https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8OYNJDeWEeHSbrInC4lBOstp3nNid-Yi

As I see it.

There is information and then there is knowledge. I might have information about a process, an event, a being etc by reading what others tell me.

If I want to gain a deep meaning and understanding then I have to have knowledge. Mere information will not cut it. For example, if I want to have a career as an architect and gain economic benefit then I must know the subject, in and out. I need to have “knowledge” of the subject; math, physics, art, design etc. I need to spend time learning for a viable economic future.

Like wise, to gain spiritual benefit, I must understand the quran, attain knowledge. Mere information will not suffice. Any translation is information given by someone else. There, you are at the mercy of the translator.

If you need to understand and hear God yourself, then you need to know Arabic. It is easily possible, like learning any other subject. One day at a time. This is necessary for a viable spiritual future.

Why should religious knowledge or spiritual knowledge be any different from economic or mundane knowledge? That is very pertinent question indeed!!!

I will explain further, soon InshaAllah

In the name of Allah, the all knowing.

As I see it.

Language is one of the fundamental abilities of humans. As we progressed we game names to certain things, to know them; a rock is named as such and everyone knows, what one is talking about, when one says “rock.” A rock will have all the same features in any culture and, by extension, any other language. This is a part and parcel of a material object, a tangible object, a wordly object etc. A mere translation will suffice when talking about a “rock.” A rock is not an abstract concept; which can only be felt and understood from signs of its existence. An example would be “love,” which is known through its expression, it is rather felt to be known. It’s features are universal in all languages and cultures.

Now, moving ahead, evolving into art and poetry and philosophy and sciences. If I want to be a doctor then I must know the language of biology, most importantly. Mere information will not be enough. I should know and understand, the language, and the process and the sciences. I cannot demand to be a doctor without that knowledge. Hence, knowledge of the language is essential.

Now, moving further ahead. In poetry, one needs to understand the culture of the poet, the language of the poet, the style of the poet, the era of the poet. Once I know these, only then can I really appreciate his talent. Take Iqbal, for example. Translation of his poetry does not do justice to his message or the elegance of his poetry. If I wish to learn from his poetry then I need to understand everything that will help me.

That being said as to why learn a language, the next point to ponder is why did God chose Arabic. If a prophet is Arabic then why should God choose mandarin. It wouldn’t make any sense. The message had to be in “a” language. We could ask the same question which ever language was used. Why Cantonese, why German, why Danish etc. So the language used should be language of the first audience, the language of the prophet, the language of the place, the language of the era, etc.

It so happens that Arabic is an original language, it didn’t evolve by a mixture of other languages rather it has influenced scores of other languages. It is first observed around 1st century of the common era. It’s versatility is remarkable, it’s eloquence is exquisite.

The prophet had to be from the sons of Prophet Abraham, from a people of no importance lest people would accuse him of being already privileged from a privileged nation and hence abase his miracle of making these invisible people rise from rags to riches and conquer thousands of kilometers.

So, this being said, it rests on my thirst, to know God, to know myself, to know life, to know reality, to have a purpose, that I learn Arabic. I should feel God through my own senses. I HAVE TO LEARN ARABIC.

It also rests on an individual. What will satify him? Will information be enough, will translation of another be enough, will learning the language be enough!

We all pick and choose.

And Allah knows best.

In the name of the All-Knowing.

As I see it!

For point number 1.

There is perhaps only one matter that can never be overemphasized. That is “singularity.” The Qur’ān states the importance of one master as opposed to many. Allah, subhaanahu waa ta’alah, has repeatedly emphasized this. Singularity has coherence and simplicity, while the opposite is true for plurality. Multiple Gods would spell doom for creation!

There is just ONE religion from ONE God, this deteriorated into many versions of faith.

God has always sent only ONE prophet bearing ONE message at any given time. These singular books deteriorated into many versions (true for Torah, Zaboor, Injeel) or many interpretations (true for Qur’ān). This multiplicity created animosity among believers of the same faith. Hence, a deterioration.

Now, I ponder.

If one book can be seen in so many ways and create huge differences, imagine what multiple books would do to the world. The differences would be exponential and complete chaos as what book is superior or truer or better.

Which language could convey the real message better, what translation of which book in what tongue is correct. “My book is better than yours”, “My prophet is superior to yours” etc, could be the dividing factor and the real message lost for ever.

Now, factor in the difference of opinion of any singular book, imagine there are 50, and there are 200 books in the world with 50 interpretations each, and each changing over time for 10,000 years. I can’t do that math!

Singularity is unique and easy.

And Allah knows best.

In the name of the All-Knowing.

As I see it.

For point number 2.

“…Each soul is responsible for its own actions, no soul will bear the burden of another…” 6:164. Qur’ān.

We, all, will be judged for what we believed in, what we acted out. So whosoever translation we read, we should know what the basic principles are. The principles of truth, justice, compassion towards fellow humans, to name the most important. So good and bad have to be segregated and known, then good should be done at all times.

We have to know the basics so that we don’t get misguided. If we don’t know math then anyone can give us less change back and we won’t know it.

We are all humans, to err is human, to forget is human, to be confused is human too. We cannot claim that a scholar is always right but he tends to be right more often than average people. A scholar is bound by his time and by the resources available to him etc.

One should choose the translation that appeals. After all, we will be judged by our own actions. So, personally, I choose Farahi school of thought that says there can only be one understanding of the Qur’ān. After all, it is the clear book, to paraphrase Qur’ān itself. It should not need another source to interpret it. If it did then it can’t be a “kitab um mubeen”! The “Furqan”! I am learning the language and I have resources to help me, like an Arabic dictionary etc.

May Allah guide us all to straight path. How many straight paths should be there. Siraat ul mustaqeem can only be one.

And Allah knows best.

True.

I will try to explain, later, InshaAllah

https://www.facebook.com/javedahmadghamidi/videos/314025030009535/?d=null&vh=e

Please have a listen to this. Many thanks. This can clear many questions about Qur’ān and how to treat it.

I will try to help, InshaAllah