Quran Arabic Learning

How to Understand Qur’an in Arabic – A Complete Beginner’s Guide (Step-by-Step)

If you are an absolute beginner, this guide will help you start your journey step-by-step, practically, and with motivation to stay consistent.

Why Should You Learn to Understand Qur’an in Arabic?

Here are some inspiring reasons:

1. You feel the Qur’an speaking directly to you

Translation gives meaning, but Arabic gives feelings. Every Ayah becomes alive.

2. Your Salah becomes deeper and more meaningful

You understand what you recite — your heart and tongue move together.

3. You get continuous reward

The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The best among you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.”

4. You build a personal relationship with Allah

Understanding His words brings peace, clarity, guidance, and closeness.

🌿 How to Understand the Qur’an in Arabic (Step-by-Step for Beginners)

Below is the simplest and most effective roadmap.

STEP 1: Learn the Basics of Arabic Alphabet & Pronunciation

Before anything, you must be able to:

  • Read Arabic letters
  • Recognize short vowels (fatha, kasra, damma)
  • Understand long vowels (alif, waw, ya)
  • Pronounce words accurately

How to learn this easily:

  • Use apps like Quran Companion, Mishkah Academy, Quranic App
  • Watch YouTube: Learn Arabic with Zakaria, Quran Revolution Intro lessons

Goal: Read any Arabic word, even if you don’t understand it yet.

STEP 2: Learn Basic Qur’anic Vocabulary (Most Common Words)

Did you know?

➡️ 80% of the Qur’an is made of only about 300 words.

This means if you learn these common words, you will understand a big portion of any Surah.

Examples of frequently used words:

  • Allah (اللّٰه) – God
  • Ard (الأرض) – Earth
  • Sama (السماء) – Sky
  • Rahma (رحمة) – Mercy
  • Amanu (آمنوا) – They believed
  • Yawm (يوم) – Day

You can learn 5–10 words per day.

Best resources:

  • Understand Qur’an Academy word-by-word list
  • Quranic App
  • Flashcards (Anki decks)

STEP 3: Learn the Most Important Arabic Grammar for Qur’an

You do not need to study all Arabic grammar at once.

Just start with the basics that appear again and again in the Qur’an:

Essential beginner grammar:

  • Nouns (Ism), Verbs (Fi’l), Particles (Harf)
  • Past, present, and command verbs
  • Masculine vs feminine
  • Singular, dual, plural
  • Common pronouns: huwa, hiya, hum, anta, ana
  • Prepositions: fi, ila, min, ‘ala

Learn slowly. Learn only the grammar needed to understand words and basic sentence structure.

STEP 4: Start a Word-by-Word Qur’an Translation Practice

Choose one short Surah, such as:

  • Surah Al-Fatiha
  • Surah Al-Ikhlas
  • Surah Al-Asr
  • Surah Al-Kawthar

Read it like this:

WORD → MEANING → SIMPLE ENGLISH → CONTEXT

Example (Surah Al-Ikhlas):
قُلْ → Say
هُوَ → He
اللّٰهُ → Allah
أَحَدٌ → One, Unique

Day by day, your brain will start recognizing patterns.

STEP 5: Listen to the Qur’an Daily While Reading

Listening helps your heart connect faster.

Choose a slow reciter:

  • Sheikh Mishary Rashid
  • Sheikh Husary
  • Sheikh Abdul Basit

Follow these steps:

  • Play the recitation
  • Look at the Arabic mushaf
  • Read the translation
  • Repeat the same surah for a week

This method creates powerful understanding and memorization.

STEP 6: Learn With a Teacher or Online Course

If possible, learn with a qualified teacher. They can help with:

  • Tajweed
  • Grammar
  • Word-by-word explanation
  • Correct recitation

Good online options:

  • Understand Qur’an Academy
  • Bayyinah TV – Nouman Ali Khan
  • Quran Revolution
  • Al-Maghrib Qur’anic courses

STEP 7: Make a Consistent Daily Routine

To learn Qur’anic Arabic, consistency matters more than speed.

A simple daily routine:

✔ 10 minutes – Learn 3 new words
✔ 10 minutes – Revise old words
✔ 10 minutes – Read a short surah with translation
✔ 5 minutes – Listen to Qur’an recitation

Just 35 minutes a day can transform your understanding within months.

🌸 Motivation: If You Feel It’s Hard, Read This

Many beginners think:

  • “Arabic is too difficult for me.”
  • “I don’t have time.”
  • “I won’t understand everything.”

But remember:

🌿 Allah sees your effort, not your perfection.

🌿 Every new word you learn is ibadah.

🌿 Every mistake you make is rewarded twice — for trying.

🌿 The Qur’an was revealed for you, so you can understand.

You are not starting this journey alone.
Allah will open the doors for you when you take the first step.

🌟 Practical Tips to Stay Consistent

✔ Start small — but start today
✔ Learn only one Surah at a time
✔ Use color-coded Qur’an
✔ Use sticky notes for vocabulary
✔ Review what you learn weekly
✔ Don’t rush… let the Qur’an settle in your heart
✔ Make dua: “O Allah, open the understanding of Your Book for me.”

🕌 A Simple Dua for Learning Qur’anic Arabic

اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ عَلَيَّ فُهُومَ الْقُرْآنِ وَارْزُقْنِي تَدَبُّرَهُ وَالْعَمَلَ بِهِ
“O Allah, open for me the understanding of the Qur’an and grant me the ability to reflect on it and act upon it.”

📝 Conclusion

Understanding the Qur’an in Arabic is a journey — not a race.
It transforms your salah, your heart, and your connection with Allah. Begin today, take small daily steps, and trust that Allah will make the path easy for you.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *