Understanding Usul Al-Fiqh by Abu Tariq Hilal - Abu Ismael al-Beirawi

It is necessary to define the Qur‟an, from this definition we will know what is allowed to be read in prayer and what is not. What is a proof in Hukm Shara‟i and what is not? It also tells us what makes somebody a Kafir due to what he denies and what does not constitute disbelief. So when we define Qur‟an we mean the Qur‟an as evidence in Fiqh.

Qur‟an is derived from the word Qara‟a, which means to read or recite. Therefore, Qur‟an linguistically means the book that has been read or recited.

As a term, Qur‟an is Allah‟s (swt) miraculous speech revealed unto Muhammad (saw) in Arabic and transferred to us by the Tawatur method. The recitation of Qur‟an is considered as an „„Ibadah (act of worship). By Allah‟s (swt) speech it is meant that the Qur‟an is the exact words of Allah (swt). It was revealed to Muhammad (saw) as it exists today. By „miraculous‟ it is meant that no one can produce something similar to it.3

The term “in Arabic” refers to the language of the Qur‟an, not to its scope or ideas because Qur‟an addresses all Arabs and non-Arabs. The rules of Qur‟an are universal and not restricted to one ethnic group or a specific area or time. All the Qu‟ran is completely in Arabic and contains no foreign tongue. Imam Shafi says in his Risala, “The Qu‟ran indicates that there is no portion in the Book of Allah that is not in the Arab tongue. He who expressed such an opinion [concerning foreign words in the Qu‟ran] may have found some [men] who accepted it by [sheer] submission (taqlid) to his authority, leaving the matter of proof up to him and to those who have disagreed with him. However, by mere submission they have neglected [their duty]; Allah forgive them and us. But, perhaps, he who expressed the opinion that there are in the Quran [words] which are not of the Arab tongue-and his opinion was accepted by others meant that there are certain particular [words] which are not understood by some Arabs.” Furthermore, the ignorance of the Arabs about some words of the Quran is not evidence that the Quran contains foreign words. Rather there is a possibility that some non-Arabs learned some Arabic words and then it became wide spread in their language. Because of this some of their words may correspond to some words mentioned in the Quran, or maybe some foreign words entered in the Arabic language. And hence it became part of the Arabic language itself and therefore cannot be considered a foreign word anymore as the Arabs used it as part of their language, even if its root is foreign.

Many verses point that the Quran is completely in Arabic such as:

“Verily, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur‟an.” (TMQ Yusuf: 2)

“A Book whereof the Verses are explained in detail - a Qur‟an in Arabic for people who know.” (TMQ Fussilat: 3)

“An Arabic Quran with no crookedness in it, perchance they will be God fearing.” (TMQ Al-Zumar: 29)

“Thus We sent it down as an Arabic Law.” (TMQ Ar-Ra‟ad: 37)

“And thus We have revealed unto you (O Muhammad [saw]) a Qur‟an (in Arabic).” (TMQ Shurah: 7)

“We verily, have made it a Qur‟an in Arabic.” (TMQ Zukhruf: 3)

By Tawatur method it is meant that a group or people for whom it is impossible to lie or conspire to fabricate a lie conveyed it to us. The Qur‟an was transferred to us through an entire generation, not just by a group, to its successors, until it reached the present generation, without any interval in this transference.

Reciting Qur‟an in Arabic by itself, without even comprehending its meaning is considered an „„Ibadah. In this regard, Qur‟an is different from Hadith, which cannot be recited as an act of „„Ibadah. However, thinking about the meanings of both the Qur‟an and Hadith is considered an „„Ibadah.