Celebrating International Arabic Language Day

The United Nations has designated December 18th as International Arabic Language Day, in recognition of its significance and esteemed status, which deserve appreciation and attention.

On this occasion, this article seeks to shed light on this remarkable language, highlighting some of its unique features to better understand its importance and our responsibilities towards it as a distinctive language.

By the Numbers

Here are some fascinating statistics about the Arabic language that invite reflection:

Arabic comprises approximately 12 million words (compared to 600,000 in English).
It is spoken by half a billion people worldwide.
Arabic is the language of the Quran.
It serves as the language of worship for 1.5 billion Muslims, both Arabs and non-Arabs.
It is the official language of 26 countries.
Globally, Arabic is the fourth most spoken language.
It has been one of the United Nations’ six official languages since 1973.

Language as Civilization and Identity

Languages across different eras and regions have been a source of pride and honor for their speakers, often raised to a status of great respect, and in some cases, reverence. A language represents civilization and identity, which is why God Almighty considers it a sign of His power and wisdom. God says: “And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Indeed, in that are signs for those of knowledge” (30:22).

God has pointed humanity to two means of recognizing their Creator: reflection on their own selves and on the world around them. He says: “We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth…” ( 41:53). By contemplating the diverse nations, languages, and traditions, humans are drawn to reflect on the Creator of these languages and the wisdom behind their variety.

Arabic: The Chosen Language

God chose Arabic as the language of His final scripture, the Quran, stating, “A Quran in Arabic, without any deviance, that they might become righteous” (39:28). This verse highlights Arabic as a direct, strong, and precise language capable of conveying divine guidance without deviation. Furthermore, God describes it as, “In a clear Arabic tongue”(26:195), emphasizing its clarity and precision, which prevent ambiguity or misunderstanding. Thus, He selected it as the language of His timeless and universal message, “Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran that you might understand” (12:2).

The Uniqueness of Arabic

Scholars of Arabic and linguistics acknowledge that Arabic stands as one of the most comprehensive, robust, and precise languages globally. Unlike other languages, which may diminish or disappear, Arabic has persisted and thrived. Its key characteristics include:

Vastness and Inclusiveness:
Arabic encompasses an extraordinary vocabulary—around 12 million words—enabling precise expression without borrowing from other languages. Instead, Arabic has influenced numerous languages, including Urdu, Persian, Pashto, Hindi, and Turkish. Its generative nature, deriving words from basic roots, ensures its continuity.
Structured Syntax:
Arabic is distinguished by its well-organized sentence structure, making its phrases coherent, melodious, and attractive.
Rhythm and Harmony:
Its phonetic rhythm and consistency between sounds and words give Arabic a captivating beauty, both in prose and poetry.
Rhetoric and Eloquence:
Arabic excels in rhetorical techniques, including brevity, metaphor, and allegory, with unparalleled depth.
Rigorous Grammar Rules:
Its comprehensive and precise grammatical and morphological rules regulate even the smallest details, where a single diacritic can change the meaning entirely.
Synonyms:
Arabic features an abundance of synonyms for a single concept, such as the numerous terms for “lion,” “sword,” and “dates.”
Polysemy:
Some Arabic words bear multiple meanings. For example, the word “sanah” (year) has about 34 meanings, and “maa” (water) has 170 meanings.
Various Linguistic Sciences:
Arabic encompasses numerous sciences, including rhetoric, morphology, syntax, prosody, and more, contributing to its richness.

Arabic: Beyond Islam

Contrary to common misconceptions, Arabic predates Islam by centuries and boasts a rich heritage documented in long poetic compositions, such as the famous Mu’allaqat. The language has been embraced by diverse communities across the globe, transcending religious and cultural boundaries. Many prominent poets and writers in Arabic were, and still are, Christians or adherents of other ideologies.

Notable Arabic Contributions

The Quran:
As the miracle of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp), the Quran stands as the highest example of Arabic eloquence, combining unmatched linguistic precision and profound content.
Nahj al-Balaghah:
This collection of sermons, letters, and sayings by Imam Ali (AS), compiled by Al-Sharif al-Radi, represents a masterpiece of Arabic literature.
Sahifa Sajjadiya:
The supplications and invocations of Imam Ali ibn Hussain (AS), known as Sahifa Sajjadiya, are another hallmark of Arabic eloquence and spirituality.

Key Resources on Arabic

Regarding sources about the Arabic language itself, its importance, and related topics, there are many, but the most significant ones include:

Asas al-Balaghah by Mahmoud ibn Amr al-Zamakhshari, a prominent linguist of the 12th century CE.
Lisan al-Arab by Muhammad ibn Makram ibn Ali, known as Ibn Manzur, a linguist of the 13th century CE. This work contains more than eighty thousand linguistic terms and is considered the most extensive of all Arabic language encyclopedias.
Al-Qamus al-Muhit by Majd al-Din al-Fayruzabadi, a linguist of the 14th century CE.
Taj al-Arus by Muhammad al-Murtada al-Zabidi, a linguist of the 18th century CE.
Al-Mu’jam al-Wasit by a group of scholars, including Ahmed al-Zayyat and Ibrahim Mustafa. The Arabic Language Academy published it in Cairo in the 20th century CE.

The UN’s initiative to dedicate a day to Arabic invites us to appreciate its value and ensure that it is taught accurately to future generations. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp) emphasized the importance of studying the Quran, “Whoever seeks knowledge should delve into the Quran” (Al-Suyuti, Al-Itqan fi Ulum al-Quran. vol. 2, p. 487).

Learning Arabic opens a vast river of knowledge, ensuring access to both the richness of Islamic texts and the contributions of Arabic heritage.