Sheikh Ali Gomaa: The Arabic Language, Quran in Arabic, and Arabic Translation
The Quran is in the Arabic language. In order to better understand the Quran, I am learning more about the Arabic language, Classical Arabic, Arabic translation, and Arabic linguistics. I have been learning more about the Quran and Arabic language from one of the foremost Sheikhs in the world, Ali Gomaa, and his series on Arabic Linguistics.
Listen to Sheikh Ali Gomaa’s teaching about the Arabic Language and Arabic words,
Characteristics of the Arabic language
0:00-1:45
“The characteristics of this language was explained in the writings of Ibn Ganey and Al Khalil ibn Ahmed. Ibn Ganey and Khalil ibn Ahmed explain the characteristics of that language to us. This is why when Ibn Ganey wrote his book he named it ‘Al-Khasaes’ meaning ‘The Characteristics’, since he was searching for the characteristics of the Arabic language.”
“They say that any word in the Arabic language..this does not exist in any other language on earth by the way. Humans talk in over 5000 languages and these languages have been monitored by the UNESCO, as dying. They even found that every 25 days a language dies, by the death of the last person who speaks it. The Arabic language is not one of those, on the contrary it is one of the few international languages. This is why the United Nations approved it and the US Library of Congress as well. It is a language rich in its culture and civilization. The Indian American languages and other languages in India are disappearing, to the extent that every 25 days a language out of those 5000 languages dies.”
There are no languages like the Arabic language
1:46-4:25
“There are no languages similar to the Arabic language. Why? They said: due to the connection found in its letters. For example the word “Mlak” meaning “own” [in the Arabic language] is made out of three letters. Every word that is comprised of those letters M,L,K must share the same general meaning of the word, that will summarize all those changes.”
Discussion of the Arabic word “own” and the different degrees of the Arabic language
“According to the theory of permutations and combinations we know that with three letters we can made six words. M,L,K makes “Mlak” meaning own [in the Arabic language]. The word “Mlak” can produce “Malik” meaning king” [similar to the Hebrew language], “Malak” meaning angel and “Malek” meaning owner. The three words contain a certain power with different degrees. Meaning that a king comes from estate and the owner comes from owning and possession produces power and sovereignty. Since a king orders and forbids and leads the society and organizes it. He also leads the army and defends the people. The owner enjoys another force, since the king owns, but no my money or my house or the lives of others. As for the owner he owns his house, if put this way he will be stronger than a king. The king has a higher status and is more powerful than the owner.”
“Then comes the word angel “Malak”. The word angel or “Malak” is derived from the M,L and K. It must contain some type of power. The characteristics of the Arabic language state that you can change the letters and get six words, then comes “Mkl” what is the meaning of “Mkl”? If we search for it everywhere we will not find a meaning to it, hence they name it the neglected.”
Neglected Arabic words in the Arabic language
4:26-5:06
“The neglected part of the Arabic language is more than the used part, since we mentioned that there are 40000 roots, which may reach 80000 roots, but at the end of the day there are over 500 million neglected words. Every time we come out with the six possible combinations we find that some are used while the rest are neglected, that is why a large part is neglected. “Mkl” there is no such thing named “Mkl” that is why it is neglected.”
Discussion of additional Arabic root words and their meaning
5:07-5:55
“”Lkm” this is the third combination. When someone hits with his hand, like punch “Lkm”.
“Klm” is the fourth, meaning “Kalam” or talk. Speech is power and the opposite is silence, hence there is this power also. “Klm” can also mean hurt, which contains the power of aggression. So owning, punching and talking all have a power within.”
5:56-end
“Lmk” there is no such thing called “Lmk” then it is neglected. “Mkl” there is no such thing named “Mkl” then it is neglected. We find that we have three used and three neglected and the three used share the characteristics of power.”
English Translations of the Arabic Quran
What Arabic to English translation of the Quran do you recommend? What Arabic to English translation websites to you recommend for studying the Quran?
