Arabic speaking world

People who speak Arabic as their primary language make up fewer than 20% of the Muslim population worldwide. The adjacent map shows, in green, places around the world where Arabic is spoken as the primary language. A person is regarded as an Arab if they meet one of the following three criteria:

1. Someone who can trace their ancestry to the tribes of Arabia (the Arabian Peninsula).
2. Someone who speaks Arabic as their primary language.
3. Any person who is a citizen of a country where Arabic is the national language.

Although the words Arab and Muslim are often used interchangeably they do not mean the same thing. Many Arabs are not Muslims and most Muslims are not Arabs.

Given that Islam originated in Arabia at a time when history was being meticulously recorded allowed Arabic to be infused into many of the ritual practices of Islam. The fact that the Quran was revealed in Arabic and it has been preserved till date in the language of its revelation affords the language of Arabic a special role in Muslim communities.

Certain religious rituals, such as prayers, require some of the utterances be made in Arabic. This is no different than the practices in many Christian denominations which require prayers to be in Latin. Judaism also requires ritual prayers in Hebrew. Similarly, Eastern religions such as Hinduism also require certain religious rituals to be conducted in Sanskrit.

Many non-Arab Muslims make extreme effort to learn Arabic as this enhances their ability to access sacred texts without the need for any translations. Understanding Arabic allows Muslims to better appreciate the linguistic majesty of the Quran, which they view to be the final revelation from God.

In Islam there are many forms of prayers and supplications. The prayer that Muslims are most often identified with are the obligatory prayers, which are prayed 5 times a day. Prayers are viewed as a direct link between the worshiper and God, without the need for any intermediaries. Each obligatory prayer can take anywhere between 5 to 10 minutes.

The obligatory prayers are to be completed during dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall each day. Although it is permissible to pray at home, at work, or even outdoors, it is recommended that Muslims perform their obligatory prayers in congregations at a mosque. The word mosque comes from the Arabic masjid, meaning “a place of prostration.” At home families often pray together. Prayers are obligatory on any person who has reached the age of puberty, both male and female.

There are a few pre-requisites for prayers. 1. Performing of ablution (Wudu), 2. Purity of the body, clothes and ground used for prayer, 3. Dressing properly (modestly and covering the body) 4. Having the intention to pray in order to please God and 5. Facing the Qiblah (the direction of the Kaaba at Mecca).

Friday’s are a special day for prayers. The noon congregational prayer on Friday afternoons is mandated to be a collective and is preceded by a sermon (Khutba). The Imam (prayer leader) need not be an ordained priest. Considerations of scholarship and knowledge of the religion are primary reasons for choosing someone to be the Imam (prayer leader).