Why do we read Quraan, even if we can't understand a single Arabic word????

Question

Here 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 Quraan. 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 Qur'an 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.

Answer 1

Shaykh al-Islam Taqi Al-Deen Ibn Taymiya (d.728H) said:

As for becoming accustomed to talking to o­ne another in a language other than Arabic, which is the symbol of Islam and the language of the Qur‘an, so that this becomes a habit in the land, with o­ne’s family and household members, with o­ne’s friends, in the marketplace, when addressing government representatives or authority figures or when speaking to people of knowledge, undoubtedly this is makrooh (disliked), because it involves being like the non-Arabs, which is makrooh, as stated previously.

Hence when the early Muslims went to live in Syria and Egypt, where the people spoke Byzantine Greek, and in ’Iraq and Khurasan, where the people spoke Persian, and North Africa (al-Maghrib) where the people spoke Berber, they taught the people of those countries to speak Arabic, so that Arabic became the prevalent language in those lands, and all the people, Muslim and Muslims alike, spoke Arabic. Such was also the case in Khurasan in the past, then they became lax with regard to the language and got used to speaking Farsi until it became prevalent and Arabic was forgotten by most of them. Undoubtedly this is disliked.

The best way is to become accustomed to speaking Arabic so that the young people will learn it in their homes and schools, so that the symbol of Islam and its people will prevail. This will make it easier for the people of Islam to understand the Qur’an and Sunna, and the words of the Salaf, unlike a person who gets used to speaking o­ne language, then wants to learn another, and finds it difficult.

Know that being used to using a language has a clear and strong effect o­n o­ne’s thinking, behaviour and religious commitment. It also has an effect o­n making o­ne resemble the early generations of this Umma, the Companions and the Tabi’een. Being like them improves o­ne’s thinking, religious commitment and behaviour.

Moreover, the Arabic language itself is part of Islam, and knowing Arabic is an obligatory duty. If it is a duty to understand the Qur‘an and Sunna, and they cannot be understood without knowing Arabic, then the means that is needed to fulfil the duty is also obligatory.

There are things which are obligatory o­n all individuals (fard ‘ayn), and others which are obligatory o­n the community or Umma (fard kifayah, i.e., if some people fulfil them the rest are relieved of the obligation).

This is the meaning of the report narrated by Abu Bakr Ibn Abi Shaybah who said: ‘Isa Ibn Yunus told us from Thawri from ‘Umar Ibn Yazid that ‘Umar wrote to Abu Musa al-Ash’ari and said: “Learn the Sunna and learn Arabic; learn the Qur‘an in Arabic for it is Arabic.?

According to another hadith narrated from ‘Umar, he said: “Learn Arabic for it is part of your Religion, and learn how the estate of the deceased should be divided (fara‘id) for these are part of your Religion.?

This command of ‘Umar, to learn Arabic and the Shari’a combines the things that are needed, for Religion involves understanding words and actions. Understanding Arabic is the way to understand the words of Islam, and understanding the Sunna is the way to understand the actions of Islam…? [1]

Notes:

[1] Iqtida Al- Siratil-Mustaqeem (2/207)

Answer 2

Salam for you my dear friend lilly water.Yes I do agree with your good example.Reciting or reading Qur'an is worth and beneficial although we could not understand its meanings.It is suggested by Muhammad pbuh because by reading it or hear it we will have a reward..It is better we understand also its meanings because Qur'an is our life guide.By under standing it we should practise it in our daily lives..By practis ing it our reward will be doubled. by Allah. Reading Qur'an can cure our spiritual diseases too.It is not useless if we know its good and positive impact to us.

Answer 3

Quran was translated in many languages of the world.  

You can read it in the language you know and understand.

Most of the basic world like "Bismillah-e-rehman-n-rahim",

Salam, Allah and many words remain and sound the same in any language.  

I am not a learned scholar,  as Allah is my witness I am trying to spread what I learned in life so far and will seek the righteous path till my last breath.

Answer 4

Abul Haarith

"Shaykh al-Islam" Taqi Al-Deen Ibn Taymiya (d.728H) said:

"As for becoming accustomed to talking to o­ne another in a language other than Arabic, which is the symbol of Islam and the language of the Qur‘an, so that this becomes a habit in the land, with o­ne’s family and household members, with o­ne’s friends, in the marketplace, when addressing government representatives or authority figures or when speaking to people of knowledge, undoubtedly this is makrooh (disliked),"

for Arabs maybe. Not for non-Arabs. If it was your post, in non-Arabic would be makruh

" because it involves being like the non-Arabs, which is makrooh, as stated previously."

subhanAllah - so Arabs being like non-Arabs is makruh? what about non-Arabs ? is it makruh for them to be like Arabs? You are promoting Arab supremacism not Islam.

We follow what the Prophet (saw) and sahabas did not what the Arabs do. If we did we'd be in casinos drinking and gambling. Arab tribes became murtadd after the passing of the Prophet (saw) are you suggesting people follow that ?

"Such was also the case in Khurasan in the past, then they became lax with regard to the language and got used to speaking Farsi until it became prevalent and Arabic was forgotten by most of them. Undoubtedly this is disliked."

Its disliked for Muslims to speak the language of their own culture? or for any language to exist except Arabic though Allah calls our different langauges from amongst  his signs may Allah guide you

"Know that being used to using a language has a clear and strong effect o­n o­ne’s thinking, behaviour and religious commitment. It also has an effect o­n making o­ne resemble the early generations of this Umma, the Companions and the Tabi’een. Being like them improves o­ne’s thinking, religious commitment and behaviour."

Implyin that a non-Arab could never be like them -which is kufr

"Moreover, the Arabic language itself is part of Islam, and knowing Arabic is an obligatory duty. If it is a duty to understand the Qur‘an and Sunna, and they cannot be understood without knowing Arabic, then the means that is needed to fulfil the duty is also obligatory."

Thats why we have ulema we take deen from- its fard kifayah to learn Arabic in Hanafi maddhab. You are implying every Arab understands the Quran and Sunna. Did the people who flew planes full of civilians into the WTC understand the Quran and Sunnah?  Not doing a Fard is haram so you are saying all Muslims who didnt in the past learn or dont learn Arabic are doing haram and will go to h**l.

Sorry I dont accept my grandfather who never missed tahhajud for 70 years is going to h**l because he wasnt an Arab or didnt speak Arabic..

"There are things which are obligatory o­n all individuals (fard ‘ayn), and others which are obligatory o­n the community or Umma (fard kifayah, i.e., if some people fulfil them the rest are relieved of the obligation)."

Fair enough. Arabic is fard kifayah. Isnt it fard ayan to help the poor Muslims in India /Pakistan? Dont see many Arabs doing that do you?

Answer 5

Yeah, its a very nice story...but its doesn't refers to just reading the Qur'an in arabic without understandin it....if you read the Qur'an by knowing what it is saying i.e. reading Qur'an in your understandable language...you do not understand completely, each and everything it is talking about at once.... so one must read it again and again...more you'll read it, more will be your observation and more knowledge you will get from it.

Its not a book to be read once or twice...one should consult it again and again... that is what the story is about.Please, don't take it in a way that just reading the book without understanding it will change your life.Its a book to be practiced.It is what Allah teaches to His beloved creation, so try to understand and practice it.

Answer 6

Mashallah. This is so cool. I've always wondered that. :-)

Answer 7

So that's why were experiencing a water shortage!

Answer 8

what i did because i couldnt understand was read an English version. i cannot read Arabic all that well. but when i want to hear the Suras in Arabic i listen to a Quran cd. good luck and Sallam

Answer 9

dat is lame!! and red necks in kentucky does not read dat book either dey would rather be bitten by a rattle snake! who would want to read something u cant understand?

Answer 10

translations. thats what you need

instead of running up and down trying to carry water in a basket, falling victim to your grandfather's loony schemes

Answer 11

IN short, the grandfather doesn't want the basket washed, he just wanted the kid to run up and down. Cos if they really wanted to just wash the basket, the kid would have washed it there and then and done the job fine.  Its what we call islamic crraaap.

Your story should be this:

Here 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 in the toilet reading his Quraan. 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 Qur'an 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 toilet paper and head to the toilet.  Use it"

The boy did as he was told, but as he had nothing to defecate, the toilet paper was still relatively clean after he used it when 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 toilet with the toilet paper to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again nothing! And he returned home with this time, crumpled paper.

Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to go to the toilet and use the toilet paper when he had nothing to release, and he went to get a bucket. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket. 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 went to the toilet ten times, the paper would be dry & quite clean. The boy again rushed to the toilet and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather, he said, "See Grandpa, it's useless!" "So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the toilet paper!."

The boy looked at the toilet paper and for the first time realized that the toilet paper was now full of shiit! The boy did not realise that he had diahorrea while running up & down!  It had been transformed from a bunch of dry toilet paper into the Quran!

You might not understand or remember everything, but when you use it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Allah in our muslims' lives."

Answer 12

Very beautiful story.

My dad has told me this story like 10 times. lol

Answer 13

Mashallah very beautiful story really makes good sense i've always wondered too. =)

Answer 14

Allah wants us to comprehend the Quran, not simply recite it.  One can only benefit from the Holy Quran by understanding the verses.

Answer 15

it is aroma

Answer 16

Salaam.

How about buying or getting a Qur'an that has translations in a language you could understand?

Some masjids even give out free Qur'ans!

Answer 17

Such a sweet story, sis.! Yeah, there are many other benefits too, of reading the Quran, even if u don't understand.

Like Allah says in the Quran: "the believers r those people to whom, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts tremble, and if u recite our ayahs to them, it increases their faith, and they depend upon their Lord"

Why, many people have converted to Islam merely because of the wonderful sound of it's recitation...But I guess the grandpa should have bought a translation of the meaning of the Quran, and explained it to the boy! I'm sure he would have loved to hear the stories about the Prophets.It's essential to try understanding it.

Answer 18

No...

Allah (SWT) wants the followers to understand the meaning of islam, not just to read it just as something  you have to do. like its a chore. It is important for a believer of any faith, to understand the words of God.

This is the huge problem with islam. It is mostly in arabic, u have to learn arabic. well what about the 70% of muslims who are not arab? Its not fair for them to have to learn arabic to understand it. It should be translated and explained to ppl of every nation.

Allah (SWT) does not only speak Arabic!!!!!!

Pray, make dua, and read the quran in any language. As long as you are attempting to attain wisdom. That wisdom will be given to you. Whether you read it in Arabi, English, Farsi, Swahili, Hindi, or any language in the world.

The true language of Allah (SWT) is the language you speak with the creator within the heart. Its the language of the heart, that is only understood between you and your God!!!