Earlier Muslims did not hesitate to learn & translate wisdom from other languages, argues Mujeeb Jaihoon in a guest talk to Wafy students.
Islam is the most updated and upgraded life-belief system in this world. Knowledge and Modernity is the handmaiden of Islam. Earlier Muslims did not hesitate to learn and translate wisdom from other languages including Greek, Persian, Hebrew and Syriac. The Holy Prophet had companions who were experts in Non-Arabic languages.
The diversity of Languages are, in the words of Quran, among the magnificent signs of Islam. “And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Indeed in that are signs for those of knowledge.”
Islam does not entertain untouchability towards any Language. Every Language is holy in the eyes of Islam. No dialect can superimpose one over the other. Wisdom and Beauty are hidden in every language cherished by different cultures.
Islam has enjoyed the nourishment of every language throughout the past. While Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Turkish are traditional cradles of Muslim civilization, other languages have also contributed to the rich legacy of Islamic civilization. In the recent post-colonial times, English language has also joined this league. A large majority of the celebrated preachers popular among the youth are are English-speaking scholars including Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad, Mufti Menk, Yasmin Mogahed, Dr. Zakir Naik, Omar Soleiman as well as Nasheed artists including Sami Yusuf, Mahir Zain, Zain Bhikha and Dawud Wharnsby to name a few.
(Mujeeb Jaihoon’s opening remarks at the address, Influence of English Language In Islamic Propagation, an online Whatsapp session organized by Bafakhy Wafy Students Group, attended by more than 150 Students from 6 classes. Apr. 29 2022)
