Importance of Learning Arabic Language

Arabic—The Highway to Understanding the Qur’an and Sunnah
by Dr Muhammad Akram Nadwi
Oxford
30 May 2026

Honoured students,

All praise belongs to Allah, Who has directed your attention to a field of learning that is far more than the study of a language; it is a blessed means of connecting directly to the primary fountains of Islam. The programme our respected student and friend, Mr ʿAli Rasūl, has initiated for you in Arabic is indeed a laudable and grace-filled service. Such an opportunity is not granted to everyone; valuing it and drawing full benefit from it is therefore a collective responsibility.

Arabic enjoys a unique distinction over other tongues, for Allah chose it as the vehicle of His final and perfect Revelation, the Noble Qur’an. The Almighty proclaims: “Indeed We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’an so that you may understand.” Thus, when a Muslim learns Arabic, he is not merely acquiring vocabulary and grammar; he is embarking on a journey to grasp the Qur’an’s message in its pristine form. Translations and commentaries are undoubtedly valuable, yet the subtle flavour and profound depths of meaning are tasted only by the one who knows the language itself.

Likewise, the sayings of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم, the reports of the Companions, the monumental works of the Imams, and a vast treasury of Islamic sciences are all preserved in Arabic. Whoever masters the language finds the gates to these riches flung open. Such a person no longer depends entirely on others for every issue; he gains the ability to draw directly from the original sources.

Another great benefit of learning Arabic is the increase of humility and delight in worship. We recite Sūrat al-Fātiḥah and other Qur’anic verses in every prayer, we utter remembrances and supplications each day; when their meanings begin to penetrate the heart, the entire experience of worship is transformed. The prayer ceases to be a mere verbal exercise and becomes a conscious, living dialogue between the servant and his Lord.

A glance at Islamic history shows that Arabic guided the world of scholarship for centuries. In tafsīr, ḥadīth, fiqh, creed, history, literature, philosophy, medicine, astronomy, and countless other disciplines, Muslims have bequeathed a magnificent legacy—largely recorded in Arabic. To learn the language is, in truth, to connect oneself to that intellectual heritage which illumined the world’s thought for ages.

Some students initially feel that Arabic is difficult. In reality, every new science demands effort at the beginning. Whoever devotes a few months or a few years to this path with perseverance, patience, and sincerity will find that Allah paves the way with ease. In the realm of knowledge, success depends more on steadfastness than on raw intelligence.

I therefore urge you sincerely: seize this opportunity. Attend classes regularly, revise your lessons, never hesitate to ask questions, and set aside a portion of each day for reading and practising Arabic. Remember: a single word learned today may unlock a deeper understanding of a Qur’anic verse tomorrow, and a single rule mastered now may open the doors to Islam’s vast reservoirs of knowledge in the future.

We pray that Allah accept this blessed endeavour of Mr ʿAli Rasūl, make it an ongoing charity for him, and grant all the students beneficial knowledge, comprehension of the Qur’an, love of the Sunnah, and success in serving the religion.

Dr Muhammad Akram Nadwi