KITAB, QURAN & ARABIC

CHAPTER 1

 

 

KITAB, QURAN & ARABIC –

 

 

IS "ARABIC" THE NAME OF A LANGUAGE OF MIDDLE EAST AND "QURAN" A SACRED BOOK OF MUSLIMS? THE QUESTION APPEARS TO BE VERY ABSURD.

 

 

LET’S ANALYZE SOME VERSES IN ORDER TO KNOW WHAT MEAN’T BY KITAB, QURAN AND ARABIC IN THE CONTEXT OF THE BOOK QURAN.

 

الر تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ الْمُبِينِ

12:1 - A.L.R. These are the symbols / signs of the perspicuous Book.

 

 

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

12:2 - Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an that you might understand.   

12:3 -  نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ أَحْسَنَ الْقَصَصِ بِمَا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ هَـذَا الْقُرْآنَ وَإِن كُنتَ مِن قَبْلِهِ لَمِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ

We deduct upon you best of  deduction, with what We inspired to you, this the Al-Quran, and if you were far from accepting it surely among the ignoring/neglecting.

وَالْكِتَابِ الْمُبِينِ

43:2 - By the Book that makes things clear

إِنَّا جَعَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

 

43:3 - Verily, We have made it a Qur'an in Arabic that you may be able to understand.

وَإِنَّهُ فِي أُمِّ الْكِتَابِ لَدَيْنَا لَعَلِيٌّ حَكِيمٌ

 

43:4 - And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book, in Our Presence, high (in dignity), full of wisdom. - Translation by Yusuf Ali

Initially these verses made me realize that to understand the book Qur'an, it is important to understand Arabic language, which I assumed, was the sacred language of Allah spoken mostly in the Middle East, and through it He spoke to the Messenger of Arabia (Peace be upon him).

 

Being an ardent fan of the book Qur'an, I have always been enamored by the message and tried to understand the crux of the matter that the respected author of the book Quran wants us all to understand. I never plainly read Arabic script or the translation of the book Quran just for the sake of reading. My purpose of reading had always been to study, analyze and question the content.

Believing “Arabic” to be the sacred language of the Holy Quran, I made a tremendous and sincere effort to learn and understand it. In fact, my observation as a non-Arabic speaking person was that, how much ever efforts one puts in; one still could not match the linguistic skills of a 5-year-old whose mother tongue is “Arabic”. Disheartened at not being able to learn the nitty-gritty of the Arabic language, a thought fogged my mind, “Can Allah be unjust?”

After my sincere efforts to learn Arabic, I am still unable to understand its nuances, while Arab children know and understand Arabic language without any extra effort. My love for Allah was greater than my love for the book Quran and to prove that my Allah is not unjust I started to explore the book Quran much more minutely and academically. The process of unlearning and learning is continuous endeavor and I am being a life long student of the book Quran. 

While studying the book Quran I came across many verses which contained sentences such as: “this is the Quran” (haza al Quran / هَذَا الْقُرْآنَ ). I discovered that the earliest Quran that was found dates back to at least approximately 200 years after the demise of the honorable Messenger, which is presently on display at the Al-Hussein Mosque in Cairo. This monumental Quranic manuscript on parchment shows a well-formed Kufic script written in dark-brown ink with sparse diacritical marks and no ornamentation. Total numbers of folios are 1087. Size: 57 cm x 68 cm. The height of the muṣḥaf [مصحف] is 40 cm and weighs 80 kg. The extant folios contain more than 99% of the text of the book Qur'an. 

My inquisitiveness further grew as to how the physical form of the book Quran would have been at the time of the apostle. If after 200 years the physical form was so huge and heavy, then what would have the form been before 200 years. It has been chronicled from some sources that leaves, bones, stones, and goat’s skin were also used for writing in those periods.

25:32 - وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَوْلَا نُزِّلَ عَلَيْهِ الْقُرْآنُ جُمْلَةً وَاحِدَةً كَذَلِكَ لِنُثَبِّتَ بِهِ فُؤَادَكَ وَرَتَّلْنَاهُ تَرْتِيلً

And those who disbelieve say: "Why is not the Quran revealed to him all at once?" Thus (it is sent down in parts), that We may strengthen your heart thereby. And We have revealed it to you gradually, in stages. (It is a traditional believed the book was revealed to the Prophet SAW in 23 years) 

The above verse of the book Quran and the Hadith linked with this verse made us believe that the book Quran was revealed in parts within the duration of 23 years of prophet life. But in 2:185 it says the entire Quran revealed in month of Ramadan. 

Then I began to wonder why the Messenger of Islam uttered those words frequently that “this is the Quran - Hazal Quran / هَذَا الْقُرْآنَ "  (6:19) (12:3) (17:9) (17:41) (17:88) (17:89) (18:54) (25:30) (27:76) (30:58) (34:31) (39:27) (41:26) (43:31) (59:21) – If we believe Quran to be a book then that would mean the messenger  carrying a big gunny bag weighing probably 100 kg  of written material comprising of 114 chapters while addressing the people of Arabia, that “this is the Quran"- It also signifies that this is why he uttered those words frequently, pointing towards the “gunny bag” containing the material of the book Quran. The traditional understanding puts question mark on the existence of rasul and physical book Quran.

Grammatically when the word ‘haza’(in Arabic) is used in any sentence it means ‘this’.  In this case, "the book Al-Quran" was present at the time of preaching by Rasul Allah. 'This'/ Haza - is the masculine singular demonstrative pronoun. The scenario would be that the messenger would have carried the book Quran weighing more than 80 Kgs and stating, hazal Quran, did not make any sense to me. These thoughts began to haunt my mind. Once again I analyzed the book Quran and found in verse 43:3 - إِنَّا جَعَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ - "Verily, We have made it a Quran in Arabic... I realized that Rabb/Allah was the manufacturer of Quran and it’s a part of the mother book which is called Al-Kitab, full of wisdom" - (43:4).

I again wondered how Rabb / Allah could have thrown down the complete book or revealed it in parts containing 114 chapters to the messenger and what could have been its form and material. I found the word J’alna [جَعَلْنَا] was used for making of the Quran or with reference to the existence of the book Quran. When I further probed into the detailed meaning of the word جَعَلْنَا (J’alna) in 43:3, I found out that this word is used when no physical material is used in its formation. The translators have interpreted J’alna as 'made' which does not represent its true meaning. Like, for example, during the making of day and night or of the zodiac signs, the word J’alna is used in the book Quran.  No physical material is used to make day or night, it’s just a relative phenomena brought about by the rotation of Earth on its axis or an arrangement of stars to form a zodiac sign. Again, in the same verse, further to my amazement, when I linguistically analyzed the words arabiyyan [عَرَبِيًّا] and Qur’aanan [قُرْآنًا], I found that both these words are used without an indefinite article ‘Al’- ‘The’, and they are not proper nouns either. On the contrary ‘arabiyyan’ is an accusative adjective - صفة منصوبة .

After being convinced that no material was used in the making of the Quran and since Arabiyyan was also not used as a proper noun, and had Arabiyyan been mentioned as a proper noun it would have been written with a definite article Al, like Al-arabiyah [العربية] and not with a tanween (nunation) which actually represents an indefinite article. However, some traditionalists deny this because of their indoctrinated beliefs. Finally, it became clear to me that the message was directly downloaded (Nazil) from the natural inherent script (Al-Kitab) and manifested (Shahr) in the intellect (Qalb) through inspiration (Wahi). This can happen to any person who mulls over intensely or gets ignited by the flame of knowledge (Ramadan). The kindle of knowledge [Ramadan] is a manifestation [Shahr] and the speech is delivered in an articulate (Arabic) expression / conversation (Quran). So, Al-Quran is the specific expression / converstion which is settled or lodged inside any person, which could be of either one sentence or more than 10000 sentences. We cannot confine it to just 114 chapters and it can be in any language that could be clearly understood by the masses (14:4). It is an oral expression or an inner conversation and not a physical book. Later on this oral expression (Al-Quran) was written down and compiled into a book form in present form. The real script [Al-Kitab] is embedded in our breast / heart (29:49-51) brought by Jibrael (2:97). 

Submission to Peace/Soundness (Islam) is the subject like mathematics, science, psychology, sociology etc. Any language can represent these subjects. The language Arabic has no monopoly over the subject of Islam. Peace and love has no language and boundaries. Muslim means one who is in the state of peace, being sound and it is not a name of any community but signifies a character of an individual who submits to peace and soundness in every circumstance.

FOR THOSE WHO THINK THAT AL-QURAN MEANS A BOOK OF ALLAH CONSISTING 114 CHAPTERS, THEN HOW WILL THEY JUSTIFY THE FOLLOWING VERSES WHICH THE BOOK QURAN CLAIMS THAT: THIS BOOK QURAN HAVE ALL THE NECESSARY EXAMPLES? 

وَلَقَدْ صَرَّفْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِي هَـذَا الْقُرْآنِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ فَأَبَى أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ إِلاَّ كُفُورًا

17:89-And We have certainly diversified for the people in this Qur'an from every [kind] of example, but most of the people refused [anything] except disbelief.

وَلَقَدْ صَرَّفْنَا فِي هَذَا الْقُرْآنِ لِلنَّاسِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ وَكَانَ الْإِنسَانُ أَكْثَرَ شَيْءٍ جَدَلاً

18:54-And We have certainly diversified in this Qur'an for the people from every [kind of] example; but man has ever been, most of anything, [prone to] dispute.

وَلَقَدْ ضَرَبْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِي هَذَا الْقُرْآنِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ وَلَئِن جِئْتَهُم بِآيَةٍ لَّيَقُولَنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا مُبْطِلُونَ

 

30:58- And We have certainly presented to the people in this Qur'an from every [kind of] example. But, [O Muhammad], if you should bring them a sign, the disbelievers will surely say, "You [believers] are but falsifiers."

وَلَقَدْ ضَرَبْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِي هَذَا الْقُرْآنِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ

39:27-And We have certainly presented for the people in this Qur'an from every [kind of] example - that they might remember / recollect. – Traditional translations

Any sane person who is not affected by the religious indoctrination will say that this Quran of 114 chapters does not contain all the examples which are necessary for living a peaceful life and even the language in which it is written is not fit for comprehension. Important issues like how to establish work, how to prevent bloodshed or how to coexist, rights of all living beings and remedies for diseases like fever, cold, blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension, psychological problems and many other basic problems are not addressed in the book of 114 chapters. Then how this 114-chapter book claims to contain all the examples? Still, we disbelieve or dispute and confidently assert that this book has all the models and patterns to live a peaceful life.

 

My purpose is not in denying the book Quran of its sacred position but to educate that the translation of this 114 chapter book which we assume as the holy Quran is not sufficient as a guide to live a normal life. And the book of 114 chapters which is made up of physical material is not the actual Quran that the book Quran is talking about. In fact Quran is talking about that matter of the mind which only the pure can touch (56:77-80) – It’s a clear sentence which means, its instructions can only be understood by those who are pure in thoughts or whose learning cups are empty.

 LET’S ANALYZE SOME MORE VERSES: 

 

قُل لَّوْ كَانَ الْبَحْرُ مِدَادًا لِّكَلِمَاتِ رَبِّي لَنَفِدَ الْبَحْرُ قَبْلَ أَن تَنفَدَ كَلِمَاتُ رَبِّي وَلَوْ جِئْنَا بِمِثْلِهِ مَدَدًا

18:109-Say, "If the sea were ink for [writing] the words of my Lord, the sea would be exhausted before the words of my Lord were exhausted, even if We brought the like of it as a supplement."  

وَلَوْ أَنَّمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مِن شَجَرَةٍ أَقْلَامٌ وَالْبَحْرُ يَمُدُّهُ مِن بَعْدِهِ سَبْعَةُ أَبْحُرٍ مَّا نَفِدَتْ كَلِمَاتُ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

31:27 - And if whatever trees upon the earth were pens and the sea [was ink], replenished thereafter by seven [more] seas, the words of Allah would not be exhausted. Indeed, Allah is exalted in Might and Wise. Traditional translations

This means the words / communication (Kalimat) of 'Allah' has much more depth than this book of 114 chapters and it is not justified to confine the words of Allah in a book of 114 chapters containing just more than 6200 plus ayaats.

It is a fact, that the entire universe and beyond are manifested words [kalimat] or signs (ayaats) for those who want to use their intelligence as it is embedded in the mind or soul of humans. Only those who think deeply are able to unfold the mysteries of those signs (ayaats) in any form of expression (Al-Quran). If we take Quran as an expression only then the above Ayaats that state that Quran has everything, will make sense. Only then we can accept that everything is contained in the expression (Al-Quran) which is a product of intense thought and correct extraction of Al-Kitab –The Quran is in a correctional book (Ummul Al-Kitab) which is within us, Exalted in Wisdom 43:4. Ummul-Kitab is the corrective book which is with Rabb 13:39. A book which corrects / guides is called Ummul-Kitab an attribute of Quran. The basic meaning of Umm is mother or who guides or corrects.

One more example: If we assume the meaning of Quran as plain reading or reciting, it does not make sense, if we translate Quran and put reading in place of the word Quran. It will appear like this “read the reading” in the following verses.

فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

(16:98) - So when you recite the Qur'an, [first] seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the expelled [from His mercy].

وَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرآنَ جَعَلْنَا بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَ الَّذِينَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ حِجَابًا مَّسْتُورًا

 

17:45 - And when you recite the Qur'an, We create between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter a concealed partition. 

 

وَأَنْ أَتْلُوَاْ الْقُرْآنَ فَمَنِ اهْتَدَى فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدِي لِنَفْسِهِ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَقُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُنذِرِينَ

27:92 - And to recite the Qur'an, "And whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] himself [own soul]; and whoever strays - say, "I am only [one] of the warners."

Till now almost all the translators have retained the Arabic word Quran or Al-Quran as Quran only. Nobody made an effort to know its exact meaning.

I repeat, the translators have not replaced the word Quran with any other word; hence while translating they translate as “read the Quran.” If they translate 'read the reading' they very well know that it will not make sense and their folly would be exposed. 

 

Al-Quran is used here because it is a specific expression or an inner conversation. 'Al' is also used for specific group as in Al-Insaan, it does not mean one human being, but the specific quality of human beings. So when the word Quran is used it means common expression and Al-Quran means specific or special expressions. Another reason for choosing the meaning as ‘expression’ for Quran is it fits into all the verses, wherever Quran is mentioned.  And it makes sense to the verses of the book of 114 chapters too.

 

 

WHAT IS THE OPPOSITE OF ARABIC?

I will try to keep the thesis as simple and short as possible. People will be astonished to know that the word Arabic also has an opposite. The meaning of Arabic is articulate or easily understood; some readers might think how I determined the meaning of Arabic as articulate (clear or understood easily). I know from the book of 114 chapters, that THE OPPOSITE OF ARABIC IS AJMI and I came to the conclusion by understanding the following verses.

وَلَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّمَا يُعَلِّمُهُ بَشَرٌ لِّسَانُ الَّذِي يُلْحِدُونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْجَمِيٌّ وَهَـذَا لِسَانٌ عَرَبِيٌّ مُّبِينٌ

16: 103 - And We certainly know that they say, "It is only a human being who teaches the Prophet." The tongue of the one they refer to is foreign (ajmi), and this (Qur'an) is [in] a clear articulate (Arabic) language. (Traditional translation)

وَلَوْ جَعَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا أَعْجَمِيًّا لَّقَالُوا لَوْلَا فُصِّلَتْ آيَاتُهُ أَأَعْجَمِيٌّ وَعَرَبِيٌّ قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هُدًى وَشِفَاءٌ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ فِي آذَانِهِمْ وَقْرٌ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِمْ عَمًى أُوْلَئِكَ يُنَادَوْنَ مِن مَّكَانٍ بَعِيدٍ  

41:44- And if We had made it a aʿjamiyyan [foreign language] Qur'an, they would have said, "Why are its verses not explained in detail [in our language]? Is it a foreign [āʿ'jamiyyun] and an Arab [messenger]?" Say, "It is, for those who believe in the guidance and cure." And those who do not believe - in their ears is deafness, and it is upon them blindness. Those are being called from a distant place. (Traditional translation)

وَلَوْ نَزَّلْنَاهُ عَلَى بَعْضِ الْأَعْجَمِينَ

26:198 - And even if We had revealed it to one among the foreigners [AAjameena]

 

 -199 - And had he recited it to them, they would not have believed in it.

According to the above verses the word “Ajmi” means foreign or which is not clear - Then the meaning of Arabic has to be clear or articulate or which is clear. The speech which is articulate or easily understood is called Arabic. For me Chinese, Russian, Japanese, French, Bengali, Malay, Arabic etc are all Ajmi (foreign) languages because I cannot understand it. I understand Urdu, English, and Hindi, so that means they are Arabic (clear or easily understood) for me. For more detail check Edward William lane lexicon. 

Arabic is not a language, any language which we understand is Arabic (articulate) and any language which we do not understand is Ajmi (foreign) for us. We could also say that for some people the terminologies in the fields of medicine, engineering and computers are alien (Ajmi) to them. Or one could say that it’s Greek and Latin to us, as every category or group has its own Jargon. Academics can also check the meanings of Arabic and Ajmi in classical Lexicons.

With this new discovery when we translate 12:2 - Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an that you might understand – Now it will be like this - “Verily We have sent it an articulate compiled expression / conversation so that you may understand”. After amendment of this verse it makes perfect sense. Similarly with every verse, when we replace ‘expression / conversation’ for Quran and ‘articulate’ for Arabic, then the verses will make complete sense. If the translators translate or interpret all the Arabic words, only then they can claim to have completely translated the text of 114 chapters. Common and important words like Rabb, Allah, Quran, Arabic, Ramadan etc., are used as they are, without even an attempt to translate or deduce them, just making a false pretense that they are proper nouns or foreign words and hence cannot be translated.

 

ANALYZING IT FURTHER: 

فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرْنَاهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ

Chapter 44:58 says “certainly, We have made this easy in your speech in order that they may continuously discuss / recollect / remember (يَتَذَكَّرُونَ).

وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا الْقُرْآنَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ

54:17-32-40 And We have certainly made the Qur'an (compilation of thoughts / expression) easy for remembrance, so is there any who will call to mind?

 

75:17 إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ وَقُرْآنَهُ

Indeed! it is upon Us to assess it and to express it

It is for the Consciousness to assess and express it

75:18 فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَاهُ فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْآنَهُ

So when it is expressed, then follow its compilation

When the expression is settled minutely follow its detail

75: 19 ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا بَيَانَهُ 

Then indeed! It is upon Us to explain it 

It is the role of the Consciousness to distinguish it properly.

WHAT IS QURAN IN QURANIC CONTEXT ?

All the above verses describe almost the same content. In the Quranic context the Quran is an inner compilation of thoughts in our own language (Arabic) which is easy to converse  / express and is easy to understand / recollect / reflect / remember / memorized and followed. A question arises from the above verses, are the 'Arabic' verses of the book Quran, really easy to discuss or understand or remember? Whenever the word Arabic is mentioned, our mind relates it to a language of the Arabs who belong to the Middle East. Actually those Arabs were Hijazi and Najdi, Arab is the title they hijacked from the the book Quran. The Quranic word Arab or Arabic does not belong to the Arab tribe of Arabia. It is an adjective describing the clarity or vocalness of a person.

If Arabic is the language and Quran a book then it is impossible to understand the verses because wherever the word Arabic occurs in the Quran our mind begins to relate it to Arabic language of 1400 century. Honestly these verses will not make any sense if we assume Arabic as a language of a particular region and then go on to claim that this (Quran) message is crystal clear & for the entire mankind. Such claims fall flat on its face. How an alien ancient language can be understood only by some handful elites among the Arabs themselves that claims to be the guidance for the entire mankind. Does this really make any sense to a greater majority? It is obvious that one can understand and discuss, only in a language known to us and Arabic means something that we can understand. Modern and colloquial Arabic is totally different from the pre-classical Arabic of Quran which was originally not even written in Arabic script but its script was in Garshuni.

It is an universally accepted fact mentioned in the Quran that, all the messages and its messengers are one amongst / in / from us, who spoke the same language as we do because it is easy to understand and relate. Do we actually recognize a messenger who spoke our own language as per the following verse which explains? Think it over - Can Allah be unjust by not sending us the messenger in our mother tongue? The messengers are 24x7 reciting, sending signals, warning us in the language we understand but are we ready to hear it.

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلاَّ بِلِسَانِ قَوْمِهِ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمْ فَيُضِلُّ اللّهُ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

14:4 - And We did not send any messenger except in the language of his people to state clearly for them, and Allah sends astray [thereby] whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

Where are our messengers who speak in our own language, as per the above verse? Now the big dilemma for all of us is not to search for the messengers, but to look out for messages in our respective languages and localities taking the help of Zalikal-Kitab (natural script within us) where nothing is omitted. We will discuss about the messengers in another topic later.

وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلاَ طَائِرٍ يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيْهِ إِلاَّ أُمَمٌ أَمْثَالُكُم مَّا فَرَّطْنَا فِي الكِتَابِ مِن شَيْءٍ ثُمَّ إِلَى رَبِّهِمْ يُحْشَرُونَ

6:38 - And there is no creature on [or within] the earth or bird that flies with its wings except [that they are] communities like you. We have not neglected in the Register / book a thing. Then unto their Lord they will be gathered. (All Quranic references are from traditional translations so the majority of the readers can easily relate with the verses)

 

The same thing cannot be said about the book of 114 chapters, named as Al-Quran. Once again, I assert that - Al-Quran of 114 chapters is just a minuscule part of the gigantic script (Al-Kitab) - (43:4) - No one can understand Quran, except those who are clean (Mutahiroon) from their old beliefs and school of thoughts - Indeed, it is a noble Qur'an... (56:76-78). Noble Quran (114-chapter book) is just an expression of individual messengers - (69:40-43) (81:19).

 

WHY “QURAN” AND OTHER “BOOKS” ARE ALWAYS IN ARABIC”?

 

We see in the Quran that emphasis is given on Arabic Quran. Majority of us believe that it is the language that is given special importance to understand the book called Quran. But this is not the case, in 13:37 “Hukuman Arabiyan” is used; here arabiyan simply means the clarity / articulation of the message rather than the language. The articulation of all messengers was in Arabic does not mean that they all spoke in the language of Middle East, it actually meant that they spoke clearly and explicitly (14:4). Verse 46:12 also clarifies us that the book of Musa is the leader (Imam) and it speaks the truth (Musadiq) in Arabic (articulate) Lisan (speech). This does not mean that the book of Musa was in Arabic language instead it talks about the articulation of the message rather than the language.

 

It should be clear by now that Arabiyan does not mean the language of Middle East but an attribute of the message delivered by Quran.

   

HOW KITAB IS AN INHERENT SCRIPT?

Muslims consider the book Quran as the catalogue of their life or their vital life line but in reality they treat the book as their mute deity. They think keeping it in the house or shop will bring them luck. They selectively read some chapters or verses of the book Quran without understanding so that it brings some blessings to them. Their intention is never to understand the essence / intrinsic nature of its message nevetheless they behave as if their entire life depends on this noble book. But the truth is, they read it for i) earning imaginary rewards ii) for the sake of reading iii) for the guidance interpreted by their self proclaimed authorities. To treat this valuable book in such a hypocritical way is the main cause of their downfall. Whatever we read we must raise questions to ourselves from it. For example, when the book Quran says 

1) Al-Kitab has guidance for the mutaqi - A question that must immediately come up in our minds that what is Kitab and who is mutaqi? If we think Quran is the book and religious people are mutaqi then all religious people should be thoroughly guided but that is not the case.

  

2) If the language of the book [Kitab] is in old Arabic and if Kitab means the book Quran then how can the Arabs and non Arabs understand its message? 

3) Where is the promised guidance? [2:38]; is it not a mockery of guidance if we don't understand its language?

4) Do you order the agitated minds [people] about righteousness and you forget your own souls, while you continuously follow the script [Al-Kitab], do you not reason / understand / comprehend? [2:44]. Which book we continuously read, recite, follow but do not use our intellect? 

5) The book Quran says that those whom we gave the script [Al-Kitab] know / recognize the script [Al-Kitab] as their own children But those who have lost their soul refuse to believe [2:146] -  [6:20] - These two and many  verses clearly indicate that the script / book of guidance is within us but we refuse to believe. 

6) We have certainly sent down to you a script [Kitab] in it is your memory [ذِكْرُكُمْ]. Then will you not reason? [21:10]

 

 

The biggest mistake we do is that we assume that the word Kitab means the book Quran. Al-Kitab in the Quranic context is the script larger than Al-Quran. Al-Kitab is already embedded in us, from which only the diligent / thoughtful (Mutaqi) can extract lessons; no doubt in it is guidance for the diligent. The Al-Kitab is also called mother book full of wisdom [43:4] which has everything [6:38]. In it are lessons / hints / signs / guidance / criterion, instructions for us. Al-Kitab, the inherent script has everything, every solution and guidance is in it. The correct interpretation of Kitab is inherent script in the context of the content of the book Quran. But the problem is we are ignoring the larger meaning of Al-Kitab in lieu of a smaller book of 114 chapters, whose language is alien to most of us. And (21:10) refers to the Kitab that is inside us and it is our preserved memory card. This Kitab discusses with us, as well as guides us in our own language. We know Al-Kitab as we know our children [2:146] [6:20] and it is sufficient against us an accountant [17:14]

Those to whom We bestowed the script [Al-Kitab] recognize it as they recognizes their own sons. But indeed, a party of them conceal the truth while they know [it] [2:146] [6:20] - Read your own script [17:14] These verses are talking about our own script [Al-Kitab]



2:146 - الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يَعْرِفُونَهُ كَمَا يَعْرِفُونَ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ وَإِنَّ فَرِيقاً مِّنْهُمْ لَيَكْتُمُونَ الْحَقَّ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ

Those unto whom We gave the Scripture recognize (this revelation) as they recognize their sons / children. But lo! a party of them knowingly conceal the truth.

6:20 - الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يَعْرِفُونَهُ كَمَا يَعْرِفُونَ أَبْنَاءَهُمُ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُواْ أَنفُسَهُمْ فَهُمْ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ

Those to whom We have given the Book know this as they know their own / children / sons. Those who have lost their own souls [nafs] refuse therefore to believe.

17:14 - اقْرَأْ كِتَابَكَ كَفَى بِنَفْسِكَ الْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكَ حَسِيبًا

 

Read your own script. Your own self [nafs] is sufficient against you as an accountant.

 

29:51 - أَوَلَمْ يَكْفِهِمْ أَنَّا أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ يُتْلَى عَلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَرَحْمَةً وَذِكْرَى لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

Was (it) not enough/sufficient for them that We descended on you the script (it) is being read/recited on them, that in that (is) mercy and a remembrance/reminder for body of thoughts who continuously wants to believe.

10:37 - وَمَا كَانَ هَـذَا الْقُرْآنُ أَن يُفْتَرَى مِن دُونِ اللّهِ وَلَـكِن تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ الْكِتَابِ لاَ رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِن رَّبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

And it can never be this Al-Quran [the compiled expression] that it be remitted / flagged / abated from weaker system of consciousness, and but confirmation (of) what (is) within his power / sources / hands / ability, and brief explanation of the script [Al-Kitab], no doubt / suspicion in it, (it is) from the Knowledgeable Consciousness.

 

For me Al-Kitab has never been a book, and I consider it as an inherent script and Ahle-Kitab as people who i) know the truth about their script or ii)  are familiar with their own script or iii) are the people who know their own script ,[Al-Kitab] 3:70-71,110 but majority of Ahle Kitab are disobedient. When we label Kitab as a book we conceive it to be in the form of written material on paper or any other material, but we fail to take note of the signs (Ayaats) around and within us which are far greater and valuable than the man made written materials. It must be also noted and acknowledged the fact that Al-Kitab, Kitab, Al-Quran or Quran are not physical books in the context of the book Quran. The book Quran is just a pointer to our own script and self [nafs].

 

There are similar messages in other languages too which one can refer and apply it in their daily life. And there are messages or scripts (Kitabun) for every period (ajlin) - (13:38). The job of the inherent messengers is to convey the message clearly - balagah mobeen - (5:92) (14:4) (24:54) (29:18, (36:16-17) because the inherent script [Kitab] is clear [Kitabi Mobeen] - (5:15, 6:59, 10:61, 11:6, 12:1, 15:1, 16:103, 24:54, 26:2, 26:195, 27:1, 27:75, 28:2, 34:3, 37:17 36:69, 43:29, 43:2, 44:13 Conveying the message clearly is only possible if the message and the messenger is alive and the message is conveyed in one's own mother tongue. That is why the book Quran lays emphasis on Arabic which means articulate (mother tongue - which can be clearly understood) (19:97) (44:58). 

 

And to understand Al-Kitab you don't need to know any language because its message is clear and obvious - Kitabi mubeen -( 28:2) and this chaste script is in an articulate language (46:12) -This means that the inherent message is pure and its language is easily understandable, therefore, there are no excuses that message or messenger was not sent to us (6:130) (39:71) (40:50). We just simply have to keep our mind open (fateha) and the Rabb will open the lock in order to guide us.

The concept that Al-Kitab is a conventional book of God, leads us to believe in some divine interactions or intuition, hence limiting our scope to learn and get inspired from the daily messages / signs which we experience every moment in our day to day life. No need for any “holy book or any holy figure” or holy language to guide us. We already have divine gifts from Rabb in the form of brain / mind to decode any inherent message but we seldom use it. 

 

The same messages have come in all languages and in every period there is a prescribed message or messenger according to its time (14:4) (13:38) (16:36). The book Quran is a complicated book in foreign language, for those who are interested to know about it should keep their mind open to decode it, otherwise inherent Al-Kitab is sufficient for the guidance of those who do not know “Arabic” language.

  
WHO IS THE AUTHOR OF AL- QURAN?

 

The present book of 114 chapters in Arabic language is labeled as the Quran by almost all the eminent translators. The physical book Quran is an extension of Jewish Christian philosophy. It is the Rabb who is the author of the honorable Quran, which actually is not a physical book but an oral transmission - لَقَوْلُ رَسُولٍ of the honorable inherent messenger (69:40-43) (81:19) and it was not a new message (42:52) but is carried forward in Arabic language by the book Al-Quran. Rabb and Rasul is not just a monopoly of "Islamic personalities" but anyone who ponders intensely on the signs of Al-Kitab or of Rabb will experience the revelation from one’s own inherent Rasul. Harnessing the natural and invisible forces is possible for man only with the help and support of one’s knowledgeable Mind (Rabbul Aalameen) and the inherent Al-Kitab. 

 

The respected author of the book Quran has narrated the parables by personifying the characters in a multi-dialogue format, the way plays and theatrical dramas are enacted. The Quran or Furqan or Kitab or Zikr or Hakim or Basirah supposed to be synonyms of Quran (2:185) (21:10) (38:1) (36:1) (2:203) is embedded in every human, which warns, guides, and distinguishes at every moment and various stages of life. That's why all the Rasuls follow only what is revealed to them by their Rabb, as Quran is the mental perception/intelligence/insight (Basirah) of your Rabb (7:203-205). The Quran is a revelation to the people who think, it is a guidance and criterion. Every thinking man possesses his own personal Quran, in the language he knows in the form of his own thoughts.

 

Not only the book Quran, but right from – a small needle to a rocket, is undoubtedly the creation of great minds. The invention of the computers, internet, phones, electricity, automobiles etc. are not possible for man without the help of revelation from his Rabb (Consciousness). Think, ponder; is it even possible for man to fly in the sky with about 300 passengers on board? Is it not a miracle from our Rabb? But most of them have a different explanation for this. The majority of people do not think beyond their individual deities lodged in their minds, instead they just seek ways of appeasement with the help of rituals and physical acts of worship. 

There are many ancient scriptures whose authors are unknown. The script of the Quran is theophany that's why it appears that "God" is dictating to an Arab Messenger. 

 

THEN WHAT IS ARABIC?

 

Arabiyun is not a name of a language as is generally perceived. The word Arabic mentioned in the book Quran is an indefinite adjective. A name of the language is always written as a definite article [العربية]. Tanween (nunation) at the end of the word indicates that it is an indefinite article. Lisanu Arabiyun Mobeen (16:103) means it is an articulate clear speech. The Language that you can understand is known as Arabiyun and the languages that you do not understand is Ajamiyun. If an Arab visits India, he will be called Ajmi and not Arabi because he is a foreigner here. If you understand Chinese clearly, it is your Lisanu Arabiyun Mobin. I wouldn't recommend anyone to learn Arabic language as it is unnecessary waste of time and energy. The message and lessons are all around us and within us, only if you have an open mind and are ready to learn and yearn to seek the knowledge. If anyone who is interested in knowing the 114-chapter book called Quran, then he should learn the language of the book called Quran although it is no longer a native language of any land.

 

The Language of the book called Quran is originally called Garshuni or Karshuni which is the language of Syria, of the Mesopotamian region; from it Karshuni is derived. Initially it was a spoken language; later on it adopted the Syrian script. Actually Karshuni is a household language assembled together with many other languages. According to my understanding this language belongs to the local Kuraish tribe but it has nothing to do with Quraishin of surah106:1. I feel there must be a link between Kuraishin and Karshuni. This word kuraish (كرش) also indicates knitting or to ‘assemble’. Kuraishin and Quraishin قُرَيْشٍ are both Arabic words having different connotation. Anyway, I do not want to go into its detail for fear of drifting away from the main topic. For more details, you may check for Garshuni in Wikipedia. 

 

 

WHY IS QURAN SO IMPORTANT TO MANKIND AND LIFE?

 

Mankind cannot live without the Quran, note I am not talking about the physical book Quran. Here Quran does not mean 114-chapter book but a program of life connected with every man. It is man's book of guidance and criterion filled with wisdom. Only to those who think intensely, is it revealed to them from their script [Al-Kitab], it benefits him and the entire thinking class or agitated minds. Our ascent and descent depends upon its application. Our moment of Judgment or Resurrection depends upon this book which is embedded in every human soul. Whatever we do in life, it is compiled in this script but we seldom try to express it because we don't read it. All our actions depend upon what we write in our book; in short we are the author of our book or our journey.

 

Let’s not confine the meanings of Kitab, Quran, and Arabic or for that matter any other word on the basis of sacred beliefs thus limiting their scope, rather just let them grow to widen their use. Languages are like trees which evolve into many branches, limiting them in sacred ideologies will shunt their growth. The language or thought which is unable to adjust itself to the needs of evolution will gradually die as has happened with many languages and ideologies of the world.

 

Classical Arabic of Quran being the language of roots is not in vogue today and is replaced now with Modern Standard Arabic which does not mainly take its form according to roots. Let’s grow and grow upwards, and break free from the shackles of the so called sacred ideologies. The basic aim of any scripture was to impart education but as time lapsed they were eventually transformed into holy books, thus confining its universal message and appeal.

 

Pay attention to the Expression (Quran) that your Rabb (consciousness /mind) is prompting you through the Zalikal Kitaab and feeding it into your own Al-Kitab, sending you signals (Aayaat) to remind you at regular intervals in your own language so that you understand and take heed.

 

WHY ANY LANGUAGE LOSES ITS ORIGINALITY?

The sacredness and belief or culture attached to any word or language prevents the lexicographers and the public in general from deducing the correct contextual meaning of the concerned word. When any word or language wears a religious garb then philological inquiry becomes a deadly sin as religious sentiments are attached to it, and finally the language is only used for liturgical purpose. This is what has happened with Classical Arabic and many other languages of the world. The unwritten law of consensus, rules over logic or power to reason.  The “religious heads” and the rulers are usually hand in glove because of the common vested interests – that is to rule the minds of the people.

The failure of researchers and freethinkers to come out with the logical truth, gradually leads to confirmation and acknowledgement by the religious heads / rulers’ interpretation of the message. Finally changing the original meaning of the word in lieu for the popular meaning was the only easy way out. Common people are not aware about the science of evolution of languages. They perceive that present meanings and 1400 years’ age old meanings are same. When the simple ordinary language is converted into a holy language, matters become more difficult. Quranic Arabic is the best example of it.

Compromising with the meanings due to the fear of non acceptance and opposition from the ruler and the masses leads to establishment of meaning, thus limiting its expansion. A metamorphosis of the original meaning is sometimes an unintentional process but the casualty is the original word which loses its power and effectiveness to express, thus making it defunct in the context of the text. This corruption of the meanings of words underlies every language due to various factors.

But when we are translating or interpreting an age-old manuscript we cannot interpret on the basis of the evolved meanings. Thus we have to deduce the best possible original meaning that makes sense with the context. The book Quran is written in preclassical Arabic and all the words are derivatives of root words. We find a vast difference between classical Arabic and modern Arabic vocabularies. Modern Standard Arabic is the present day Arabic whereas classical Arabic is Quranic Arabic which is based on root words. Unfortunately, the meanings of the Quranic Arabic words were canonized in the 10th century A.D, thus limiting its understanding.

 

WHY ARE WE UNABLE TO ACQUIRE WISDOM FROM THE QURAN? 

 

Ritually rote reading of the book Quran for the sake of utopian concept of paradise or rewards; rather than seeking understanding, guidance and wisdom to distinguish right from the wrong, in my view is a straight insult and mockery of the114-CHAPTER BOOK CALLED QURAN. Is he not insane, who after receiving a prescription from the doctor, merely chants the words written on it and believes himself of being cured?

Indeed, in this way the book Quran has been largely abandoned in terms of practice by its so-called adherents because they are not aware of its application. The Quran in other terms means common sense whose use is not common. The power of the Quran is only yielded when it is applied or when commonsense is used on a daily basis. Ask yourself; if the Quran lightens up the 'straight path' as a torch would then who in their right mind, would abandon the use of such a torch in the darkness in our lives? Unfortunate are those who do not use the light, in spite of the torch being part of their mental faculty.

 

SYNOPSIS OF THE ARTICLE:

According to 114-chapter book; Al-Quran is something which deals with guidance (Hidayah), and can differentiate (Furqan) between right / wrong, and which expresses in our own language (Arabic) - From these clues we understand that the established data in our brain is the book (Al-Quran) which takes the data from that book (Zalikal-Kitab) universal book which is all around and within us and this provides us with signs (Aayaat), power to differentiate (Furqan), power to express (Quran) in our own language (Arabic). So the conclusion is that when the established data in our mind comes down (Nazil) from higher consciousness (samawaaat) to its destination (Manzil). It is an expression (Quran) which is the guidance for the agitated minds (An-Naas). The available data in us should be rehearsed / followed (Ootlu) and memorized or remembered (Zikr) through the process of connection (Al-Salaat) and this brings development / growth mentally (Zakaat).


The manifestation (Shahr) of the expression (Quran) only happens in Ramadan (A mental evolutionary stage when our thought process is heated / cooked and ready to be served). Everyone does not necessarily go through or reach this evolutionary journey. Majority among the mankind are in the first stage of this process, where they are restricted to think, as they have many do's and don’ts in their mind - this condition is called - as being in the state of Ihram (Restriction / sacredness) and this stage is called Muharram, where no evolution take place. The second stage of evolution is called Safar where you empty yourself of whatever you know, unlearn and become sifar (zero). And the final stage is called the Hajj (completion of the mental journey).

Those to whom We have given the script [al-Kitab] know this as they know their own sons. Those who have lost their own souls refuse therefore to believe (6:20) – This verse is talking about the inherent book and those who don’t trust it are sense less.

 

If we have listening ears, God speaks to us in our own language, whatever the language is. Silence is the language of God.