1983-February-18

A.M. Journal

Muhammad Speaks

Imam W. Deen Muhammad

QUESTION: Would you please share some of the general Arabic language study techniques that you used as you progressed from a beginner to advanced studies?

IWDM: I find that nothing beats a good Arabic teacher, a good instructor.

Once you have a good instructor what you need to do is try to find some time at home to study lessons and assignments. Challenge yourself. Find simple Arabic script and force yourself to read it. Push yourself to read it.

Another excellent help, I find, is in tapes, especially tapes by the late El-Hussary from Egypt, where the recitation or recital of the Quran is very slow and very clear. Al-Hussary's recital is very clear, and they have a tape out now by Al-Hussary that's very slow. Listen to that in your spare time also. I can be reading other books, I can be doing other things, I can be working, going through materials at home and the tape is playing in the background. It helps a lot.