Appendix 4
Why Was the Quran Revealed in Arabic?
We learn
from
41:44
that
the
sincere
believers
have
access
to
the
Quran,
regardless of their mother tongue. The
disbelievers, on the other hand, are not permitted access to
the
Quran,
even
if
they
are
professors
of
the Arabic language (17:45, 18:57, 41:44, & 56:79).
Arabic is the most efficient language
in the world, especially when it comes
to the precise statement of laws. Since
the Quran is a Statute Book,
it was crucial that such laws
must
be
clearly
stated.
God
chose
Arabic
for
His
Final
Testament because of the obvious
reason that it is the most suitable
language for that purpose.
Arabic is unique in its efficiency
and accuracy. For example, the word “they” in English
does not tell you if “they” are males or females. In Arabic there
is a “they” for the males, “HUM,” and
a “they” for the females,
“HUNNA.” There is even a “they”
for two males, “HUMAA,” and
a “they” for two females,
“HAATAAN.” This feature does not exist in any other language
in the world. I came to appreciate this efficiency
of the Arabic language when I translated, for example, 2:228. This verse enjoins the divorcee to give up her own wishes to divorce her husband,
if she discovers that she is pregnant,
and the husband wishes to reconcile—the welfare
of the child takes a priority. The efficiency
of the Arabic language was extremely
helpful
in
stating
this
law. Any other language would have
made
it
almost
impossible to point out whose wishes are to be superseded, at least not in such a
few words as we see in 2:228.
The word “Qaalataa” of 28:23,
for
example,
translates
into
four
English
words: “the two women said.” Such is the efficiency of the Arabic language.
Another possible reason for choosing
Arabic is the fact that “He” and “She”
do not necessarily imply natural
gender. Thus, when God is referred
to as “He,” this does not imply gender at all. God be glorified; He is neither
male, nor female. The usage of “He” to refer to God in the English language,
for example, has contributed to a false
image of God. This was not helped
by such distorted expressions as “Father” when referring to God.
You never find such a reference
to God in the Quran.
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