Quora Answer: Is It Better to Read the Qur’an in Arabic without Understanding, or a Translation?

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “Is it better to read Qur’an in Arabic, even if you do not understand it, or in translation where you do understand?” 

This is dependent on your intent. But a Muslim should engage in both.  Reading the Qur’an in Arabic is to partake in the barakah, Blessing, of the language of Revelation.  It is food for the soul and there is spiritual benefit in it, whether you realise or do not realise.  It is like the man is told to take certain foods and he eats it without understanding what it does for the body, but it keeps him healthy.  ‘Ibadah, acts of worship, are food for the soul. 

Reading the translation gives you a general idea of the text, and that helps you understand.  Understanding is important since when we understand something, we are more likely to subscribe to it, and that affirms our adherence to the faith.  And with that, we build a relationship with the Qur’an, and the people Mentioned within, so that we acquire the desire to be like the pious predecessors in our ethics and values.