Table of Contents
Introduction
Everyone who completes the journey of memorizing the Noble Quran is granted a great measure of honor—an honor that stems from being entrusted with the Quran itself. Yet, the greater challenge lies in upholding the responsibility of carrying this sacred message and conveying it faithfully.
Learning from Past Nations
ALLAH, the Blessed and Exalted, has provided us with an example of those who were entrusted with a sacred book but failed to uphold its teachings. HE says in the Quran:
“The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah and then did not take it on is like that of a donkey who carries volumes [of books]”1
(Suraat ‘Al-Jumucah, 62:5)
ALLAH revealed to us the story of the Children of Israel, who were given the responsibility of safeguarding the Book. However, when worldly desires and temptations entered their hearts, they began to distort its words, moving them from their rightful meanings. They even went so far as to write scripture with their own hands, falsely claiming, “This is from ALLAH“2 (Suraat ‘Al-Baqarah, 2:79). Tragically, it was not their enemies who altered their Book, but their own scholars. They did so for worldly gain, personal desires, selfish motives, and under the influence of Shaytan.
The Current Challenge for the Islamic Ummah
Today, the Islamic nation is confronted with a significant challenge. There are unjust rulers who depend on those who provide justification and legitimacy for their oppression. Scholars, upon gaining knowledge, are bestowed with honor, yet their true responsibility lies in turning this knowledge into a trust and fulfilling it with integrity and faithfulness.
The State of the Heart
ALLAH, the Blessed and Exalted, speaks of those who took on part of their responsibility but neglected the rest, illustrating this by referring to the hardness of the heart. HE says:
“Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of ALLAH and what has come down of the truth? And let them not be like those who were given the Scripture before, and a long period passed over them, so their hearts hardened…“3
(Suraat ‘Al-Hadiid, 57:16)
In contrast, the heart of one who truly carries the Quran is profoundly moved by the fear of ALLAH:
“If WE had sent down this Qur’ān upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and splitting from fear of ALLAH“4
(Suraat ‘Al-Hashr, 59:21)
Conclusion
I ask ALLAH, the Blessed and Exalted, to grant us all the strength to uphold the trust of this knowledge and to fulfill it in a way that earns HIS pleasure.
Peace, mercy, and blessings of ALLAH be upon you.
Sources:
- Mohamed Elhamy. الذين حرفوا الدين هم العلماء لا الأعداء.. هكذا أخبرنا الله | محمد إلهامي. YouTube Video.
