Almost all Muslims (except those upon whom Allah has had mercy) may be convinced that the word "A'rab" means Arabs, i.e., the Arab ethnicity, and specifically the people of the desert or Bedouins.
Consequently, desert dwellers are often belittled, being labeled as hypocrites based on the Quranic text!
However, the reality is that the word "A'rab" in the Book of Allah does not mean Arabs or Bedouins, and the word does not refer to ethnicities.
In linguistic terms, "Arabi" refers to something that is expressed (Mu'arrab), understood, and clear; it does not refer to the Arab ethnicity or the Arabic language per se.
Thus, the Almighty's saying: "An Arabic Quran, without any deviance, that they may become righteous" means a Quran that is clear and understood, free and complete of any defect, deficiency, or crookedness.
This is confirmed by the Almighty's saying: "And We had certainly brought them a Book which We explained on the basis of knowledge, as guidance and mercy for a people who believe" Al-A'raf [52].
And His saying: "And We have explained everything in detail" Al-Isra [12].
Returning to the word "A'rab," it is the antithesis of the word "Arab" due to the introduction of the *Causative Hamza* (Hamzat al-Ta'addi) into the word, which flips the meaning to its opposite.
- Arab (Clear) ↔ A'rab (To obscure/make deviant)
- Qasata (Acted justly) ↔ Aqsata (Established justice)
- 'Arada (Appeared) ↔ A'rada (Turned away)
When the causative Hamza enters the word, the meaning shifts to the opposite. Even in school, when a teacher tells a student: "A'rib" (Parse) the underlined word, or "A'rib" the following verse, he means "explain and clarify it for me."
We also use this word in our daily lives. For example, when we discuss something with someone and they say something we dislike or denounce, we say in our Syrian dialect: "A'rib-li iyaha!?" (Clarify/Explain that to me!).
The "A'rab" are the group in which there is deviance from truth and uprightness. Our Lord, glorified and exalted be He, does not belittle an entire ethnicity by calling them hypocrites, providing an excuse for those who wish to bully or disparage desert dwellers.
Furthermore, the word "Badw" (Bedouins/Desert dwellers) was explicitly mentioned by Allah in Surah Yusuf:
"And He was certainly good to me when He took me out of prison and brought you from the desert (al-Badw) after Satan had induced [estrangement] between me and my brothers."
Yusuf [100]
If "A'rab" meant desert dwellers as some believe, Allah would have simply said, "The Bedouins (al-Badw) are the worst in disbelief and hypocrisy," and that would be the end of it.
Summary:
The word "A'rab" in the Holy Quran does not refer to Arabs or Bedouins; rather, it refers to the group that turns away from the truth and clings to misguidance.
We must correct this misunderstanding that has led to discrimination and injustice against desert dwellers, and adhere to the Quranic methodology that rejects generalization and stereotyping.
Allah Almighty revealed the Quran in a clear "Arabic" (clear/explained) tongue and commanded us to ponder its verses, not to be fanatical about interpretations that may be far from the true meaning intended by Allah in His Holy Book.