Since the advent of Islam, the noble Qur'an has been the source of life for Muslims and it continues to act as the source of ability, dignity, power and peace of mind for Muslim nations.

As'ad ibn Zorarah came to Mecca and went to his friend Utba ibn Rabi'a seeking his help for settling tribal differences. Utba told him, "Nowadays, we are engaged with a new trouble so much so that we cannot help you."

As'ad asked him, "You live in the safe sanctuary, what trouble you may have?"

Utba answered, "A man has emerged among us who claims to be God's emissary. He calls us unwise, insults our deities and idols, has set apart our community and corrupted our youths." As'ad asked of his family and heard that "He is the son of Abdullah and grandson of Abdul Muttalib, a noble family. He is at the Sacred Mosque now. But if you want to go there don't listen to his words and don't speak to him as he is a skilled magician." As'ad said, "I have no other choice as I am in the state of Ihram and must circumambulate the Ka'ba." Utba said instantly, "So, put some cotton in your ears not to hear his words!"

As'ad entered the Sacred Mosque with his ears stuffed with cotton and began circumambulating the holy Ka'ba. He saw the Prophet of Islam beside the Ka'ba with a number of people gathering around him and listening to his words eagerly. He passed by quickly. But in the second lap of turning round the Ka'ba he told himself, "Nobody is as stupid as me. Such an important issue is the talk of the town but I'm unaware of it. So, he emptied his ears and went to the Prophet. There was no sign of magic in the words of the Prophet. What he heard was the light of guidance shining onto his heart. He went forward and asked the Prophet, "What are you calling us to?" The Prophet said, "Testifying God's oneness and that I am His Messenger." Then he recited ayahs 151-153 of surah An'aam for him. As'ad was fascinated by the ayahs of Qur'an and said loudly, "I testify that there is no god but Allah and that you are His Messenger."

Being in communion with the noble Qur'an is the best means of attaining proximity of God. This divine book introduces God as the greatest, most merciful and wisest.

Human being will never be needless of being in communion with the Qur'an for it caters for the most important needs of man. That's why this book has asked the faithful to recite it as much as they can to benefit from its boundless ocean.

Imam Hussein (AS) categorizes human beings in four groups each of which can benefit from the Qur'an according to its capability and capacity. The first group (ordinary people) benefits from the phrases of the Qur'an. The second group (the select) benefits from the references of this book. The third group (the friends of God) benefits from the delicacies of the Qur'an and the fourth group (the divine messengers) benefits from the realities of the Qur'an. Thus, the noble Qur'an has profound teachings. Those who with little knowledge only understand the simple phrases and surface meanings of the ayahs. However, those with a broader view and cognizance, benefit from the hidden points and secrets of the Qur'an. Then, the friends of God, who have a closer bond with God and His word, benefit from the delicate purports and more hidden secrets of the Qur'an. But, the divine messengers, who receive the light of revelation directly from the divine court, are in communion with the realities of the Qur'an which are unthinkable and unfathomable to others. God the Exalted introduces the Qur'an in ayahs 15 and 16 of surah Ma'idah as follows, "Certainly there has come to you a light from Allah and a manifest Book. With it Allah guides those who follow His pleasure to the ways of peace."

The Islamic countries are full of beautiful scenes of circles of people from all walks of life and age groups sitting together and reciting the noble Qur'an. Every mosque and holy shrine of the descendants of the Prophet is the place where the youths sit in orderly rows and recite the ayahs of the Qur'an. A survey of the life of the scholars and great figures of Islam shows that they were accustomed to recitation of the Qur'an since their childhood and adolescent.

Imam Khomeini would use various moments to be in communion with the Qur'an. Sometimes it was just two minutes. The Imam's daughter-in-law says, "When we were in Najaf, the Imam had sore eyes. His doctor told him that he shouldn't read the Qur'an and let his eyes rest for a few days. Imam Khomeini laughed and said, "Doctor! I want my eyes for recitation of the Qur'an. What is the use of having eyes while I cannot read the Qur'an? Do something so that I can read the Qur'an."

Dear listeners, Imam Khomeini used to encourage people, especially the youths to get closer to the Qur'an. In a piece of advice he said, "My son! Get familiar with this great book of cognizance even if with recitation of it; and open a way toward the Beloved with it. And do not think that recitation without cognizance is ineffective as this is the temptation of the Satan. After all, this book is from the Beloved for you and for everybody. And the letter of the Beloved is loved although the lover doesn’t know the content. And perhaps, this will motivate you to love the Beloved which is the ultimate ideal."

The modern world is thirsty of the pure Mohammedan Islam. The miseries gripping the modern man can be healed only with turning to the Qur'an. It is the remedy for the inward and outward pains. Ayatollah Khamenei says, "Dear ones! Get in communion with the Qur'an. Read a few ayahs of the Qur'an every day and take heed of the meanings of the Qur'an. The Qur'an guides man. "Indeed this Qur'an guides to what is most upright."

RM/MG