what is the most useful dialect of Arabic

[musa shakr]

In your opinion whats the most useful dialect of Arabic and why? I'm not sure if it matters but I live in the us. 

[Propaganda_of_the_Deed]

Egyptian - it is the most widely understood Arabic dialect, partly because it has the most speakers (most populated Arab country) and because of the cultural influence of Egyptian TV and Cinema and Music.

Some may disagree due to their own personal bias or say it isn't the prettiest, but I can only speak from my experience and my Masri has served me well and I've gotten along just fine across numerous Arab countries, be it Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Morocco, etc.

[Guest Kadhim]

I don't think there is a particularly 'useful' dialect. You should learn standard Arabic for numerous reasons, probably the most obvious would be learning the language of the Qur'an. Secondly, you would be able to understand religious literature and understand the ahadith of our Imam's, which is far greater than any dialect you would waste your time trying to learn.

Speaking standard Arabic, you will be able to communicate with anyone from any Arabic background, you would be respected much more (especially if you're not a native) and it will be all in all more beneficial for you. 

I wouldn't recommend any dialect since they are all pretty useless to learn.

At least in my opinion. 

 

[Abu_Zahra]

I agree with the above, if you're learning Arabic might as well learn fus7a (classical Arabic).

In terms of dialect, I assume the saudis and yemenis are closest to fus7a but I can't be sure.

Wallahu a'lam 

[Propaganda_of_the_Deed]

It depends on the purpose of learning Arabic. If for religious reasons, to understand Qur'an and Ahadith, Duas with more clarity then fus7a is certainly the way.

Fus7a is also useful for watching the news, formal debates or reading books and newspapers, magazines and websites.

If as Op asked, in terms of practicality and day to day usefulness, it probably is not the best to converse as such.

It is like speaking Shakespearian English in East London. Sure some people may get you, but you'd be comically out of place and they'd know you're an 3agnabi.

Though as mentioned above Fus7a is more present in some dialects than others.

That being said, one should learn fus7a as a foundation regardless of which dialect one wants to learn. I studied both, but I certainly do not converse in fus7a.