What Was 'the' Quran's Original Language?
- philhoraia
- Nov 8, 2024
- 2 min read
Muslims will say something along the lines of: 'Jesus spoke Aramaic; bring his statements in Aramaic'. But were 'Allah's' statements originally in Arabic?
S 12:2 We have sent it down as an Arabic quran; perhaps you will comprehend.
S 13:37 And thus have we sent it down as an Arabic precept. And if you follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, you have no protector or preserver against Allah.
S 20:113 And thus have we sent it down as an Arabic quran and explained in it of the threatening; perhaps they will fear or it will produce a remembrance for them.
S 26:195 In a clear Arabic tongue.
S 39:28 An Arabic quran without crookedness; perhaps they will fear.
S 41:3 A book, its verses detailed, an Arabic quran for people who know,
S 41:44 And had we made it a foreign quran, they would have said: Why have its verses not been detailed? Is it foreign and an Arab? Say: It is for those who have believed, guidance and healing. And those who do not believe, in their ears is deafness and it is blindness for them. Those are called from a distant place.
It was made a(n Arabic) quran? Did it previously exist and was translated into Arabic or was it made with the object of its being a book called 'quran' but in Arabic? The original meaning of quran is 'lectionary'. See: The Foreign Vocabulary of the Qur'an
S 42:7 And thus have we inspired you with an Arabic quran that you may warn the mother of villages and those around it and warn on the day of collection. There is no doubt therein. A party in the Jannah and a party in the blaze.
S 43:3 We have made it an Arabic quran; perhaps you will comprehend.
S 46:12 And before it is the book of Moses as a guideline and a mercy. And this is a book confirming in Arabic to warn those who have done wrong and good news for the good-doers.
If 'the' quran was sent down as an Arabic quran, was it originally in another language? Did Allah have it translated from that language? Certainly, we see a Syriac influence in at least part of quran. See: Tawd
As 'the' quran was 'made', did it always exist? As it was 'before' Musa's book, it seems that it didn't.
Further reading:
The Quran was revealed in Arabic, addressing the people of Arabia in their language for clarity and understanding. It’s the original language, not a translation.
Note: For a beautifully written and accessible version of سورة الكهف مكتوبة, you can explore it here.
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