The Holy Qur’an is a divine mercy for the nation of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It is a guiding light for us, a solution for all our troubles, the spring of our hearts and a miracle given to the Messenger (PBUH).
The Qur’an has about 6,236 verses and one of the 6,236 verses has caught my heart. It is quite endearing to me and that ayah is:
The first word sent by Allah from the heavens to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was; “read.” Allah’s wisdom behind revealing the first word ‘Iqra’ is glorious and sublime. Allah (SWT) could have sent many other significant words, but He (SWT) preferred to send the word ‘read’.
Have you ever marvelled on why Allah sent the first word as ‘read’? Allah has shown the superiority of reading by annunciating it as the initial word, as reading is a means in which to seize knowledge. It is a way to accumulate knowledge and a path towards discovering Islam.
If you’re one of those who don’t make a habit of reading/reciting Qur’an, you are missing out. Reading has a significant number of benefits, and just a few of them are listed below:
- Mental Stimulation:
Staying mentally stimulated reduces the chances of Dementia and Alzheimer. The Qur’an is an effective remedy for mental stimulation, as one ponders and reflects upon what he recites.
- Stress Reduction:
Regardless of all the overwhelming stress you feel at work or the countless other issues you face in daily life, it all just slips away when you lose yourself in the recitation of Qur’an. The verses of the Qur’an effectively embed Taqwa (God-consciousness) in our hearts.
- Knowledge:
As you read along the verses of the Quran, you gain a phenomenal amount of knowledge. The more you read, the more of beneficial knowledge you soak in. You learn about Allah, the Prophets of the past, The Unseen, heaven, hell and much more.
- Tranquillity:
The Qur’an is indeed the spring of our hearts, it is a great tranquilizer. Reciting Qur’an brings immense peace and serenity.
When reading/reciting Qur’an has so many benefits, how can we neglect its significance in our lives? Surely, we will not be heedless in fulfilling this major command by Allah. Obedience to the command of Allah is an obligatory duty and hence reciting the Qur’an is obligatory upon us.
To sum up, I would like all my brothers and sisters in Islam, to ponder upon the first ayah and start implementing it. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have conversation with your Lord? Then delay not, open a Qur’an and start a journey of further understanding.
May Allah assist us in understanding His commands through the Qur’an and may He make us among the successful. Amen.
