Salamun alaykum,
Iqra – Read:
The centrality of reading in Islam is emphasized by the fact that the first revelation of the Noble Quran to our beloved Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.w. commenced with the verb: Iqra – Read.
The voice in the cave:
In the 40th year of his life when Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.w. was in meditation in the cave of mount Hira, the angel Jibrail conveyed to him the Divine revelation:
"Read, in the name of your Lord who created. He created man from a clot. Read, for your Lord is most Honorable, who teaches (to write) by means of the pen, teaches man what they know not," (Sura Al-'Alaq: 96:1-5)
Thereafter over a span of 23 years the revelations continued and upon instructions of the Noble prophet these were recorded in writing forming the compilation we revere as 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.
Do we revere the Noble Quran?
Certainly, the spontaneous response to the above question would be:” Yes, of course we do so.”
Obviously as Muslims we do handle the Noble Quran with great respect. Some of the ways we revere the Noble Quran are by placing it on a high level, wrapping it in decorative cover, kissing it, touching the writings with wudhu, protecting it from najasat etc.
But is that all about revering the noble Quran?
Immense veneration:
A great form of reverence for the Noble Quran is to pick the Noble Quran and read it. Did you know that this action of reading the Noble Quran is unbearable by Shaytan; the accursed?
“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.
“It is absolutely obligatory and a must for you to remain in contact with the Noble Quran because it is a beneficial healing and a bountiful remedy. The Book is the protector of one who follows its commands. It gives salvation to one who obeys it.” Noble Prophet s.a.w.w.
Role Modelling:
In addition to our children seeing us revere the Noble Quran by physical gestures as outlined above, it is important for them to see those around them in the family reading the Noble Quran.
Every time an adult picks up the Noble Quran and reads it in front of a child they are showing children that reading is an important way of revering the Noble Quran.
Do we take time?
As we observe the wiladat of our beloved Imam Hasan al Askari a.s. let us reflect as to how we put into practice - ‘Iqra – Read’ - the first word of revelation to the Noble Prophet.
Do we take time to read part of the Noble Quran every day?
Do we read the Noble Quran infront of our children and encourage them too, to revere the Noble Quran by reading the Noble Quran every day?
Do we always remain in touch with Noble Quran?
Heartiest Felicitations on the Happy and Auspicious Occasion of the Birth Anniversary of our 11th Imam Hasan Al Askari (A.S.)
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah.
With salaams and duas,
Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat