Disciple: When I read the Quran, I felt that Quran and Islam are only for the Arabs. My claim is based on the given verses (interpretations given):
Also, from some other verses, I found it crystal clear that Muhammad is the prophet of Arabs and only Arabs:
Guru: You’re right. There are many more verses in Koran which justify your claims, the ones you mentioned being the most critical. Islam has arisen from a very restricted geographical area, to be spread among them native Arab-speakers. It is unambiguous. Koran was introduced “only” for the Arabs. Even if you look at the typical Koranic life-style, it’s perspicuous that Islam was envisaged for extreme desert climate. Have you observed the piety that they have for water? Before their daily prayers, they wash their hands in a distinct fashion, from wrist to elbow*. This is to minimize the use of water. Sweating (bad odor) is excessive in deserts, thus the use of perfumes became a common practice. When you read the Koran rationally, you will find that many such good practices, relevant for hot climate has been appended into their religion. That also makes it unsuitable for all lands and all times.
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41.3 (Fussilat):
كِتَٰبٌ فُصِّلَتْ ءَايَٰتُهُۥ قُرْءَانًا عَرَبِيًّا لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ
Yusuf Ali: A Book, whereof the verses are explained in detail- a Qur'an in Arabic, for people who understand (Arabic)
Maududi: A Book whose verses have been well-expounded; an Arabic Qur'an for those who have knowledge.
[obvious that the book was written for native Arab speakers - people of Arabia]
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41.44 (Fussilat):
وَلَوْ جَعَلْنَٰهُ قُرْءَانًا أَعْجَمِيًّا لَّقَالُوا۟ لَوْلَا فُصِّلَتْ ءَايَٰتُهُۥٓ ۖ ءَا۬عْجَمِىٌّ وَعَرَبِىٌّ ۗ قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ هُدًى وَشِفَآءٌ ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ فِىٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ وَقْرٌ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِمْ عَمًى ۚ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ يُنَادَوْنَ مِن مَّكَانٍۭ بَعِيدٍ
Maududi: Had We revealed this as a non-Arabic Qur'an they would have said: “Why were its verses not clearly expounded? How strange, a non-Arabic scripture and an Arab audience!” Tell them: “It is a guidance and a healing to the believers. But to those who do not believe, it serves as a plug in their ears and a covering over their eyes. It is as if they are being called from a place far away."
Ahmad Ali: If We had made it a discourse in an obscure tongue, they would have said: "Why were its revelations not expounded distinctly? A foreign tongue and an Arab (audience)?" Say: "For those who believe it is a guidance and a healing; but for those who do not believe it is a deafness in the ears, and a blindness. They are those one calls to from far away.Arabic.
[Arab audience - confirms the previous point.]
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43.3 (Az Zukhruf):
إِنَّا جَعَلْنَٰهُ قُرْءَٰنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ
Amhad Khan: We have indeed sent it as a Qur’an in the Arabic language, so that you may understand.
Maududi: verily We have made it an Arabic Qur'an that you may understand.
Yusuf Ali: We have made it a Qur'an in Arabic, that ye may be able to understand (and learn wisdom).
Hilali & Khan: We verily, have made it a Quran in Arabic, that you may be able to understand (its meanings and its admonitions).
[Evidently, the verses address native Arabs - the book is for them to understand. Had the book not been in Arabic, you (Arab) will not understand]
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42.7 (Ash Shura):
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ قُرْءَانًا عَرَبِيًّا لِّتُنذِرَ أُمَّ ٱلْقُرَىٰ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا وَتُنذِرَ يَوْمَ ٱلْجَمْعِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ۚ فَرِيقٌ فِى ٱلْجَنَّةِ وَفَرِيقٌ فِى ٱلسَّعِيرِ
Amhad Khan: And this is how We have divinely revealed to you the Qur’an in Arabic, for you to warn the people of the mother of all towns – Mecca – and those around it, and to warn of the Day of Assembling of which there is no doubt; a group is in Paradise, and another group is in hell.
Maududi: And thus did We reveal this Arabic Qur'an to you that you may warn the people of the Mother of Cities (to wit, Makkah) and those who dwell around it; and warn them of the Day of Gathering concerning which there is no doubt: whereon some will be in Paradise, and some in the Blazing Fire.
Muhammad Sarwar: We have revealed the Quran to you in the Arabic language so that you could warn the people of the Mother Town (Mecca) and those around it of the inevitable Day of Resurrection when some will go to Paradise and others to hell.
Qaribullah: As such We have revealed to you an Arabic Koran, so that you can warn the Mother of Villages (Mecca) and all who live about it, and that you also warn them of the Day of Gathering in which there is no doubt that a division will be in Paradise, and a division in the Blaze.
Sahih Intl: And thus We have revealed to you an Arabic Qur'an that you may warn the Mother of Cities [Makkah] and those around it and warn of the Day of Assembly, about which there is no doubt. A party will be in Paradise and a party in the Blaze.
Wahihuddin Khan: Thus We revealed to you, this Arabic Quran so that you may warn the mother of cities [Makkah] and those around it, and warn them of the Day of Gathering which is sure to come: when some group will be in the Garden, and some will be in the Fire.
[The book is concerned only about Mecca and those around it (Arabs)]
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62.2 (Al Jumua):
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى بَعَثَ فِى ٱلْأُمِّيِّۦنَ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَإِن كَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ لَفِى ضَلَٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ
Muhammad Shakir: He it is Who raised among the inhabitants of Mecca an Apostle from among themselves, who recites to them His communications and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and the Wisdom, although they were before certainly in clear error.
Qaribullah: It is He who has raised among the illiterate (Arabs), a Messenger from themselves, to recite to them His verses, to purify them, and to teach them the Book and the Wisdom, though before that they were in clear error
[The Prophet addresses only the dwellers of Arabia - his people.]
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{Source: quranx.com}
[Multiple interpretations are given for confirmation; comments in blue are of the author]
Then why should people in other countries follow Islam?
Guru: You’re right. There are many more verses in Koran which justify your claims, the ones you mentioned being the most critical. Islam has arisen from a very restricted geographical area, to be spread among them native Arab-speakers. It is unambiguous. Koran was introduced “only” for the Arabs. Even if you look at the typical Koranic life-style, it’s perspicuous that Islam was envisaged for extreme desert climate. Have you observed the piety that they have for water? Before their daily prayers, they wash their hands in a distinct fashion, from wrist to elbow*. This is to minimize the use of water. Sweating (bad odor) is excessive in deserts, thus the use of perfumes became a common practice. When you read the Koran rationally, you will find that many such good practices, relevant for hot climate has been appended into their religion. That also makes it unsuitable for all lands and all times.
*Read an interesting story about the way Muslims use water: A Lesson in Washing - Muslim Style
Namaste!
ॐ Chidanandam ॐ
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