Is fluency is spoken & written Arabic necessary ...
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to acquire intellectual recognition in the Islamic world ??
I ask this question because it was raised very recently by a couple of brothers in another forum. It started when I posted one of my favourite articles by Br. Hafeez Kazi tracking the history of Sahih al-Bukhari. Of course these two persons in the other forum didn't agree with the article which didn't surprise me. Also, despite their disagreement they couldn't come up with a single refutation concerning any of the contents of this article, which didn't surprise me either. I guess at such times people tend to take matters out of the actual context for the sole purpose of speakign up. To cut a long story short, I was told without any mincing of words that "non-Arab Muslims for whom Arabic is not a first language cannot be considered qualified enough to translate, discuss or interpret the Qur'aan" nor analyse or translate the Hadeeth.
I've heard of such arguments before when non-Arab Muslims have often complained of 'discreet racism' within the Ummah even in matters of Faith. For example, a non-Arab brother once mentioned to me that his Arab neighbor said Arabs would be given preference over all humanity on the Last Day.
The more I get to know our people, the more confused I get. I don't know what's happening to our Ummah. Makes one so despondent.
Any comments ... ?
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to acquire intellectual recognition in the Islamic world ??
It is soooooo hard zainab to get that - It seems that only you can recognise my genius!
But I guess that is good enoughThe more I get to know our people, the more confused I get. I don't know what's happening to our Ummah. Makes one so despondent.
Perhaps you can join my "Ummah" zainab?
This Ummah is called "Humanity" - and there is plenty of room for youRegards,
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Salaamun alaikum,
While I certainly deplore the attitude of some Arab 'muslims' using the lack of Arabic as an excuse to preempt debates, I'd also like to say that without knowing Arabic, one cannot honestly say one has studied al-quraan. This is because one would then need to rely upon a translation and this would go against the Quranic injunction of direct verification.
Arabic is an indispensible skill to have to learn al-quraan and explore the 'muslim academic world'.
I agree with Lote-Tree here, join the ummah of humanity. There's no such thing as a 'muslim ummah'.
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Peace
Zainab, I wouldn?t call it discreet racism. Sometimes it is very obvious racism.
Arabs, especially Sunni Arabs, often put themselves in a position that reminds me very much of the "chosen people" rhetorics elsewhere.
Of course, they would never put it in these words because that would compare them to Jews.
But the idea is basically the same.
Arab land is sacred because Makka is there, Arab language is sacred because it decends from the language of the qur'?n (through a long historical process of recodifying and manipulating .... ), etc. etc.
Of course, these statements are easy to make when you yourself are an Arab ..... .I still agree that learning Arabic is important when one considers oneself a student of the qur'?n.
I?d like to ad though, for everyone scared away by this statement
To understand the qur'?n one does not need to know the full corpus of classical Arabic.
Fortunately the qur'?n uses a very precise vocabulary and a very precise grammar.
The vocabulary is very very deep in meaning and conveying concepts (which modern Arab language has lost to a large extent) but comparably limited in size.Personally, I made learning qur'?nic Arabic an ever proceeding process. I started with learning the script years ago. And when you?ve managed that and read the qur'?n on a very regular basis you will, after some time, recognize reappearing words and reappearing grammatical structures.
Then, just automatically, you already have a good basis.
To expand this you can just sit down with a good collection of qur'?nic words and additional grammar from time to time.
And after some more time this will help you recognize more words and more grammatical forms when reading.
The most important thing is getting the basics and then reading regularly does the rest. Never put too much pressure on you. )It works pretty well autodidactically and over the weeks, over the months, over the years new knowledge just flows to you.
When one wants to get deeper into the language one may then later broaden that by learning about linguistic structures, roots etc.
I actually once took some very few university semesters of Arabic linguistic studies - partly given by native speakers - to broaden my understanding here.
That was helpful for me but it may not be needed for everyone.Just read, read , read ..... )
Regards,
Leyla
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Salam
this problem is as old as Islam. In the early days already non-Arabs felt disadvanteged. Despite the ethical principle La farqa bain 'arabiyuun wa 'aghami illa bi al-taqwa (No difference between arabs and non arabs except in devoutness) there has always been discrimination against Mawali, the non-arabs especially the Persians.
In fact it this was the background of the abbasidic revolution which ended in the Khalifat of Baghdad. The founders of the new Khalifat were Arabs as well, but the cortege were mostly Mawali, non-arabs.
But I wouldnt call it racism (the word racism btw is taken from the arabic word RAS which is Head, Origin).
Concerning the language i would here agree with mquran that its definitely essential to know the arabic language in order to understand the (beauty of ) Quran. Plus the fact that its a very beautiful and beneficial language.
Regards
warda -
Arab language is sacred because it decends from the language of the qur'?n (through a long historical process of recodifying and manipulating .... ), etc. etc.
Are you saying that Qur'an which we read is not what was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW)?
More questions.
If Qur'an is modified manipulated by Arabs why you are interested in reading and understanding the message?
Why don't you bring your own message in your own language of liking?
The racism to me is to hate Arabs because they are Arabs which is very much reflected in your post.
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to acquire intellectual recognition in the Islamic world ??
I ask this question because it was raised very recently by a couple of brothers in another forum. It started when I posted one of my favourite articles by Br. Hafeez Kazi tracking the history of Sahih al-Bukhari. Of course these two persons in the other forum didn't agree with the article which didn't surprise me. Also, despite their disagreement they couldn't come up with a single refutation concerning any of the contents of this article, which didn't surprise me either. I guess at such times people tend to take matters out of the actual context for the sole purpose of speakign up. To cut a long story short, I was told without any mincing of words that "non-Arab Muslims for whom Arabic is not a first language cannot be considered qualified enough to translate, discuss or interpret the Qur'aan" nor analyse or translate the Hadeeth.
I've heard of such arguments before when non-Arab Muslims have often complained of 'discreet racism' within the Ummah even in matters of Faith. For example, a non-Arab brother once mentioned to me that his Arab neighbor said Arabs would be given preference over all humanity on the Last Day.
The more I get to know our people, the more confused I get. I don't know what's happening to our Ummah. Makes one so despondent.
Any comments ... ?
I think to understand Quran we need knowledge in all sorts of things. I myself know nothing about Arabic, apart from "akhi" I heard from a crazy salafi. I first thought it was Japanese. Anyway, its funny that on many ocations when I say something from the Quran in English most of my Arabs have no clue of what I am saying, at the same time these have memorise hadiths.
Peace
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For example, a non-Arab brother once mentioned to me that his Arab neighbor said Arabs would be given preference over all humanity on the Last Day.
Any comments ... ?I'm a native arabic speaker and the above statement is nothing but utter BS
Thanks
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The racism to me is to hate Arabs because they are Arabs which is very much reflected in your post.
Many here bro hate the Arabs or at least feel jeaoulsy because the last message was in Arabic, how about all the previous messages that was not in Arabic?
we didn't see the arabs whining? hey
Salam
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Yes there is plenty of Arabs hatred which is due to the fact that these people are trying to prove their sinceriety and faithfulness to the western governments. The statements like Wahabism is the main source of terrorism and Sunnis are the only terrorists in the modern world makes me smile at their foolishness. What can we do Ahmed Baghat? We don't have the power to change these salave mentality to the White House and European Union.
Salaam
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The racism to me is to hate Arabs because they are Arabs which is very much reflected in your post.
Many here bro hate the Arabs or at least feel jeaoulsy because the last message was in Arabic, how about all the previous messages that was not in Arabic?
we didn't see the arabs whining? hey
Salam
Sorry no offence intended. we are truly happy that the Message came in arabic. while arabic brothers and sisters are wonderful people, some feel envious and irritated when non-arabs succeed in studying and understanding the Qur'aan with the help of the translations. they feel somewhat possessive about the Qur'aan. but the fact is, the Qur'aan belongs to all those who reach out for it, regardless of their race or skill in arabic.
btw ... that statement is not "BS" though it sure sounds like one. it was said personally to someone i personally know. and then again, i've met that person personally too and heard him say things even more stupendous pertaining to race and its so-called link with Faith. however, i would take him as a freak and certainly wouldn't tar everyone with same brush. but regarding the Qur'aan, it is not at all uncommon that arabs often look upon it as their 'sole monopoly.' but that won't get them anywhere.
Peace ..
P.S. Not to mention what was told to me a couple of days ago at another forum that as a non-arab i am not "qualified" to discuss the Quraan as i've mentioned in my original post on this thread.
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Sorry no offence intended. we are truly happy that the Message came in arabic.
Thank you sister, i didn't take it as an offence from you,I now that some other ignorant (not you) said it
while arabic brothers and sisters are wonderful people, some feel envious and irritated when non-arabs succeed in studying and understanding the Qur'aan with the help of the translations.
Thank you for the nice compliment, however sister I have never met an arab who will feel jealousy because a non arab managed to understand the Quran better
they feel somewhat possessive about the Qur'aan.
I guess the sunni possibly?, but not all arabs for sure, and I believe many non arab sunnis feel possessive to the Arabic language after they learn it
but the fact is, the Qur'aan belongs to all those who reach out for it, regardless of their race or skill in arabic.
Exactly
btw ... that statement is not "BS" though it sure sounds like one.
if it sounds like one then it is one
it was said personally to someone i personally know. and then again, i've met that person personally too and heard him say things even more stupendous pertaining to race and its so-called link with Faith. however, i would take him as a freak and certainly wouldn't tar everyone with same brush.
He is a real freak I guess
but regarding the Qur'aan, it is not at all uncommon that arabs often look upon it as their 'sole monopoly.' but that won't get them anywhere.
Peace ..
Honeslty sister i never met one of those arab lanagugae possessed arabs, in fact I believe that most arabs ignore the Quran totally and just enjoy life, actually the Quran told us that many of those arabs are hypocrites
P.S. Not to mention what was told to me a couple of days ago at another forum that as a non-arab i am not "qualified" to discuss the Quraan as i've mentioned in my original post on this thread.
here we go, another utter BS statement by that freak arab
Peace be with you
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Peace all,
3022 And from His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and your colors. In that are signs for the world.
According to the above verse, the different languages are considered one of the signs of Allah. No language is superior to the other. However al-qur'aan was revealed in the arabic language and to really understand it so that we can learn and follow its true meaning, we should try to learn enough arabic necessary to comprehend the words of Allah. Let us consider 413
413 A scripture whose verses are detailed, an arabic qur'aan for a people who know.
In my understanding, "people who know" or "people having knowledge" are the people who have enough knowledge to understand the message of the arabic qur'aan/reading, which implies that we should try to learn the arabic language enough to understand its message. How can someone have a good understanding of the arabic qur'aan without learning arabic ?
If we just rely on other's translations, then we are trusting the understanding of those other people, which could be wrong or flawed, as anyone can make a mistake. We should learn enough basic arabic so we can try to learn the meaning of the qur'aanic verses on our own, in order to form our own understanding of what Allah is saying. Of course we should have discussions with fellow learned humans also, and consider the various translations, then follow the best meaning.
3918 The ones who listen to what is being said, and then follow the best of it. These are the ones whom Allah has guided, and these are the ones who possess intelligence.
3955 And follow the best of what has been sent down to you from your Lord, before the retribution comes to you suddenly when you least expect it.
We should not follow anything without knowledge, and to have proper knowledge and understanding of the words of Allah, we should make an effort to learn the classical arabic language.
1736 And do not uphold what you have no knowledge of. For the hearing, eyesight, and mind, all these you are responsible for.
Most of the countries of the world encourage learning of a second language. I had to learn english as a second language for education and career purposes. People are learning spanish language in USA and people all over the world are learning english language. Why can't we also learn arabic language to understand Allah's revelations for our guidance, which is more important than learning other languages for education or career purposes ?
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The notion that Arabic-literates have an advantage over non-arabic literates is , in my experience, false. I was a non-arabic literate who became arabic-literate through primarily the study of al-quraan itself (i.e. I allowed al-quraan to confirm the language for me through its own internal structures) and when I compare my notions of concepts from al-quraan to people who became familiarised with Arabic through a non-quranic means, I find that their notions are less rooted in al-quraan itself. This is not to say my understanding is perfect. By no means. However, I find myself less bogged down by traditional understandings thanks to circumvention of knowing arabic from the beginning. My advice to people intending to learn Arabic to know al-quraan learn to read arabic, then read while making notes. You will find your conclusions very surprising.
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Peace
KGB
I didn?t say that that qur'?n was recodified. I said that Arab language was recodified.
Please see the difference!
The big big difference!And what do you know about my sincerety towards western governments? Please read some of my previous posts on FM before putting me in an imagined group!
Ahmed
I don?t hate Arabs.
And I will never understand why you always come up with such fast judgements about others without even knowing them.
You know that I won?t discuss on a basis like that anymore.
I will leave any discussion based on prerequisites like that!!I didn?t even talk about the "Arab people" but clearly said "especially sunni Arabs", and you come up with judgements like that.
And my notes were based on very clear experiences that personally happened to me and not just on stories I heard.Question Do you think that when people think that the word zakaat means giving a specific amount of money this is not a manipulated and recodified meaning?
Regards,
Leyla
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Peace
Ahmed
I don?t hate Arabs.
And I will never understand why you always come up with such fast judgements about others without even knowing them.
You know that I won?t discuss on a basis like that anymore.
I will leave any discussion based on prerequisites like that!!I didn?t even talk about the "Arab people" but clearly said "especially sunni Arabs", and you come up with judgements like that.
And my notes were based on very clear experiences that personally happened to me and not just on stories I heard.Peace sister
well, i never thought that you are one of them, i'm not sure how you are accusing me of something that I never said about you?
Question Do you think that when people think that the word zakaat means giving a specific amount of money this is not a manipulated and recodified meaning?
Regards,
Leyla
Well, Zakat ia an action to "Nuzaki ourselves", and most likely is by helping anyone in need, all in all this help will cost something, money, effort or whatever it cost
Now there is a compulsory Zakat in Islam, that Zakat was explained by the traditionalists as giving a percentage of your money, this money will be collected for the poor and needy hence it is exactly the same action, i.e. bearing a cost to help someone and this way we will be "Nuzaki ourselves"
Salam
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Peace Ahmed
SOOOORRRRYYYYYY ..... BIG EXCUSE!
I first did a superficial read and thought the post was from you, then I saw that it was from KGB and put his name in my post but unfortunately didn?t realize that I had to edit my post to delete your name from it.
The whole post was an answer to KGB!
Sorry again.
Now, THAT was a bad assumption and quick judgement done by me!
I am just at the moment really disturbed by the lack of politeness by some in this forum and became quick to judge myself.
Sorry, sorry, sorry.Regards,
Leyla
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ABNow there is a compulsory Zakat in Islam, that Zakat was explained by the traditionalists as giving a percentage of your money, this money will be collected for the poor and needy hence it is exactly the same action, i.e. bearing a cost to help someone and this way we will be "Nuzaki ourselves"
The word is 'sadaqah' and 'infaaq'. 'Zakaat' isn't used in the sense the traditionalists describe.
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Peace Ahmed
SOOOORRRRYYYYYY ..... BIG EXCUSE!
I first did a superficial read and thought the post was from you, then I saw that it was from KGB and put his name in my post but unfortunately didn?t realize that I had to edit my post to delete your name from it.
The whole post was an answer to KGB!
Sorry again.
Now, THAT was a bad assumption and quick judgement done by me!
I am just at the moment really disturbed by the lack of politeness by some in this forum and became quick to judge myself.
Sorry, sorry, sorry.Regards,
Leyla
no worries sister
take care