Arabic Is Key, All Else Is Commentary
For many many many people, Arabic language is equated to Islam.
This notion stems from the fact that Arabic is the language of the Quran, and Quran is regarded as an Islamic symbol from a certain period in history.
From that standpoint, most see Arabic as a religious language (Islamic, if you will). This view is further buttressed by the saying that Arabic is the language of Paradise Dwellers (this is sourced from a hadith that is contested in traditional circles).
Without dwelling on the “islamicness” of Arabic, let’s explore how this notion in a negative way can affect how one learns Arabic, if he’s not careful enough.
When you learn Arabic at the start, at the beginning, and at the end, it is better to focus *solely* on Arabic. Do not put much emphasis on whether this language is religious or not. By itself, this language is amazing regardless.
Try not to mix it with other disciplines like fiqh, tafsir, or tasawwuf. Arabic is purely skill-based, not content-based. Find a teacher, or book, that unplugs his disciplinary identity from Arabic by singularly teaching Arabic and not trying to plug anything else other than Arabic.
Arabic grammar alone is already complex (not complicated), what’s more when it is forcibly coloured with mixes of other subjects.
On this note, regard Arabic not as content science, but tool science — which is synonymous with its traditional label of ilmu alat.
Arabic is best learned on its own. Once you are good enough with Arabic grammar (don’t take too long), you can start diving into other disciplines (if you want to refer to Arabic sources of them). You can regard the other subjects like fiqh, falsafah, and tasawwuf as doors.
Arabic is key.
Do not try to mess with the teeth of the key. You’ll never get to open any door.
Get the key right, before you enter the doors. Once the key is built, you can enter any door of your choice, at will.
The key is to get the key first, right. Everything else is commentary. Mostly.
All the above applies only if you are among the few who seek to understand stuff by directly reading sources in Arabic.
On the other one hand, many don’t need to. (There are already excellent books and resources in English for the above disciplines to dive into, for those non-fluent in Arabic).
But if you are among the few, when you are ready, you are most welcome to become part of the 6-Month Quranic Grammar Course starting in July, the only fresh course this year that ends before 2020. Or, to wet your feet first, you may also consider joining the 4-Hour Grammar Seminar that happens next week.
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