Question

Is it important for a Muslim to learn to speak Arabic?

Answer

It is very important for a Muslim to learn how to read and understand Arabic, so that he/she can understand Allah’s words in the Qur’an.  Translations are done by humans, are subject to the translators interpretation of the original Arabic revelation, and can never do justice to Allah’s words.  Certainly a Muslim needs to learn how to recite and understand the Qur’an, and this can only be done through learning Arabic.  Learning to speak Arabic will help in pronunciation and further understanding of the Qur’an, but it should be classical Arabic.  Learning to speak colloquial Arabic will help to a degree depending on which dialect one learns, but learning the pure classical Arabic is the key to reading, understanding, and applying our Creator’s Words.