Ramadhan – Springtime of the holy Qur’an (3)

The holy Qur’an is the book of guidance for all human beings who are in quest of truth. God Almighty refers to its comprehensiveness in ayah 54 of Surah Kahf as follows:

“Certainly We have made this Qurʾan interspersed with every kind of parable for mankind. But man is the most disputatious of creatures.”

The holy Qur’an has been sent down for perfection of mankind and the society, in all aspects, including material and spiritual. The comprehensiveness of the Qur’an is that it has taken into consideration all aspects of human life whether personal, social, political and economic. The Qur’anic teachings include not only this world but the hereafter and the life after death. The comprehensiveness of the holy Qur’an has been stressed in several narrations. A Hadith from Imam the Prophet’s 6^th Infallible Heir, Imam Ja’far Sadeq (AS) says: God has mentioned everything in the Qur’an. By God everything which people need has been mentioned.

The holy Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) over a period of 23 years for the guidance of all humanity. The Prophet practically demonstrated how to live in peace and harmony, by obeying the commandments of God, abstaining from sins, and striving for material development and spiritual perfection. Following the passing away of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA), discord and disputes emerged, because of the thirst for political power of a group of his companions, who openly disregarded the express orders of God on the declaration of Imam Ali (AS) as the vicegerent, and the clear instructions of the Prophet to adhere to the Saqalayn, that is the holy Qur’an and the Ahl al-Bayt. In other words, despite God’s commandments Islamic unity and brotherhood was badly damaged by the actions of certain elements. Ayah 10 of Surah Hujurat says:

“The faithful are indeed brothers. Therefore make peace between your brothers and be wary of Allah, so that you may receive [His] mercy.”

In ayah 28 of Surah Ra’d, God Almighty says:

“Those who have faith, and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah.’ Look! The hearts find rest in Allah’s remembrance!”

The holy Qur’an makes it clear that the best way to achieve peace of mind and tranquility of heart is the constant remembrance of God. It is these qualities that save us from worries and anxieties, as well as diseases, whether psychological or physical. Remembrance of Allah means reciting His Praise and Glories; thanking Him for His blessings; do good things in society for the sake of God; and every deed for helping fellow humans. In a Hadith we read that Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) said to his divinely-designated successor, Imam Ali (AS) that remembrance of God is not to merely say God is pure, Praise be to God, there is no god but Allah, and God is the Greatest. But remembrance of God means whenever a person is faced with a forbidden act and restrains from committing it for fear of God. For this reason in several narrations, the remembrance of God is considered as a shield and defence tool and whoever enjoys it he/she will always feel peace and tranquility.The faithful always remember God in their hearts and that is why they always live in peace and tranquility.

In conclusion of today’s programme, we present you a wonderful supplication to God Almighty by Imam Ja’far as-Sadeq (AS) before one starts recitation of the holy Qur’an, which is indeed food for thought:

“O Allah, I bear witness that this is Your book, which has been send down from You to Your Prophet, Mohammad ibn Abdullah, may Allah bless him and his Family, and that it is Your word pronounced on the tongue of Your Prophet, which You have made Your guide for Your creatures and a cord extending between You and Your servants.

“O Allah, I have opened Your directive and scripture. O Allah let my looking into it be an act of worship, and my reading be accompanied with contemplation. Make my contemplation a means of taking lesson, and appoint me to be one of those who are exhorted by Your advices therein and refrain from disobeying You. Do not seal my hearing at the time of my reading, nor draw a blindfold over my eyes, Do not let my reading be like that of someone who does not reflect upon it. Rather, make me one of those who contemplate its verses and precepts, and practice the laws of Your religion. Do not make my peering into it one of nonchalance, nor my reading of it mere babbling. Indeed You are the All-Compassionate and the All-Merciful.”