The Quran is the holy books to Muslims. To Muslims, the Quran is the literal words of God not words inspired by God. As a Muslim but not an Arabic speaking person, I have no doubt that Arabic language is powerful. I was born and raised in Malaysia; speak Malay as our mother tongue. Since I was a kid, I always have the question,’ why do I need to read the Quran in Arabic’. I mean, I can always read the translated version of it to get the message. But as I asked to, I just did. But at the time, I was asked to read the Arabic but not the meanings.
People in the community just want us kids to know how to read and recite in Arabic regardless we understand it or not. Until I become a youth, I started to think, why should I read a book without knowing what is the idea in it? So, I started to read the translation. Huh, seriously I felt so stupid that I don’t read the translation earlier. What a beautiful book. I became addicted to read more and more. And of course I read the Arabic too. As my professor mentioned in class, the Quran really has less description and narration in it. I know why.
We know the Quran is the final revelation meaning, that is the message and forever it will be. I love to give an example. Let say we take a verse from the Quran. Chapter 2, verse 216.
Fighting has been enjoined upon you while it is hateful to you. But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.
Personally, when I read this verse, during my struggle in live, no matter in my studies or as a human or as a Muslim, sometimes, I feel bad about my life. I feel weak when I lost someone or something I love. But this verse clearly state that I might love something but without me knowing, actually, what I love is actually bad for me and better for me to lose it. And I might hate something that is actually good for me. God knows best.
To take into context, this verse was actually revealed during the time of the battle of Badr. The Ummah don’t want to fight, especially with the Meccan which they might have their family members in it. But this verse was revealed to them so they do not hesitate to fight for right. They might hate to fight but Allah knows that is the best they should do. So, they fought. If this description was included in the Quran, the book would not as relevant and applicable as it supposed to especially in the situations nowadays.
See, this makes the verse applicable in any situation. It doesn’t mention just about war or battle. The verse itself is universal. That is why, to me, this is one of the greatest miracles of the Quran. We can currentize the verses and apply it to our daily life even it was actually revealed for a different situation fourteen hundred years ago.
I started to love the Quran.
But the first question comes again. Then why do I need to recite it in Arabic? Obviously one of it because it is so melodious that you will enjoy it especially to find peace even if you do not understand its meaning. Honestly, I testify that. Then, I started to learn slowly about the language. I might not understand when people have a conversation in Arabic but as I learn I realize the power in it. Any language can not do justice to the Arabic language. For example, people with no Arabic background, when they recite, for example, Rabb, which some people translate it as lord, don’t know that there is actually deeper meaning in it. Rabb is not just lord but basically also means Sustainer, Cherisher, Master, and Provider.
To understand the meaning in Arabic is a bless. I can, even not perfectly, understand the meaning of the verse better and somehow enters and goes deep into my heart. Besides, I know now, when every Muslim recites the holy book from its original language, it is so much preserved. I used to question, is it really the words in Quran now is the same as the words Muhammad(PBUH) utter during his time? I get my answer. If everyone recites from its original language with same letters by letters, how can the book be altered. If only anyone wishes to do so, the world can realize it because the Muslims know exactly how the verses originally are. Even during this era, we are not living in the oral community, many Muslims can memorize the whole Quran from cover to cover. What about the Qurra during the time of the prophet. I am convinced. No wonder, when it enter ‘ the most recited book’ in the search engine on the internet, I see ‘the Quran’.
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