Learning to read and recite the Quran properly is an integral part of daily life for Muslim children, but it can be a challenge for many young learners. Quranic Arabic has many words, sentences, and pronunciations that are very different from the ones they already know.
Reading the Quran can also open up a window into the culture of Arabic-speaking countries, and provide a lot of new insights for people learning Arabic as a second language.
In other words, there are a lot of great benefits that come from learning to read the Quran in the original Arabic, and the sooner you start, the better.
What Is Quranic Arabic?
Quranic Arabic has some notable difference from modern standard Arabic. Quranic – or classical – Arabic is, as the name suggests, the language used in the Quran, though it is also employed in many other forms of literature.
This form of the language has many of the same sentence structures as modern standard, but the groupings, contexts, and some of the words that are used can be very different.
Students will also find that there are many minor differences in grammar and punctuation. Then, when reciting portions of the Quran, there are many places timings of vowels or ways to stop words that can be difficult for new learners to pick up.
These may be small differences, but when learning to read and recite the Quran, they are very important.
Leaning the Quran While Young
The ability to read and recite the Quran with tajweed in a proper and clear way is something that is expected of young Muslims. It’s not always the easiest thing for children to do, but the sooner they get started, the more skillful they can become and the more the words will have meaning for them as they grow older.
Studying the Quran – especially at a young age – is a great way to learn more about the Arabic language. So, if your child is learning Arabic as a second language, getting started while they’re still young can have some lasting benefits.
Reading the Quran is simply one of the best ways to help younger students learn Arabic letters and vowels and recite them properly so they don’t have to worry about mispronunciations possibly changing the meaning of the words.
Why Have Kids Read the Quran in Arabic?
The Quran has been translated into tons of other languages, including English, but it has to be said that something can be lost in these translations. When you learn Arabic so you can understand the Quran, you will be able to begin understanding some of the intricacies in the meanings of the surah.
Isn’t This Like Teaching Shakespeare to Kids?
Classic Arabic can certainly be a challenge for young students, much like trying to teach Shakespearean era English to kids.
Having said that, though, there are a lot of benefits to introducing kids to Quranic Arabic as early as possible.
There is a lot to learn from Classic Arabic, and it can provide a new perspective on the language that can enhance their overall skills. That alone is a great reason to take on this challenge and see how it impacts your language skills.
Keep in mind that the Quran is an important part of the culture, and by learning to read it in the original Arabic, even young students can start to gain some very important insights.
Getting Started
Are you ready to take on this challenge? At Arab Academy we have several affordable language programs for kids, and we use stories and activities that can engage them throughout the entire learning process. Whether you’re just getting started or have participated in our other online Arabic courses for kids, now might just be the best time to start reading the Quran in Arabic.
