أفْضَلُ الذِّكْرِ القُرْآنُ، بِهِ تُشْرَحُ الصُّدُورُ وتَسْتَنيرُ السَّرائِرُ۔
The best reminder is the Qur’an, through it the breasts are expanded and the souls are illuminated.
— Imam Ali a.s.
(Ghurar al-Hikam: The Qur’an)
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.
The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of the Qur'an as the best form of remembrance. The word (dhikr) "ذِّكْرِ" in Arabic refers to remembrance or reminder. It is derived from the root word (dhakara) "ذَكَرَ", which means to remember or mention. The Qur'an is described as the best form of remembrance because it encompasses the divine guidance and teachings that can bring solace and enlightenment to the hearts and souls of Muslims.
Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further explains that through the Qur'an, the breasts are expanded and the souls are illuminated. The word (tushrah) "تُشْرَحُ" means to expand or open up, and (tastanir) "تَسْتَنِيرُ" means to be illuminated or enlightened. This implies that the Qur'an has the power to alleviate the burdens and worries that weigh down our hearts, and it brings clarity and enlightenment to our innermost beings.
The Qur'an itself affirms its ability to bring comfort and enlightenment to the believers. In Surah Az-Zumar (39:23), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,
Allah has sent down the best statement: a consistent Book wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance of Allah.
This verse highlights the transformative effect of the Qur'an on the hearts and souls of those who truly believe in Allah and fear Him.
Furthermore, in Surah Al-An'am (6:125), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,
So whoever Allah wants to guide - He expands his breast to [contain] Islam.
This verse emphasizes that it is Allah who expands the hearts of individuals to accept and embrace Islam. The Qur'an, being the ultimate source of guidance, plays a pivotal role in this process by enlightening the hearts and minds of people.
The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the profound impact that the Qur'an can have on our lives. When we immerse ourselves in the recitation and contemplation of the Qur'an, it has the power to alleviate our worries, expand our understanding, and bring clarity to our souls. The Qur'an is not merely a book of words, but a divine guide that provides us with the solutions to our problems, the answers to our questions, and the light to navigate through the darkness of this world.
By making the Qur'an the center of our lives, we can experience the true essence of faith and witness the transformation it brings within us. It is through the Qur'an that we can find solace in times of distress, guidance in times of confusion, and enlightenment in times of darkness. Let us strive to establish a deep connection with the Qur'an, recite it with understanding, and implement its teachings in our daily lives. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to truly comprehend and benefit from the best reminder, the Qur'an.
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