Jun 21, 2010

The Morale of the Story is...

Why do we read Quran, even if we can't understand a single Arabic word? This is a beautiful story.


 
An old American Muslim lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Qur an.  His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could. 

One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa! I try to read the Qur an just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Qur'an do?" 

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water." 

The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead. 

The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again. 

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when   he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Grandpa, it's useless!" 

"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket." 
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out. 

"Son, that's what happens when you read the Qur'an. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out.  That is the work of Allah in our lives."

Kakchik's note:

1. This story is copied from a friend's blog CAHAYA MATA MASUL

2. As a person who cannot speak Arabic and can only understand a few simple sentences, I understand now the beauty of reading the Qur'an daily.

3. I read the Qur'an and I try my best to read the translation too to understand the meaning of the words, verses and the Surah.

4. I always feel so peaceful when I read the Qur'an.

5. The more I read, the more I feel purified.

8 comments:

KittySigurdardottir. said...

Thanks for the story, I love it.

myshOppetoyOu said...

Salam..
I agree with u.. reading Quran makes one heart at peace..

sayyidah nafisah said...

I agree with what you said.we are no different with people who can speak arabic :)Quran has a great influence

Unknown said...

You are welcome Barbie Jones

Unknown said...

Wkslm myshoppetoyou. Alhamdulillah.

Unknown said...

Saiyyidah Nafisah, we should be thankful to Allah for being so generous with us. Even though we are not good in the language of the Qur'an, He still bless us with all those good influence.

M said...

Assalamu Alaikum,

This is so true. My knowledge of Arabic is limited, but even flipping through the pages and admiring the beautiful script in an untranslated Qur'an leaves me with a certain feeling of peace. I've also probably forgotten at least 2/3 of what I've read in translations, but I still find myself becoming a better, purer person each time I study its words. I believe that what we put in our heads may fade, but it's what it leaves behind in our hearts that really matters.

I'd love to learn the language and especially the Arabic script so I can fully appreciate the teachings as they were first given to Muhammad (SAW), however, because the meaning of a word or phrase can sometimes become lost in translation.

Thanks for posting this :)

Unknown said...

Wa'alaikummussalam M.
You are saying what I'm going through. We are having the same experience with learning the Qur'an. Insyaallah while we learn to be better in reading, understanding the meaning and also speaking arabic, I believe our heart and soul will gradually become more purified. It's not easy for us but we can try right.

You are welcome M.

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