TOUCHING LIVES WITH THE QURAN

Presented by: Umm-e-Abdullah

           In Surah Ar-Ra'ad, ALLAH SWT has said:

...That which is for the good of mankind remains in the earth."

   In the same ayah, a parable is given of difficulties and opposition arising like foam in the sea, appearing like mighty mountains, creating an uproar crashing on the shore, but in the end the foam vanishes into nothing and that which is TRULY SUBSTANTIAL and which BENEFITS mankind remains deeply rooted in the earth.

    Almost after 2 years of studying the Quran with its actual text and with its true spirit, this ayah prompted me to ask myself once again, how useful it has made me for mankind. And how useful has this study been for the multitude of women who devoted a year from their entire life to this cause, much to the surprise of their families and social circles.

    I need look no further than my heart for the answer. Where once there had been depression and a sense of wandering in life without a defined purpose in mind. Now there is peace and joy, a new-found bond with my Creator that developed slowly & surely as His Book was delved into deeper & deeper, and last but not the least a burning desire to serve mankind and make the best use of this life.

    As I look beyond myself, I find many others sharing the same feelings.

    This new-found direction in life has opened new doors of consciousness. Many have started conveying this message of peace to others. Some have been visiting remote areas in interior Sindh and local kachi bastees, mostly doing charity work parallel to education. Others concentrate on educating their own families, starting from their children to the extended relatives. Regular visits to orphanages and hospitals create new hope amongst the downtrodden, who want not just food but also the will and hope to live. All this is done with dedication, love and for the most rewarding of all incentives: ALLAH SWT's Pleasure.

    I wondered at a question someone had asked me- why we did not spend our time doing charity work or making a 'positive' contribution to society instead of studying the Quran. After all, this would be more 'useful'. Similar criticism has often been voiced about some of the apparent aspects of the Al-Huda Institute.

    I wonder now, why providing people with direction, motivation and knowledge is not considered 'useful', why providing peace and fulfillment to troubled and spiritually starved souls is not 'useful', why channelising women towards positivity is not 'useful', why arming them with knowledge and a pen and book instead of a banner and a list of their rights is not 'useful', why creating a spirit of sacrifice amongst the people so that they leave their air conditioners to work and teach in the heat is not 'useful', why encouraging hundreds to spend for the poor instead of doing your own bit alone is not 'useful', why spending millions to earn a degree for a good job is useful and spending a year to strive for ALLAH SWT's Pleasure is not. I wonder.

    Letters arrive daily from across the world - from the wilds of Kenya to the cities of New York - about how hearing the Quran through the website, TV channels, radio or the tapes has changed someone's life into a beautiful one. Yet we feed only the body and seek cures only for physical diseases while the spirit grows weak, craving for nourishment.

    The Quran is food for the soul, a revitalizing rain for our hardened hearts, its value can only be judged by someone who has experienced it. Efforts to devalue its worth and create hurdles in the way of spreading its light can only be in vain for:

"THAT WHICH IS FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND REMAINS IN THE EARTH."

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