robert spencer-did muhammad exist__ an inquiry into islams obscure origins-intercollegiate studies institute (2012) (1)
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The Non-Arabic Arabic Qur'<strong>an</strong><br />
A Book in Pure <strong>an</strong>d Clear Arabic (with Some Non-Arabic Thrown In)<br />
The twentieth-century tr<strong>an</strong>slator of the Qur'<strong>an</strong> Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall, <strong>an</strong> English convert to<br />
Islam, once declared that the Qur'<strong>an</strong> in Arabic was <strong>an</strong> “inimitable symphony, the very sounds of which<br />
move men to tears <strong>an</strong>d ecstasy.” 1 Pickthall would not have dared to claim the same about <strong>an</strong>y tr<strong>an</strong>slation<br />
of the Muslim holy book, including his own English tr<strong>an</strong>slation. For Muslims, the Arabic of the Qur'<strong>an</strong> is<br />
essential, such that in <strong>an</strong>y other l<strong>an</strong>guage, the book may contain the me<strong>an</strong>ing of the Qur'<strong>an</strong> but is no longer<br />
truly the Qur'<strong>an</strong>.<br />
This belief stems from the Qur'<strong>an</strong> itself, which insists on its Arabic character so often that Islamic<br />
theologi<strong>an</strong>s have quite underst<strong>an</strong>dably understood Arabic to be part of the Qur'<strong>an</strong>'s very essence. The<br />
Qur'<strong>an</strong> says that it is written in “Arabic, pure <strong>an</strong>d clear” (16:103). 2 It is <strong>an</strong> “Arabic judgment” (13:37). It<br />
is “the revelation of the Lord of all Being” that was “brought down by the Faithful Spirit upon thy heart,<br />
that thou mayest be one of the warners, in a clear, Arabic tongue” (26:192–195). Allah says that he has<br />
“sent it down as <strong>an</strong> Arabic Qur'<strong>an</strong>, in order that you may learn wisdom” (12:1). 3 It is “a Qur'<strong>an</strong> in Arabic,<br />
that you may be able to underst<strong>an</strong>d” (43:3). 4<br />
The Qur'<strong>an</strong> is not only a guide to underst<strong>an</strong>ding but is also intended for those Arabic speakers who<br />
already grasp its message: It is “a Book whose signs have been distinguished as <strong>an</strong> Arabic Kor<strong>an</strong> for a<br />
people having knowledge” (41:3). Allah even explains that if he had sent down the Qur'<strong>an</strong> in <strong>an</strong>y other<br />
l<strong>an</strong>guage, people would have complained: “Had We sent this as a Qur'<strong>an</strong> in a l<strong>an</strong>guage other th<strong>an</strong> Arabic,<br />
they would have said: ‘Why are not its verses explained in detail? What! Not in Arabic <strong>an</strong>d its Messenger<br />
<strong>an</strong> Arab?’” (41:44). 5 It is, quite simply, <strong>an</strong> “Arabic Qur'<strong>an</strong>” (12:2; 20:113; 39:28; 41:3; 42:7).<br />
Islamic tradition reinforces this point. In one hadith, <strong>an</strong> early Muslim, al-Has<strong>an</strong>, recounts of <strong>an</strong>other<br />
early Muslim: “I heard Abu Ubaida say that whoever pretends that there is in the Qur'<strong>an</strong> <strong>an</strong>ything other<br />
th<strong>an</strong> the Arabic tongue has made a serious charge against God, <strong>an</strong>d he quoted the verse ‘Verily we have<br />
made it <strong>an</strong> Arabic Qur’<strong>an</strong>.'” 6 Ibn Kathir, author of a renowned medieval commentary on the Qur'<strong>an</strong> that is<br />
still widely read by Muslims, elaborated the orthodox view: “The Arabic l<strong>an</strong>guage is the most eloquent,<br />
plain, deep <strong>an</strong>d expressive of the me<strong>an</strong>ings that might arise in one's mind. Therefore, the most honorable<br />
Book was revealed in the most honorable l<strong>an</strong>guage, to the most honorable Prophet <strong>an</strong>d Messenger,<br />
delivered by the most honorable <strong>an</strong>gel, in the most honorable l<strong>an</strong>d on earth, <strong>an</strong>d its revelation started<br />
during the most honorable month of the year, Ramad<strong>an</strong>. Therefore, the Qur'<strong>an</strong> is perfect in every respect.” 7<br />
There is only one problem with the widespread assertion that the Qur'<strong>an</strong> was written in Arabic: It<br />
doesn't seem to be true. Even the most cursory examination of the evidence indicates that “the most<br />
honorable Book” in its original form was not actually “in the most honorable l<strong>an</strong>guage” at all.