Scholar gives a pep talk to Arabic teachers

Mangalore, October 1: Learning a language is a skill, which can be cultivated only through constant practice and not by formulas, said renowned Islamic scholar Dr V Abdul Rahim.

He was delivering a talk on 'Teaching the Language of Glorious Qur'an' organised by Unity Ilm Centre for the Arabic teachers recently at IMA Hall here.

Dr Abdul Rahim, who is the Director of Qur'an Translation Centre at the King Fahd Qur'an Printing Complex in Madinah, exhorted the Arabic teachers participated in the programme to try their best to communicate with students in grammatically perfect Arabic.

“From the very first lesson and from the day-one, you should start speaking Arabic and encourage the students. In language classes, the students have to work more” he said.

He said some people may argue that it is not necessary to learn Arabic, as various translations of the Qur'an are easily available in the markets. “They must understand that translations cannot replace the original Qur'an and there are no substitute for Qur'anic words and verses in any language on the face of earth”, he said.

Translations of Quran can only convey some of meanings of Qur'anic verses to the reader or listener, he said adding that many Qur'anic words defy translation.

Expressing distress over the lack of interest in learning the language of Qur'an in non-Arabic countries, he said although Arabic is a living language, unfortunately, it is approached as if it is a dead language. “Both teachers and students hesitate to use Arabic as a vehicle of communication”, he said.

Laying emphasis on the importance of grammar, he said without grammar one cannot learn any language. However, he said, grammar should be taught according to the student's need.

“In most of the non-Arabic countries including India and Pakistan, the problem with Arabic teaching is that, the whole grammar is taught in the beginning itself without any application. Through this method, it is very difficult for a student to learn Arabic as the examples used in this method are too old-fashioned. We need to teach diction which is used today”, he suggested.

Due to the unscientific and methods of teaching and learning, the Arabic language has suffered a lot at the hands of teachers, books, syllabus and students, he lamented.

Dr Abdul Rahim also said that books written for the native speakers of Arabic, are not suitable for students of non Arabic countries.

Dr C P Habeeb Rahman, Chairman, Unity Health Complex, presided over the programme. Renowned surgeon Dr Mohammed Ismail was also present among others.