Resources dedicated to helping the Chicago Muslim Convert/Revert

New converts will surely take note of their seemingly sudden and frequent encounters with the Arabic language. After all, the Qur'ân is written in Arabic, the 5 daily prayers are recited in Arabic, and there seem to be endless Arabic terms when reading about Islam.

If you do not have a deep understanding of the Arabic language, then you must rely on translations of the Qur'ân to learn about Islam and to understand what is recited in the prayers. While the Arabic Qur'ân is perfectly preserved, each interpretation is different, and often the precision in the meaning may be slightly or significantly lost or limited upon translation. Therefore, it is imperative that converts learn Arabic.

In addition to learning Arabic, emphasis is placed upon properly learning how to recite the Qur'ân in Arabic - this is known as tajweed. Visit this page for more information about tajweed. You should learn proper tajweed from a qualified teacher.

Details regarding the history and evolution of the Arabic Type can be found on this website. Below is information about learning the Arabic alphabet, common Arabic or Islamic phrases, and where one can learn the Arabic language.

Free online guides for learning the Arabic alphabet

• Overview of the Arabic alphabet, review of the alphabet letters and sounds - http://www.shariahprogram.ca/Arabic-alphabet.shtml
• Short videos on iTunesU demonstrating writing technique for each letter of the alphabet - http://deimos3.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Browse/frontrange-cc-public.2220371446
• http://www.madinaharabic.com/start_learning.html
• http://lexicorient.com/babel/arabic/
• Help pronouncing “tricky” Arabic letters: http://www.arabiccomplete.com/videos/sample_video_heavy_light_letters.htm

Free online guides for learning Arabic phrases

• Basic greetings with transliteration and audio clips: http://www.softarabic.com/2010/01/hellos-and-greetings-in-arabic/
• Additional Arabic phrases (no audio clips): http://www.linguanaut.com/english_arabic.htm and http://arabic.speak7.com/arabic_phrases101.htm
• Excellent overview of basic Arabic words and sentence structure, practices (no greetings): http://www.madinaharabic.com/Arabic_Language_Course/Lessons/

List of common Islamic terms

• View our page of common Islamic terms here.

Free in-person Arabic instruction in Chicagoland

• The Muslim Community Center in Chicago offers one-on-one assistance in learning the Arabic alphabet and basic Arabic. For more information, call 773-725-9047.

Formal programs in Chicagoland for learning the Arabic language

• The Darul-Qasim Islamic Studies programin Glenn Ellyn is a three-year course in which the student becomes familiar with the Arabic language through studying the traditional grammar disciplines of Sarf (morphology) and Nahw (syntax), and acquires the requisite tools for understanding Fiqh (Islamic law), 'Aqidah (Islamic doctrine and theology), Hadith (Prophetic traditions), and Tafsir (Qur'ânic exegesis). For more information, visit their website http://www.darulqasim.org/Curriculum.aspx.
• In downtown Chicago, the University of Chicago Graham School of General Studies offers a 3-year Arabic Language and Cultures program with a certificate earned at the end of each year. One of the editors for this website is currently attending this program. For more information, visit this page https://grahamschool.uchicago.edu/php/arabiclanguageandcultures/.
• The Islamic Learning Foundation is a branch of the Islamic Circle of North America and offers group and 1:1 Arabic classes. Their Arabic classes teach the principles of Arabic Grammar as employed in the Qur'ân, provide rigorous speaking curriculum, and provide an Arabic program mirroring the Al-Fajr Arabic Center in Egypt.The program consists of 5 courses over a 2 years.

Free online tutorials for learning the Arabic language

• http://www.madinaharabic.com/start_learning.html
• http://www.80percentwords.com/ - Quiz to help one learn words from the Qur'ân.

Formal online Arabic language programs

• Sharia Program - 2 year online course, either self-study or with live tutorials.
• E-Jaazah - Offers Arabic and other classes for only $8 per month.

In addition to the online guides, a useful book that most university Arabic classes use is “Alif Baa with Multimedia” by Kristen Brustad, Mahmoud Al-Batal, and Abbas Al-Tonsi. ISBN #978-1-58901-506-7. The book provides endless written exercises and the CD provides audio quizzes and instructions on writing each letter.