The Qur’an is in Arabic to ensure clear understanding by the Arabs, demonstrate its unmatched eloquence, and utilize Arabic’s depth to convey divine messages. Arabic’s richness preserves the Qur’an’s beauty, guiding Muslims globally and showcasing its miraculous nature.
The Qur’an is the lasting, intact, final divine message, till the Judgment Day. Yes, the Qur’an was actually sent down to the Arabs, but it is Allah’s Word to all mankind, to guide them through their lives to the straight path.
With such incomparable significance of the Qur’an, many may wonder why the Qur’an is in Arabic specially, among all other languages! Let’s have a closer look at why it is the language of The Creator’s Word to His servants.
Table of Contents
Why Is the Quran Written in Arabic?
There is always a wisdom behind; let’s show some of the clear reasons why the Qur’an is in the Arabic language:
1- The Quran Is Written In Arabic For Arabs:
Allah Almighty revealed the Qur’an in Arabic to His Messenger, Muhammed (ﷺ), who is an Arab, born in Arabia, and his people are Arabs, of course; so, it is reasonable that the message sent to them is in their own language, to be able to read it with understanding :
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا بِلِسَانِ قَوْمِهِۦ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمْ ۖ فَيُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ٤
“And We did not send any messenger except [speaking] in the language of his people to state clearly for them, and Allāh sends astray [thereby] whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” [Ibrahim: 4].
2- No Claim to Deny:
Allah revealed His Book in Arabic, so that the Arabs- on whom Qur’an was descended- can’t give any false excuses, or claims denying it:
وَلَوْ جَعَلْنَـٰهُ قُرْءَانًا أَعْجَمِيًّۭا لَّقَالُوا۟ لَوْلَا فُصِّلَتْ ءَايَـٰتُهُۥٓ ۖ ءَا۬عْجَمِىٌّۭ وَعَرَبِىٌّۭ ۗ قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ هُدًۭى وَشِفَآءٌۭ ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ فِىٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ وَقْرٌۭ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِمْ عَمًى ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُنَادَوْنَ مِن مَّكَانٍۭ بَعِيدٍۢ ٤٤
“And if We had made it a foreign [i.e., non-Arabic] Qur’ān, they would have said, “Why are its verses not explained in detail [in our language]? Is it a foreign [recitation] and an Arab [messenger]?” Say, “It is, for those who believe, a guidance and cure…” [Fussilat: 44].
3- Quran in Arabic For Arabs to Call Others:
Unquestionably, Arabs are not the only to be guided by Qur’an, yet they are the people, at that time, to receive that divine message to all humanity, understand it well in their language, and then convey it to the four corners of the world:
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ قُرْءَانًا عَرَبِيًّۭا لِّتُنذِرَ أُمَّ ٱلْقُرَىٰ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا وَتُنذِرَ يَوْمَ ٱلْجَمْعِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ۚ فَرِيقٌۭ فِى ٱلْجَنَّةِ وَفَرِيقٌۭ فِى ٱلسَّعِيرِ ٧
“And thus We have revealed to you an Arabic Qur’ān that you may warn the Mother of Cities [i.e., Makkah] and those around it and warn of the Day of Assembly, about which there is no doubt. A party will be in Paradise and a party in the Blaze.” [Ash-Shura: 7].
4- The Quran in Arabic To Be A Miracle to the Linguistic Legends:
Arabs were so proud and even bragging about their matchless linguistic skills, and powerful talents of eloquent speech. Words were their game, at which they were so brilliant!
At that time, they had no remarkable civilization, like that of Romans, for example; so their power lied in their exceptional cognitive skills of language, like writing expressive, weighty poems, fast memorizing and recalling whole knowledge, recognizing subtle shades of meanings, giving so rhetorical speeches, and the list goes on!
Considering how superb and superior they were linguistically, Qur’an was the fitting, divine miracle for them- in their own language- as they are ‘the most aware and knowing of language’ to realize its inimitable beauties and depths that are way beyond all their abilities!
وَإِن كُنتُمْ فِى رَيْبٍۢ مِّمَّا نَزَّلْنَا عَلَىٰ عَبْدِنَا فَأْتُوا۟ بِسُورَةٍۢ مِّن مِّثْلِهِۦ وَٱدْعُوا۟ شُهَدَآءَكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ ٢٣
“And if you are in doubt about what We have sent down [i.e., the Qur’ān] upon Our Servant [i.e., Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)], then produce a sūrah the like thereof and call upon your witnesses [i.e., supporters] other than Allah, if you should be truthful.” [Al-Baqarah: 23].
5- Arabic is an Exceptional Language:
Unlike any other language, Arabic was actually such a deep, rich, unique, encompassing language that is specially up to convey the Lord’s Word to His servants.
As one of the most ancient languages, and yet, one of the most growing ones till now, the Arabic language is the only, noble, eternal language that is properly fitting to decipher the Qur’an inimitable messages, teachings, meanings, words, contexts, etc.
كِتَـٰبٌۭ فُصِّلَتْ ءَايَـٰتُهُۥ قُرْءَانًا عَرَبِيًّۭا لِّقَوْمٍۢ يَعْلَمُونَ ٣
“A Book whose ayahs have been detailed, an Arabic Qur’ān for a people who know.” [Fussilat: 3].
Speaking of how elegant Arabic is, ‘the Quranic Arabic’- that certain, prestigious style used in Qur’an- is even beyond all! It’s such a really complex, and weighty Arabic style with incomparable brevity, stunning eloquence, exceptional grammar, expressive words, crucial syntax, elevated styles, subtle meanings, and so on!
No other human language on earth has such a full package! It is the greatest among all, deserving to be the language of Allah’s Word to all humanity, in all times.
Is the Qur’an Written in Arabic?
Yes, it is. In fact, the answer to this question is simply mentioned in the Qur’an itself:
إِنَّا جَعَلْنَـٰهُ قُرْءَٰنًا عَرَبِيًّۭا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ ٣
“Indeed, We have made it an Arabic Qur’ān that you might understand.”[Az-Zukhruf: 3] This ayah is a precise, clear-cut answer!
The Qur’an is not just revealed originally in Arabic, but rather, in a very specific, solemn style of Arabic: “the Qur’anic Arabic”. It is more like that eloquent, classical Arabic, used in such weighty, refined literature, in the ancient, golden times of the Arabic culture, not like those daily, numerous dialects of Arabic.
Also, it is still somehow different from Modern Standard Arabic; Qur’anic Arabic is way deeper, and learning it is crucial to get Allah’s message clearly through Qur’an.
Is the Qur’an Only in Arabic?
Yes, it is. Qur’an, Allah’s Holy Book, is only in Arabic, which is purposefully a prerequisite to fully understand the message right, and to get duly guided and reminded:
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ قُرْءَانًا عَرَبِيًّۭا وَصَرَّفْنَا فِيهِ مِنَ ٱلْوَعِيدِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ أَوْ يُحْدِثُ لَهُمْ ذِكْرًۭا ١١٣
“And thus We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’ān1 and have diversified therein the warnings that perhaps they will avoid [sin] or it would cause them remembrance.” [Taha: 113].
The Truth is that the meanings of the Qur’an can be translated into other languages, for explaining, yet the translated versions, can’t – in any way- be called the Holy Qur’an, as they are not the original text revealed in Arabic.
Why Do Most Muslims Believe the Qur’an Must Be Read in Arabic?
Most Muslims believe that the Qur’an must be recited in Arabic; there are certain reasons, in Qur’an and Sunnah, deepening that firm belief:
1- In Its Original Language:
To fully understand any message, you need to directly read it in its own language, so that you can get the full picture, without any misinterpretation or lack of meanings caused by the translation process.
Therefore, Muslims mainly recite the Qur’an in Arabic, as it is the original text, even with the help of translations, but they are just as a means for more understanding.
2- The Divine, Original Text in Arabic:
The Qur’an- Allah’s Word- is revealed in Arabic:
… وَهَـٰذَا كِتَـٰبٌۭ مُّصَدِّقٌۭ لِّسَانًا عَرَبِيًّۭا لِّيُنذِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُحْسِنِينَ ١٢
“… And this is a confirming Book in an Arabic tongue to warn those who have wronged and as good tidings to the doers of good.” [Al-Ahqaf: 12].
So, the translated versions of Qur’an are actually made by humans, just for the purpose of explaining the Qur’an in different languages, not to replace the Qur’an itself, for sure!
3- A Divine Command by Allah:
We are commanded to recite the Qur’an correctly, and in Arabic, exactly as revealed through Gabriel to the Prophet (ﷺ), as it is mentioned in Qur’an itself:
فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَـٰهُ فَٱتَّبِعْ قُرْءَانَهُۥ ١٨
“So when We ‘Allah” have recited it [through Gabriel], then follow its recitation.” [Al-Qiyamah: 18].
4- The Multiple Rewards:
The Arabic recitation of the Qur’an is that associated with Allah’s abundant, multiple rewards; the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah, he will be credited with a good deed, and a good deed gets a ten-fold reward. I do not say that Alif-Lam-Mim is one letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Mim is a letter.” (At-Tirmidhi).
For sure, reading the translations of Qur’an, with the intention of comprehending and reflecting on the Qur’an meanings, is rewarded, too, as the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“No people get together in a house of the houses of Allah (i.e. a mosque), reciting the Book of Allah, and learning it together among themselves, but calmness comes down to them, (Divine) mercy covers them (from above), and the angels surround them, and Allah makes a mention of them among those who are with Him.” (Sahih)
Both are rewarded, yet reciting the Qur’an in Arabic has greater reward, with every letter recited!
5- Key to the Qur’an Treasures:
Reciting the Qur’an in Arabic gives us the chance to fully realize its authentic beauties and miraculous depths conveyed in such a matchless language with all its marvelous linguistic details, which are nearly impossible to translate all into any other language.
Those unique features of Arabic, especially the ‘Quranic Arabic’, in conveying the Divine Message are essential to attentively recognize the inimitability of Qur’an, and to truly feel its guiding lights and blessings purifying our souls deep inside.
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Conclusion:
The Quran, as the final divine message, is written in Arabic for several reasons. Firstly, it was revealed to the Arab Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to communicate effectively with his people. Secondly, its Arabic form leaves no room for denial or excuses from the Arabs. Thirdly, the Arabs were to convey this divine message to the world.
Fourthly, Arabic, being a rich and complex language, was a fitting vehicle for the Qur’an’s inimitable literary beauty, challenging the linguistic prowess of the Arabs. Lastly, Arabic’s depth and precision make it uniquely capable of conveying the divine teachings, ensuring the Qur’an’s guidance remains intact through time. Understanding Arabic allows Muslims to fully grasp the Qur’an’s profound messages and appreciate its linguistic miracles.
Allah, The Wise, The All-Knowing, selected the Arabic language among all other human languages, to convey His lasting Divine Message, the Qur’an, to His servants, so that they can follow it, till the Judgment Day.
Learning that wonderful language is definitely key to opening the doors of all the guiding lights, blessings, and rewards of the Qur’an, in this life, and in the hereafter, sure. So, set your attention to learn it, and take the steps for the sake of Allah, and may Allah guide us all to His straight path:
وَٱلَّذِينَ جَـٰهَدُوا۟ فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَمَعَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ٦٩
“And those who strive for Us – We will surely guide them to Our ways.1 And indeed, Allāh is with the doers of good.” [Al-‘Ankaboot: 69].
