Read the Quran and keep learning
“My appeal and my request to all of you is that please start with Quran.”
Because the Qur'an began with the command to read, Muslims should continually pursue Qur'an, hadith, and all beneficial knowledge to broaden their minds and elevate their communities.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- The Prophet's solitude in the cave and contemplation preceded the first revelation.
- Jibril delivered the first revelation, commanding the Prophet to read; Khadija and Waraqa confirmed the experience.
- The command to read establishes a communal obligation to seek beneficial knowledge.
- Qur'anic teachings encourage continual learning and distinguish the knowledgeable from the ignorant.
- Learning the Qur'an raises a person's rank and includes studying its recitation traditions.
- Medicine, architecture, engineering, and studying nature are presented as beneficial Islamic knowledge.
- Listeners are urged to study Qur'an, hadith, and other beneficial subjects for two or three hours weekly.
In the khateeb's words
“The reason, brothers, why I narrated this story to you is the first word. The first word of Qur'an. What is that, brothers? Read.”
“So my appeal and my request to all of you is that please start with Quran. Start with Quran. Then hadith. And then everything else.”
For the dinner table
Imam Tariq began by describing the Prophet Muhammad’s time reflecting alone in the cave and the first revelation’s call to read. He explained that seeking beneficial knowledge is an important part of our faith. Learning should make us humble, because the more we discover, the more we realize there is still to understand. He encouraged us to begin with the Quran and Hadith and to appreciate learning about the universe, our bodies, and other subjects that benefit people. As a practical step, he invited everyone to set aside two or three hours each week for learning and to join the masjid’s programs.
- What is something you learned recently that made you curious to learn more?
- How could something you enjoy studying help other people?
- What would you like us to learn together this week?
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