The Quranic Arabic language is not just words and letters, but rather a gateway to a deeper understanding of the meanings of the Holy Quran and its great messages. Many people from all over the world seek to learn this language to understand the Quranic texts comprehensively, and to sense the beauty of eloquence and linguistic miracles. Although some may see it as a difficult task, the path to mastering it is not impossible.
Beginners need systematic steps that begin with learning the letters and their correct pronunciation, then moving on to the basics of grammar and diacritics, with a focus on common Quranic vocabulary. Fortunately, many specialized academies, such as Aarak Academy, provide educational programs directed to facilitate Quranic Arabic learning.
The importance of learning Quranic Arabic
Learning Quranic Arabic is of great importance to every Muslim who seeks to understand the Book of Allah and its profound meanings. The Holy Quran was revealed in clear Arabic, and understanding it in its true form requires a thorough knowledge of the rules of the language and its rhetorical styles.
Mastering the Quranic Arabic language enables Muslims to contemplate the verses with deeper awareness, which enhances their humility in prayer, and opens up new horizons for them in interpreting texts and understanding the objectives of Sharia.
Learning the Quranic Arabic language also strengthens the spiritual connection between the Muslim and the Book of Allah, and gives them the ability to perceive the linguistic and rhetorical miracle in the Quran, a miracle with which Allah has challenged the Arabs, humans and jinn throughout the ages. Moreover, learning the Quranic language contributes to better memorization of the Quran.
As the learner understands the meanings of words, which makes it easier for him to recall the verses and relate them to their context. In view of these great benefits, learning the Quranic Arabic language becomes a noble goal that Muslims everywhere strive for, for the good of this world and the hereafter.
The difference between the general Arabic language and the Quranic language
The general Arabic language and the Quranic language share the fact that they are two branches of the Arabic language, but they differ in several essential aspects. General Arabic is used in everyday life and includes Modern Standard Arabic and colloquial dialects, while Quranic language is the original form of Arabic in which the Holy Quran was revealed, and is characterized by unique linguistic and rhetorical characteristics.
One of the most prominent differences between them is that Quranic Arabic language is characterized by the precision of its words and the careful selection of words to suit the intended meaning, which highlights the rhetorical and linguistic miracle of the Quran. The structure of sentences in Quranic language also follows more refined rhetorical methods.
Such as presentation and delay, turning away, and brevity, which are methods rarely found in general language. In addition, Quranic Arabic language contains old words and expressions with special meanings that are no longer used in everyday language, which makes interpreting the Quran require knowledge of the original meanings of words in their Quranic context.
From a phonetic perspective, the importance of the rules of Tajweed in reading Quranic language is highlighted, which is not required in general language. As for grammar, Quranic Arabic language adheres strictly to the rules of classical grammar and morphology.
While these rules may be relaxed in Modern Standard Arabic. For these reasons, learning the Quranic language requires a deeper study that includes grammar, rhetoric, and the rules of intonation, unlike the general language used in writing, journalism, and daily speech.
Basic steps to learn the Quranic Arabic language
Learning the Arabic letters and pronouncing them correctly
The first step to learning the Quranic Arabic language is mastering the alphabet, where the learner learns the shapes of the letters at the beginning, middle, and end of the word.
It is also necessary to practice the articulations of the letters and their characteristics, especially the letters that are difficult for non-Arabic speakers to pronounce, such as (ح, خ, ع, غ, ق). Mastering this step contributes to the correct reading of the Quranic verses.
Learning the movements (fat-ha, damma, kasra) and diacritics
After mastering the letters, comes the role of movements and diacritics, such as fat-ha, damma, kasra, and sukun, in addition to shaddah and maddah. These movements change the meanings of words, so understanding them is essential to distinguish between words that are similar in shape and different in meaning.
Understanding Basic Grammar
Understanding basic grammar is an important pillar for learning the Quranic Arabic language, as it helps to know the function of each word in the sentence (subject, object, subject, predicate, etc.). Knowing grammar contributes to interpreting the verses correctly, especially since changing the parsing of words may lead to a change in meaning.
Memorizing common Quranic vocabulary
The repetition of some vocabulary in the Holy Quran makes memorizing it a priority, such as words that refer to the beautiful names of Allah, verbs that are frequently used, and the names of prophets and places. Memorizing this vocabulary makes it easier for the learner to understand the meanings of the verses without the need for interpretation each time.
Studying the meanings of words and the Quranic context
The last step is to understand the meanings of Quranic words within their context, as some words may carry special meanings in the Quran that differ from their meaning in the general language. Using reliable interpretations helps in understanding these meanings, which increases the learner’s awareness of the objectives of the Quranic texts.
Tools and Resources to Help Learn Quranic Arabic
1.Specialized Books and Dictionaries
Books and dictionaries are among the most important resources to help learn Quranic Arabic, as they provide accurate explanations of the meanings of Quranic words and their contextual implications. Some of the most useful books are “Dictionary of Quranic Words”, “Lisan al-Arab”, and “Al-Qamoos Al-Muhit”.
These dictionaries provide the meanings of vocabulary, word origins, and their uses in the Holy Quran. There are also specialized books on Quranic grammar and morphology, such as “Mughni Al-Labib” and “Sharh Qatar Al-Nada”, which help beginners understand the rules of Quranic grammar.
2.Apps and Websites
In the digital age, apps and websites have become effective means of learning the Quranic Arabic language. These tools provide interactive lessons in learning letters, diacritics, and the rules of Tajweed. Popular apps include “Tajweed Learning App” and “Quran with Interpretation App”.
Where learners can listen to the recitation of the Quran while displaying the text with diacritics to learn the correct pronunciation. Sites such as “Tafsir Al-Quran” and “Al-Bahth Al-Qurani” also provide advanced search tools to understand meanings and linguistic derivations.
3.Online academies and courses (such as Arak Academy)
Online academies and courses are an ideal option for those who prefer guided learning. Aarak Academy provides comprehensive educational programs that include learning Tajweed, grammar, morphology.
And the meanings of Quranic vocabulary, under the supervision of specialized teachers. These academies provide opportunities for direct online learning, allowing interaction with teachers and asking questions, in addition to providing assessment tests to ensure learner progress.
The importance of learning Tajweed in understanding the Quranic language
Learning Tajweed is an essential part of learning the Quranic Arabic language, as its role is not limited to improving pronunciation while reciting the Quran, but extends to include a deeper understanding of the meanings and purposes of the Quran.
Tajweed is the science that specializes in how to perform the letters and words of the Quran correctly according to the rules set by scholars, and includes provisions such as lengthening, nasalization, heart, concealment, and other rules that contribute to preserving the sounds of letters and their clarity. The importance of Tajweed is evident in several aspects;
- First, it helps maintain the correctness of the recitation of the Holy Quran, as reciting it correctly ensures that its meanings are conveyed accurately and clearly. Any error in pronouncing letters or vowels can lead to a change in the meaning of the word or verse, and thus lead to a misunderstanding of the Quranic verses.
- Second, Tajweed contributes to understanding the eloquence of the Quran. The Holy Quran is not just words, but rather a rhetorical book that includes complex linguistic methods that require careful and precise reading. Tajweed helps in understanding these methods, such as forwarding, delaying, and turning, which enhances the reader’s ability to interact with the deep meanings of the verses.
- Third, learning Tajweed improves the listening and contemplation experience, as reciting the Quran with Tajweed makes the voice more influential on the heart, and increases reverence during reading. Learning Tajweed is also an introduction to a deeper understanding of the objectives of the Holy Quran, as the correct pronunciation of words helps to perceive the nuances of meanings that may be ambiguous without applying the rules of Tajweed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, learning the Quranic Arabic language for beginners is a spiritual and scientific journey that combines the pursuit of a deep understanding of the Word of Allah and the acquisition of unique linguistic skills. Despite the challenges that beginners may face, following a clear methodology and taking advantage of available resources, such as specialized educational courses and distance learning academies, ensures steady progress.
