By Azlan Othman
His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office said the Quran is a cure for the ills of the heart and soul as well as physical illness. One could seek the blessings from reciting its verses with utmost belief, for in it are various verses containing various secrets and wisdoms HRH added.
In delivering his sabda at the opening of the national level Quran reading competition for adults at the International Convention Centre last night, the Crown Prince said this is Allah the Almighty's promise to the believers who always believe in him and obey his teachings.
The Crown Prince went on to say that from the Quran's contents, we receive blessings and wisdom that are in the form of a holy light that pass through the heart while at the same time curing and becoming a healing balm for sorrows and grievances.
His Royal Highness added, Quran reading competition covers all age groups whether they be children, youths or adults. This shows that the Muslim community in the country places the greatest of emphasis upon the importance of the Quran.
This is more so with the various schemes that have been introduced by His Majesty's government to provide opportunities for delving into, improving as well as enhancing the quality of recitations.
Allah the Almighty passed down the Quran as a lesson and advice for the betterment of mankind's spirituality and behaviour. All the lessons contained there encourage mankind to perform good deeds in order to obtain spiritual rewards, and dire consequences for those who commit sins and wrongful deeds.
The Quran is thus a guidance, blessed by Allah which brings with it a blissful life in this world and the hereafter. As such, we must make the Quran a guide or direction to the righteous path, for a life of prosperity and safety.
It is therefore clear that the Quran is a blessing from Allah that fills the lives of mankind with awareness and prevents wrongdoings, because an empty life without the spiritual embrace of the Quran is like a dilapidated house perpetually about to collapse, as meant by the Hadis of the Prophet (pbuh) as narrated by Imam Tirmizi.
The Quran is a guidance, path and pillar of support and faith towards a blissful life, because for its contents are everlasting, and have never been altered. Today, mankind has been able to achieve great progress in knowledge and technology, yet even then no one has been able to unearth all the secrets and the treasures of knowledge contained in the Quran.
This illustrates the greatness, prominence and eminence of the Quran in its own right. Its profound secrets should thus be constantly explored through recital as well as by seeking greater understanding of its meaning.
Also present was His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malik.
Earlier, the Crown Prince was greeted on arrival by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Dato Dr Ustaz Awg Hj Md Zain, who is also the Chairman of the Executive Committee of major events in the Islamic calendar for 1427 Hijrah and other organising committee members.
The ceremony began with the reading of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Pehin Datu Imam Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Abdul Hamid. In his speech, Pehin Dato Dr Ustaz Awg Hj Md. Zain said there are 76 participants in the quarter final, of which 20 have been selected in the semi final along with six other participants selected from the final last year.
The event held for two nights is participated by four male Quran readers and four females. They include the reigning champions in the male and female categories, Hj Ismail Bin Hj Sulaiman and Siti Huzaimah Yadey Bte Hj Rosli respectively.
- Borneo Bulletin
(25th May 2006)
