Creating a ‘Living Quranic Role Model’ Key to Building a Quran-Centered Society: Scholar
In an interview with IQNA, Hojat-ol-Islam Seyyed Mohammad-Mehdi Tabatabaei, director of Jameat al-Quran and Ahl al-Bayt Institute, discussed the decline of Quranic role models in society, noting that once, young Quran memorizers inspired their peers, but today, that role has shifted to media celebrities.
“Once, children who had memorized the Quran were admired by their peers, but now movie stars and singers have taken their place,” he said.
“We have six-year-old children who have memorized the entire Quran, know its translation, and can even explain its interpretation. But how often do we see them on television? Maybe once, and then never again.”
He stressed that continuous presence of such young Quranic figures in national media and public programs could naturally attract the younger generation toward the Quran.
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Tabatabaei criticized the lack of recognition given to Quran memorizers. “Just a few days ago, three young Quran memorizers gave a beautiful recitation on stage at a ceremony in East Azarbaijan, but they were given no award,” he said. “In our traditions, honoring a memorizer of the Quran is honoring God. Imam Hussein (AS) once gave a thousand gold dinars to the person who taught his son Surah al-Fatihah, saying, ‘How can the reward for teaching Surah al-Fatihah be compared with this worldly gift?’”
He added that families, donors, and officials should dedicate significant resources to supporting Quranic activities. “We spend large budgets on many other things, but almost nothing on the Quran,” he said. “If we train Quran memorizers but fail to respect or reward them, it discourages the youth and distances them from the Quran.”
Tabatabaei also called for incorporating the Quran into everyday speech and decision-making. “True believers speak with the light of God, and that light is the Quran,” he said.
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“A memorizer who cannot use Quranic verses in reasoning or speech is like a perfume bottle left sealed—its fragrance cannot reach society.”
He said that fulfilling the Islamic Revolution Leader’s call to train ten million Quran memorizers requires reorienting education, worship, and public discourse toward the Quran. “Memorization is only the beginning,” he said. “Building a ‘living Quranic role model’ is the destination. When such figures take active roles in schools, universities, mosques, and the media, a truly Quranic society will emerge.”
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