How to Understand Quran in Arabic

Do you dream of understanding the Quran in Arabic but feel lost on where to start? You’re not alone! Even as a native Arabic speaker, I’ve spent years studying Quranic Arabic and Tajweed, and I can tell you: once you start to understand its depth, your connection with the Quran will never be the same. The Quran isn’t just a book of words; it’s a masterpiece of divine eloquence (Balāghah), filled with meanings that are lost in translation. But the good news? With the right approach, you can learn Arabic quickly and unlock the Quran’s wisdom far sooner than you think.

Here’s your structured guide on understanding and learning Arabic and Quran

10 Tips on How to Learn Arabic to Understand Quran

1. Master Arabic Pronouns: They are Everywhere!

After learning and familiarising yourself with the alphabet obviously, if you want to understand Quranic Arabic, you must start with pronouns. Why? Because they appear in nearly every sentence! Knowing pronouns will help you follow the flow of who is speaking to whom: a crucial part of understanding the Qur’an’s message.

For example, consider Surah Al-Fatiha:

Iyyāka na‘budu wa iyyāka nasta‘īn (You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help).

The “You” (Iyyāka) refers to Allah, but without understanding pronouns, you’d miss this clarity. Learn all singular, dual, and plural pronouns, and your comprehension will skyrocket. The good news is that they are not many:

Three essential pronouns in Arabic that you must know are: dameer mokhatab (the addressed pronoun), dameer gha’ib (the absent pronoun), and dameer motakallim (the speaker’s pronoun).

For instance:

– Dameer Mokhatab (addressed pronoun): “Iyyāka” (You) in Surah Al-Fatiha (1:5) refers to Allah. Or “Anta”

– Dameer Ghaib (absent pronoun): “Huwa” (He) in Surah Al-Ikhlas (112:1), which refers to Allah: “Qul huwa Allahu ahad” (Say, He is Allah, [who is] One).

– Dameer Motakallim (speaker’s pronoun): “Inni” (I) in Surah Maryam (19:30) when Jesus speaks as a newborn: “Qala inni Abdullah” (He said, ‘Indeed, I am the servant of Allah’).

Understanding all pronouns will guide you on how the sentence is structured. Subsequently, this will enhance your comprehension of the Quranic text significantly.

2. Learn the Roots of the Most Common Arabic Words

Arabic is a root-based language meaning that one root word can generate dozens of related words. If you learn the most common roots in the Qur’an, you’ll automatically recognize hundreds of words without memorizing them individually.

For example:

Examples of Root-Based Words:

k-t-b (كتب) – relates to writing:

Kitāb (كتاب) – Book
Maktab (مكتب) – Office
Kataba (كتب) – He wrote

r-h-m (ر-ح-م) – relates to mercy:

Rahim (رحيم) – Merciful
Rahama (رحمة) – Mercy
Raheem (رحيم) – Compassionate
Rahman (رحمن) – Beneficent

gh-f-r (غ-ف-ر) – relates to forgiveness:

Ghafoor (غفور) – All-Forgiving
Maghfira (مغفرة) – Forgiveness

Now imagine understanding hundreds of words just by knowing a few dozen roots. That’s the fastest way to learn Arabic to understand Quran!

3. Immerse Yourself in Ayāt Daily to Understand Arabic and Quran

You don’t need to learn Arabic like a native speaker. Instead, immerse yourself in small portions of the Quran daily. Choose a short verse and:

Read it in Arabic several times.
Break it down word by word.
Check its root words.
Look for repeated words elsewhere in the Qur’an.

Even 5–10 minutes daily will build your pattern recognition and boost your confidence over time. The improvement you will notice will amaze you. Like learning any new skill or language, consistency is key.

Listen to Qur’anic Recitations with a Focus on Meaning

Listening to the Qur’an isn’t just about pronunciation—it’s about absorbing the message. Choose a reciter with clear tajweed and:

Follow along with a translation to connect words to meanings.
Pause and reflect on key phrases.
Listen repeatedly to memorize words subconsciously.

Over time, you’ll naturally begin to understand verses as you hear them!

4. Practice, Practice, Practice!

Language learning is not passive—you need to actively use what you learn. Make it a habit to:

Read short Quranic passages aloud, even if you make 100x mistakes.
Write out words and their meanings.
Teach a friend what you’ve learned (preferably every day).

Listen to the Quran while following along in Arabic. This is important. I see people listening to Quran while driving or at work. You will only be able to understand and learn quickly if you dedicate time for it and follow along with a mushaf.

Repetition is the key to retention!

5. Get a Tutor or Join a Structured Quranic Arabic Course

While self-study works, having a teacher makes a huge difference. A good tutor will:

Explain difficult grammar in simple ways.

Keep you motivated.

A tutor or a structured online course will help you grasp as much of the Quran as possible in little time.

6. Use a Quranic Arabic Dictionary for Context

After familiarising yourself with pronouns, common roots and immersing yourself with daily reading and tafsir. Expand on that by using a specialised Quranic Arabic dictionary that will guide you through both the straightforward meaning of the words and their underlying meanings as well. Sometimes, words in the Quran don’t carry their everyday Arabic meaning. A specialized Quranic Arabic dictionary will:

Explain the meaning in Quranic context.

Show grammatical nuances you might overlook.

Help you understand Balāghah (rhetorical beauty).

For example, in Surah Yusuf, when Prophet Yaqub (AS) says:

Innī la-aḥzanu ʿalayhi – “Indeed, I grieve for him.”

The verb ḥ-z-n (حزن) doesn’t just mean “grief” but a deep, lingering sorrow. These subtle meanings will allow you to understand Quran more deeply.

7. Learn Basic Arabic Grammar and Sentence Structure

Arabic word order is different from English. Nahw are a set of grammar rules in Arabic Fusha that have been extracted from Quran. Quran often places emphasis on certain words by shifting their order. Understanding this will help you feel the depth of its messages.

For example:

Allah guides whom He wills – (الله يهدي من يشاء)

Whom He wills, Allah guides – (من يشاء الله يهدي)

The second sentence places more emphasis on Allah’s will, which changes the emotional impact! This is Balāghah at its finest.

8. Reflect on the Beauty of the Quran’s Language

The Quran’s linguistic miracles are beyond human capability. The more Arabic you learn, the more you’ll realize that:

Every word placement is intentional.

Subtle changes in verb tenses carry deep meanings.

Repetitions create rhythm and emphasis.

The flow of sound enhances the message’s power.

In Surah Al-Mulk (67:3-4), Allah challenges us to look for flaws in His creation:

ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَـٰوَٰتٍۢ طِبَاقًۭا ۖ مَّا تَرَىٰ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ مِن تَفَـٰوُتٍۢ ۖ فَٱرْجِعِ ٱلْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَىٰ مِن فُطُورٍۢ ٣ ثُمَّ ٱرْجِعِ ٱلْبَصَرَ كَرَّتَيْنِ يَنقَلِبْ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْبَصَرُ خَاسِئًۭا وَهُوَ حَسِيرٌۭ ٤

˹He is the One˺ Who created seven heavens, one above the other. You will never see any imperfection in the creation of the Most Compassionate.¹ So look again: do you see any flaws? Then look again and again—your sight will return frustrated and weary.

The rhythm and repetition create an auditory experience that emphasizes the vastness of Allah’s creation. When you understand the Arabic, these verses hit you in ways no translation ever could.

9. Engage in Arabic Conversations Related to the Quran

Engaging with Arabic-speaking scholars, students, or friends who are also learning Qur’anic Arabic will solidify your understanding. Speaking and listening regularly will make complex structures feel natural.

10. Memorize Short Surahs with Meaning

Memorizing short surahs while deeply understanding their meaning will reinforce your learning. Surahs like Al-Fatiha, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas are rich with linguistic gems.

Connecting their words to meanings will make them stick permanently in your memory inshaAllah.