As I read a poem and at the end of it, give a sigh of relief and satisfaction and say,”What a beautiful poem!” Where does the beauty come from? I believe it is beautiful because of the meaning I have managed to extract from its words. I have achieved an optimal level of understanding of its words and thus a deep appreciation is felt by the reader (me).
Similarly, if an optimal level of understanding is achieved of the verses from the Quran, whether it be in Arabic or any other language, the deep appreciation will be felt by the reader. Muslims are encouraged to strive, to seek knowledge on understanding the verses and content of the Quran.
44. Ad Dukhan (Smoke)
Verse:058
Dr. Mohsin : Certainly, We have made this (Qur'ân) easy in your tongue, in order that they may remember.
Pickthal : And We have made (this Scripture) easy in thy language only that they may heed.
Yusuf Ali : Verily, We have made this (Qur'an) easy, in thy tongue, in order that they may give heed.
(Quran 44:58)
When we pray, we stand before God and we recite verses from the Quran. But when we pray and recite the verses of the Quran with understanding of the beautiful verses from surah Al-Fatihah, we will pray with a newly found inner peace. We will pray while standing before God in humility and we will pray because we are God fearing having no doubts and having full commitment and full adherence to the contents of the Quran.
It is reasonable then for me to pursue my research work in this field all these years. My innovative aim is to connect the Quran in our main core education. In this way, it is inevitable that more opportunities are created subtlely for our young minds to ponder and reflect upon the verses. Subtlely because, the Quran is incorporated as a book to suit each core subject and not incorporated looking at its religious value. The main objectives of the lesson of the particular core subject are achieved with the incorporation of a Quran based material or text (verses).
When these opportunities are created for our young minds to ponder and reflect upon the verses, one rereads the verses, perhaps looks into possible multiple meanings of certain vocabulary, analyses the meaning and intent and relevance of the verses to the lesson. Wouldn’t it be somewhat the same as with any other resource text? Wouldn’t it make much more sense to do this for a Quranic verse instead of a verse from any other resource text when the same tools of analysis are processed in achieving literary understanding? Wouldn’t it be proving the Quran’s authenticity time and again when these opportunities are created? If one subject educator has the responsibility of incorporating one Quran based material per semester, this would be such an accomplishment indeed. There should be a center or a committee in each institution ready to assist each educator in each subject for the Quran based materials. I advocate the incorporation be done subtlely in each subject by each educator, especially starting with Islamic Institutions or institutions with Muslim majority of student population.
47. Muhammad(Muhammad)
Verse:024
Dr. Mohsin : Do they not then think deeply in the Qur'ân, or are their hearts locked up (from understanding it)?
Pickthal : Will they then not meditate on the Qur'an, or are there locks on the hearts?
Yusuf Ali : Do they not then earnestly seek to understand the Qur'an, or are their hearts locked up by them?
(Quran 47:24)
Commitment to Islam is the main factor towards the desire and need to understand the Quran. The Quran was revealed to be understood but after it has been understood, it becomes a responsibility to apply and follow as part of one’s Islamic way of life. The levels of commitment vary according to the depth of understanding. Thus, one should strive to seek more knowledge and more understanding whenever possible to strengthen one’s level of commitment to Islam.
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