Arabski – językiem Koranu, Muhammada i mieszkańców raju
Arabic – the language of the Quran, Muhammad, and paradise dwellers

Summary/Abstract: The article focuses on the Muslim dogma of the sacred nature of the Arabic language (and alphabet) as the language of the Quran – the Holy Book of Islam. The discussion is concerned with the consequences that the dogma had for the preservation of the unity of the Islamic world, particularly during the territorial expansion of the religion, and the development of scholarship and art, most importantly grammar and lexicology. The dogma, based on a number of verses from the Arabic original of the Book, forbids the use of translations of the Quran for religious purposes; a translation of the Book can only serve as the so-called Tefsir – an exposition given in a language other than Arabic of senses found in the Quran’s Arabic original. Arguments presented in the article are illustrated by examples from the literary tradition of Tatars – the Muslims of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

• Details
• Contents