Exploring the Significance of the Arabic Language in History

The Arabic language gained its first importance as it is the language of the Quran, and it is the language that God Almighty chose to establish the argument against the infidels from Quraysh. It was also the language spoken by the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers, our master Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace, and in which he conveyed to us the teachings of Islam to us through the honorable Sunnah of the Prophet. The Arabic language was a timeless miracle that contains a lot of eloquence. The Arabic language is also considered one of the most important and oldest languages, and it includes many meanings, terms, images, and aesthetics

The Arabic language is considered one of the most important references for the rest of the languages in the world. If we searched, we would find many Arabic words and numbers in some foreign languages such as Turkish, Persian, and Kurdish. The Arabic language occupies the fourth place among the languages spoken by people around the world, as the Arabic language is spoken by 467 million people around the world. Let’s get to know more about the Arabic language and explore the historical Context of the Arabic Language in the following lines.

Historical Context of the Arabic Language

A. Origins of the Arabic language

When talking about the origin of the Arabic language, we will find many theories and different opinions. The Arabic language appeared more than a thousand years ago, and it is believed that it originated in the Arabian Peninsula and was first spoken by Bedouin tribes living in the northwestern borders of Saudi Arabia. The Arabic language is one of the Semitic languages, and it is considered one of the Afro-Asian languages, and it meets Hebrew in Canaanite origin so there are those who described them as the two sisters due to their origin and their similarity in some characteristics and linguistic roots. The cradle of Arabia may look a bit cloudy. The oldest known documented date is in the fifth century AD, but it is in those texts; That is since the Arabic language was described by maturity, perfection, and splendor.

Arabic has been known for its different dialects. This position was occupied by the groups of pilgrims every year, as it imposed itself by selecting every beautiful and palatable from other dialects, and rejecting every heavy hybrid that was reprehensible. This was the dialect the Arabs understood in different countries.

B. Evolution of Arabic over time

The Arabic language was written without semicolons and not formed with movements, as the Arabs used to pronounce classical Arabic fluently without the need for diacritics or dots. In the middle of the first century AH, when the people of the cities converted to Islam and the Arabs mixed with them, errors began to appear in the Arabic language, and there was fear that errors would appear in reading the Holy Quran. So Abu Al-Aswad Al-Du’ali came up with a way to form the words of the Quran, so he put a dot above the letter to indicate the fatha, a point below it to indicate the kasra, and a point on its left to indicate the Dammah, and two points above it, or below it, or on its left to indicate the Tanween, and left the consonant letter without points, But this formation was only used for the Quran.

In the second century AH, Al-Khalil bin Ahmed developed another method, so he placed a small alpha above the letter to indicate the hole, a small ya under the letter to indicate the break, and a small wawa above the letter to indicate the damma, and he used to repeat the letter twice in the case of tanween, and then this method developed For the form known today. As for the dotting of the letters, it took place during the era of Abd al-Malik bin Marwan, when Asim al-Laithi and Yahya bin Yamar al-Adwani arranged the letters alphabetically, and left the alphabetical arrangement. The international Arabic language entered the last third of the first century AH when it moved With Islam to the neighboring regions of the Arabian Peninsula, where it became an official language in those regions, and its use became indicative of sophistication and social status.

Before the end of the Umayyad era, the Arabic language entered the field of scholarly writing after its heritage was limited to poetry.

Arabic Language Contributions to Science

The Arabic language knew its civilizational and radiant heyday with the Abbasid state, which spread over a vast area, especially with the era of the three sultans: Abi Ja’far al-Mansur, al-Ma’mun, and Harun al-Rashid. The Arabic language became the language of science, mathematics, astronomy, engineering, logic, philosophy, Sufism, agriculture, industry, and economics. The Arabic language flourished thanks to the scholars’ jealousy over it and their dedication to scientific research, invention, experimentation, knowledge acquisition, and classification in various fields in which Western orientalists recognized the leadership of the Arabs. we find with the German scholar Sigrid Hunke in her valuable book “The Arab Sun Shines on the West.”

Scientific, literary, and technical civilization moved to Europe through Italy, Andalusia, the Crusades, and trade routes. Europeans learned the Arabic language, its literature, and its sciences in Toledo, Fez, and the cities of the Maghreb.

The Arabic language was the language of science and medicine. Many Muslim scholars excelled in the field of medicine and had many achievements such as:

1. Abu Bakr Al-Razi (850 – 923 AD)

When mentioning the phrase Arab achievements in medicine, it is important to mention Muhammad bin Yahya bin Zakariya Al-Razi, who is considered one of the forefront researchers in Islamic medicine, as he was called the imam of his era in the science of medicine. His most important achievements are represented in:

• He is the first to find a difference between arterial and venous bleeding.
• Many students from different countries studied at his hands, and he worked as president of the Bimaristan of Baghdad, which was established by the Abbasid Caliph Al-Mu’tadid Billah.
• He produced more than 200 books on medicine and philosophy, including a book he did not complete, in which he collected most of the medical knowledge known to the Islamic world in one place, then translated it into Latin, making it one of the greatest books on which the West is based.
• Al-Razi is best known for his work on refining the scientific method and encouraging experimentation and observation.
• Al-Razi wrote extensively about the crucial relationship between doctor and patient believing that the relationship between them should be developed on the basis of trust, just as the doctor considers himself responsible for the patient, the patient should follow the doctor’s advice.
• He showed interest in the anatomy of the human body.
• Al-Razi wrote extensively on human physiology and understanding how the brain, nervous system, and muscles work.

Ibn Sina (980 – 1037 AD)

Ibn Sina was called by many titles, including the father of medicine and the prince of science, because of his Arab achievements in medicine, as he wrote two hundred books in many academic fields, including philosophy, Islamic medicine, and natural sciences, among his most important achievements in medicine:

• He authored The Law of Medicine, which became an essential text for physicians throughout the Islamic world and Europe.
• He developed a detailed guide to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, during which he believed that many diagnoses could be made simply by examining the pulse and urine, in addition to diet and genetic background.
• Develop some suggestions for infant care.
• He set many guidelines on how to check the purity of water in the belief that bad water is responsible for many serious diseases.
• Ibn Sina followed the basis of the analytical method adopted by Al-Razi, and yet his book The law of Medicine was more comprehensive for all branches of medical science than Al-Hawi that Al-Razi wrote.
• He was the first to accurately diagnose the causes of jaundice, meningitis, and symptoms of bladder stones.
• Realize the effect of psychotherapy on the patient’s recovery.

Literature and poetry

Arabic literature is defined as most of the works that were written in the Arabic language, whether it was: poetry or prose, and it also includes theatrical literature, nonfiction, criticism, and the novel. 

Pre-Islamic times 

The home and seat of pre-Islamic literature go back to the Arabian Peninsula, or the Arabian Peninsula, as it was an arena for wars, conflicts, and political events, which generated a literature distinguished by its poetry, prose, and language. Literature and how it developed until it reached the pre-Islamic stage. 

Literature in Islamic time 

The first impact of Islam on poetry was represented in those venerable Islamic meanings that Islamic poetry carried, and they became established values in the Islamic faith and literature. Islam also had an impact on directing the goals of poetry, as the goal of the Muslim poet is no longer superiority and distinction, support for tribal values, or earning and shedding face. Rather, his goal became to defend the faith, the Quran, and the Prophet.

Poetry was not limited to the era of prophecy alone but rather transcended it to the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphate, and it had a role in the major events during this era, such as the wars of apostasy in the caliphate of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq, the conquests of Omar and his good affliction, and the events of the great sedition between Muawiyah and Ali bin Abi Talib, may God be pleased with him. about them, and the likes of each of them. During the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphate, the names of poets such as: Al-Mukhbal Al-Saadi, Al-Nabigha Al-Jaadi, Abu Al-Aswad Al-Du’ali, Khuzaimah Al-Asadi, and others were mentioned.

Literature in the modern era

A broad literary renaissance took place in the modern era after a long state of stagnation, specifically in the nineteenth century AD as a result of many factors. ancient literature, and the emergence of new literary genres

Such as the novel and among the most famous writers and poets in the modern era: Mahmoud Sami Al-Baroudi, Ahmed Shawky, Abbas Al-Akkad, Taha Hussein, Mustafa Al-Manfaluti, Tawfiq Al-Hakim.

Arabic in the Quran

The Arabic language has enjoyed great honor as the Holy Book, the Book of the Lord of the Worlds, was revealed in it to the Seal of the Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace. Where God Almighty chose this language to be an eternal language and preserved by memorizing the Holy Quran until the Hour.

(And so We have revealed to you a Quran in Arabic, so you may warn the Mother of Cities1 and everyone around it, and warn of the Day of Gathering—about which there is no doubt—˹when˺ a group will be in Paradise and another in the Blaze.) 

Ḥâ-Mĩm (1) ˹This is˺ a revelation from the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful (2) ˹It is˺ a Book whose verses are perfectly explained—a Quran in Arabic for people who know (3). 
Surah Fussilat.

Therefore, learning the Arabic language is the way to comprehend the meanings of the Holy Quran, and it is a great honor for this language that God Almighty made it the key to accessing the meanings and aims of the Holy Book, Al-Farabi said.

You can now learn the Arabic language easily online without having to go to real universities and institutes. Where there are many Holy Quran academies that teach the Arabic language online.

Hamil Al Quran allows you to learn the Arabic language at the hands of the best teachers online while you are comfortable in your home. Whatever your level, you will find the right course for you, as Hamil Al Quran allows teaching the best Arabic language course to all levels and ages, from children to the elderly. All classes are live so that there is a great degree of interaction between students and teachers. There is a great degree of flexibility as Hamil Al Quran Academy allows you to choose the dates and intensity of classes based on your circumstances.

All teachers have a lot of experience in teaching Arabic to non-native speakers. Also, the Arabic language is their mother tongue, and they have studied and mastered it in the largest universities, such as Al-Azhar University in Cairo and the Islamic University in Medina. You can enter the world of Hamil Al Quran Academy and discover more about it through the free trial. Hamil Al Quran allows you to attend a practical real session for free with one of Hamil Al Quran’s teachers until you discover more about their system in practice.

Importance in Islamic traditions

The Islamic religion, its primary sources are the Quran and the Sunnah, which are in the Arabic language. just as the Arabic language is the language of important acts of worship such as the five daily prayers and the Friday prayer that is held every week. The Arabic language is also the language of supplications and supplications that we need in all our times and in great acts of worship such as Hajj and Umrah. So in order to understand the Book of God and the Sunnah of His Prophet, to know their secrets, and to derive the legal ruling from them, it is necessary to understand the Arabic language.

Contemporary Importance and Influence of Arabic

A. Arabic in diplomacy

In the modern era, the Arabic language witnessed a qualitative shift and a sure boom, when the world recognized its usefulness and emphasized its vital role in serving humanity, through the United Nations’ recognition of it as an international language with absolute equality with five other international languages, which are English, French, Russian, Spanish, and Chinese.

The Arabic language contributed to diplomacy, as it was used in academic and cultural exchange programs between different countries.

B. Arabic in media and entertainment

The Arabic language is used in the media discourse with its various outputs (journalist, visual, and audio). As there is a keenness to use classical Arabic mainly in the written press (cultural and social magazines, newspapers, etc.). The same applies to visual media, as the use of classical Arabic is the basis on which programs, newsletters, and documentaries are based.

Concerning (cultural media) specifically, dealing with the Arabic language and the linguistic environment, in general, is more tight, accurate, and well-established. Cultural media expresses, to a large extent, the presence and status of the Arabic language, due to its reliance not only on the framework or structure in which its content is presented, which is the Arabic language but also because this cognitive, cultural content must include the Arabic language in one way or another as an embodiment of its essence.

Cultural media is divided into visual, audio, and read. The visual depends on programs for cultural content, and these programs must use the Arabic language at high and specialized levels, whether they are dialogue, documentary, or historical programs, or programs, series, and materials produced in theatre, literature, or history. And art or science, cannot be presented in any language other than classical Arabic, but rather in higher levels that are more specialized than the intermediate linguistic level directed to the ordinary recipient.

The same applies to the readable cultural media (cultural supplements, specialized magazines, and literary publications), for which the Arabic language is almost the only basis for its work (as the television image and visual output do not share the content presented here), whether these publications are interested in poetry, literature, science, historical research, and documentation. Likewise, the audio cultural media, through the air, depends on the art of the word and using Classical Arabic, recitation, vocal coloring, rhetoric, and rhetoric, all of which are arts that communicate with the Arabic language in its presence and assimilate it.

Conclusion

In this article, we tried to delve deeper into the importance of the Arabic language and Explore the Significance of the Arabic Language in History through a discussion of the Historical Context of the Arabic Language, Origins of the Arabic language and the evolution of Arabic over time. We also got to know Arabic as a language of Knowledge and Culture and its Contributions to science

Literature and poetry. We also dealt with Arabic as a Language of Religion through the discussion of Arabic in the Quran and its Importance in Islamic traditions. We finally discussed the 

Contemporary Importance and Influence of Arabic, the  Arabic in diplomacy and Arabic in media and entertainment.