Academic Arabic Studies: The Experience of a Foreign Student at the College of Islamic Sciences

Introduction

I realized that studying the Arabic language at the College of Islamic Sciences would present a genuine challenge in my academic journey—especially as a foreign student without a deep prior background that would enable me to fully understand religious and literary texts or grasp the cultural and social contexts of these sciences.

There was also a clear need to develop structured, precise academic expression skills, turning every lecture and every text into an opportunity for learning and applying Arabic in practice.

The First Challenge: Facing the Language in University Classrooms

In my first weeks at the college, I faced compounded difficulty in dealing with Qur’anic texts, Hadith literature, ancient manuscripts, and precise Islamic legal terms such as rajjah (preponderance), qiyās (analogy), ijmāʿ (consensus), and fiqh opinion.

The challenges also included complex literary and rhetorical texts that required understanding layered sentence structures and precise stylistic devices.

I could grasp the general meaning, but when reading complex passages I would rely on simpler expressions to avoid mistakes—while keeping a dedicated list of new academic terms such as madhāhib fiqhiyyah (schools of Islamic jurisprudence), Qur’anic text, mutawātir hadith (mass-transmitted Hadith), istidlāl (reasoning), taʿlīl sharʿī (legal justification), ṣaḥīḥ hadith (authentic Hadith), and ḍaʿīf hadith (weak Hadith)—researching their meanings to add to my academic vocabulary.

Study Plan: Focusing on Academic Arabic and Islamic Studies

1. Studying Classical Religious Texts

To excel as a foreign student, I focused on concise readings of key religious works such as tafsīr (Qur’anic exegesis) and Hadith collections, paying attention to complex sentence structures and foundational legal terms such as fiqh concept, ḥukm sharʿī (legal ruling), istinbāṭ (derivation), and naṣṣ ṣarīḥ (explicit text). My approach included:

• Note-taking: Recording definitions and examples in a dedicated notebook to reinforce retention.
• Lesson review: Connecting terms to their academic context.
• Daily summaries: Spending 15–20 minutes summarizing and analyzing before each lecture.

2. Studying Classical Literary and Poetic Texts

I focused on concise readings of classical Arabic literature and poetry to understand both ideas and linguistic style, emphasizing:

• Rhetorical analysis: Studying imagery and metaphor to sharpen literary sensitivity.
• Complex sentence comprehension: Breaking down advanced grammatical structures and interpreting subtle meanings.
• Detailed note-taking: Recording key ideas, literary expressions, and rhetorical devices.
• Poetry reading: Analyzing selected verses, identifying rhyme and meter to appreciate the internal rhythm of the text, and revisiting previous summaries to connect texts with their literary and historical context.

3. Reviewing Grammar and Morphology

Through targeted grammar study, I improved my ability to:

• Syntactic analysis: Distinguish between nominal and verbal sentences and identify the role of verbs, subjects, and objects.
• Morphological analysis: Study root forms and derivatives (e.g., istinbāṭ, ijmāʿ, ḥukm sharʿī).
• Contextual interpretation: Differentiate between literal and intended meanings in legal and poetic texts.

4. Mastering Key Islamic Legal Terms

Memorizing core terms such as Islamic legal source, ijtihād (independent reasoning), qiyās sharʿī (legal analogy), and ijmāʿ-based text was a turning point in accurately reading religious sources.

This memorization allowed me to understand the legal context of each text, identify the derived ruling with ease, and follow lectures without constant dictionary reference.

It also enabled me to confidently use these terms in academic writing and structured text analysis, strengthening my participation in classroom discussions.

5. Using Educational Applications

I relied on the “Teach Me Arabic” app to strengthen my reading and comprehension skills, benefiting from interactive exercises and structured content designed to improve text analysis and precise vocabulary understanding.

Through the app, I worked with qualified instructors specializing in teaching Arabic to non-native speakers and attended interactive lessons that allowed me to ask questions and practice language in a realistic academic context.

This combination of technology and live practice accelerated my ability to absorb terms and texts, improving my reading, analysis, and writing skills—while maintaining a consistent daily study routine of at least one hour.

6. Understanding Linguistic Features and Practical Aspects

As a foreign student, I discovered that the structured nature of Arabic sentences—whether nominal or verbal—directly helped me navigate complex religious and literary texts and organize my thoughts with greater precision.

The correspondence between pronunciation and spelling also made it easier to learn precise academic terms such as istinbāṭ, taʿlīl sharʿī, and balāghī analysis more quickly and accurately.

These features not only clarified my understanding of texts but also enhanced my analytical and academic expression skills, enabling me to use Arabic with confidence in university settings.

7. Time Management and Practical Application

I dedicated time to listening to recorded lectures while taking notes, producing academic-style summaries of religious and literary texts, and rewriting old manuscripts while analyzing style and grammar.

I also studied classical poetry to deepen my sense of rhythm, rhyme, and meter.

This hands-on approach turned theoretical knowledge into practical, tangible skills.

Linguistic and Academic Challenges & the Role of Practice

I struggled at first to distinguish between the apparent meaning and the inferred meaning of legal texts and to understand their historical and cultural context to avoid misinterpretation.

Pronouncing specialized terms correctly during classroom discussions was another challenge—along with adapting to academic Standard Arabic while navigating classmates’ dialects in casual conversation.

However, through daily practice and consistent text analysis, my comprehension improved, my ability to write reports and analyze texts became sharper, and I could adopt academic vocabulary more naturally—while reducing grammatical errors.

This immersion built the confidence I needed to interact with professors and peers, making Arabic a true academic tool for Islamic studies and research.

Practical Tips for Learning Arabic in University Studies

Based on my experience, I recommend the following for foreign students:

• Daily commitment: Set fixed times for reading, listening, writing, and reviewing grammar.
• Integrated skill development: Practice reading, listening, and academic writing alongside text analysis.
• Patience and correction: Record your voice to refine pronunciation and master technical terms.
• Clear objectives: Tie your study goals to specific fields, such as Islamic jurisprudence or classical literature.
• Active engagement: Join class discussions and attend lectures regularly.
• Balance between Standard Arabic and dialects: Master academic Standard Arabic first, then study dialects as needed.
• Smart technology use: Utilize educational apps like “Teach Me Arabic” and digital resources for comprehension and pronunciation.
• Collaborative learning: Join study groups and academic clubs to exchange knowledge and practice language in real contexts.

By following these strategies, I transformed Arabic learning from a mere academic requirement into a practical, immersive experience that strengthened my reading, writing, and analytical skills.

Conclusion

Through daily practice and systematic text analysis, I transformed theoretical knowledge into applied skills—gaining confidence in handling religious, literary, and poetic works, and understanding the historical and linguistic context of specialized terms.

This growth significantly improved my academic participation and classroom discussions.

In the end, I realized that persistence and regular investment in language skills lead to tangible results in comprehension and academic analysis, making Arabic a powerful tool for academic excellence and scholarly research.

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