The importance of the upbringing
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Peace,
how could I know the % of the participants in the forum that have been brought up in an islamic/muslim (the common meaning of those words) environment, and the % of the native Arabic speakers? I just know that Layth and Taj are native Arabic speakers and that Wakas is not.
I can't think in another way that receiving your answers one by one, but if you find another way, please let me know, and of course just if you feel like, if not, no problem, of course.
Elena
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Peace sis Elena,
I'll be the first to answer then.
I'm born in a Muslim family of the Sunni traditionalist flavour.
I'm not a native Arab speaker. I can read Arabic letters but I need a dictionary to translate Arab words.
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Thanks for the answer, Andya Primanda, peace be upon you.
I have the impression the majority of the pariticipants are non-native Arabic speakers and brought up in a Muslim family, like your case.
There have been and there are some discussions in the forum concerning different translations of some verses, like spoils of war and poligamy nowadays. It is a little frustrating to be unable (I mean, I am unable) to know what the quran really says.
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Salaam People,
My mother and father divorced while I was still very young. My father remained a staunch sunni and my mother didn't do anything religious wise. When I was 17 I started studying Islam on my own decision and when I decided to embrace it my mother was actually quite pleased....I may even say proud that I decided to do this. And my father was beyond elated.
I'm not a native Arabic speaker. I have many English translations, but my number one preference is to read it in the original Arabic. This way, I can compare translations and judge which one seems to be the more accurate to me. I wouldn't say that you have to know Arabic in order to comprehend GOD and the quran, but if you have the means to learn it I'd certainly recommend it.
Peace.
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There have been and there are some discussions in the forum concerning different translations of some verses, like spoils of war and poligamy nowadays. It is a little frustrating to be unable (I mean, I am unable) to know what the quran really says.
I'm curious, do you believe that, example, if you were born in an arab speaking country and learnt nothing but quran, hadith and classical arabic... would you be less frustrated then? Do you believe with confidence that you would KNOW?Thanks and Peace. )
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born and raised in a non muslim family and only read arabic. Currently, I'm not interested in learning modern Arabic nor am I interested in speaking it (this may change in the future). i use the dictionary and the qur'an to derive word definitions and meanings.
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salam.
i was born and raised in a moderate sunni family in pakistan. i can read arabic easily but cant understand it as easily . i had brought an "arabic for beginners" book to learn arabic but it bored me so i didnt finish the book . i will try to finish it some time later . so now i m mostly reading the translations alongside the arabic text of the koran . doesnt bore. -
Salaam,
i use the dictionary and the qur'an to derive word definitions and meanings.
Yes, keep doing what you are doing here sis. You can't go wrong with this method. D
One.
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Peace all,
I see, the norm continues the same; we have an exception, a non muslim family; and some of you know Arabic in different levels. Thanks all.When I want to consult an item, I read in this order the traditional Yusufali/Shakir/Pichktal, then the free-minds one, and finally two translations I have in Spanish plus an online translation in Spanish too.
Zenje, you asked
do you believe that, example, if you were born in an arab speaking country and learnt nothing but quran, hadith and classical arabic... would you be less frustrated then? Do you believe with confidence that you would KNOW?
I don't know, how could I know the result of an hypothetical situation... But this can be related to the topic if I would do the same I have done in my actual situation, I would have rejected everything concerning religion except God, but I think the impact of being raised into Islam leaves a more profound trace than if the person has been raised in Catholicism, as it was my case, or even into any other organised religion.Then, do you think the way you all were raised has left that profound trace in regards to the significance the quran has for you? leaving aside, if possible, the subject of the hadiths and the painstaking study you perform.
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peace sister Elena,
Indeed, I am not a native Arabic speaker. I am slowly progressing with my knowledge of Arabic however. D Knowing Arabic is not essential but it helps.
Then, do you think the way you all were raised has left that profound trace in regards to the significance the quran has for you?
I was raised in a Sunni Muslim family. As to your question, I would say 'no' but it made us aware of it. It is not because we were brought up with 'al quran' we now hold it in significance because we were brought up with hadith/culture/tradition but we still rejected it, so what we held in significance was the truth. If the truth took the form of 'al quran' then it will naturally be held as significant, just like any truth.
God bless.
Wakas
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Thanks for your reply, Elena. )
I was more interested in finding out about the language aspect of it all. I thought that was a major part of your frustration. That's why I asked if you spoke only arabic, learned the language extensively, and ofcourse quran and hadith... would you the KNOW. Because you seem confident now that you DONT KNOW exclusively because of the language capability, or rather, lack of. I'm not sure if I'm coming across clearly.
Then, do you think the way you all were raised has left that profound trace in regards to the significance the quran has for you?
Yes. The trick is, I think, not to dwell on what we thought we knew. It's tough, but with God's guidance and help, it get's smoother down the line, as long as we persevere.Peace be with you.
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Peace be upon you,
I was raised by a mother who called herself "baptist Christian", but still has not fully even read the Bible, and my father was a radio DJ who was living the fast life, but is now born again Christian for about 8 years. Went to Catholic school for 8 years. Studied Sunnism, the went through "Rashad Khalifa 19" for a moment, was part of original group when Free-Minds.org was started, now just trusting servant D
Not really interested in Arabic, only the concepts, which I am learning more and more by day. The God's Book(Kitaab) is the universe, and that crosses all languages.
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Peace all
I was born and raised in a Sunni family.
I speak arabic but cant read or write.We should compliment each other, tux, I can read and write Arabic but can't speak Arabic! D
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Peace,
congrats Wakas for your progress )
Wakas wrote
It is not because we were brought up with 'al quran' we now hold it in significance because we were brought up with hadith/culture/tradition but we still rejected it, so what we held in significance was the truth. If the truth took the form of 'al quran' then it will naturally be held as significant, just like any truth.
I have to think it over (it = your paragraph)I was more interested in finding out about the language aspect of it all..
Yes, yes, I understood well your question. My answer was "I don't know, how could I know the result of an hypothetical situation"I thought that was a major part of your frustration...
The frustration is due to the impossibility to have one totally trustworthy translation, but it is a slight frustration because I trust totally in what idolfree says, that the God's Book is the universe.Then, do you think the way you all were raised has left that profound trace in regards to the significance the quran has for you?
Yes. The trick is, I think, not to dwell on what we thought we knew. It's tough, but with God's guidance and help, it get's smoother down the line, as long as we persevere...
That's wise, it has to be the correct way.Thanks tux, all.
