Arabic is the first prerequisite for those who wish to engage in Ijtihad
The Arabic language is being neglected by its people
His Eminence, Prof. Abbas Shouman, President of the World Organization for al-Azhar Graduates and Secretary General of al-Azhar’s Senior Scholars Council, stated that mastery of the Arabic language is the foremost prerequisite for anyone wishing to engage in Ijtihad.
During al-Azhar Forum on Contemporary Issues, held at al-Azhar Mosque, he addressed the theme, “The Relationship between Arabic and Legislation.”
In the presence of Prof. Salama Dawood, President of al-Azhar University and Vice President of the World Organization for al-Azhar Graduates, and Prof. Abdul Moneim Fouad, Professor of Aqidah and Philosophy and General Supervisor of Academic Activities at al-Azhar University, he emphasized the forum’s goal of correcting societal attitudes toward the Arabic language. He noted that the language suffers from neglect by its people, who have relegated it, despite its deserving to be at the forefront. He further explained that Arabic has a profound connection to legislative rulings, Aqidah, and other Islamic sciences. Likewise, he highlighted that the Holy Qur’an, unanimously regarded as the primary source of Islamic legislation, and the Prophetic Sunnah, the second source of legislation, are both conveyed in eloquent Arabic.
The President of al-Azhar Graduates emphasized that mastery of the Arabic language is the foremost prerequisite for anyone wishing to engage in Ijtihad. He explained that it is not sufficient for scholars to merely be fluent in Arabic; they must possess deep scholarly expertise in the language, demonstrating proficiency and a comprehensive understanding of all its aspects. Without mastery of Arabic, there can be no legislation, no fiqh, and no proper understanding of what is halal and haram, along with other essential rulings.
Moreover, the Secretary General of the Council of Senior Scholars explained that Arabic is a rich and expansive language. Experts agree that it is among the most versatile and capable languages for expressing ideas and concepts across all times—past, present, and future. He noted that Arabic speakers often use the same word or expression in multiple contexts, showcasing the language’s flexibility. This linguistic diversity contributes to the varying opinions among jurists on many rulings, not due to any ambiguity in the language itself.
