Arabic is instrumental to the teachings of Islam. As a non-native speaker, how well can you speak and understand Arabic? Do you want to learn Arabic? What’s the best way to teach children Arabic from a young age? We plan on answering all these questions in this blog.
The Muslim community is based on the faith of one Allah Almighty and the shared guidance sent down by Allah Almighty to the people of this world.
His final revelation to mankind, the Quran, was sent over 1400 years ago to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in the Arabic language. Thus, it is the Arabic language that serves as the common link joining this diverse community of believers and is the unifying element that ensures believers share the same ideas.
The original Arabic text of the Quran has been preserved from the time of its revelation. Of course, translations have been done into various languages, but all are based on the original Arabic text that has not changed in many centuries. In order to fully understand the magnificent words of their Lord, Muslims make every attempt to learn the Arabic language in its classic form.
Since understanding Arabic is so important, most Muslims try to learn at least the basics. And a great many Muslims pursue further study in order to understand the full text of the Quran in its original form. So how does one learn Arabic, especially the classic, liturgical form in which the Quran was written?
Since the majority of the followers of Islam are non-native speakers of Arabic many of them may not have had the chance to learn it properly. As Muslims, we believe that Arabic is our religious language in this world and will be our language in Paradise in the Hereafter.
Similarly, the issue of the Quran and the Sunnah is especially sensitive. Although there is also a reward on only the recitation of the Quran without knowing its meanings, yet those who contemplate its verses and try to understand its message are most appreciated by Allah.
All Islamic sciences basically had been written in the Arabic language and were translated into many other languages afterwards. So, deduction, elicitation and strong grasp on Islamic knowledge can only be possible when we learn Arabic.
The same issue occurs when studying Hadith. When translating here, the translator is responsible for translating the meaning of Allah or His Messenger into another language according to their will. This requires great care because if he makes the slightest mistake, he may face the promise of punishment. [Sahih Bukhari: 1291] and if he translates the Prophet’s ﷺ words accordingly, he may be entitled to the supplication of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that Allah may refresh the face of the person who hears a hadith from us and transmits it as he has heard it from us. [Sunan Abi Dawud: 3660]
Therefore, there was a need to develop a basic Arabic grammar course for non-Arabic speakers in order to acquire Islamic knowledge properly.
Dr. V Abdur-Rahim met this need in a very good way and compiled the book with Arabic title “دروس اللغة العربية لغير الناطقين بها” and divided it into eight parts as per different grade levels. Darussalam translated this into English and added relevant additions.
Dr. V Abdur-Rahim compiled this Arabic course book in such a way that multiple Islamic centres and Madaris over the world included it in their syllabus.
Dr. V Abdur-Rahim is best known as Dr. F Abdur-Rahim. He was the director of the Translation Center at King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Quran in Madina. He held several degrees, where he obtained a master’s degree in English language and literature from the University of Madras, as well as a master’s in Arabic language and literature from Aligarh Islamic University. He also won the oriental title “Best Scholars” in Islamic Studies and Arabic Language from the University of Madras. Finally, a PhD in the origins of language from Al-Azhar University. He was fluent in several languages such as Arabic, English, Urdu, Persian, Hindi and Tamil.
Arabic Course (distributed into eight parts according to the curriculum followed in the United States of America, and in some other countries), five parts of which were issued, and the sixth part is under publication.
This book is the best basic Arabic course book for beginners, that teaches the readers about Quranic and traditional Arabic. This book was initially used in the renowned Madinah University for teaching Arabic to non-natives. The Arabic course covered in this comprehensive book allows readers to further contribute to the fundamental Islamic topics like the Quranic exegesis, Hadiths, Fiqh, Sirah, History, classical and modern Arabic literature.
Now this book is a combination of Sarf, Nahw, Blaghah, and Maani. So, the student can easily get more knowledge about the various aspects of Arabic grammar and learning skills in one book إن شاء الله.
The book includes dialogues and teaches the reader Arabic through a conversational style. Additionally, each lesson ends with an exercise that helps the reader recap the lessons of the chapter. This book series is divided into 3 parts and all parts should be read for better understanding or a single book can be bought in case of children as per their learning grade.
You can buy the book for yourself from Darussalam stores or online by clicking here.
Read Our Blog Post on Islamic Studies Series
Interested in similar books? Take a look at these suggestions.
