The Quran about reading

In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful

“Reading is the foundation of learning and is one of the most necessary skills in life. People who know how to read well contribute to the creation of a prosperous, able-bodied society. At the same time, they themselves live a more saturated life.”

The World Book Encyclopaedia

Many people say about the importance of reading, but not everyone understands how much reading enriches the spiritual world of a person.

At first glance, it seems that reading is a matter of the present, but the importance of books was thought up many years ago before us. Thousands of years ago great thinkers of that times gathered huge libraries, such as the Great Library in Alexandria, the libraries of Damascus and Baghdad, libraries in ancient Rome and in the monasteries of Western Europe.

I want to remember well-known phrase and rephrase it a little in a new way: “The fool learns from his mistakes, the clever one learns from others, but the wise … learns with the help of books.”

One of the divine orders received by Muhammad was the order “Read!” The issue of the importance of reading in Islam has a priority status, and God repeatedly draws the attention of believers to the importance of reading:

Say, “If God had willed, I would not have recited it to you, nor would He have made it known to you, for I had remained among you a lifetime before it. Then will you not reason?” (10:16)

Thus have We sent you to a headship before which headships have passed on so you might recite to them that which We suggested to you, while they closed themselves from the Gracious! (13:30)

Muhammad said, “I have only been commanded to serve the Lord of this city, who made it forbidden for battles and to whom belongs all things. And I am commanded to be of the humble and to recite the Literature (Quran)!” (27:91-92)

Recite, what has been suggested to you of the Prescription and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits excessiveness and disapproved, and the remembrance of God is greater. And God knows that which you do. (29:45)

As the command to the messenger, reading the Quran is also the prescription and order for all believing people. Any sane person understands that there is a reward for the execution of the order of “high command”. And the divine reward is worth it.

Indeed, those who recite the Prescription of God and establish prayer and spend out of what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, [can] expect a profit that will never perish – That He may give them in full their rewards and increase for them of His bounty. Indeed, He is Forgiving and Appreciative! (35:29-30)

What is the point of reading the Prescription? What is the use of the fact that a person learns the information offered to him? It is in thinking about the divine knowledge. It’s not for nothing that scientists have identified a person as “homosapiens” – a reasonable person – capable of thinking.

Then do they not reflect upon the Literature (Quran)? If it had been from other than God, they would have found within it much contradiction. (4:82)

The descriptions of the most difficult vital and scientific questions given in the Quran were conducted by the Almighty in the form understandable even to poorly educated person. God offers a person to think and follow His Word. At this stage, there is a watershed between those who have followed and not followed the truth stated in the Prescription, and the fate of the latter is quite unenviable.

And never would your Lord have destroyed the cities until He had sent to their founders a messenger reciting to them Our signs. And We would not destroy the cities except while their people were obscurantists! (28:59)

And those who closed themselves will be driven to Hell in groups until, when they reach it, its gates are opened

And its keepers will say, “Did there not come to you messengers from yourselves, reciting to you the signs of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this day of yours?”

They will say, “Yes,

But the word of punishment has come into effect upon the closed people! (39:71)

Divine truth is necessary for all people to live, survive, advance and achieve the desired. To achieve all of the above, it is necessary to simply follow the prescriptions of the Quran:

And this is a Prescription We have revealed blessed, so follow it, being circumspect, that you may receive mercy! (6:155)

Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord and do not follow other than Him any patron. Little do you remember! (7:3)

But those who hold fast to the Prescription and establish prayer – indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of the reformers! (7:170)

Naturally, simple reading will not lead to any development and progress. “Superficial” people will not be able to solve the pressing problems of society, even though the Prescription is precisely aimed at their solution. It is not a simple reading which is necessary, but the study of the divine Revelation, because the rejection of this can lead a person into a deplorable state.

Lest you say, “The Prescription was only sent down to two groups before us, but we were of their study unaware!” (6:156)

And follow the best of what was revealed to you from your Lord before the punishment comes upon you suddenly while you do not perceive, Lest a personality should say, “Oh [how great is] my regret over what I neglected in regard to God and that I was among the mockers!” (39:55-56)

The whole history of the development of the Abrahamic religions shows that partial and declarative adherence to the Prescription does not give the expected results. Only complete reliance on the Literature, without idolizing any other sources, can lead to God’s promised victory.

And is it not sufficient for them that We revealed to you the Prescription which is recited to them? Indeed in that is a mercy and reminder for a people who believe! (29:51)