Laylat al-Qadr is one of the most important nights in the Islamic calendar. It is believed to be the night on which the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims believe that this night is a time for forgiveness and guidance from Allah. They spend the night praying, reading the Quran, and asking for forgiveness from Allah.
The first words of God revealed to the messenger are recorded in the Surah, Al-Alaq. I aspire to reflect following in the footsteps of Muhammad PBUH trying to understand the language of God as it is written in the Quran, reading from Al-Alaq, I am filled with many questions.
I begin asking; What was the message beyond the words in the first encounter? Why did God speak those words? What did God want his messenger to take away from this very first meeting? What did Muhammad do with the words, and many more questions?
To find answers to some, I investigated his life. Muhammad received the first verses of the Quran while he was in a cave when he was around 40 years old. He used to retreat to the cave to meditate and reflect on the state of society and the world around him.
At that night, while he was in the cave, a voice told him to "Read" (Iqra). The man who would be the messenger of God was illiterate. He replied, “I can’t read!” Walking with him, sitting next to him in the cave, I feel a mixed feeling of joy, fear, excitement, and confusion. What was he supposed to read? How could he read? He had not been to school even for one day. He just couldn't read.
The angel then recited the first words of what would become the book of Quran, and the messenger repeated after him.
“That is better, the way to go,” I say. But wait a minute, if we're supposed to read, where is the writing? A book, a piece of paper, a notebook? What is it written on? There's nothing like that in the cave.
Hmm, maybe the person telling him to read has brought it with him. He has it at the entrance of the cave he came in from. Let’s walk out to see what's out there. As I get up to walk to the top of the rock outside of the cave, I see it.
My God, I understand what the angel wants us to read. At sunset, a spectacular view of the city of Mecca can be seen from the top of Jabal Al Noor mountain where the Hara cave is embedded in.
As I climb to the top of the rock outside the cave, a stunning view of Mecca at sunset greets me. The city appears to be a smaller version of itself from this magnificent point, with people going about their daily lives. Some are in groups, others are playful, and some wander by themselves, lost in thought.
But what were the first words of the Quran?
"Read in the name of your Lord who created."
These first words are about the people down there in the valley, not an outer space sci-fi trip to nowhere land discovering unusual creatures. The words are about us, dealing with each other daily, and about our relationships, society, and ups and downs. These words are the first lessons taught by a very special teacher, descended to teach and guide us through the most important class assignments to free us from the shackles holding us down in that limited, dead-end valley surrounded by mountains.
"Read" is the first assignment.
The lesson is to read what is written on those people's faces, their dreams, fears, and hopes.
“Read” what is happening in the streets, behind the walls, in homes with children, big and strong, weak and underdogs, those left behind...
“Read” and “Read” while thinking about the Creator. Glorify the One who has created them all...
As an Iranian man living in exile following the events in my country, on this holy night my prayers are made for God to grant power and strength to help the millions in Iran to overcome obstacles and strive towards a #FreeIranby bringing down those who have used word of God and the name of his prophet to do just the opposite.
Laylat Al Qadr
Laylat Al Qadr
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