Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said:
“As for becoming accustomed to talking to
one another in a language other than Arabic, which is the symbol of
Islam and the language of the Qur’an, so that this becomes a habit in
the land, with one’s family and household members, with one’s friends,
in the marketplace, when addressing government representatives or
authority figures or when speaking to people of knowledge, undoubtedly this is makrooh (disliked), because it involves being like the non-Arabs, which is makrooh, as stated previously.
Hence when the early Muslims went to live
in Syria and Egypt, where the people spoke Byzantine Greek, and in Iraq
and Khurasan, where the people spoke Farsi, and the Maghrib (North
Africa) where the people spoke Berber, they taught the people of
those countries to speak Arabic, so that Arabic became the prevalent
language in those lands, and all the people, Muslim and kafir alike,
spoke Arabic. Such was also the case in Khurasan in the past,
then they became lax with regard to the language and got used to
speaking Farsi until it became prevalent and Arabic was forgotten by
most of them. Undoubtedly this is makrooh.
The best way is to become accustomed to speaking Arabic so that the young people will learn it in their homes and schools, so that the symbol of Islam and its people will prevail.
This will make it easier for the people of Islam to understand the
Qur’an and Sunnah, and the words of the Salaf, unlike a person who gets
used to speaking one language, then wants to learn another, and finds it
difficult.
Know that being used to using a language has a clear and strong effect on one’s thinking, behaviour and religious commitment. It also has an effect on making one resemble the early generations of this Ummah, the Sahabah and Tabi’een.
Being like them improves one’s thinking, religious commitment and
behaviour. Moreover, the Arabic language itself is part of Islam, and knowing Arabic is an obligatory duty. If it is a duty to understand the Qur’an and Sunnah, and they cannot be understood without knowing Arabic, then the means that is needed to fulfill the duty is also obligatory.
There are things which are obligatory on
all individuals (fard ‘ayn), and others which are obligatory on the
community or ummah (fard kifayah, i.e., if some people fulfill them the
rest are relieved of the obligation).
This is the meaning of the report narrated
by Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shaybah who said: ‘Eesa ibn Yoonus told us from
Thawr from ‘Umar ibn Yazeed that ‘Umar wrote to Abu Musa al-Ash’ari (may
Allah be pleased with him) and said:
‘Learn the Sunnah and learn Arabic; learn the Qur’an in Arabic for it is Arabic.’
According to another hadeeth narrated from ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), he said:
‘Learn Arabic, for it is part
of your religion, and learn how the estate of the deceased should be
divided (fara’id) for these are part of your religion.’
This command of ‘Umar, to learn Arabic and
Sharee’ah, combines the things that are needed, for religion involves
understanding words and actions. Understanding Arabic is the way
to understand the words of Islam, and understanding the Sunnah is the
way to understand the actions of Islam…”
From:
Iqtida’ al-Sirat al-Mustaqeem (2/207)
Shaykhul-Islam (rahimahullaah) also mentioned a statement of Imaam Ash-Shaafi’ee (rahimahullah); he said:
“…this is because the (language) that Allah choose is Arabic.
He revealed His glorious book (The Qur’an) in this language and He made
it the tongue of His final and last prophet, Muhammed (sallallaahu
alayhi wa sallam). Therefore, we say: it is befitting for everyone that
has the ability to learn this language to do so, this is because it should be the most desired language to learn. At the same time, it is not forbidden for people to speak with other than the Arabic language.”
From:
Iqtida’ al-Sirat al-Mustaqeem (1/521)
Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah further said:
“And likewise, for indeed Allah revealed His book in the Arabic language and he made His Messenger convey this from Him in the Book and Sunnah (Hikmah) in the Arabic language.So
knowing the language becomes part of the religion and due to speaking
with it (the Arabic language) it becomes easier for the people of this
Deen to understand the religion of Allah, to implement the religious
ceremonies and easier to imitate the First generations from the
Muhaajiroon and the Ansaar in all of their affairs.”
From:
Iqtida’ al-Sirat al-Mustaqeem (1/406)
Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih Al-‘Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah) said:
“From the benefits of learning the Arabic language is correction of the tongue with the Arabic tongue which the speech of Allah was revealed in. Because of this, understanding the Arabic language is extremely important.
But the sciences of the Arabic language are difficult in the beginning
and become easy thereafter. It is the example of a house made of cane
(the likes of sugar cane), but its door is made of steel. Meaning, it is
difficult for one to enter, but once one does, is then made easy. Due
to this, I encourage the student to learn the foundations of the
language in order to make the rest easy for him/her.”
From:
Sharh Al-Ajromiyah pg.9
Imaam Adh-Dhahabee (rahimahullaah) mentioned the following story:
“On the authority of Al-Mughirah bin Abdur
Rahman, he said: Abdul Azeez Ad-Darawirdee accompanied a group of
people to visit my father for the purpose of reading a book to him.
Ad-Darawirdee read the book for them but he possessed a poor (Arabic)
tongue and made many despicable mistakes. My father said to him: Woe
be to you oh Darawirdee! You are in need of correcting your tongue
before looking into this affair (hadeeth), more so than anything else.”
From:
Siyar ‘Alam An Nubalah (8/368)
Shaykh Muqbil (rahimahullaah) mentioned:
“The sciences of the Arabic language (nahoo) are from the important forms of knowledge that are incumbent upon the Muslims to focus on.
This is because the enemies of Islam seek to divert the Muslims away
from the language of their religion and busy them with what has less
importance in their religion. And Allah is the Helper.”
From:
Ershad Thawil Fitan pg.65
He likewise said:
“If a student becomes strong in the Arabic language, this will make learning other subjects easy for him.”
From:
The Introduction to Al-Hilal Adh-Dhahabiya pg.8
Umm ‘Abdillaah al-Waadi’iyyah said concerning her father [Shaykh Muqbil bin Haadee Al-Wadi’ee]:
“My father would admonish us (her and
her older sister) if we made a mistake in Arabic grammar. He would say:
Do not be like the people of Sa’daa, they learn Arabic for several years
until they reach the level of ‘Al Mugnee al Labeeb’ (famous book in
Arabic grammar), yet they continue to speak similar to the normal
layman.”
From:
Nubtha Muktesirah pg.52
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen was asked:
It is apparent that many students of knowledge steer away from perfecting the rules of the Arabic language (grammar), considering its importance – what is your point of view?
He replied:
“Yes, understanding the Arabic language is important, whether it be the rules of i’raab or the rules of balaaghah, all of these are important. However, based upon us being Arabs, and all Praise is for Allah, then it is possible to learn without knowing the rules of the Arabic language. However, from that which is complete (and better) is for a person to learn the rules of the Arabic language. So, I encourage the learning of the Arabic language with all its rules.”
From:
Kitaabul-‘Ilm – Page 145, Question No.42
Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said:
“It is known that Arabic is Fard Alal Kifaayah and the salaf used to discipline their children for making grammatical mistakes. Due to this, we are ordered, whether it be an obligation or a recommendation, to preserve the Arabic (grammatical) laws, and to correct the tongues that have deviated from the correct speech. By doing so, we preserve the methodology of understanding the Qur’an and the Sunnah. We also preserve the following of the Arab in their manner of (correct) speech. If people were left with their grammatical mistakes, this would be considered a great deficiency and despicable mistake.”
From:
Majmoo’ Al-Fatawa (32/252)
Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali (translator of the Noble Qur’an) writes:
“It is a pity that many nations are only satisfied in the translated meaning of the Qur’an and Prophet’s Sunnah instead of studying the (true) Arabic text of the Qur’an and Prophet’s Sunnah. For this reason they are divided into various sects (due to the lack of knowledge about the religion of Islam) e.g. as regards to the ways of religious education, etc. so they are plunged in differences, which was prohibited by Allah.
If the translation of the meaning of the Qur’an is meant for the above said purpose then it is a real mischief-doing, and an evil action and is against what was brought by Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) and also against the opinions of the early and present day religious scholars. All the religious scholars unanimously agree that the Qur’an and the Sunnah should be taught in the language of the Qur’an (i.e. Arabic Language); so did the early religious scholars of the Muslim nation when they conquered different countries.
Translations are mainly meant for informing the people who have not yet embraced Islam – to make clear to them the principles of Islam and the teachings of Muhammad (peace be upon him) and to know its exact facts. When they reach this state and Allah has blessed them with Islam, they must take the Qur’anic and the Messenger’s Language (i.e. Arabic) as the only language to understand Islam.
May Allah’s mercy be on Shaykh ‘Umar Uzbak, a great Turkish man, who strove for Islam in Uzbakistan under the Russian government; after his long fight against the enemies of Islam with fire (iron) and tongue (speech), he took refuge in Afghanistan at Kabul, where the government honoured him. I met him there in 1352 A.H. (approx. 1932 CE) i.e. nearly 40 years ago, and he had vowed to Allah that he will never speak to a relative or anybody else except in the Qur’anic and Messenger’s (Arabic) language. His wife sent a man for me to intercede for her to him that he should speak with her and her children in the Turkish language even for an hour everyday. So when I spoke to him about it, he said:
‘Russians had compelled us to learn perfectly the Russian language (by force), so we learnt it. And unless they knew that the learning of the Russian language will make the person who learns it follow their ways of thinking, characters, and their traditions, they would not have forced anybody to learn it.’
He further said to me,
‘I have vowed to Allah long ago not to speak except in the language of the Qur’an and Sunnah (i.e. Arabic) and I do that only for Allah’s sake. If my wife and children desire to enjoy speaking with me, they should learn the language of the Qur’an and of the Prophet (peace be upon him) (i.e. Arabic) and I am ready to teach them the Qur’anic language whenever they desire that.’ ”
From:
The Interpretation of the Meanings of the Noble Qur’an in the English Language by Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al- Hilali and Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan, page xxiv (1994 edition)
Imaam ash-Shaafi’ee (rahimahullaah) said:
“Two things have the people (i.e. the Muslim nation) left: the Arabic language and medicine.”
From:
Adab Shar’jjah (2/484)
Allah says in the Qur’an:
We verily, have made it a Qur’an in Arabic, that you may be able to understand (its meanings and its admonitions).
[43:3]
And before this was the Scripture of Musa (Moses) as a guide and a mercy. And this is a confirming Book (the Qur’an) in the Arabic language, to warn those who do wrong, and as glad tidings to the Muhsinun (good-doers – see V.2:112).
[46:12]
And thus We have inspired unto you (O Muhammad sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) a Qur’an (in Arabic) that you may warn the Mother of the Towns (Makkah) and all around it. And warn of the Day of Assembling, of which there is no doubt, when a party will be in Paradise (those who believed in Allah and followed what Allah’s Messenger sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam brought them) and a party in the blazing Fire (Hell) (those who disbelieved in Allah and followed not what Allah’s Messenger sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam brought them).
[42:7]
A Book whereof the Verses are explained in detail; A Qur’an in Arabic for people who know.
[41:3]
An Arabic Qur’an, without any crookedness (therein) in order that they may avoid all evil which Allah has ordered them to avoid, fear Him and keep their duty to Him.
[39:28]
In the plain Arabic language.
[26:195]
And thus We have sent it down as a Qur’an in Arabic, and have explained therein in detail the warnings, in order that they may fear Allah, or that it may cause them to have a lesson from it (or to have the honour for believing and acting on its teachings).
[20:113]
And thus have We sent it (the Qur’an) down to be a judgement of authority in Arabic. Were you (O Muhammad sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) to follow their (vain) desires after the knowledge which has come to you, then you will not have any Walee (protector) or defender against Allah.
[13:37]
Verily, We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran in order that you may understand.
[12:2]
Imaam Muhammed Idrees Ash-Shaafi’ee said in Ar-Risaalah (pg.47):
“So Allah established His proof that His Book is Arabic in every Ayaah (verse) that we have mentioned, then He emphasized this by negating (the existence) of any other language except Arabic in two verses from his Book:
And indeed We know that they (polytheists and pagans) say: “It is only a human being who teaches him (Muhammad sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam).” The tongue of the man they refer to is foreign, while this (the Qur’an) is a clear Arabic tongue.
[16:103]
And if We had sent this as a Qur’an in a foreign language other than Arabic, they would have said: “Why are not its Verses explained in detail (in our language)? What! (A Book) not in Arabic and (the Messenger) an Arab?” Say: “It is for those who believe, a guide and a healing. And as for those who disbelieve, there is heaviness (deafness) in their ears, and it (the Qur’an) is blindness for them. They are those who are called from a place far away (so they neither listen nor understand).
[41:44]”
https://dawatussalafiyyah.wordpress.com/2015/04/10/learn-arabic/
It is apparent that many students of knowledge steer away from perfecting the rules of the Arabic language (grammar), considering its importance – what is your point of view?
He replied:
“Yes, understanding the Arabic language is important, whether it be the rules of i’raab or the rules of balaaghah, all of these are important. However, based upon us being Arabs, and all Praise is for Allah, then it is possible to learn without knowing the rules of the Arabic language. However, from that which is complete (and better) is for a person to learn the rules of the Arabic language. So, I encourage the learning of the Arabic language with all its rules.”
From:
Kitaabul-‘Ilm – Page 145, Question No.42
Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said:
“It is known that Arabic is Fard Alal Kifaayah and the salaf used to discipline their children for making grammatical mistakes. Due to this, we are ordered, whether it be an obligation or a recommendation, to preserve the Arabic (grammatical) laws, and to correct the tongues that have deviated from the correct speech. By doing so, we preserve the methodology of understanding the Qur’an and the Sunnah. We also preserve the following of the Arab in their manner of (correct) speech. If people were left with their grammatical mistakes, this would be considered a great deficiency and despicable mistake.”
From:
Majmoo’ Al-Fatawa (32/252)
Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali (translator of the Noble Qur’an) writes:
“It is a pity that many nations are only satisfied in the translated meaning of the Qur’an and Prophet’s Sunnah instead of studying the (true) Arabic text of the Qur’an and Prophet’s Sunnah. For this reason they are divided into various sects (due to the lack of knowledge about the religion of Islam) e.g. as regards to the ways of religious education, etc. so they are plunged in differences, which was prohibited by Allah.
If the translation of the meaning of the Qur’an is meant for the above said purpose then it is a real mischief-doing, and an evil action and is against what was brought by Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) and also against the opinions of the early and present day religious scholars. All the religious scholars unanimously agree that the Qur’an and the Sunnah should be taught in the language of the Qur’an (i.e. Arabic Language); so did the early religious scholars of the Muslim nation when they conquered different countries.
Translations are mainly meant for informing the people who have not yet embraced Islam – to make clear to them the principles of Islam and the teachings of Muhammad (peace be upon him) and to know its exact facts. When they reach this state and Allah has blessed them with Islam, they must take the Qur’anic and the Messenger’s Language (i.e. Arabic) as the only language to understand Islam.
May Allah’s mercy be on Shaykh ‘Umar Uzbak, a great Turkish man, who strove for Islam in Uzbakistan under the Russian government; after his long fight against the enemies of Islam with fire (iron) and tongue (speech), he took refuge in Afghanistan at Kabul, where the government honoured him. I met him there in 1352 A.H. (approx. 1932 CE) i.e. nearly 40 years ago, and he had vowed to Allah that he will never speak to a relative or anybody else except in the Qur’anic and Messenger’s (Arabic) language. His wife sent a man for me to intercede for her to him that he should speak with her and her children in the Turkish language even for an hour everyday. So when I spoke to him about it, he said:
‘Russians had compelled us to learn perfectly the Russian language (by force), so we learnt it. And unless they knew that the learning of the Russian language will make the person who learns it follow their ways of thinking, characters, and their traditions, they would not have forced anybody to learn it.’
He further said to me,
‘I have vowed to Allah long ago not to speak except in the language of the Qur’an and Sunnah (i.e. Arabic) and I do that only for Allah’s sake. If my wife and children desire to enjoy speaking with me, they should learn the language of the Qur’an and of the Prophet (peace be upon him) (i.e. Arabic) and I am ready to teach them the Qur’anic language whenever they desire that.’ ”
From:
The Interpretation of the Meanings of the Noble Qur’an in the English Language by Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al- Hilali and Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan, page xxiv (1994 edition)
Imaam ash-Shaafi’ee (rahimahullaah) said:
“Two things have the people (i.e. the Muslim nation) left: the Arabic language and medicine.”
From:
Adab Shar’jjah (2/484)
Allah says in the Qur’an:
We verily, have made it a Qur’an in Arabic, that you may be able to understand (its meanings and its admonitions).
[43:3]
And before this was the Scripture of Musa (Moses) as a guide and a mercy. And this is a confirming Book (the Qur’an) in the Arabic language, to warn those who do wrong, and as glad tidings to the Muhsinun (good-doers – see V.2:112).
[46:12]
And thus We have inspired unto you (O Muhammad sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) a Qur’an (in Arabic) that you may warn the Mother of the Towns (Makkah) and all around it. And warn of the Day of Assembling, of which there is no doubt, when a party will be in Paradise (those who believed in Allah and followed what Allah’s Messenger sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam brought them) and a party in the blazing Fire (Hell) (those who disbelieved in Allah and followed not what Allah’s Messenger sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam brought them).
[42:7]
A Book whereof the Verses are explained in detail; A Qur’an in Arabic for people who know.
[41:3]
An Arabic Qur’an, without any crookedness (therein) in order that they may avoid all evil which Allah has ordered them to avoid, fear Him and keep their duty to Him.
[39:28]
In the plain Arabic language.
[26:195]
And thus We have sent it down as a Qur’an in Arabic, and have explained therein in detail the warnings, in order that they may fear Allah, or that it may cause them to have a lesson from it (or to have the honour for believing and acting on its teachings).
[20:113]
And thus have We sent it (the Qur’an) down to be a judgement of authority in Arabic. Were you (O Muhammad sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) to follow their (vain) desires after the knowledge which has come to you, then you will not have any Walee (protector) or defender against Allah.
[13:37]
Verily, We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran in order that you may understand.
[12:2]
Imaam Muhammed Idrees Ash-Shaafi’ee said in Ar-Risaalah (pg.47):
“So Allah established His proof that His Book is Arabic in every Ayaah (verse) that we have mentioned, then He emphasized this by negating (the existence) of any other language except Arabic in two verses from his Book:
And indeed We know that they (polytheists and pagans) say: “It is only a human being who teaches him (Muhammad sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam).” The tongue of the man they refer to is foreign, while this (the Qur’an) is a clear Arabic tongue.
[16:103]
And if We had sent this as a Qur’an in a foreign language other than Arabic, they would have said: “Why are not its Verses explained in detail (in our language)? What! (A Book) not in Arabic and (the Messenger) an Arab?” Say: “It is for those who believe, a guide and a healing. And as for those who disbelieve, there is heaviness (deafness) in their ears, and it (the Qur’an) is blindness for them. They are those who are called from a place far away (so they neither listen nor understand).
[41:44]”
https://dawatussalafiyyah.wordpress.com/2015/04/10/learn-arabic/
قال شيخ الإسلام ابن
تيمية ت 728 هـ ) في " اقتضاء
الصراط المستقيم مخالفة
أصحاب الجحيم ( "
اعتياد
الخطاب
بغير
اللغة
العربية، التي هي شعار الإسلام ولغة
القرآن حتى يصير
ذلك عادة للمصر
وأهله، أو لأهل
الدار، للرجل مع
صاحبه، أو لأهل
السوق، أو للأمراء، أو
لأهل الديوان، أو
لأهل الفقه، فلا ريب أن هذا مكروه فإنه
من التشبه بالأعاجم، وهو
مكروه كما تقدم،
ولهذا كان المسلمون المتقدمون لما
سكنوا أرض الشام
ومصر، وأهلهما رومية،
وأرض العراق وخراسان
ولغة أهلهما فارسية،
وأهل المغرب، ولغة
أهلها بربرية، عوّدوا
أهل هذه البلاد
العربية، حتى غلبت
على أهل هذه
الأمصار: مسلمهم وكافرهم، وهكذا
كانت خراسان قديماً .
ثم إنهم تساهلوا
في أمر اللغة،
واعتادوا الخطاب بالفارسية، حتى
غلبت عليهم، وصارت
العربية مهجورة عند
كثير منهم، ولا ريب أن هذا مكروه، إنما
الطريق الحسن اعتياد
الخطاب بالعربية، حتى
يتلقنها الصغار في
المكاتب وفي الدور
فيظهر
شعار
الإسلام
وأهله، ويكون ذلك
أسهل على أهل
الإسلام في فقه
معاني الكتاب والسنة وكلام السلف، بخلاف
من اعتاد لغة
ثم أراد أن
ينتقل إلى أخرى
فإنه يصعب .
واعلم أن اعتياد
اللغة يؤثر في
العقل،
والخلق،
والدين
تأثيراً قويًّا بيّناً،
ويؤثر أيضاً في
مشابهة صدر هذه
الأمة من الصحابة
والتابعين، ومشابهتهم تزيد
العقل والدين والخلق.
وأيضاً، فإن نفس
اللغة العربية من
الدين، ومعرفتها فرض واجب، فإن
فهم الكتاب والسنة
فرض، ولا يفهم إلا بفهم اللغة العربية، وما
لا يتم الواجب
إلا به فهو
واجب، ثم منها
ما هو واجب
على الأعيان، ومنها
ما هو واجب
على الكفاية .
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