The Essence of Islam – Volume II — Page 9
Arabic the Mother of Tongues 9 guages present a distorted picture of the Arabic language. . To the degree to which this blessed language has been preserved in those languages in its true form, to that degree they shine like a ruby and attract the hearts with their charming beauty. But to the degree to which a language has been corrupted, to that degree its beauty and attractions have been reduced. It is obvious that a thing that proceeds from the hand of God continues to display extraordinary characteristics so long as it retains its original form, and man is not able to produce its match. But as soon as it falls away from its original condition, its shape and beauty are debased. . . . . The Arabic language operates like the wise person of refined taste who can express his meaning in diverse ways. For instance, a clever and intelligent person can sometimes accomplish with the movement of a brow, nose or hand that which normally requires expression in words; that is to say, he can convey his meaning through delicate nuances. This is a method also employed by. Arabic. Sometimes by the use of the definite article it conveys a meaning that would need several words in other languages. Similarly vowel points often serve a purpose which would require long phrases in other languages. Some brief words have surprisingly rich connotations; for instance, ‘araḍtu means ‘I have visited. Mecca and Medina and their environs', and tahfaltu means 'I am accustomed to eating bread made of. Cheena and have decided not to eat any other kind'. . . . . One of the characteristics of Arabic is that all the miscellaneous qualities of other languages are comprised in 2 A kind of cereal. [Publisher]