Issue No: 259
26th February 2016
17th Jamadi ul Awwal 1437 A.H.
Salamun alaykum,
National Library Week:
Libraries are a vital important public service. In the U.K. they were visited an astonishing 265 million times last year. In addition to saying a national thank you for the unique contribution made by libraries and information professionals, nations around the world dedicate a week to celebrate National Library week. In the U.K. and Australia a week in February is dedicated to celebrate National Library week whereas the Republic of South Africa observes it in March and in April by the USA. In the U.K. the National Libraries Day was observed on 6th February,2016 rounding off a week of special celebrations around the country. The week event is also a campaign drive to increase the culture of reading and create awareness of library services.
Iqra – Read:
The first verse of the Noble Quran commences with the instruction to read:
"Read, in the name of your Lord who created. He created man from a clot. Read, for your Lord is most Honourable, who teaches (to write) by means of the pen, teaches man what they know not," (Sura Al-'Alaq: 96:1-5)
The centrality of reading in Islam is emphasized by the fact that the first revelation of the Noble Quran to the beloved prophet Muhammad s.a.w.w. commenced with the verb: Iqra – command to read. What a powerful message is being conveyed
Thereafter over a span of 23 years the revelations continued and upon instructions of the prophet these were recorded in writing forming the compilation we revere as Al Qur’anul Karim-the Noble Quran. The Noble Quran served as the prototype of the written word and bears significantly on the importance of role of reading and books.
For muslims this underscores the significance attached to reading, learning and gaining education. Numerous traditions reported from the Noble Prophet and Ahlul Bayt a.s. that emphasise on reading. Reading is a key method for acquiring knowledge. The fundamental message is to migrate from darkness of ignorance to illumination of knowledge.
When the time comes to approach education of any type, including teachings of Islam, reading comes naturally to humans. Reading is at the heart of all learning. Reading is also a catalyst for growth and development. The benefits of reading come like no other.
Do you take time to read?
Obviously the response here would be a resounding YES!. The questions that follow then are: What do you read? How much reading of quality material is done as compared to trawling on the internet or reading postings on social mediums?
As National Library Week is observed in February, reflect as to how do you put into practice ‘Iqra’ – Read - the first word of revelation to the Noble Prophet.
“Do you take time to read part of the Noble Qur’an every day?”
“Do you read the Noble Qur’an in-front of your children and encourage them too, to read it every day?
Every time an adult picks up the Noble Quran and reads it infront of a child they are showing children that reading is an important way of revering the Noble Quran.
Can you displease shaytan?
Did you know that this action of reading the Noble Quran is unbearable by Shaytan?
“Nothing is harder for shaytan to bear than a person who recites the Quran by looking at the pages (of Quran).” Noble Prophet s.a.w.w.
Will you now take time to read Noble Qur’an?
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
With salaams and duas
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat