AGP LECTURE

IMAM BASHAR USA

Nagpur 30-04-2010

India Peace Centre Nagpur

Honourable guests and my dear colleagues, the Almighty commands in Chapter 6 verse 54

“And when those who believe in OUR messages come unto you O Prophet (s.a.w.s), greet them and say: "Peace and Salaams be upon you. You should know that your LORD has prescribed for Himself to do Mercy -  so that if any of you commits evil out of ignorance, and thereafter repents and reforms, The LORD is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace.”

In submission to this command I extend you all very warm greetings. Assalamoalaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatohu,

Dear friends, it is my modest duty to introduce here the formation of Qur’anic Arabic Classes and their functioning as well as its importance and the impact it has had over the years.

Friends, I would like to say that teaching Quranic Arabic in this way is not a new concept. In fact in the last century, in about 1948, one of  the humble servant of Allah, craving to follow the commands of the Almighty, but bewildered by the confusing, rather conflicting interpretations, set out all alone to rediscover the purity of the Heavenly Message and made a humble attempt to understand the words of the Almighty in its Original. He was not a scholar in the modern sense of the term, but a practical man, a man of vision. The Almighty accepted his labour and granted him success. In later stages, the same methodology was upgraded incorporating modern teaching techniques. The results are obvious. Alhamdolillah!

In fact Allah revealed the Last Testament for the guidance of humanity for all times and all ages. He revealed it in Arabic language. No one can deny it that the language of the Qur’an is heavenly, unique and unmatched, and quite different with the Arabic language spoken in Arab lands since ancient times, and even today. The language of the Quran has its own beauty, its own eloquence and its effect is amazing. The Quran challenges in 17/88

“Proclaim O Prophet: ‘If all mankind and all invisible beings would come together with a view to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce its like, even though they were to exert all their strength in supporting one another!"

And this challenge remains unaccepted even till date…

As the Holy Qur’an contains message for all humanity, its language must be the easiest one to learn and easy to understand throughout the world in all ages. It is quite evident from the fact that the Muslims throughout the world, regardless of their mother tongue, perform their prayers in Arabic only. Almost all the Muslims, of all time and area, have been reciting The Qur'an and memorise some of its verses for their prayers. Even today, their pronunciation remains the same throughout the world. Then there have always been millions of Huffaz who memorize the book verbatim, containing not less than 600 pages. But the tragedy is that barring the Arabs, by and large, they remain ignorant of its meanings. The universality of the Qur’anic message makes its language universal. It is important that it is read and understood by the humanity irrespective of time and area.

Considering all the above aspects Al-Shaikh Abdul Karim Parekh, the protagonist of this mission, prepared a dictionary of Qur’anic Arabic way back in 1950, and with the help of this small book, within a short span of 3 to 4 months, regardless of caste, creed, gender or religion, people in this part of the world started comprehending the verses of the Holy Qur’an without any translation. I think everybody present here has learned it by this unique system. May the Almighty reward him for his efforts and make Maghfirah of the compiler, who still remains a source of inspiration to us. I should also mention here that he was my father Al-Shaikh Abdul Karim Parekh, later acclaimed as a scholar of international repute. He left for his heavenly abode in 2007.

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Although the scholars rightly claim that Arabic is a classical language and not easy to learn, but our experience has proved that a sincere approach makes thing easy. In fact, we have successfully developed a unique and natural method. It has never been our aim to produce scholars of Arabic language. We just want a person to understand the Heavenly Message of his Creator in its original. We also advise a continuous life long process of learning for a Muslim because he has to read and recite repeatedly the verses of The Qur'an in his prayers, listen it in sermons, even say Duas from Qur’anic verses. But Alas! While performing prayers, most of the Muslims do not know what they are asking for. But if they become familiar with this language, they will start understanding the words of Almighty as per their level of understanding.

It has never been our goal to make them learn Arabic as a language and become its master. We only wish to bring them closer to the Divine Guidance. We all know that by becoming a master in Arabic language, they may not necessarily be closer to Almighty God. Even during the life of the Prophet, there were many Abi-Lahabs who were masters of Arabic language. But friends, let us remember that guidance and Hidayah is the prerogative of the Almighty, and certainly it is not in anyone else’s hands.  We should never forget the verse 28/56:

“(O Prophet) indeed you will not be able to guide anyone whom you please: but it is ALLAH who guides him who wills (to be guided); and HE is fully aware of all who would let themselves be guided.”

In this system we try to use the natural system of learning the language of the Revelation. As a child learns his mother tongue, he never learns its grammar first. First, he understands the names of the articles he needs. At later stages, he gradually becomes master in his mother tongue without joining any school or referring to any book of language.

Friends, every one amongst us knows that we don’t believe in making tall claims. A large section of people may have not noticed us. We believe in silent work. We are humbly doing all this for the pleasure of our Lord. Since 2005 we have also enclosed those who don’t know a single word of Arabic nor know how to read and write it. I mean we are also teaching those who do not belong to Muslim families. This became possible only by the grace of our Lord. As it always been a dream of our founder, late Al-Shaikh Abdul Karim Parekh.  With due gratitude to our Lord, we are quite successful in our efforts.

Friends, we still remember the lessons taught by the founder that we are supposed to let the humanity learn The Qur'an. We are not supposed to provide its commentary or our opinion. Of course we should also refrain from promoting or condemning any commentary. Let it be a matter between the Creator and the creature. Let a person understand it and let him act accordingly.

Lastly, the world knows that there are innumerable sects among Muslims since old days. They are opposite to each other in many matters and there exists bitterness among them. There are lots of school of thoughts and Aqaaeds. But if we restrict ourselves to the Holy words only, and let everyone feel free to act according to his understanding and his school of thoughts, we will Insha-Allah bring them under one umbrella. Actually every sect has its own translation and commentary and accordingly they act. In our classes, we let the student understand the Holy Revelations in Original and allow him to daw his own conclusion. We think, a person who knows the Holy Revelation cannot be exploited, Insha-Allah. More so according 2/272:

“(O Prophet) you are not responsible for guiding them, but ALLAH guides whoever HE pleases ……”

Let everybody be enlightened by the Heavenly Revelation. Translations are man-made. The Original Text of Holy Qur'an is from the Almighty. We should never neglect the Original source. Friends, we all come from different sects of Shias and Sunnis as well as a few are from Non-Muslim families. Still we are one and we stand united with the words of God Almighty. I think, it is difficult to find any such example anywhere in the world.

Similarly we are not supposed to convert anyone into Islam, as we know there is no room for baptism in the Holy Qur'an. I would refer here the verse:49/14:

“The desert Arabs say, ‘We have attained to faith.’ Say O Prophet: ‘You have not attained to faith; you should (rather) say, 'We have outwardly surrendered' - for Eimaan has not yet entered your hearts…."

And further it is said in 49/16:

“Say O Prophet: ‘Do you want to inform ALLAH about your religion! ALLAH knows all that is in the heavens and all that which is in and on earth …."

Friends, you know that there is a verse in the Holy Book for we people to follow strictly. I hope and pray that we really stick to it at any cost and may God Almighty never let us get out of its orbit. It is 42/15

“So call all mankind to The Revelation, and stand steadfast as you have been commanded. And do not follow their likes and dislikes, and announce: ‘I put trust in whatever revelation ALLAH has bestowed from on high; and have been commanded me to be impartial with you. ALLAH is our Sustainer as well as your Sustainer also. To us shall be accounted our deeds, and to you, your deeds. Let there be no argument between us and you: ALLAH will bring us all together - for with HIM is all journeys' end."

 So friends, it is never advisable to sail in troubled waters. There is only one safe heaven left for us and it is the Originals of Kitaballah. Follow it, propagate it, teach it and try to bring masses closer to it. May the Almighty shower His mercy and blessings upon us and grant us Salvation. May Allah help me, you and all.

Thank you very much. Wassalamo Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah.