Learning Quranic Arabic

Arabic is one of the most poetic languages in the world with nuances and subtle meanings tied to every word. The Qur'an, Islam's holy book, is a prime example of the complexity and beauty of the Arabic language. Learning Qur'anic Arabic is seen as a mark of great intelligence and education in many circles.

History

Qur'anic Arabic differs somewhat from Modern Standard Arabic, which is widely spoken and taught throughout the Middle East and the world today. Qur'anic Arabic is, of course, much older than Modern Standard Arabic, and is even older than Islam itself. Qur'anic Arabic draws on centuries of pre-Islamic poetry and prose for much of its meaning, most of which is lost to modern scholars. Still, Qur'anic Arabic is taught in many colleges worldwide, especially in the Middle East.

Significance

Part of the reason that Qur'anic Arabic is not so widely known is the obscurity of its uses; it has no diplomatic or business value. Qur'anic Arabic does offer the student of Religious Studies, Middle Eastern History, and other humanities dealing with Islam or Arab history important insights into the cultures of the Middle East.

Universities which have a long history of Islamic or Middle Eastern studies are the premier institutions dealing with learning Qur'anic Arabic in an academic setting. Princeton University has consistently led the field of Qur'anic Arabic in the United States. The University of Chicago's reputation for excellence is well known, and in the area of Qur'anic Arabic the university is a leader. Also, the University of California in Berkeley is another leader in Qur'anic Arabic. Other universities throughout the country also offer Qur'anic Arabic curricula which are excellent, though their universities may not have the reputation of the top three. Each university's program should be examined thoroughly before enrolling to learn Qur'anic Arabic.

Function

Students who study abroad to learn Qur'anic Arabic, particularly by studying in an Arab country, may have an easier time picking it up. The study of Qur'anic Arabic in many Muslim countries is a long tradition which is highly respected. Universities such as Al Azhar University in Cairo, for example, are some of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the Middle East. Other universities in the Middle East also offer good instruction in Qur'anic Arabic. Prospective students are urged to investigate the country where they wish to study thoroughly before applying to the programs, so as to match the desires of the student to the culture of the country.

Types

It is still possible to study Qur'anic Arabic without enrolling in a university or studying abroad. Most mosques throughout the country offer to teach prospective converts to (or those curious about) Islam the language of the Holy Qur'an. For the student, this may mean hours of rote memorization as pronunciation is key to correct recitation of the Qur'an; meaning may come later, or be included from the start, depending upon the preference of the instructor.

Considerations

Qur'anic Arabic is hard even by Arabic learning standards. The case endings of certain words, coupled with the combination of some consonants, can trip up even the most experienced of students. The study of Qur'anic Arabic is also time consuming and will take diligent study; a good instructor will explain this long before a student embarks upon this path. Still, Qur'anic Arabic is beautifully complex and is considered an asset in educated circles in most Arab countries.