Issue No: 153
8th March 2013
25th Rabi Al Thaani 1434 A.H.
Salamun alaykum,
Did your child receive from school a £1 book token yesterday ?
Every year since 1998 on the first Thursday in March every child in full-time education in the UK and Ireland receives a ?1 book token. The token can be swapped for one of specially produced £1 books or get £1 discount off a full-price book.
What is the occasion?
To promote reading, publishing and copyright the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) organises the Annual World Book Day on 23rd April. In the United Kingdom, due to the Easter School holidays, the day is instead recognised on the first Thursday in March.
'IQRA' – Read - the first command:
The revelation of the Noble Qur'an started with the word, "Read!"
"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)
The centrality of reading in Islam is emphasized by the fact that, the above verse, which is the first revelation of the Noble Qur'an to Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.w. commenced with the verb : Iqra – Read. 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. emphasise on reading. The fundamental message is to migrate from darkness of ignorance to illumination of knowledge. Reading is a key method for acquiring 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.
For one reading the Noble Qur'an not only is the instructions /guidance from Divine message acquired, but abundant heavenly reward is reaped.
Having become aware of the World Book Day it is pertinent to reflect on following questions:
Do you encourage your children to turn off video games, televisions in the house, and the social sites on mobile phones /computers, and to read a book either in published or electronic format?
Do you take time to read daily or set an example for the family?
Is the Noble Qur'an one of the readings you do every day?
In a world where commonly many are enormously attracted to listening to 'juicy gossip' is it not paramount that the parents and the community lead by example and firmly uphold this valuable habit of reading?
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
With salaams and duas
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat