Views of the Muslim Scholars

“I consider the noble endeavors of Dr Surty to teach Arabic, the language of the Noble Qur’an, which remained alive among Arabs for more than fourteen centuries, as praise worthy. It is also the language of the Traditions of the Messenger of Allah and from where stems all the Islamic Shari‘ah which is followed by Muslims throughout the world. Among the tasks which Dr Surty accomplished is compiling a book comprising of lessons to teach Qur’anic Arabic based on introducing its vocabulary and expanding its meaning to the students in a simple direct method taking into consideration the context and atmosphere of Britain and Western countries. Two aims have been achieved by his approach: teaching Arabic language in general and Qur’anic terms in particular. His attempt deserves recognition and admiration. I am hopeful that students who wish to learn Arabic will find the book very useful. In collaboration with Dr Surty and on his request, I am contributing this introduction to his book.”

- Shaykh Sayyed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi

“I am much obliged to Dr Surty who kindly showed me his book and explained its teaching methodology. I found the book and its methodology a new approach to facilitate the teaching of the language of the Qur’an. I am hopeful that this novel book will promote its universal usage and help teachers of Arabic as a second language to follow his new methods. Any efforts in this direction will be very rewarding since teaching Qur’anic Arabic is certainly included in the saying of the Prophet: ‘the best of you is he who learns and teaches the Qur’an’.”

- Professor Dr Shaykh Idris

“Arabic language has been honored to be the language of the Noble Qur’an. Beginners always find difficulties in the comprehension of this language which increases the need to develop new methods of teaching it. This big challenge has been confronted by the author who compiled this valuable and extremely useful work based on his long experience and aptitude of research. He has succeeded in its presentation as he has selected its examples and applications mainly from the Qur’an, in addition to some extracts from Hadith, proverbs and wise sayings.”

- Professor Dr Ahmed Ali al-Imam

“Having gone through the work, I have found it to be unique. It is a book seeking to teach Arabic with the Holy Qur’an as its focus. Every word used in this important book is to be found in the Holy Qur’an and in the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad. By the time one reads this book through, one would end up not only learning Arabic vocabulary and grammar, but becoming very well acquainted with the teachings of Islam. In this well researched work, Dr Surty, no doubt putting to good use his long experience in teaching Arabic to non-Arabs, has started with the assumption that the reader is an absolute beginner. This book is a must for all those who wish to learn Qur’anic Arabic without tears. I commend it to all non-Arabic speaking people who want to learn Qur’anic Arabic easily.”

- Professor Dr Abubakar A. Gwandu

“It is a great monumental work based on several years of teaching experience at University level as well as at the Muslim Community. This work provides an opportunity to millions who are not versed in the Arabic language to comprehend the Qur’an in its revealed language. The teachers of Arabic will find great comfort. I strongly recommend the course and pray for its success.”

- Dr. S. M. Darsh

“Undoubtedly, there is a great need for text books which introduce Qur’anic Arabic to English speakers. I studied Dr Surty’s book with interest and found it a pioneer work in its field which excels most of the literature available before it. I am very sure that beginners will find the book extremely useful.”

- Dr Bustami Khir

“This book fills a major gap in the field of Arabic language teaching. Very well written, systematically compiled to make Qur’anic Arabic easy to learn and a joy to teach. The author manages in this work to combine a scholar’s depth with Arabic teacher’s skills to produce a masterpiece in Qur’anic studies that make the eyebrows of all experts rise.”

- Dr Mawil Izzi Dien