Transliteration:( Innaaa anzalnaahu quraanan 'Arabiyyal la 'allakum ta'qiloon )
"No doubt, We have sent [3] it down as an Arabic Quran so that you may understand [4]."
From this, we learn that it is this very Arabic text that holds the status of the Qur’an itself. Its translation is not the Qur’an, and translations cannot be recited in Salaah, nor is there reward in their recitation. The original Arabic wording is what carries the divine weight and sanctity.
This verse shows that the Qur’an was revealed in Arabic so that the Arabs, and through them others, could understand it. The arrival of the Holy Prophet ﷺ among the Arabs, and the revelation of the Qur’an in their language, is a great favor of Allah Almighty, because through them, the entire world has become dependent on their understanding and transmission. It may also mean that the Qur’an was revealed in Arabic to make understanding easier for the people, not because the Holy Prophet ﷺ needed explanation, for he understands every language — including the language of animals and even stones. Why should he not, since he is the Prophet for all creation, and every Prophet is sent with knowledge of the language of his people. Even today, people from every nation and tongue present their pleas at the Roza-e-Mubarak (Sacred Grave) of the Beloved Prophet ﷺ, and he understands them all — no angel has been appointed to interpret.
The tafsir of Surah Yusuf verse 2 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Yusuf ayat 1 which provides the complete commentary from verse 1 through 3.
(12:2) We have revealed it as a Recitation[1] in Arabic that you may fully understand[2].
1. The Arabic word Quran “to read” is originally the infinitive form of the verb qara. When the infinitive form of a verb in Arabic is used as a name, it implies that that thing or person possesses the characteristics in their perfection. This Book has been named Quran to indicate that it is meant to be read by all and sundry and is to be read often and over and over again.
2. This does not mean that this Book has been sent down exclusively for the Arabs. What it means is only this: Of all the people, O Arabs, you should understand the excellence of the Quran, which is a sure proof of its being divine revelation, for it is in your own language and you have no excuse to put forward that it is in a foreign language which you do not understand.
Some people wrongly infer from this verse that this Book had been sent down for the Arabs and not for the non- Arabs; therefore, they assert, it cannot be claimed that it is the guidance for the whole mankind. But obviously this is a frivolous objection raised by those who do not understand its real significance. It is obvious that a book, though meant for universal guidance, will necessarily have to be put in words in some language so that the people speaking that language should understand its teachings and then become the means of conveying its guidance to other peoples. This is the only natural way of spreading the message of a movement on a universal scale.
[583]- i.e., revealed in the Arabic language.
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