Could You Recommend Useful Dictionaries and Quranic Explanations for a Beginner in Arabic?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Asalaamu alaykum,

1) Could you please mention what dictionary to have for Islamic studies?

2) Could you recommend any authentic tafseer of the Qur’an with “Arabic novice” in mind?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.

(1) It depends on the specific subject as the recommendations would differ. In general, however, Fayyumi’s Misbah al-Munir is excellent, particularly for students of law; and similarly Nasafi’s Tilbat al-Talaba and Razi’s Mukhtar al-Sahah. Other general, useful works include Jurjani’s Ta`rifat and Munawi’s al-Tawqif `ala Muhimmat al-Ta`arif.

(2) Sabuni’s work is useful for a beginner, as is Tantawi’s Tafsir al-Wasit. The latter is far more detailed, and useful for even intermediate or advanced students, even if only for reference, but is written in an easy to read format.

And Allah alone gives success.

wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani