UNDERSTANDING ARABIC LANGUAGE: A GUARD FOR THE BELIEVER’S AQĪDAH

Abstract

The role of the Arabic language in the adequate reception of the message of Islam is indispensable. Allāh mentions in many places in the Qurʾān that the Qurʾān is in the Arabic language, revealed to the Messenger (ﷺ) in the language of his people that they may comprehend it. For any Muslim to know Allāh the Almighty and appreciate His powers and attributes, and consequently have faith with certainty, he or she must attain knowledge of the Arabic language which correctly conveys the intended meanings of the message from the Lord to His servants. Although excellent translation works are available that aid non-Arabs to establish a contact point with the Qurʾān, the impact of receiving Allāh’s message in its original language far exceeds what translation works can provide. The Arabic language is broad, rich and eloquent in a manner that causes it to excel over all other languages. It is for this reason that many scholars in the past and present consider learning the Arabic language an individual obligation. Every Muslim is required to know the language of the Qurʾān as much as he needs to discharge his obligations as a Muslim. Many Muslims today read the Qurʾān daily but have little time to read translations or an in-depth explanation of the Qurʾān. Thus, the reading is usually for the purpose of receiving blessings and the chances of receiving the Message of Allāh and implementing the same, are lost in the process. This research uses the qualitative approach and is exploratory in nature, as it analyzes texts from the Qurʾān and Aḥādīth, including classical texts, to shed light on the importance of teaching Muslims the Arabic language. The results are discussed thematically to highlight the need for Muslims to learn the language of the Qurʾān in order to secure their beliefs and have certainty of faith.