Surah Yusuf (12) — Ayah 2

(Ayah 2) ➊ In {اِنَّاۤ اَنْزَلْنٰهُ قُرْءٰنًا عَرَبِيًّا …:’’ اَنْزَلْنٰهُ ‘‘}, the pronoun {’’ هٗ ‘‘} refers to {’’ الْكِتٰبِ ‘‘}. This does not mean that this book is only for the people of Arabia and was not revealed for others. The point is that the book sent down for the guidance of all mankind will be in only one human language, and the natural way is either to learn the language of this book or to translate it into another language. Thus, this is the method that has been observed regarding the Qur’an. Therefore, it is being said to the Arabs, who are its first addressees, that We have revealed this book in your own language, not in any other language, so that you cannot present the excuse of not being able to understand it properly. This book is the Arabic Qur’an; Qur’an means “reading,” in the sense of the passive participle, meaning it is such a book that is so much read that its very existence is to be read. In it, there is great instruction for people of understanding.

➋ Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Allah Almighty says: «{ اِنَّاۤ اَنْزَلْنٰهُ قُرْءٰنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُوْنَ }» because the Arabic language is more eloquent, clearer, and broader than all other languages; it expresses the feelings, emotions, subjects, and meanings that arise in the human soul more and better than any other language. Therefore, this is the most noble (having more elevation and honor) book among all books. This book was revealed in the most noble language among all languages, upon the most noble Messenger among all messengers, through the most noble angel among all angels, in the most noble region of the earth, Makkah, in the most noble month of the year, Ramadan, and at its most noble time, Laylat al-Qadr. So, its nobility and being the most noble among all books is perfect in every respect.” A brief detail of this is that the alphabets of many languages range from fifty (50) to eighty (80), whereas the Arabic language has a total of twenty-nine (29) alphabets, which are easy to learn. Despite being extremely easy to learn, the breadth of this language for expressing one’s purpose and inner thoughts is greater than any language in the world. For example, in most languages, the verb forms do not have separate words for masculine or feminine subjects; for example, “he went” and “she went” are both “raft” in Persian and “went” in English. In these languages, separate words have to be brought in to clarify masculine and feminine, nor do these languages clarify dual and plural from the verb itself; for this, too, separate words are needed. In short, the virtues of the Arabic language are a separate subject, on which books by scholars exist.

The Arab nation, due to living in mountains and deserts and being almost always in a state of travel, was a very hardy and self-reliant nation and always remained free from the slavery of others. Although there were countless evils and misguidances among them, such as idol worship, polytheism, oppression, mutual fighting, theft, robbery, gambling, drinking, and adultery, which were common among them, even so, they also possessed many virtues, such as honor, a sense of pride and defense due to tribal life, never accepting slavery in any way, fulfillment of promises, generosity, truthfulness, and, due to being unlettered, an extraordinary memory. In short, that nation also possessed many virtues. Because of the excellence, breadth, and beauty of expression of their language, they called themselves “Arab” (those who express their meaning clearly) and all other nations “Ajam” (mute). Allah Almighty, along with countless other wisdoms, also chose the Arabs for conveying His religion to all the nations of the world because the everlasting miracle of the last Prophet, the Noble Qur’an, was, along with its countless other virtues, also unparalleled in the beauty of expressing its meaning. Therefore, Allah Almighty revealed it in the Arabic language and challenged them to bring a book like it, then to bring ten surahs, and finally to present the example of a small surah of just three verses. To this day, neither the Arabs nor the non-Arabs have been able to answer this challenge, nor will they be able to until the Day of Judgment.

2. 1. The purpose of the revelation of heavenly books is the guidance and direction of people, and this purpose can only be achieved when the book is in a language that they can understand. Therefore, every heavenly book was revealed in the national language of the nation for whose guidance it was sent down. Since the primary addressees of the Noble Quran were the Arabs, the Quran was also revealed in the Arabic language. Moreover, the Arabic language, in terms of its eloquence, expressiveness, and conveyance of meanings, is the best language in the world. Therefore, Allah Almighty revealed this most noble book (the Noble Quran) in the most noble language (Arabic) upon the most noble messenger (Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) through the most noble angel (Jibreel), and Makkah, where its revelation began, is the most noble place in the world, and the month in which the revelation began is also the most noble month—Ramadan.

2. We have sent down the Qur’an in the Arabic language [1] so that you may understand it.

[1]
The Arabic Language of the Quran and the Necessity of Transmission by Meaning:

The Quran is a book of guidance for the entire world. But since its primary audience was the Arabs, it was necessary that it be revealed in the Arabic language, so that first the Arabs could fully understand its meanings, and then convey it to other people in their own languages. The non-Arabs would learn the Arabic language—this also clarifies a very important issue, which is that transmission by meaning (riwayat bil-ma‘na) is, from a Shari‘ah perspective, a valid matter, and without transmission by meaning, it would not have been possible to transfer the meanings of the Quran into other languages. One attribute of the Quran is that it is in the Arabic language, and another is that it expresses all its meanings in clear words—that is, such meanings upon which the foundation of any action for human guidance can be established.