Reciting Qur'an vs. reading a translation
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Peace all,
I've been thinking a lot regarding this topic. It seems that the focus for Muslims is to learn how to recite the Qur'an, regardless whether or not you understand what you're saying.
better recite than understand, because If you understand it you'll have to practice it, so choice is yours.
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Peace all,
I've been thinking a lot regarding this topic. It seems that the focus for Muslims is to learn how to recite the Qur'an, regardless whether or not you understand what you're saying.
Most Muslims I know don't know Arabic, they just recite it. And focus on that, not on reading a translation.
It doesn't seem logical to me, that reading something you have no idea of what you're saying is going to help you? Maybe I'm missing the point???
When I tell people online that you'd think you'd want to understand the message, they say that you can't understand it if you don't know Arabic anyway. My response is, if that is true, then how come people convert to Islam after reading the Qur'an????
So I'm wondering are we supposed to be reciting the Qur'an according to what the Qur'an says, or is reading a translation (or several) more beneficial??Like this is a response to a blog posting I had made
"Sister, you have raised 2 important questions. I think we have to differentiate 2 things 2 recite Qur?n and to understand. As you mentioned, reciting Qur?n gives yopu rewards (uncountable rewards). The name "Qur?n" itself means "read, i.c rto be read". So, every Muslim gains rewards by just reading, even without understanding. The next thing is to understand its message, and that you can do only through learning arabic first. Then you can enjoy reading Qur?n because it will take you to a stage where u understand that God is talking directly, because it is His own words. May Allah help us all on the right path."Thoughts??
Yes but they prefer to read hadiths in their own language so they could understand the wonderful message
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Salaam,
Like this is a response to a blog posting I had made
"Sister, you have raised 2 important questions. I think we have to differentiate 2 things 2 recite Qur?n and to understand. As you mentioned, reciting Qur?n gives yopu rewards (uncountable rewards). The name "Qur?n" itself means "read, i.c rto be read". So, every Muslim gains rewards by just reading, even without understanding. The next thing is to understand its message, and that you can do only through learning arabic first. Then you can enjoy reading Qur?n because it will take you to a stage where u understand that God is talking directly, because it is His own words. May Allah help us all on the right path."Thoughts??
Little difference a drunk chanting or mindlessly parroting verses without knowing/paying attention to what they are saying.
443 You, you those who believe, do not approach the prayers and you are intoxicated, until you know what you are saying...
Only reason Qur'an was in Arabic was so they can understand the message...
121-2
Alif-Lam-Ra. These are the Verses of the Clear Book
Verily, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an in order that you may understand.4144
And if We had sent this as a Qur'an in a foreign language, they would have said "Why are not its verses explained in detail? What, not in Arabic and 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 is blindness for them. They are those who are called from a place far away (so they neither listen nor understand)." -
Hi everyone. Eid Abdullah, thanks for the ayaths.
It seems very obvious but people blindly claim otherwise.
I think, one thing that should be mentioned is importance of reading different translations (if available)
For example, in al-Wqi`ah surah, ayath 35-36-37, one translation tells "virgin women waiting at heaven", other one translates it as "virgin (not touched) beauties".
Big difference.
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Peace everyone,
Reading other's translations is a flawed approach which clearly violates 1736. How can you uphold something you have not verified for yourself using your god given faculties?
We should not trust anyone blindly but do our own research to verify the truth as per 1736. The best way is to try to learn the Arabic language so that we don't have to rely only on others to understand the true meaning of the qur'aan. It is a slow but rewarding process. People spend years trying to learn a second language for worldly reasons; why can't we spend time learning Arabic so we can understand the word of the god, which will benefit us both in this life and the hereafter?
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better recite than understand, because If you understand it you'll have to practice it, so choice is yours.
rotfl You joking right?
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Peace Mavera,
Hi everyone. Eid Abdullah, thanks for the ayaths.
It seems very obvious but people blindly claim otherwise.
I think, one thing that should be mentioned is importance of reading different translations (if available)
For example, in al-Wqi`ah surah, ayath 35-36-37, one translation tells "virgin women waiting at heaven", other one translates it as "virgin (not touched) beauties".
Big difference.
I believe that 5636-37 are usually mistranslated.
5629 And fruit-trees which are ripe.
5630 And extended shade.
5631 And flowing water.
5632 And many fruits.
5633 Neither ending; nor forbidden.
5634 And raised furnishings.
5635 We have created them a creation.
5636 And made them never previously touched.
5637 Abundant, contemporary/matching.
5638 For those on the right side.The context of 35-37 is fruits and furnishings. Where did "beauties" come from? There is neither "beauties" in context of these signs nor Arabic word for "beauties" in 35-37.
Nun-shiin-alif create, produce
Ba-kaf-ra untouched
Ayn-ra-ba abundant, clear, plain
Ta-ra-ba contemporary, matchSource http//www.studyquran.co.uk/PRLonline.htm
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Received an email
Beautiful story about QURAN.
Why do we read Quran, even if we can't understand a single Arabic word????
This is a beautiful story.
An old American Muslim lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Quran. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.
One day the grandson asked, 'Grandpa! I try to read the Quran just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Qur'an do?'
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied,
'Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.'The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, 'You'll have to move a little faster next time,' and sent him back to the river with the basket
to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket
instead.The old man said, 'I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water.
You're just not trying hard enough,' and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into
river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, 'See Grandpa, it's useless!''So you think it is useless?' The old man said, 'Look at the basket.'
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and
was now clean, inside and out.'Son, that's what happens when you read the Qur'an. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Allah in our lives.'
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Received an email
Beautiful story about QURAN.
Why do we read Quran, even if we can't understand a single Arabic word????
This is a beautiful story.
An old American Muslim lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Quran. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.
One day the grandson asked, 'Grandpa! I try to read the Quran just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Qur'an do?'
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied,
'Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.'The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, 'You'll have to move a little faster next time,' and sent him back to the river with the basket
to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket
instead.The old man said, 'I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water.
You're just not trying hard enough,' and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into
river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, 'See Grandpa, it's useless!''So you think it is useless?' The old man said, 'Look at the basket.'
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and
was now clean, inside and out.'Son, that's what happens when you read the Qur'an. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Allah in our lives.'
Nice story bravo
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Received an email
Beautiful story about QURAN.
Why do we read Quran, even if we can't understand a single Arabic word????
This is a beautiful story.
An old American Muslim lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Quran. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.
One day the grandson asked, 'Grandpa! I try to read the Quran just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Qur'an do?'
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied,
'Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.'The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, 'You'll have to move a little faster next time,' and sent him back to the river with the basket
to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket
instead.The old man said, 'I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water.
You're just not trying hard enough,' and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into
river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, 'See Grandpa, it's useless!''So you think it is useless?' The old man said, 'Look at the basket.'
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and
was now clean, inside and out.'Son, that's what happens when you read the Qur'an. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Allah in our lives.'
Yeah I've heard that story before. A nice story, but still - does not explain how reciting something you have no idea of what you're saying will change you. ????? Unless Arabic is a magical language??
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Received an email
Beautiful story about QURAN.
Why do we read Quran, even if we can't understand a single Arabic word????
This is a beautiful story.
An old American Muslim lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Quran. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.
One day the grandson asked, 'Grandpa! I try to read the Quran just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Qur'an do?'
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied,
'Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.'The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, 'You'll have to move a little faster next time,' and sent him back to the river with the basket
to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket
instead.The old man said, 'I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water.
You're just not trying hard enough,' and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into
river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, 'See Grandpa, it's useless!''So you think it is useless?' The old man said, 'Look at the basket.'
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and
was now clean, inside and out.'Son, that's what happens when you read the Qur'an. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Allah in our lives.'
I don't like the story - it teaches us to be content with just reading the Arabic verses like chanting mantras without knowing what they mean.
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Received an email
Beautiful story about QURAN.
Why do we read Quran, even if we can't understand a single Arabic word????
This is a beautiful story.
An old American Muslim lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Quran. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.
One day the grandson asked, 'Grandpa! I try to read the Quran just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Qur'an do?'
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied,
'Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.'The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, 'You'll have to move a little faster next time,' and sent him back to the river with the basket
to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket
instead.The old man said, 'I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water.
You're just not trying hard enough,' and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into
river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, 'See Grandpa, it's useless!''So you think it is useless?' The old man said, 'Look at the basket.'
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and
was now clean, inside and out.'Son, that's what happens when you read the Qur'an. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Allah in our lives.'
You may tell many stories pointing to many different directions.
If we believe in Quran, we should make our decisions and verdicts based on Quran, not based on some stories.
Quran clearly tells, it is in Arabic in order for us to understand (122) , and repeats this in 433
So Arabic is only a medium for people to understand, similarly, every person should read Quran in his / her own language to understand.
For people thinking otherwise, can you show me related ayaths in Quran that Allah told us, do not understand what Quran says, just act like parrots?
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Peace,
Respectfully.I feel much better understanding The Quran once i read it, ther eis no point in reading something you don't understand. What i'm saying is this i also met plenty of people who told me that i should learn to read The Quran in Arabic with that special chanting because the reward is there much better.
I even heard one guy listening to The Quran on a tape and when i asked him does he udnerstand Arabic, he told me that he doesnt but that just listening to it, means you're getting a reward.
Peace.
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I even heard one guy listening to The Quran on a tape and when i asked him does he udnerstand Arabic, he told me that he doesnt but that just listening to it, means you're getting a reward.
i know. it's just horrible, engaging like that in pointless things. it's a waste of time is what it is. is that what God is looking from us... to waste time, listening to things we don't understand, ... imagine whole world doing it, it stops further development, it stops evolution... what kind of image do these people have of God? unbelievable
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Peace,
Respectfully.I feel much better understanding The Quran once i read it, ther eis no point in reading something you don't understand. What i'm saying is this i also met plenty of people who told me that i should learn to read The Quran in Arabic with that special chanting because the reward is there much better.
I even heard one guy listening to The Quran on a tape and when i asked him does he udnerstand Arabic, he told me that he doesnt but that just listening to it, means you're getting a reward.
Peace.
It is ridiculous.