs it becomes a barrier to understand it. Scholars suggest that we should learn Arabic for better understanding. But why? Why not? They suggest reading the translated Quran in the native language, such as Urdu, English, or Hindi, and why is Arabic important in Islam.

This does not mean that you should not read the translated Quran, rather it means that you should learn Arabic for better understanding.

In this Article, I'll give the explanation behind why Arabic is important in Islam, and why we should learn Arabic, also I'll answer questions like: Why is Arabic mandatory in Salah? While the answer is rooted in tradition and divine wisdom, it also opens the door to profound insights about. 

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Why Is Arabic Important in Islam? | The Key to Understanding the Quran

1. Why Quran Translations Are Not 100% Accurate? | Importance of Arabic in Islam

In every mother tongue, we find a unique and powerful medium to express our emotions and feelings with remarkable depth and clarity. Through carefully constructed sentences, meaningful phrases, and precise words, we convey our innermost thoughts and sentiments in ways that resonate deeply with others who share our language.

>>But what if we translate the language?

After translating any paragraph into another language, the translation loses its originality and there will be some lack of feelings, emotions, and context. In other words, the translated sentence loses its real essence. To understand the above, I'm going to give you an example,

In Hindi we ask "आप कैसे हैं?" it will be translated into "how are you?"

Now you will say what is your point? 

Right, you can easily see that here is some lack of emotion and context in English translation.

After just reading the translated sentence, you will never conclude that it is said to whom; to an older personality or to a younger personality? 

>>But again, what is my point?

I just want to say that every language has its own words or phrases to express the feeling of emotions, like in Hindi; when we use 'आप' it clearly means that a younger person is asking an elder one, Also in Urdu "آپ" is roughly referring to asking respectfully.

It is just one example from Hindi to English translation, and you can clearly see that there is “uncertainty in English translation”, or vice-versa.

Must read: Why is it important to understand Quran 

Also, so many languages had not so accurate words or phrases to describe an environment, condition, or scene, except Arabic and some others.

An example, "I'm gonna kill you" by just reading this you cannot predict the actual scene and situation of the time when the above sentence was spoken! To explain my feelings, I have to give a brief explanation about that condition,

Like, "I said to Sahil (in a funny manner) that I'll kill him" now this is explaining the actual scene in which the sentence is spoken!

This was an example of the English language, you can try different languages.

2. Different words for Different situations make Arabic Important

Every language has unique words and phrases to describe a particular situation, like in Arabic, there are two or more than two words for "wife", each one has different attributes, properties, context, and has a different meaning. Let's discuss each one.

#1. زوجة (Zawjah)

Meaning: Wife (as a spouse or partner).

Nature: This word emphasizes the complementary and lawful relationship between a husband and wife. It highlights the pairing aspect of marriage, as derived from the root z-w-j (pair).

Correct Examples from the Quran:

#1. Surah Al-Baqarah (2:35):

۞ وَقُلۡنَا يٰٓـاٰدَمُ اسۡكُنۡ اَنۡتَ وَزَوۡجُكَ الۡجَـنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنۡهَا رَغَدًا حَيۡثُ شِئۡتُمَا وَلَا تَقۡرَبَا هٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُوۡنَا مِنَ الظّٰلِمِيۡنَ 

Then We said, "O Adam, you and your wife, both dwell in the Garden and eat to your hearts' content from where you will, but do not go near this tree; otherwise you shall become transgressors"

#2. امرأة (Imra'ah)

Meaning: Woman/Wife.

Nature: While "Imra'ah" generally means "woman," it is used in the Qur'an to refer to a wife when focusing on her individual identity or character, rather than the marital relationship. It is also used when harmony in the marriage is absent or not emphasized. And also when a suffix ‘hu’ is added, it translates into ‘his wife’.

Correct Examples from the Quran:

#1. Surah At-Tahrim (66:10):

ضَرَبَ اللّٰهُ مَثَلًا لِّـلَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوا امۡرَاَتَ نُوۡحٍ وَّ امۡرَاَتَ لُوۡطٍ ؕ كَانَـتَا تَحۡتَ عَبۡدَيۡنِ مِنۡ عِبَادِنَا صَالِحَـيۡنِ فَخَانَتٰهُمَا فَلَمۡ يُغۡنِيَا عَنۡهُمَا مِنَ اللّٰهِ شَيۡـئًا وَّقِيۡلَ ادۡخُلَا النَّارَ مَعَ الدّٰخِلِيۡنَ۞‏ 

Allah has set forth for the unbelievers the parable of the wives of Noah and Lot. They were wedded to two of Our righteous servants, but each acted treacherously with her husband, and their husbands could be of no avail to them against Allah. The two of them were told: “Enter the Fire with all the others who enter it.”

#2. Surah Aal-E-Imran (3:35):

۞إِذْ قَالَتِ ٱمْرَأَتُ عِمْرَٰنَ رَبِّ إِنِّى نَذَرْتُ لَكَ مَا فِى بَطْنِى مُحَرَّرًۭا فَتَقَبَّلْ مِنِّىٓ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ

"When the wife of Imran said, 'My Lord, indeed I have pledged to You what is in my womb, consecrated [for Your service]..."

In other words, زوجة (Zawjah) and امرأة (Imra'ah), both have the translation of wife but when we are in the frame of Arabic they have distinct properties.

The word زوجة (Zawjah) clearly refers to a wife who has love with his husband, like this word is often used for so many ladies. e.g. for wives of prophets(pbuh), and wives of Adam(as).

But the word امرأة (Imra'ah) is used for the wife of Nuh(as) who betrayed him and obeyed shaytan, and also for Imran(a.s) because Imra'ah contains two definitions.

So each Arabic word may be translated to the same, but have different attributes and properties.

>>For better understanding, here is my third point.

3. Synonyms and Precision

Arabic has an extraordinary number of synonyms for the same concept, each with subtle variations in meaning.

According to an article, "Translation between English and Arabic is not always straightforward. Arabic has over 12 million distinct words. To put this into context, the Oxford English Dictionary includes just over 170,000 words. As one example, Arabic has 23(some say 11) words for 'love'. In this case, choosing which word to use might depend on the stage and/or strength of the love, as one might describe sincere affection, infatuation, or burning desire".

Also, from Arab Academy Arabic has over 100 words for ‘camel’ which at one point had as many as 1,000 words. ‘Al-Jafool,’ for example, is a camel that is frightened by anything and ‘Al-harib’ is a female camel that walks ahead of the other camels.

>>To understand this point, I wanna show some references from the Qur'an.

#1. Surah Fatiha (1:1):

۞ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ 

Praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.

By seeing this, you can see that this is very easy and clear. But you are not 100% right. 

Here is the breakdown of this ayat. 

Take a single word حمد has two meanings 

1. Praise
2. ‌Thankful

In the above translation there is no word of 'thankful'. But why? Because of the first point I explained earlier, "uncertainty".

Also for your knowledge, why did Allah (S.W.T.) use only the حمد word, why not other words? Like سبح, إشادة.

Because in the case of Allah(S.W.T.) we should have both feelings 'to praise him' and 'to thank him' in every situation.

This is just one example of "one word holding different properties". Think that there are so many words in the Quran. So, how much meaning will each word have in itself?

4. Verb Conjugations

Arabic verbs can take numerous forms based on tense, mood, voice, and subject. Each verb can generate many forms, increasing the number of word combinations.

5. Richness in Expressions

Arabic poetry and literature showcase intricate metaphors, idioms, and descriptive phrases that further expand the language's richness.

6. Global Influence

Arabic's historical role as the language of science, philosophy, and religion during the Islamic Golden Age has led to the adoption of Arabic words in many other languages.

7. Word Count Comparison

Arabic dictionaries have approximately 12 million distinct words, which far exceeds the number of words in English dictionaries. However, due to its root-based system, Arabic may have fewer distinct entries but infinite potential combinations.

8. FAQs – Importance of Arabic in Islam

1. Why is Arabic important in Islam?

Arabic is the language of the Quran, the Hadith, and the original texts of Islamic teachings. Understanding Arabic helps connect deeply with the core message of Islam.

2. Is it necessary to know Arabic to be a good Muslim?

No, it’s not mandatory. But learning Arabic can enhance one’s understanding of the Quran and bring a closer spiritual connection.

3. Can I understand Islam without knowing Arabic?

Yes, many translations are available. However, the depth, rhythm, and linguistic beauty of the original message are best appreciated in Arabic.

4. Why was the Qur’an revealed in Arabic?

The Qur’an was revealed in Arabic because it was the native language of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his people. It was the most effective medium for conveying the divine message at the time.

5. Is it important to pray in Arabic?

No, you can't pray(offer salah) in other language other than arabic because after translating any sentence, the sentence looses it's originality and real essence.

Also obligatory parts of prayer (Salah) are recited in Arabic to maintain unity and consistency across the Muslim world. Personal supplications (duas), however, can be made in any language.

6. Can I recite the Quran in English or other translations?

Yes, for understanding. But for recitation (tilawah), the original Arabic text is preferred, as it is considered the actual Word of Allah.

7. How can I start learning Arabic for Islamic purposes?

Start with basic Quranic Arabic courses online, such as Madina Book Series, Arabic101, or apps like Bayyinah TV.

8. What are the benefits of learning Arabic in Islam?

It improves your connection with Allah’s words, deepens your understanding of Islamic rulings, and strengthens your ability to reflect during prayers.

9. Conclusion on why Arabic is important

Arabic is a language with amazing depth and flexibility, making it perfect for the Quran to convey its message exactly as intended. Other languages, no matter how rich, cannot fully express the exact meaning and beauty of the Quranic verses. While translations are helpful for understanding, but they cannot capture the complete essence of Allah’s words, and that makes Arabic so Important for muslims to learn it.

That’s why every Muslim should try to learn Arabic for a deeper connection with the Quran. If you are just starting, using translations in English, Urdu, or Hindi can help you understand the basics. 

To learn more about the unique language of the Quran and its word choices, I suggest following channels like Arabic 101 and Nouman Ali Khan’s Akhri Maujaza series for valuable insights.