Is Quranic Arabic different from modern Arabic?
Yes, somewhat. The Quran is in Classical Arabic, the language of 7th-century Arabia. Modern Standard Arabic, used in books, news and schools, grew out of it and shares its grammar and most of its words, but some vocabulary and style have changed. Everyday spoken dialects are further away still.
Three layers of Arabic
- Quranic or Classical Arabic: the language of the Quran and early Arabic poetry and literature. It is rich and compact, and a single word can carry several shades of meaning.
- Modern Standard Arabic (MSA): the formal written language used across the Arab world in newspapers, textbooks and speeches. It is a modern form of Classical Arabic, with newer vocabulary and a simpler style.
- Spoken dialects: the everyday languages of Egypt, the Levant, the Gulf, Morocco and elsewhere. They can differ so much from one another that speakers from distant regions may struggle to understand each other.
The Quran itself stresses that it came in Arabic so people could understand it: "Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran so that you may understand" (Quran 12:2). It also describes itself as being "in a clear Arabic tongue" (Quran 26:195).
What is different?
- Vocabulary: some Quranic words are rare today, or now mean something different. A modern Arabic speaker may know a word but miss its older meaning.
- Style: Quranic sentences can be very concise and use rhythm, repetition and word order for effect.
- Grammar: the main grammar is the same as in MSA, including the endings that mark a word's role, but spoken dialects drop many of these.
What this means for learners
Many people are surprised that native Arabic speakers also benefit from a tafsir (explanation) of the Quran. At the same time, if you learn MSA, you gain a strong base that carries over to the Quran. A typical path looks like this:
- Learn to read the letters and recite correctly.
- Learn the most frequent Quranic words, so you start to recognise them in the text.
- If you wish to go deeper, study Classical or Quranic Arabic grammar with a teacher.
Each step builds on the one before, and you can stop at whichever level suits your goals. See How do I learn to read the Quran in Arabic as an adult?
You don't need Arabic to benefit from the Quran or to be a good Muslim. Translations and tafsir are a great help. See Can I read the Quran if I can't read Arabic?
A note about everyday Arabic
If you travel to an Arabic-speaking country, you will mostly hear the local dialect, not Quranic Arabic, while news and formal speeches use Modern Standard Arabic. Even so, knowing a few phrases from the Quran and daily dhikr helps you feel at home. See Do I need to learn Arabic before I become Muslim?
- The Quran is in Classical Arabic; Modern Standard Arabic descends from it.
- Spoken dialects differ much more from Quranic Arabic.
- Vocabulary and style have changed, so even Arabic speakers use tafsir.
- Learning Arabic helps, but is not required to benefit from the Quran.
People also ask
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Usually each colour marks a tajweed rule: grey for silent letters, warm shades for stretching, green for nasal sounds, blue for echo. Check your key.
Read the full answer →What do I do when I finish reading the Quran?
Mostly you thank Allah, make dua and start again. There's no required ritual, but a dua after finishing the Quran is a beautiful custom.
Read the full answer →How was the Quran revealed to Prophet Muhammad?
Mostly through the angel Jibril, in parts, over about 23 years. The Quran was revealed gradually in response to events, beginning in the cave of Hira.
Read the full answer →How was the Quran compiled after the Prophet died?
Mostly in two steps: Abu Bakr had the Quran gathered into one set after Yamamah, and Uthman later copied it into standard books for the main cities.
Read the full answer →How is the story of Adam and Eve different in the Quran?
Yes, the Quran's Adam and Eve story differs from the Bible: no serpent, Eve not blamed alone, Adam forgiven and no original sin.
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