Arabic
From Bahai9
See Gleanings, section 87
Contents |
Usefulness of Arabic
“Such testimonies bearing on this theme ~[inestimable wealth which Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá bequeathed to posterity (in the greatness of this Day)] are impregnated with such power and reveal such beauty as only those who are versed in the languages in which they were originally revealed can claim to have sufficiently appreciated.”
- (See also Persian)
Regarding Arabic as a potential future world auxiliary language and question of importance for believers to study
“With regard to Arabic, in several Tablets Baha'u'llah praises the vastness and eloquence of the Arabic language, but in none of His Writings does He state that His followers are required to learn that language. In a number of instances `Abdu'l-Baha and the Guardian have both encouraged the believers in the West to learn Persian. Similarly, `Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi on occasion encouraged believers in Europe and Asia to study English. And, as you are no doubt aware, the involvement of the friends in the study of Esperanto has also been deemed praiseworthy. However, the choice as to which language will ultimately be selected as the international auxiliary language has been left by Baha'u'llah, in His Book of Laws, to the leaders of the nations or possibly to the House of Justice to decide.”
- (On behalf of the Universal House of Justice, an email dated 10 February 1998 to an individual)
Arabic is beautiful when chanted
"Question: In preparing the readings, shall we use only Holy Books extant and available in English for religions listed by you in the series of recognized Revelations?
"Reply: Yes. But if occasionally a reading is in another language there can be no objection, as long as the text is from a Holy Scripture. Persian, Arabic and Hebrew are all very beautiful when chanted.
- (Compilation on Service in Bahá'í Temples, no. 455, 10th question)
