Q. Why do we read the Quran if we do not understand arabic?

Discussion in 'Ulum al-Qur'an' started by Syed Ahmed Uwaisi, Oct 2, 2014.

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  1. Syed Ahmed Uwaisi

    Syed Ahmed Uwaisi Active Member

    "Why do you read the Quran if you do not understand the language?"

    You can say:

    a) I read the Quran in English and study it for knowledge and mental clarity.

    b) I read it in Arabic for spiritual benefit and for ritual prayer.

    Then when you learn Arabic, you can combine both, your study becomes your ritual, your prayer becomes your study.

    Inshallah.
     
    Jonaid202 likes this.
  2. sherkhan

    sherkhan Veteran

    If Qur'anic verses had been read in local language (as in the translation into local language), I couldn't go to a Somali masjid and understand the recitation. I couldn't then pray in a Bangladeshi-run masjid, nor in a Amharic or a Zulu (if there exist any such living languages). But thanks to one language, I can attend any congregation no matter what the native/vernacular language in that masjid is.

    Can any Christian claim to be able to do the same? No. Christian churches have sermons in local languages, so if you don't understand that lingo, there's no point setting a foot in that church.

    Original Amharic bible is lost; several hebrew, latin and English versions later, nobody can now tell what is original and what is spurious. The holy Qur'an was preserved in Arabic and its various layers of meanings and interpretations (ta'awil) exist only because its original language and form can be used to derive these.

    A singular language unites in understanding and preserves the content. And that language for the holy Qur'an was chosen to be Arabic, the language of our Master (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).
     
    Ghulam Ali likes this.
  3. Aqdas

    Aqdas Staff Member

    also, the Quran describes itself as 'shifa' - a cure. so even if not understood, the words are a cure for you.

    as for the logic, 'don't read unless you understand' - namaz is fard but we don't understand most of it...

    ---
    btw, it is correct we should try and learn the meanings.
     
    Jonaid202 likes this.
  4. Aqdas

    Aqdas Staff Member

    said the prophet sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam: you will be rewarded for each letter. I do not say alif laam meem is one letter - rather, alif is one letter, laam too and meem. 10 rewards for each letter.

    mawlana azmi said one reason that rasulAllah sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam said alif laam meem may be because it is from muqatta'at so we don't know the meaning but still get rewarded. so imagine the reward of reading knowing the meaning too.
     
    Jonaid202 likes this.
  5. Jonaid202

    Jonaid202 New Member

    In sha Allah I intend to learn arabic..

    This question was put forward to me and I didn't know the best way to answer.

    "Why do you read the Quran if you do not understand the language?"

    Anyone?

    JazakAllah
     

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