ACJU/NGS/2023/282
2023.12.18 (1445.06.03)
Arabic language and its origin
Arabic is a noble and very ancient language. Hazrat Ismail Alaihis Salam; (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him!) Many tribes (Al-Arabul Ahribah) were native speakers of Arabic, including Hazrat Hood Alaihis Salam who lived before them, their community Adu, Hazrat Salih Alaihis Salam’s Companion Thamud and Hazrat Shuhaib Alaihis Salam’s Companion Madyan. Hazrat Ismail Alaihis Salam; there are two types of descent (al-arabul mustarifah) and those who have made Arabic their language (al-fidaya wannihaya).
Arabic and its first speakers
There are many opinions among historians about who was the first to speak Arabic. Some say Hood alaihissalam, while others suggest Nuh alaihissalam or Adam alaihissalam. However, Imam Ibn Katheer rahimahullah states in his book “Al-Fidaya Wannihaya” that the most suitable concept is Adam alaihissalam. Arabic is currently declared as the national language in about 26 countries and is the mother tongue of millions of people.
Honors of the Arabic Language
With the advent of Islam, Arabic became the spoken language of the Middle East and gained influence as an international language. The primary sources of Islam, Al-Qur’an and As-Sunnah are in Arabic; their establishment was the most important factor in proclaiming Arabic’s status globally.
Al-Qur’an verse that mentions the virtues of the Arabic language
Allah Ta’ala says in Al-Qur’an: “We have indeed sent down the Qur’an in Arabic so that you may know.” (Surah Yusuf, verse 03).
Hadiths that exemplify the virtues of the Arabic language
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Love the Arabs for three things. Because I am an Arab, the Qur’an is also in Arabic and the language of the mystics is also Arabic.” (Attabaranee : 11141, Al-Hakim : 6999, Sha’abul Iman : 1364). Imam Al-Ajalooni Rahimahullah, who is a hadith scholar, said that this hadith is of the quality of Hasan (Kashbul Qaba Wamusil al-Baas).
Among the Prophets, four Prophets were Arabs namely, Hood Alaihissalam, Salih Alaihissalam, Shaaib Alaihissalam and Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. (Sahih Ibn Hibban : 361). This adds more dignity and honor to the Arabic language.
Opinions of the Companions and Scholars on the Nobleness of the Arabic Language
The Sahaabah and many Imams have emphasized the virtues of the Arabic language. Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “Learn Arabic as it is in your religion. (Sunanul Kubra: 2274)
Imam Shafi’i Rahimahullah says, “The language chosen by Allah {Ta’ala} is the language of the Arabs. Allah (swt) revealed His scripture Al-Qur’an in the Arabic language. Similarly, He made it the language of Muhammad (peace be upon him). Therefore, it is important for every Muslim to learn Arabic;” (Ar-Rizalah: 48)
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him; “The Arabic language is the symbol of Islam and Muslims”. They say (Mustaqim in Iqtilau as-Sirat). Imam Ibn al-Qayyum al-Jawziyya Rahimahullah also said, “Only one who knows the Arabic language can understand the majesty of Al-Qur’an very deeply” (Al-Fawa’id Al-Mushawiq Ila Uloomil Qur’an).
Looking closely at the opinions of the above-mentioned scholars, it becomes clear how much importance and prestige the Arabic language has.
Apart from this, Arabic is a rich language. Abbreviation of words and concentration of ideas are the hallmarks of the Arabic language. In Arabic grammar, both the singular and the plural are used. The role of the Arabic language in promoting intellectual culture and spreading science to the whole world is remarkable.
Contact between Arabic language and Sri Lanka
According to historians, there has been almost two thousand years of contact between the Arabic language and the Sri Lankan nation since before the arrival of Islam in Sri Lanka. Chinese, Persian, Greek, and Roman historians all agree that ancient Arab traders settled in coastal cities about eighteen hundred years ago. The famous politician Sundaralingam mentioned in his English newspaper “Sun” that there is a history of two thousand eight hundred years between Sri Lanka and the Arabs.
Contribution of Sri Lankan Madrasahs, Universities and Schools to the Development of Arabic Language
The University of Peradeniya, the oldest university in Sri Lanka, has a Department of Arabic and Islamic Civilizations. Also, it is a significant feature that the University of Eastern Sri Lanka has two separate departments: the Department of Arabic and the Department of Islamic Studies. Similarly, the University of Colombo has a distinct unit in the Department of Arabic and Islamic Civilizations. Furthermore, South East University has a faculty of Islamic Studies and Arabic Language, offering a General Arts Degree and two Special Arts Degrees with separate admissions by the University Grants Commission for the Department of Arabic.
In the eighteenth century, Islamic religious education in Arabic was initiated at the madrasah level in southern Sri Lanka under the leadership of Mappillai Leppi Alim Rahimahullah. Arabic is taught as a separate subject in madrasas, and the contributions of madrassas to the Arabic language are also numerous.
Islamic Civilization was introduced as a subject in the Arabic Language Department in 1969. Subsequently, Arabic language was also included in the domestic curriculum.
Benefits of learning Arabic
Learning Arabic is essential for Muslims to understand Al-Qur’an and Al-Hadith, to recite prayers vividly, and to meaningfully perform daily acts of worship. The world is currently witnessing the progress in today’s Arab world economically, culturally and socially. In our country, both Muslims and non-Muslim professionals can contribute to the development and growth of our country by studying the rich intellectual heritage of the Arab world through learning the Arabic language. Respecting religious and cultural diversity can contribute to humanity.
The UN Council has declared the International Day of the Arabic Language.
World Arabic Language Day has been celebrated on December 18 every year since 2012. In 1973, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Arabic as the sixth official language of its organization.
Proposals
Therefore, while commemorating the International Arabic Language Day, it is a good idea to carry out efforts to promote the Arabic language through the embassies of Arab countries in Sri Lanka and institutions that maintain diplomatic relations, and to work with the government to take effective measures to teach students Arabic, which is one of the foreign languages included in the curriculum of public schools. Additionally, it is important for Madrasahs, which play a major role in the field of spirituality, to conduct more seminars and lectures in honor of this language.
Mufti M.I.M. Rizwe
President
All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama
Ash-Shaikh M. Arkam Nooramith
General Secretary
All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama
