Allah (SWT) chose to send down the final and last of His Books in the Arabic language. This choice can be traced back to the excellence of the Arabic language and to assure of its remarkable qualities, qualities that, though they may be found in some extent in other languages, are complete and whole only in the Arabic language. Describing the superior qualities of this language in detail requires more time and space, but it is sufficient here to discuss briefly of this topic.
Even during the Pre-Islamic days of ignorance, language played a vital role in the lives of Arabs. Eloquence was to them what advanced technological and scientific knowledge is in our modern time – a sign of prestige and integrity. Eloquence was defined as a person’s level of refinement, and the poets were greatly honored and respected throughout the history in their societies. Poetry competitions were held time to time, and the awarded poetry was inscribed and hung up in the public place. By the time our beloved Prophet (PBUH) was born, Arabic was exceptionally developed language.
In fact, Arabic is a very flexible and independent language. In English language, one has to trace the root of a word back to Latin, Greek, French, or even Arabic. But in Arabic, each word is traced back to an Arabic root word; therefore, it is an independent and self-sustaining language. Similarly, it is a comprehensive language too, not only is there adequate words to describe any given concept, but also there are often more than ten words to describe a similar meaning, and each of them has a particular nuance to differentiate it from the others.
One of the basic features of this language – a feature that was more needed for the purpose of the Glorious holy Quran – is that one is able to elaborate numerous meanings in very few words; other languages might feature the same quality, but certainly to a lesser extent. Furthermore, the development of this language promoted precision and clarity in speech.
In many verses of the Glorious Quran Allah the Sublime mentioned the great blessing of revealing the Holy Quran in the Arabic language. Allah (SWT) says:
“We verily, have made it a Quran in Arabic, that you may be able to understand (its meanings and its admonitions).” (Az-Zukhruf 43:3).
And He (SWT) says:
“Verily, We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran in order that you may understand.” (Yusuf 12:2).
It means that Arabic language is the most eloquent, plain, deep and expressive of the meanings that might arise in our minds. Therefore, the most honorable Book was revealed in the most honorable language, to the most honorable Prophet and Messenger, delivered by the most honorable angel, in the most honorable land on the earth, and its revelation started during the most honorable month of the year, Ramadan. Thus, the holy Quran is perfect in every respect.
The Glorious Quran much needed to be sent down in a language that could handle its demands and accommodate its lofty meanings, and Arabic was likely the only language that fulfilled these conditions and requirements. Arabic is meant to be spoken in an eloquent manner; its rules, sentence structures, and grammatical forms do not promote anything less than eloquent speech.
As developed as Arabic was as a language, the Glorious Quran took it to its peak, a peak that could not be reached by any Arab poet, no matter how eloquent he was. This fact was acknowledged by the most eloquent of poets, regardless of whether they submitted to the truth and embraced Islam – such as labeed bin Rabeeah, kab bin Zuhair, and An-Naabighah Al-Jadee – or those who arrogantly and obstinately denied the truth and remained disbelievers – such as Al-Waleed bin Al-Mugheerah.