Stirring Up of a Revolution in
the Human Personality

The Quran has this to say about its recitation: “True believers are those whose hearts tremble with awe at the mention of God, and whose faith grows stronger as they listen to His revelations. They are those who put their trust in their Lord.” (8:2) At another place the Quran has this to say: “When they listen to what has been sent down to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears, because of the Truth they recognize. They say, ‘Our Lord we believe, so count us among those who bear witness.’” (5:83)

The Quran directly conveys God’s words. It has divine majesty. It intensifies feelings of servitude. It has that divine light which, if it goes within one, brightens up one’s entire inner existence. It has that light of truth which, when it enters the heart, it can cause it to fall to pieces, just as Mount Tur fell to pieces where God’s light fell upon it. Recitation of the Quran is not just the mouthing of words. Its impact is such that both the heart and the mind are set on fire. This is why, reciting the Quran again and again is a means of stirring up a revolution in the human personality.

The recitation of the Quran is not like the recitation of books in any simple sense. It is the study of the word of God. It is as if indirectly entering into conversation with God. This being so, the recitation of the Quran should induce that state of which it is deserving. If this state is not aroused within one by these extraordinary Words of God, it will mean that he has not given due attention to the recitation of the Quran. He has been negligent. He has not recited the Quran with keen awareness.

While reciting the Quran a person should have within him a feeling of awe before God. He should feel that he has come near to God. Reciting the Quran should become like a living introduction to God. On the one hand, he finds servitude in recitation and, on the other hand, he finds the Glory and Majesty of God.