Page 45 - World Religions I - Islam

Arabic dialect.
o During the recomposing, Zaid recalled another verse that has never been included in the initial text. He
turned again to Khuzaima bin Thabit for its correct form and then added it to the revised manuscript
(now found in Surah 33:23).10
• The revised Uthmanic Qur'an was sent out to four major cities of the Islamic empire (Mecca, Medina, Basra, and
Damascus) as the standard text, with orders that variant versions be burned.11 Muslim apologists sometimes
argue that the differences in variants had to do with how the text was recited, not with difference in the written
text itself. However, if the differences were merely a matter of variant pronunciations of an identical text, such a
problem would not be solved by sending to all parts of the empire the same written text they presumably
already had.

Language of the Qur'an
The language of the Qur'an is Arabic. The Qur'an serves as the basis of formal or classical Arabic, both literary and spoken.12
• Numerous passages within the Qur'an refer to the fact that it was revealed in Arabic, and several provide
justification for that fact.
o "Say, the Holy Spirit has brought the revelation from thy Lord in Truth, in order to strengthen those who
believe, and as a Guide and Glad Tidings to Muslims. We know indeed that they say, 'It is a man that
teaches him.' The tongue of him they wickedly point to is notably foreign, while this is Arabic, pure and
clear." presumably already had.
o "A Revelation from (Allah), Most Gracious, Most Merciful - a - An-Nahl (The Bee) 16:103 Book, whereof
the verses are explained in detail - a Qur'an in Arabic, for people who understand, giving good news and
admonition; yet most of them turn away, and so they hear not."
o "Had We sent this as a Qur'an (in the language) other than - Fussilat (Explained in Detail) 41:2-4 Arabic, they
would have said: 'Why are not its verses explained in detail? What! (a Book) not in Arabic and (a
Messenger) an Arab?' Say: 'It is a Guide and a Healing to those who believe; and for those who believe not,
there is a deafness in their ears, and it is blindness in their (eyes). They are (as it were) being called from a
place far distant!'" - Fussilat (Explained in Detail) 41:44
o "Thus have We sent by inspiration to thee an Arabic Qur'an: that thou mayest warn the Mother of Cities
and all around her doubt, (when) some will be in the Garden, and some in the Blazing Fire." - Ash-Shura
(Council) 42:7 - and warn (them) of the Day of Assembly, of which there is no
• Because the Qur'an was revealed in Arabic directly from God to Gabriel to Muhammad, any translation of the
Qur'an from Arabic into any other language no longer constitutes the literal words of God.
o Muslims typically refer to a translation as "the meaning of the Qur'an" rather than as a translation, per se.

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