Can you give some tips for me as an English speaker, as I want to learn Arabic (mainly to understand the Qur’aan but also it would help with seeking knowledge of Islam in general). I can read Arabic but only understand the common words. I’ve been trying to learn the translation of surahs word by word but am not sure if this is the best way since I’m only learning vocabulary and not grammar.

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

We would like to thank you, dear brother, for your keenness on learning the Arabic language. There is no doubt that learning Arabic is a fundamental means to understand the Quran and Sunnah and learn the rulings of Islam. As for your wish to know the word-for-word meanings of the Quran or Sunnah texts, this is not contingent on learning the Arabic language because you can know their meanings by referring to the translation of these words in the translations of the meanings of the Quran or the translated Sunnah books. It is also known that learning the Arabic language is not limited to learning the meanings of Arabic words but rather includes learning how to read, write, and speak, and grammar as well. As for the best way to learn Arabic, it is not limited to one way that we could recommend for you. Our advice to you, dear brother, is to enroll in an Arabic teaching institute as they often have the educational expertise that would make this learning journey easier and shorter.

For more benefit on learning the Arabic language, please refer to Fataawa 372607, 328570, 86262, and 84799.

Allah Knows best.