In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
If you ever wondered why Arabic was chosen for the Qur'an, there is really no clear cut answers. But it is a fact recognized by the linguists that the Arabic language has the best ability to express wide and deep thoughts and to explain important subjects in short and precise words. Moreover, it has been proven that no language, except Arabic, is capable of presenting such deep spiritual, moral and ethical expressions in such an eloquent manner.
* Arabic has three-consonant root words that bring with them ancient connotations in addition to the principal definition of the word. This accounts for the mystical, codelike quality of the language, including a number of mathematical ‘’coincidences.’’
* There’s no clear cut sense of time — just the sense of whether an action was done or not done yet and, if it was done, how it happened.
* Arabic is a highly concrete, poetic mode of expression that lends itself well to expressing eternal truths.
* Arabic has a long tradition of intensely beautiful metaphysical poetry, a tradition that informs the language itself.
Therefore the choice of Arabic for the language of the Qur'an is not to be wondered upon.
However, with the limited time in our hands, it is not as important to know the 'why' as to learn and understand the Arabic Qur'an because Allah says,
إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ قُرْءَٰنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ ﴿٢[Qur'an, Yusuf 12:2]
Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an that you might understand. (2)
We have to believe that we can learn the Arabic Qur'an because Allah says,
وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍۢ ﴿١٧[Qur'an, Al-Qamar 54:17]
And We have certainly made the Qur'an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember? (17)
Arabic in which the Qur'an and traditions of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) have been revealed has a special status and honor. This high status of Arabic is not due to its being the language of the Arabs; rather it is because of its being language of Qur'an chosen by Almighty Allah for conveying His last message and revelation.
It is only befitting that the recitation of the words of Allah is done in the same form and language in which it was originally pronounced. Spiritually, a faithful Muslim finds himself ascending higher and higher with the support of the words of Allah as expressed in the original language.
Every Muslim should find the time and strive to learn Arabic Qur'an and make sure your children receive a good Arabic and Qur'an education from a young age. As hard and frustrating as it may be for you to learn Arabic or to get your children to learn Arabic, it’s the language that your Creator chose for revealing His Message to you.
You cannot stop at reading the Qur'an in translations.
Any translation of the original will not be the word of Allah but the work of human beings. Keep in view the imperfect human knowledge, and remember that Arabic is the widest and richest of all languages. Then you will have to admit that no translation of the Qur'an would be perfect enough to carry the true meanings and to fulfill the spiritual purposes.
Sayyid Sa'eed Akhtar Rizvi writes on this subject:
"First of all, translation of any work of literature from any language into another is considered by all men of literature as almost impossible. Of course, you will find thousands of translations of literary works, but they represent only the body of the original; the spirit is always lost.
Secondly, Arabic language, in particular, is so comprehensive that, for example, it is just impossible to convey the complete idea of a word (let alone a 'sentence') into English. Take for example, the most common phrase الحمد لله which is generally translated as “All praise be to God.” Now ال conveys in Arabic the following shades of meaning:
1. Each and every individual of the thing mentioned, taken separately;
2. All the individuals of the thing mentioned taken jointly;
3. The species of the thing mentioned taken as an abstract idea etc.
Now if you want to translate ال in such a way as to convey all the meanings mentioned above you will have to say 'Each and every, all and the.'
Then comes حمد . There is not a single word in English to convey its idea. 'Praise' is translation of مدح not حمد ; Thanks' is translation of شكر not حمد.
“Hamd” means “to praise and thank someone because he deserves to be praised whether he has done you any favor or not provided that his qualities are not given to him by someone else.”
How can anybody convey this idea in translations?
Now comes (ل) of the word الله It conveys the idea of 'For', 'Of, 'Belonging to' etc. No single English preposition can cover the whole range of its meanings. الله is generally rendered as 'God'. But, first of all 'god” is not translation of الله because الله means 'One who deserves to be loved' and 'Into whom every one seeks refuge.'
Secondly الله has no plural and no feminine. So this name itself reflects light upon the fact that He is one and only “one and that He has no partner nor any equal. But “god” has plural (gods) and feminine (goddess).
This short explanation should be sufficient to show that it is impossible to translate the Qur'an in such a way that the translation conveys all the shades of meanings of the original."
In the words of A. J. Arberry, the Qur'an is “a foreign idiom, for the Qur'an is God's revelation in Arabic, and the emotive and evocative qualities of the original disappear almost totally in the most skillful translation.”
It is clear, therefore, that no translation can replace this, divine literary work at all. Of course, a number of English translations of the Qur'an have been published; but it has always been felt that yet another effort for better translation is necessary, because all existing translations appear inadequate or carrying misleading meanings of certain verses. This feeling is not restricted to English translations; but it affects also those in other languages. Under the circumstances, should one make use of the defective translation and leave aside the perfect original, particularly when he is addressing the Almighty Allah?
All Muslims perform their religious rites and worship of Allah, including the daily five time prayers, in Arabic. In the course of these prayers, some verses of the Qur'an and other sentences, are uttered so as to express the Greatness and Glory of Allah, the Creator, and the humbleness and insignificance of the human beings, the creatures.
This is done in the same wordings by all Muslims, Arabs and non-Arabs alike, even by those who do not understand Arabic. This system of prayers in one common language was in practice during the lifetime of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and has continued after him for over 1400 years. In every country, Muslims have been praying in Arabic language.
Prayer in Arabic cements the Islamic brotherhood and emphasizes the universal character of Islam. Islam has come for the entire human race. It is a fact that the Muslim communities of the world, like all other communities, speak numerous languages and dialects. At the same time it should be appreciated that our life today is rapidly assuming international character. Distance between any two points of the world has shrunk fantastically. In every place you will find Muslims speaking different languages. Imagine a Turkish Muslim going to Malaysia and passing through a street. Suddenly he hears the voice of, say 'Allah Maha Besar' which, let us suppose mean 'Allahu Akbar' - God is Great.
No doubt the stranger would not understand that it is a call for Muslim prayer and would miss the opportunity of praying in congregation with the people of that locality. Conversely, if a Malaysian who travels abroad where people pray in their local language (not spoken in Malaysia), he would not be able to understand it and participate in it.
Prayers in Arabic are an important factor cementing the solidity and unity of Muslims all over the world. Nowadays if a Muslim from Malaysia enters a mosque in Turkey, he finds himself at home and participates in the prayer without any hint of bewilder. What will happen if every person is told to pray in his own language? Can this feeling of unity and oneness survive?”
Islam, the universal religion, has paved the way of common approach to Allah, has united its followers and instilled in them a feeling of everlasting brotherhood.
One cannot ignore the racial, color, or national prejudices which are rife these days almost in every country, Islam has not only condemned all sorts of discrimination but has shown the practical way of fostering fraternity and brotherhood. A common language for religious services plays a great part in bringing people close to one another and create a feeling of equality in the eyes of Allah.
May Allah grant us fluency in the language of the Qur'an and a sound understanding of His Book, and unite the Ummah. Ameen.
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wassallam.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
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