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Three Levels of Understanding (Opening: 5) Learn more about our Foundations certificate
Most Commonly Asked Questions about FoundationsIs this course for beginners?If you can read the Quran but haven’t studied any other Arabic, this class is designed for you.What will I learn?We take you from knowing minimal Arabic to translating entire sentences from Arabic to English and a vocabulary bank of 300+ words in both Standard and
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Downloadable Books and Core Texts
Grammica's Essentials Textbook (Free PDF)
Learn Arabic online with the best Arabic grammar book in English that we know of.
A New Arabic Grammar Of The Written Language (Haywood and Nahmad)
The essential study guide to Arabic grammar-- A true classic in the field.
In addition to Qur'an selections, fables, stories, newspaper extracts, letters, and excerpts from classical and modern Arabic writings are included. The book contains 52 chapters with a vocabulary of over 4,000 words.
It will serve as a basis for further and deeper study of this classical language and its literature; at the same time it will help to form a good foundation for those who wish to concentrate on the modern written language of literature and the daily press.
This is above all a practical grammar. It is meant for the beginner who is not familiar with the peculiarities of the Semetic languages. Nevertheless, it is comprehensive enough for most students' needs in the first two or three years of study.
Mukhtarat min adab al-'Arab by Abul Hasan al-Nadwi
Abul Hasan al-Nadwi's Mukhtarat is a compilation of some of the most eloquent pieces of literature in the Arab and Muslim literary corpus, from the beginning of Islam to the 20th century. It includes words of Hasan al-Basri, Ghazali, Jahiz, Ibn Khaldoun, and Ibn Jawzi as well as stories of Imam Ahmad's imprisonment, the passing aways of Salah al-din, and the the Shama'il by al-Tirmidhi.
Ihya 'ulum al-din by Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali
Imam Ghazali's masterpiece on Islamic Spirituality. Study selections of this text in our Advanced certificate.
Hans Wehr Dictionary
The widely-used Arabic to English dictionary that will serve you well in translating texts. While this is ultimately a dictionary o f Modern Written Arabic, it is indispensable in translating classical works.
al-Qira'at al-Rashida by Abul Hasan al-Nadwi
Abul Hasan al-Nadwi's guided reader for beginner to intermediate levels. One should be familiar with all the vocabulary in this book. Ideal for the student who has completed the Essentials certificate and wants to develop vocabulary.
al-Qasas al-Nabiyyin
Abul Hasan al-Nadwi's stories of the prophets. Begins slow and increases in complexity. Excellent for applying grammar one has learned. Students can access grammatical walkthroughs of this book through our Essentials certificate.
80% words used in the Quran
Common words used in the Quran. Aspiring students of classical Arabic should know all the words in these lists.
Arabic Through the Qur'an
Designed for students with some prior knowledge of Arabic, this resource focuses on deepening understanding of grammar and vocabulary through examples from the Quran. The first 9 chapters are covered in our Foundations certificate.
A popular beginner-friendly series used around the world, the Madinah Arabic Reader introduces students to Arabic grammar and vocabulary step by step. Originally developed for non-native learners at the Islamic University of Madinah, it helps build a solid foundation for moving on to the Essentials certificate.
Books on Advanced Arabic Grammar
al-Nahw al-Wadhifi النحو الوظيفي
A contemporary nahw book with exercises and answers. Thorough and organized yet requires a good vocabulary base. Many examples are drawn from poetry.
al-Misbah al-Munir المصباح المنير
A classical Arabic to Arabic dictionary that is useful for sarf. Written in a terse style that assumes basic knowledge of the language, al-Misbah al-Munir comes to one's aid where modern dictionaries fall short.
المُعجَم الوسيط al-Mujam al-Wasit
For those classical words which you cannot find in Hans Wehr. This is an accessible Arabic to Arabic dictionary with both contemporary and classical words.
External Audio/ Video Materials
Introduction to The Quran Beheld (Audio)
The author, Sheikh Nuh Keller, reads the introduction to The Quran Beheld. A must-read for any student of classical Arabic.
How to master this tradition - Hamza Yusuf on learning grammar
Videos on Arabic Grammar
Read Arabic Poetry
Qasida Burda: Chapter 3
A line unpacked from the most famous ode sung in praise of the Prophet, peace be upon him.
Read from Imam Ghazali's "Dear Beloved Son"
By the time one has reached 40 years
First Advice (Part 2)
The Sliding "Lam"
One of the many ways emphasis is used, with examples from the Quran and Ghazali's "Dear Beloved Son."
Read from Imam Ghazali's "Dear Beloved Son"
On Allah's turning away from the servant
First Advice (Part 1)
Read from Imam Ghazali's "Dear Beloved Son"
Imam Ghazali's letter to a disciple.
Introduction
Beginner's Tip: Partially Inflected Nouns
Most prophetic names in the Quran never take a kasra as do other names.
Watch this beginner's tip to find out why
Nouns that have grammatical impact
Some nouns take a direct object.
Watch this short clip to see an example.
Hans Wehr Series Part 2: Multiple voweling options for the same root
(discussed in the Essentials course)
Six verb patterns (الأبواب الستة)
(discussed in the Essentials course)
Hans Wehr Series Part 1: Introduction to the Dictionary
(discussed in the Essentials course)
Sounds Plurals and Broken Plurals
(discussed in the Essentials course)
The Hal (circumstantial qualifier)
(discussed in the Essentials course)
Articles on Arabic Grammar
- PDF 1 page
Difference between Sound Plurals and Broken Plurals (جمع التكسير /جمع السالم)
- PDF 3 pages
Difference between Transitive Verbs and Intransitive Verbs in Arabic (فعل متعد و فعل لازم)
- PDF 5 pages
What is an adjective in Arabic ? (النعت/الصفة)
- PDF 4 pages
The Idafa Construction (الإضافة)
- PDF 2 pages
Forming the command tense verb in Arabic (الفعل الأمر)
- PDF 1 page