Understanding the Arabic Language does not
Mean One Understands the
Qur'an
The majority of the people
assume that if one understands the Arabic language, it means he is
capable of understanding the Qur'an. They are also quick to dismiss
anyone who has a point to make about the Quran's verses, if they are
not an Arab or do not speak Arabic. A consistent feature of these sorts
of people is that they themselves know little about the Qur'an because
they never attempt to research the Qur'an directly. This is because of
an intentionally induced inferiority complex of not knowing Arabic which
gives them the excuses they need to stay distant from the Qur'an, as
well as due to some other vain excuses. They never attempt to understand
the verses of the Qur'an themselves. All of their views on the Qur'an
are formed entirely by following other people and texts written by those
whose trust they assume. They have only read the Qur'an's verses in text
books in the context created by their trusted writers, or otherwise read
the Arabic verses in ritualistic recitation, or in prayer without
understanding them. Sometimes, he feels he has done enough by reading
the translation of the few verses he recites frequently in prayer.
As stated above, their excuse is that the Qur’an is not in their language
and only an Arab or an Arabic speaker can understand the verses. The
truth is however far from their mistaken beliefs. A believer can
understand the Qur'an and live by it even while possessing little or no
Arabic knowledge.
History is witness to many people who are proficient in the Arabic
language, yet made very twisted and perverted interpretations of the
Qur'an, all while they are accepted to be well skilled by the majority.
The majority being the group we have identified above. These
interpreters of the Qur'an consider themselves Muslims, yet made
countless erroneous interpretations - even while knowing Arabic. This
begs the question, does knowing Arabic mean one can understand the
Qur’an? The disbelievers of Makkah were expert in the language of the
Qur'an, but they did not understand many of the concepts and
similitudes
of
the Qur'an. They thus rejected it as being words of a madman.
What one needs to comprehend is that understanding the Qur'an means to
understand correctly what is being told in the verses, the concepts,
lessons, signs, admonitions metaphors and imagery. All of these aspects
of the Qur'an hold true regardless of the language used. When one does
not understand the Qur'an, that is, makes erroneous interpretations, he
is incapable of understanding these lessons, admonitions and true
purposes of the verses. One may even be in possession of great Arabic
skills, yet be incapable of understanding the verses due to his or her
lack of comprehension of what is being told in the verses. We can
compare this with the following scenario. Imagine you are explaining a
concept to someone in perfect English. The person you are explaining to
can also understand English perfectly. However, due to a lack of
comprehension on their part, that person fails to understand what you
are explaining to them despite your perfect explanations in English and
their ability to understand the language. Likewise, the same can be said
about the Qur'an. Even an expert Arabic speaker may well be incapable of
understanding and interpreting the verses correctly as a direct result
of that missing comprehension. This comprehension is given by Allah to
whoever He pleases. A verse identifies this:
"...But the disbelievers say, 'what does
Allah mean by such a similitude?' Through it, Allah misguides many and
He also guides many.
But He misguides only the rebels." (Qur'an 2:26)
The comprehension we have mentioned is actually a gift from Allah to His
sincere believers only. A believer who does not know Arabic may be
endowed with this ability to understand the Qur'an. When the verses of
the Qur'an are explained to him by another true believer in his
language, he grasps them correctly, even though he does not know Arabic.
And it is probable that a person fluent in Arabic could not understand
the same verses correctly even in his own language. Skill in the Arabic
language did not afford him the true interpretations of Allah’s verses,
and so he remained bereft of Allah’s guidance. Another person who is a
more sincere believer could understand the verses, even though he did
not speak the language of the Qur'an. Allah explains this 'veiling of
perception' in a verse:
"When you recite the
Qur'an, we place an invisible barrier between you and those who do not
believe in the life to come. We have put covers on their hearts that
prevents them from understanding it, and heaviness in their ears."
(Qur'an 17:45-46)
That is why a true believer can live by the Qur'an without knowing
Arabic. It is true that a non-Arabic speaking believer will need to
overcome the obstacle of language, but with his sincerity and
motivation, he overcomes them without difficulty. Today, there are many
translations of the Qur'an available in almost any language. It is
possible to draw a fairly accurate understanding of the Qur'an by
studying different translations.
In conclusion, people who speak Arabic do not automatically posses the comprehension to understand the meanings of the Verses of the Qur’an. The comprehension is given by Allah to whom He wills regardless of ones language. All people who consider themselves Muslim must not hide behind excuses from gaining a first-hand understanding of the Book revealed by Allah, which is a guide, mercy and cure for them if they only make the effort to understand it themselves. Allah has held everyone responsible for adhering to the Qur'an, regardless of their spoken languages.
Share this Article:
See also:
|
"We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an so you people may understand" (12:2) |
One Must be Knowledgeable of the Qur'an to be a Servant of Allah |
Copyright © , QuranicPath. All Rights Reserved.