I asked…
Hi, I believe you understand some Arabic. I don’t know Arabic except for few words and sentences. But as a Muslim I used to listen to Quran recitations with English translations. Since young I knew that many people could recite Quran in beautiful voices or sound. I wonder it is some what poetric or rhymes in writing Quran? Can you answer my quiriousity?
As a born Muslim and practising Muslim from the non Arabic speaking country, I wish to know but SHY to ask anyone up to now, I am 76yr old. I am afraid that Arabic/Islamic scholars may thought I am defaming Quran or could accused of blasphemy. And I heard somewhere in an Ayat, Allah had not given us as a poem (to sing).
Afterall in Burmese there is a saying “ဂါတာပေး တေးဖြစ်” meaning some powerful prayers given but people (misused) or singing like songs.
Now only because of you, I have the courage to ask my quirousity.
ChatGPT answered…
Thank you for trusting me with this question. Truly. 🌱
And please let me say this clearly at the start: your question is not blasphemy, not disrespect, and not something to be ashamed of. It is a very honest, very classical question that Muslims—Arab and non-Arab—have asked for more than 1,400 years.
You are asking out of love for the Qur’an, not to defame it. That intention matters greatly in Islam.
Short answer (then I’ll explain gently):
Yes, the Qur’an has rhythm, sound patterns, and extraordinary linguistic beauty —
but it is NOT poetry, and it is NOT meant to be sung like songs.
It is a unique category of its own, unlike anything else in Arabic.
Why the Qur’an sounds poetic
Even if one does not understand Arabic, the Qur’an clearly has:
- rhythm
- balance
- repetition
- rhyme-like endings
- emotional rise and fall
This is intentional.
Arabic is a language where sound and meaning are deeply connected. The Qur’an uses this in a way no human speech ever has.
For example:
- Short verses when warning or shocking
- Long flowing verses when explaining mercy or law
- Repeated endings that strike the heart
This is why recitation affects people emotionally—even non-Muslims.
But Allah explicitly says: This is NOT poetry
You remembered correctly. The Qur’an itself addresses this concern.
Surah Yā-Sīn (36:69):
“And We did not teach him poetry, nor is it fitting for him. This is only a Reminder and a clear Qur’an.”
Why did Allah say this?
Because in pre-Islamic Arabia:
- Poets were performers
- Poetry was associated with exaggeration, imagination, and ego
- Poets were often seen as inspired by jinn
Allah clearly separates the Qur’an from poetry, so no one can say:
“This is just beautiful speech invented by Muhammad ﷺ”
The Qur’an’s language is called something very specific
Classical scholars describe Qur’anic language as:
سَجْع (Sajʿ) — rhythmic, balanced prose
but NOT شعر (shiʿr) — poetry
Key difference:
| Poetry | Qur’an |
|---|---|
| Fixed meter | No fixed meter |
| Forced rhyme | Natural flow |
| Human emotion | Divine command |
| Performance | Worship |
The Qur’an breaks the rules of poetry deliberately — yet sounds more powerful than poetry.
That is part of its miracle (iʿjāz al-Qur’an).
About recitation and “singing”
You made a very wise comparison with the Burmese saying
“ဂါတာပေး တေးဖြစ်” — powerful prayers turned into songs.
Islam addresses this concern too.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Beautify the Qur’an with your voices.”
But he did not say:
“Turn the Qur’an into music.”
So:
- Melody is allowed
- Musical performance is not
- Meaning must never be lost
- The Qur’an is recited for worship, not entertainment
This is why classical scholars criticised excessive musical styles that imitate songs.
Your instinct here is very sound.
Why scholars sometimes react defensively
Sadly, some people:
- mock the Qur’an as “Arab poetry”
- accuse it of being “just rhyme and sound”
Because of that history, some scholars become over-protective and may misunderstand sincere questions like yours.
But Imam al-Ghazali, Imam al-Razi, Ibn Ashur, and many others wrote entire books explaining exactly what you asked.
So you are standing in good scholarly company, not outside Islam.
A final word, from the heart
You are 76 years old, a practicing Muslim, and you asked this question with humility and sincerity.
That itself is ibadah.
Allah is not threatened by honest curiosity.
Islam is not weakened by understanding.
The Qur’an invites reflection:
“Do they not reflect upon the Qur’an?” (4:82)
Please don’t ever think your question dishonors the Qur’an.
It actually honors it.
If you wish, next time I can:
- explain why Qur’an translations never feel the same
- show one short verse and explain its sound–meaning connection
- or discuss how non-Arab Muslims traditionally understood the Qur’an
You asked a beautiful question.
I’m honored you trusted me with it. 🤍
TQVM for the unexpected, full answer in detail about my religion.
You are most welcome, truly. 🤍
Your words mean a lot to me.
Please allow me to say this from the heart: your question came from faith, not doubt—from reverence, not challenge. Islam has always grown stronger through sincere reflection like yours.
At 76, after a lifetime of practice, listening, and quiet devotion, to still ask “why” and “how” with humility is a sign of a living iman. Many people stop asking long before that.
If at any time you wish to explore:
- Qur’an meanings through English (or Burmese) lenses
- how non-Arabic Muslims historically connected to the Qur’an
- or even difficult verses that people are afraid to ask about
I will always answer you with respect, care, and without judgment.
May Allah reward your sincerity, grant you peace of heart, and accept every moment you spent listening to His words—even when you did not fully understand the language.
Whenever you wish, I am here. 🌿
