Arabic Course for English-Speaking Students (3 Volume Set) by Dr. V. Abdur Rahim

Arabic Course for English-Speaking Students is the 3-volume set by Dr. V. Abdur Rahim, originally devised and taught at the Islamic University of Madinah and long used worldwide to teach classical and Quranic Arabic to non-native speakers. This Darussalam edition is a revised, full-color printing with color-coded text and bilingual Arabic/English lessons throughout.

About This Course

The course builds Arabic through applied grammar rather than rote memorization: each lesson is built around a conversation that introduces a specific grammatical pattern, followed by exercises that reinforce it. Vocabulary ranges from classical and Quranic Arabic to everyday modern usage, and the stated aim is to let students engage directly with the Quran, hadith and classical Arabic literature rather than relying only on translations. The course has also been used to prepare students for UK GCE O-Level and A-Level Arabic examinations.

What Each Volume Covers

Volume 1 (162 pages, ISBN 9789960986074) introduces foundational grammar and script for complete beginners. Volume 2 (332 pages, ISBN 9789960986081) builds on that foundation with more complex sentence structures and expanded vocabulary. Volume 3 (492 pages, ISBN 9789960986098) is the most substantial of the three, consolidating grammar and preparing students to read connected Arabic text independently. The three volumes are designed to be worked through in sequence.

About the Author

Dr. V. Abdur Rahim was Director of the Translation Centre at the King Fahd Quran Printing Complex and a former Professor of Arabic at the Islamic University of Madinah, Saudi Arabia. His course grew directly out of his teaching there and remains one of the most widely used Arabic courses for English-speaking Muslims learning classical and Quranic Arabic.

About This Edition

Author: Dr. V. Abdur Rahim · Publisher: Darussalam · Format: Full-color, 3-volume set · Total Pages: 988 · Size: 17 x 24 cm

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need any prior Arabic knowledge to start?
No — Volume 1 starts from the beginning, introducing foundational grammar and script for complete beginners.

What makes this course different from a general Arabic course?
It was developed at the Islamic University of Madinah specifically to help students read the Quran, hadith and classical Arabic texts, using vocabulary drawn from classical and Quranic Arabic alongside modern usage.

Do the volumes need to be studied in order?
Yes — each volume builds on the grammar and vocabulary introduced in the one before it, from Volume 1's foundations through to Volume 3's more advanced, connected text.

Is this suitable for classroom or self-study use?
Both — it has been used in schools (including to prepare students for UK GCE Arabic exams) and is also widely used by individual self-study students.

What format is this edition?
A full-color, 3-volume set with color-coded text, 988 pages total, 17 x 24 cm.

Do you ship this course across the UK?
Yes, Darussalam UK ships nationwide.

Browse more in Arabic Language Learning and Arabic Books.