Importance of the Arabic language

From time to time we wish to encourage one another with the importance of studying. Recently we came across the following speech of the scholars.

Sheikh ul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said:

The Salaf would admonish their children when they made Arabic grammatical mistakes.  Due to this, we are ordered, whether it be an obligation or a recommendation, to preserve the Arabic (grammatical) laws, and to correct the tongues that have deviated from the correct speech.  By doing so, we preserve the methodology of understanding the Quran and the Sunnah.  We also preserve the following of the Arab in their manner of (correct) speech.  If people were left with their grammatical mistakes, this would be considered a great deficiency and despicable mistake.  (source: Majmoo’ Al Fatawa 32/252)

The speech of Ibn Taymiyyah reminds us of the statement of Umm Abdullah al Wadie’yah (hafidhahullaah) concerning her father, the beloved Sheikh Muqbil bin Hadee al Wadi’ee.

She wrote:

My father would admonish us (her and her older sister) if we made a mistake in Arabic grammar.  He would say: Don’t be like the people of Sa’daa, they learn Arabic for several years until they reach the level of reading ‘Al Mugnee al Labeeb’ (famous book in Arabic grammar), but they continue to speak like the normal layman. (source: Nubtha Muktesirah)

Sheikh Muqbil (rahimahullaah) also mentioned:

The sciences of the Arabic language (nahoo) is from the important knowledge that is incumbent upon the Muslims to focus on.  This is because the enemies of Islam seek to divert the Muslims away from the language of their deen and busy them with what has less importance in their religion. And Allah is the Helper.  (source: Ershad Thawil Fitan pg.65)

Sheikh Muqbil likewise mentioned:

If a person becomes proficient in the Arabic language, then it will make learning easy for him. (source: Ar Rihlatul Akirah)

Sheikh ibn 'Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah) said:

From the benefits of learning the  Arabic language is correction of the tongue with the Arabic tongue which the speech of Allah was revealed in.  Because of this, understanding the Arabic language is extremely important.  But the sciences of the Arabic language are difficult in the beginning and becomes easy thereafter.  It is the example of a house made of cane (the likes of sugar cane), but its door is made of steel.  Meaning, it is difficult for one to enter, but once one does, is is then made easy.  Due to this, I encourage the student to learn the foundations of the language in order to make the rest easy for him/her.  (source: Sharh Al Ajromiyah)

In closing we say, one thing that a person especially a salafee who is in seek of knowledge can reflect over to help encourage the studying of the Arabic language, is the following question of reflection and contemplation:

What would you do if you came in to contact with the greatest scholars of our time, the likes of Sheikh Saleh al Fowzan, Sheikh Ahmed an Najmee, Sheikh Abdul Azeez ala Sheikh, Sheikh Ubaid al Jabiree, etc…, what if you came into contact with these scholars without having a translator?! How much would you truly be able to benefit from them?! How many questions could you possibly ask?! How would you understand their answers and advice?!

May Allah guide us to what is good in this life and the hereafter.  May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon the last messenger Muhammed, his family members and companions.

Mustafa George (Hafidahullaah)