Competition Organizer Highlights Four Duties of Muslims Toward the Quran
Mohammad Hadi Eslami, president of the inaugural competition, reminded participants that the Quran was preserved through great sacrifice. “The Holy Quran did not reach us easily,” he said, citing the martyrdom of companions such as Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud and the 38 reciters killed after being sent by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). “Heavy costs were paid so that this divine book could reach future generations.”
Eslami described recitation as the first duty, referencing the Quranic verse ‘So recite as much of the Quran as is feasible.’ (Surah al-Muzzammil, verse 20). He added, “Imam Reza (AS) said whoever recites 50 verses after the evening prayer will not be recorded among the heedless.”
The second duty, he said, is to follow its commands. “If the Quran instructs us not to spy, not to backbite, and not to cheat, then we must abide by these rulings,” Eslami emphasized.
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He continued by urging participants to reflect on the meanings of the verses. “Imam Reza (AS) never recited a verse without contemplation,” he said, noting that the late Ayatollah Golpayegani would devote time daily to meditating on a single verse.
Finally, Eslami pointed to the importance of establishing the Quran in society. “We must keep the Quran alive by reminding one another of its teachings.”
The remarks were made during the first day of the Zayen al-Aswat competition. The event, organized by the Al al-Bayt (AS) Institute’s Quranic Affairs Center under the slogan “Quran, the Book of the Faithful,” has drawn 94 finalists out of more than 1,600 applicants from across Iran.
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Competitions are taking place in categories including teen recitation, young adults’ tahqiq recitation, and duo recitation (munafasa).
Eslami concluded by recalling the words of Imam Ali (AS) in Nahj al-Balagha: “Whoever wants to know God should turn to the Quran.” He added, “We ask God Almighty to grant us the success to act upon His book.”
The competition continues through Thursday.
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