Exposing Islam

Islam’s Universality vs. Its Arab Origins:

A Deep Dive into an Important Question

Introduction: Islam’s Universal Message Amid Its Arab Roots

Islam is presented as a universal religion — a divine message meant for all of humanity, regardless of race, nationality, or language. The Qur’an declares that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was sent as a “mercy to the worlds”:

“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.”
— (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:107)

Yet at the same time, Islam is deeply rooted in the Arabic language, Arab culture, and the Arabian Peninsula. The Qur’an is revealed in Arabic, the daily prayers (Salah) are performed in Arabic, and the rituals of Hajj are centered around the Kaaba in Mecca. This has led some to question whether Islam is truly a universal faith or if it is fundamentally an Arab religion.

This article will provide a detailed and comprehensive exploration of why Islam is so closely tied to Arab culture, while remaining a faith meant for all of humanity.

1. The Divine Choice of Arabic: A Language of Revelation

A. Arabic as the Language of the Qur’an

The Qur’an was revealed in classical Arabic, a language known for its richness, depth, and expressive power. Allah states clearly in the Qur’an:

“Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’an that you might understand.”
— (Surah Yusuf 12:2)
Arabic was chosen as the language of revelation because of its linguistic precision and capacity to convey complex spiritual and legal concepts.
Classical Arabic is considered a language of unparalleled eloquence, which allowed the Qur’an to be a literary and rhetorical miracle in its original form.

B. The Universality of the Arabic Qur’an

Although the Qur’an is in Arabic, its message is not confined to the Arab people:
- The Qur’an itself declares its universality:
  “And this [Qur’an] is a message for all of humanity…”
  — (Surah Sad 38:87)
- Muslims around the world are encouraged to study and understand the Qur’an in their native languages, with countless translations available.
Arabic is a sacred language for Islamic worship, but understanding the meaning of the Qur’an is encouraged for all.

2. The Arabian Peninsula: The Cradle of Prophethood

A. A Region of Monotheistic Tradition

The Arabian Peninsula is not an arbitrary choice for the final revelation:
- According to Islamic tradition, it is the land of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail (Ishmael), who were the first to establish the Kaaba in Mecca as a center of monotheistic worship.
- The Qur’an frequently highlights the connection between the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the legacy of Ibrahim:
  “And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. It is the religion of your father, Abraham.”
  — (Surah Al-Hajj 22:78)

B. Mecca and Medina: Sacred Cities of Revelation

Mecca is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the site of the Kaaba, the direction of prayer (Qiblah) for all Muslims.
Medina is the city of the Prophet’s migration (Hijrah) and the place where the Muslim community was first established.
The choice of these cities is seen as a continuation of the legacy of monotheism, going back to Ibrahim.

C. A Geographical and Cultural Center

The Arabian Peninsula was a region of diverse tribes, languages, and trade routes, making it a crossroads of civilizations.
The Prophet’s message spread rapidly due to the interconnected nature of the region, and the Arabic language became a vehicle for the universal message of Islam.

3. The Universality of Islamic Rituals Despite Their Arab Roots

A. Salah (Prayer) in Arabic: A Unified Worship

The five daily prayers (Salah) are performed in Arabic, regardless of a Muslim’s native language. This is not a form of linguistic imperialism but a means of unifying the global Muslim community:
- Arabic prayer allows all Muslims to participate in the same ritual, regardless of nationality or language.
- A Muslim in Indonesia, Nigeria, or Turkey can pray alongside a Muslim from Saudi Arabia, understanding and participating in the same worship.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized the importance of maintaining the form of prayer as he taught it:
“Pray as you have seen me pray.”
— (Sahih Bukhari 631)

B. Hajj (Pilgrimage): A Ritual Rooted in Abrahamic Tradition

Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, is a ritual that directly commemorates the faith and devotion of Prophet Ibrahim, Hajar (Hagar), and Ismail:
- The Tawaf (circumambulation) around the Kaaba is a symbol of the unity of Muslims, all revolving around the One God.
- The Sa’i (running between Safa and Marwah) commemorates Hajar’s search for water.
- The Day of Arafat is a reminder of the final sermon of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the universality of the message of Islam.

C. Zakat (Charity): A Universal Obligation

Zakat is a form of obligatory charity that is not limited to Arabs or any specific ethnicity. It is a universal duty for all financially capable Muslims:
- The Qur’an emphasizes that Zakat is a means of social welfare, supporting the poor, the needy, and the oppressed, regardless of race or nationality.

D. The Universal Brotherhood of Islam

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ declared:
“There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab, nor of a non-Arab over an Arab, nor of a white person over a black person, except by piety.”
— (Musnad Ahmad 22978)
This hadith demonstrates that Islam rejects any form of ethnic superiority, including Arab nationalism.

4. The Spread of Islam Beyond the Arab World

A. The Rapid Expansion of Islam Across Cultures

Within a century of the Prophet’s death, Islam spread beyond the Arabian Peninsula to Persia, India, North Africa, Spain, and Central Asia.
Non-Arab Muslim civilizations, such as the Persians, Turks, Berbers, and Indians, became centers of Islamic scholarship, culture, and power.

B. The Role of Translation and Scholarship

Although the Qur’an is in Arabic, the Muslim world developed a rich tradition of translation and scholarship:
- Tafsir (Qur’anic exegesis) was written in Persian, Turkish, Urdu, Malay, and many other languages.
- Classical texts in Fiqh (Islamic law), Hadith, and philosophy were translated and commented upon by scholars of diverse ethnic backgrounds.
Non-Arab scholars such as Imam Bukhari (Uzbek), Imam Tirmidhi (Persian), Ibn Sina (Persian), and Al-Ghazali (Persian) played a major role in shaping Islamic thought.

5. Conclusion: Islam’s Universal Message Through an Arabic Lens

Islam’s connection to the Arabic language, Arab culture, and the Arabian Peninsula is a reflection of its historical origin — not a limitation of its universality. The Arabic language was chosen as the language of revelation for its precision and eloquence, but the message of Islam is meant for all of humanity:

The Qur’an declares itself as a message for “all the worlds.”
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was sent as a “mercy to all the worlds.”
Islamic rituals and laws, while expressed in Arabic, are practiced by a diverse global community.

Key Takeaways:

Islam is not an “Arab religion” but a universal faith with an Arabic linguistic and cultural heritage.
The Arabic language serves as a unifying factor for global Muslim worship, not a barrier to understanding.
The diversity of Islamic civilization — from Spain to China, from Persia to West Africa — demonstrates the universality of the message.

Islam may have been revealed in Arabia, but its message transcends all borders, languages, and cultures.