The ratio of sacral and profane text in Arabic language textbooks

Abstract

The study of the Arabic language in Bosnia and Herzegovina takes an extremely long time. This paper analyzes textbooks created in the last hundred years that have been official textbooks in madrasas until today. These textbooks are Grammar of the Arabic Language I and II by Dr. Šaćir Sikirić, Muhamed Pašić, and Mehmed Handžić. The textbook printed in 1936 for the first time, remained in use for a long time. The students of the madrasa got religious education services. They were imams, hatibs, and Muslims. However, madrasa students can enroll in any college lately because the curriculum is no longer strictly religious. Therefore, students must master terminology used in religious service and in various scientific, cultural, artistic, or technical occupations and professions. In addition, language needs to be learned from basic, simple things to be able to communicate. Still, also language is subject to change, explained in connection with the term taḥmīl, whose primary meaning of carrying a physical load in the digital age has gained the meaning of data transmission. All these reasons contributed to creating the Arabic Language Textbook for Madrasas, authored by Ahmed Halilović. The textbook consists of three parts: Arabic Language Textbook for Madrasas for 1st grade, one for 2nd grade, and one for 3rd and 4th grade. The primary goal of this textbook is to improve the student's communication skills, so the topics in it are most often from the student's immediate environment or potential situations in which they may find themselves. According to the Madrasa Curriculum, the teaching covers the Arabic language's phonetics, morphology, and syntax. At the same time, this textbook is the official textbook of the Arabic language for madrasas, and there are some additional textbooks that can serve the same purpose. The ratio of the sacral part of the textbook to the profane is smaller. However, they must consider that the daily life of a Muslim who goes to a religious school is composed of performing religious precepts so that everything they do aims at gaining God's pleasure that is, profanely becoming sacred. In addition to the vocabulary needed to discuss topics or situations from everyday life, the student can learn basic terminology based on this textbook, also represented by the Madrasa Curriculum, which opens opportunities for further knowledge in "secular" areas. However, the rapid development of technology also leads to the rapid obsolescence of the existing textbook, especially regarding technological innovations or new scientific discoveries. Therefore, it is necessary to additionally consult other modern Arabic textbooks and follow the pages and channels and other Internet content in Arabic, which deal not only with learning Arabic but also with education in any other field. Contemporary Arabic textbooks, such as Takallam and al-Takallum, are also focused on topics from everyday life, and additional help for learning Arabic can be provided by application platforms such as Duolingo, Triplingo, Babbel, Hello Talk, Memrise, YouTube channels: Learn Arabic with Maha, Learn Arabic with ArabicPod101.com, etc. In addition, there are online TV channels, such as al-Jazeera, which offers, in addition to listening to and reading channel content, al-Jazeera Learning Arabic. The choice of sacred or profane in the digital world is unlimited. The ratio of sacral and profane text, whether in favor of one or the other, is not an obstacle to learning the Arabic language. On the one hand, the ratio in favor of the sacred text helps the student to understand religious sources properly, the Qur'an and the Sunnah. On the other hand, if this ratio favors the profane text, it opens opportunities for the student to keep up with the times. Thus again, adhering to the first Qur'anic imperative (Learn in the name of your Lord!). Keywords: Arabic language, madrasa, Bosnia and Herzegovina, textbook, grammar, dictionary, sacral, profane, Qur'an, Hadith, learning, al-Takallum textbook, Takallam textbook, Al-Jazeera Learning, Duolingo, terms, Šaćir Sikirić, Ahmed Halilović, curriculum, the Holy Quran, Hadith, download, technology, everyday life theme, dialogue.