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- “Iqra” – The Forgotten Command: Returning to the Qur’an
“Iqra” – The Forgotten Command: Returning to the Qur’an
The abandoned Quran
Islam Illuminated
June 05, 2025
As-salāmu ʿalaykum brothers and sisters,
When Allah chose to begin the final revelation to mankind, He did so with one powerful word: “Iqra” — Read. This was not just a command to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in the cave of Ḥirāʾ, but a command to every Muslim, in every age, to connect deeply with the Qur’an, the Book of Guidance.
The First Revelation: A Call to Read
In the darkness of the cave, during the blessed month of Ramaḍān, the Angel Jibrīl came to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and revealed:
"Iqraʾ bismi rabbika alladhī khalaq. Khalaqa al-insāna min ʿalaq. Iqraʾ wa rabbuka al-akram. Alladhī ʿallama bil-qalam. ʿAllama al-insāna mā lam yaʿlam."
“Read in the name of your Lord who created – created man from a clot. Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous – Who taught by the pen – taught man that which he knew not.”
(Surah Al-ʿAlaq, 96:1–5)
This moment was the beginning of Islam. Yet the command was not to fight, build, or conquer—it was to read, to learn, and to know. The Qur’an was meant to be a lived book: read, understood, and acted upon.
A Painful Reality: Abandonment of the Qur’an
Despite this divine instruction, many of us today have distanced ourselves from the Qur’an. We recite it in Arabic but do not understand it. We place it on high shelves, but not in our hearts. And the Qur’an itself warns us of this neglect.
On the Day of Judgement, our beloved Prophet ﷺ will say:
"And the Messenger will say, ‘O my Lord, indeed my people have abandoned this Qur’an.’”
(Surah Al-Furqān, 25:30)
This verse is a sobering reminder. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ—who loved us more than any human being—will testify against us if we neglect the very message he ﷺ spent his life conveying. What greater loss could there be than having our own Prophet ﷺ speak against us before Allah?
What Does It Mean to Abandon the Qur’an?
According to the scholars of Islam, abandonment of the Qur’an can take many forms:
Not reading it regularly
Not understanding its meanings
Not acting upon its teachings
Not turning to it for guidance
Not teaching it to others
Simply owning a copy is not enough. The Qur’an must be our daily companion, our source of healing, and our manual for life.
The Qur’an Is for Reflection and Transformation
Allah says:
"This is a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded."
(Surah Ṣād, 38:29)
The Qur’an calls on us to reflect (tadabbur), not just to recite. Even if we do not speak Arabic, we can read translations, listen to tafsir (explanations), and strive to understand what our Lord is telling us. The purpose is to transform our livesthrough its wisdom.
A Call to Action
Dear brothers and sisters, let us revive the true meaning of “Iqra”. Make time every day to read the Qur’an, even if just a few verses. Reflect on its meanings. Live by its teachings. Teach it to your children. Let it be your guide in every matter—big or small.
Do not let the Qur’an be a book that testifies against you. Let it be your light, your companion, and your defense on the Day of Judgement.
As the Prophet ﷺ said:
"The Qur’an is an argument for you or against you."
(Sahih Muslim, 223)
The choice is ours.
Jazāk Allāhu khayran.
