Exploring the Uniqueness of the Arabic Language

Language is the greatest blessing of Allah Almighty. Through this, we understand other’s thoughts and convey our ideas to them. While there are hundreds of languages in the world, each important to its native speakers, the Arabic language holds a special significance not only for native speakers but also for Muslims living worldwide. Arabic is not just a medium for communication or livelihood, but also a fundamental means for understanding the truth and grasping the essence of Islam.

Additionally, Arabic was the language of Prophet Adam, inhabitants of Paradise, the Last Prophet, and the most exalted divine book, the Quran Arabic.

Therefore, when this language was chosen for the greatest book, it surely stands as the best of all languages. However, in today’s age, many Muslims are unaware of its importance, even though a proper understanding of Islam largely depends on this language.

Arabic is a Part of our Religion

Scholars have declared learning Arabic language as obligatory, for without it, even fundamental acts like prayer cannot be properly performed. The recitation of the Quran is impossible without Arabic, and understanding the laws of Shariah directly also requires proficiency in Arabic. For this reason, the companions of the Prophet not only preserved the Arabic language themselves but also encouraged others to do so. Umar ibn Al-Khattab famously said:

“Learn Arabic, for it is part of your religion” (Bayhaqi in Shu’ab Al-Iman).

Whoever Loves Allah will also Love Arabic

Additionally, Ali ibn Abi Talib initiated the formulation of rules for the Arabic language through Abu Al-Aswad Al-Du’ali. Highlighting the significance of the Arabic language, the Arab scholar and linguist, Imam Tha’labī, stated:

“Whoever loves Allah Almighty will also love the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and whoever loves the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) will love the Arabs, and whoever loves the Arabs will love the Arabic language. And whoever loves the Arabic language, in which the best of all books was revealed to the best of all beings, will also strive to learn it, teach it, and preserve it” (Fiqh al-Lughah)

5 Uniqueness of Learning Arabic Language

Every language has its unique features, but Arabic has certain characteristics that distinguish it from other languages. Some of these are as follows:

1. Eternal Preservation

The Arabic language will remain until the Day of Judgment; it will not vanish like other languages. Its survival from the beginning of creation to the present day, with its full richness, is proof of this. This is not just an assumption, but a reality proven by the Quran. Allah Almighty has guaranteed the preservation of the Quran, thereby granting Arabic language its eternal protection. This is a unique quality not found in any other language.

2. Vast Vocabulary

There is no other language on Earth as vast as Arabic. This is not a claim based on sentiment, but an undeniable truth. In other languages, it is rare to find more than two or three synonyms for a single word, whereas in Arabic, it is common to find multiple synonyms for a single term. For example, for the concept of grief, Arabic offers various words such as حزن (huzn), اسی (asī), کآبہ (ka’abah), and اسف (asaf). Similarly, for the word “lion,” non-Arabs usually know three Arabic equivalents: لیث (layth), اسد (asad), and غضنفر (ghadanfar). However, Arabs have 150 to 500 words for “lion” depending on the source. This is why Imam Shafi’i, quoted by Al-Suyuti, stated that:

“Only a Prophet can fully grasp the entire Arabic language” (Al-Mazhar)

3. Polysemy (Multiple Meanings for a Single Word)

In Arabic, a single word often has multiple meanings, with no upper limit. For instance, the word عین (ayn) can mean “eye,” “spring,” “knee,” “spy,” “currency,” and more. Such richness in meaning is not common in other languages.

4. Phonetic Reflection

In Arabic, the characteristics of the first letter of a word often influence the word’s meaning. For example, the letter ش (shīn) has the quality of تفشی (tafashī), which signifies the spreading out of sound when pronounced. This spreading quality is reflected in the meanings of words like شباب (shabab, “youth”) since youth is marked by the expansion of physical growth and emotions. Similarly, divine laws are called شرع (sharah) in Arabic because they encompass all of creation. Such a connection between sounds and meanings is unique to Arabic.

5. Conciseness

Arabic words are generally brief, ranging from two to seven letters. This brevity allows for the expression of complex meanings in short words. For example, the Arabic word وعد (wa’ad) means “promise” and consists of just three letters, whereas the English equivalent “promise” has seven letters. In contrast, English words can contain up to 15 letters, whereas Arabic does not exceed seven.

Beyond these characteristics, Arabic has many other qualities. Even if we set aside these special features and view Arabic simply as a language, it ranks among the top five most developed languages globally today. It is one of the five official languages of the United Nations. Moreover, Arabic literature is rich in wisdom and ethical teachings. Abu Amr ibn Al-Ala used to say: “Very little of Arabic poetry has reached you. Had it all reached you, you would have had access to vast knowledge and literature” (Irfan-e-Arab).

Conclusion

In today’s world, Arabic is not just a religious language but also a language of opportunity. There are lot of cultural as well as spiritual benefits of learning Arabic. It is the official language of 22 countries in the Arab League, offering promising career prospects in these nations. Therefore, Every Muslim should strive to learn Arabic. Many books for learning Arabic are available on internet but the easy way of learning Arabic is online Arabic class. Urdu speakers, in particular, should focus on learning Arabic as it can add a valuable dimension to Urdu literature.