Read, Reflect, Act: Living by the Qur’an

Occasion of reflecting on this Ayah: 12^th of Rabi‘ al-Thani: The anniversary of the passing of Mehdi Elahi Qomshe’i, the translator of the Holy Qur’an

Introduction

On this occasion, we reflect on a profound verse that describes the Qur’an as a source of guidance towards what is most upright – a guidance that can shape individuals, families and communities and help us live more humanely, ethically and faithfully in today’s changing world:

إِنَّ هَذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا كَبِيرًا

“Indeed, this Qur’an guides to what is most upright and gives good news to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward.”

(Surah al-Isra, 17:9)

Educational messages of this verse for teenagers and youth

1. Choose Your Compass Wisely

When you face choices, peer pressure or online trends, let the Qur’an help you choose the most upright and sensible path.

Practical Challenge: Before one important choice this week, stop and ask: “Is this really the right path for me?”

2. Turn Faith into Action

Real faith is shown through what you do – studying well, helping at home, controlling your words and supporting your friends.

Practical Challenge: Do one good thing every day this week without telling anyone or expecting praise.

3. Never Underestimate a Good Effort

Every sincere step towards goodness matters, even when nobody notices it; the Qur’an reminds believers that their good efforts have a great reward.

Practical Challenge: Choose one difficult but good thing you have been putting off and take the first step towards it today.

4. Do Not Measure Your Worth by Likes

The Qur’anic way of life reminds us that our value is not determined by followers, appearance, money or online popularity but by our character and good actions.

Practical Challenge: Spend one hour each day away from social media and use that time for something that genuinely develops you or helps another person.

5. Stay Steady in a Changing World

When young people face anxiety about the future, identity, relationships, discrimination or social pressure, the Qur’an can provide stable principles for living with purpose and hope.

Practical Challenge: Read a few verses of the Qur’an every day for one week and write down one practical lesson that you can apply to your life.

6. Check Today’s Trends Against the Qur’an

When new ideas, lifestyles and online trends are everywhere, do not follow them just because they are popular; check them against the values and guidance of the Qur’an.

Practical Challenge: Choose one popular trend this week and ask yourself whether it agrees with the Qur’an’s values before following it.

Educational messages of this verse for parents

1. Invest in Your Children’s Qur’anic Education

Helping your children know and understand the Qur’an is a long-term investment in their character, choices and future.

Practical Challenge: Set aside a regular time this week to read and discuss one short Qur’anic passage together.

2. Look for Change in Behaviour

The success of religious education is seen not only in what children say, but in how their faith shapes their choices, attitudes and behaviour.

Practical Challenge: Choose one Qur’anic value and observe how your child puts it into practice during the week.

3. Encourage Good Behaviour

Positive encouragement, appreciation and appropriate rewards can motivate children to turn good intentions into consistent actions.

Practical Challenge: Notice one good behaviour this week and reward it with sincere praise or a small, thoughtful gift.

4. Let the Qur’an Shape Family Life

Reading the Qur’an becomes truly meaningful when its teachings are reflected in our actions, especially in the way we treat our children, spouse and others.

Practical Challenge: Choose one Qur’anic teaching you read this week and practise it consciously at home.

5. Connect Worship with Compassion

A Qur’anic life should produce people who care for others, so religious practice at home should be connected with generosity, forgiveness, respect and service.

Practical Challenge: Organise one family activity this week that helps another person, such as visiting someone who is lonely, supporting a neighbour or helping a charitable cause.

Educational messages of this verse for imams and teachers

1. Make Good Deeds Clear and Practical

Help your audience understand what righteous deeds mean and show them that they include worship, honesty, kindness, responsibility, service and helping others.

Practical Challenge: In your next lesson or sermon, give three simple examples of righteous deeds that people can practise in their daily lives.

2. Make the Qur’an the Centre of Guidance

Let the Qur’an be a primary source of guidance when addressing the questions, challenges and choices that Muslims face in today’s world.

Practical Challenge: Choose one current issue and show your audience one practical lesson that can be drawn from Qur’anic guidance.

3. Turn Islamic Ethics into Daily Action

Teach that Islamic ethics are not merely ideas to discuss; they should be visible in the way people speak, work, treat others and respond to difficulties.

Practical Challenge: End your next lesson or sermon with one specific ethical action for your audience to practise during the following week.

4. Speak the Language of Today’s Young People

Effective Qur’anic education should use clear, accessible language and address the real questions and experiences of young Muslims rather than speaking only in abstract terms.

Practical Challenge: Ask young people to name three challenges they face today and prepare one future lesson that connects those challenges with Qur’anic guidance.

5. Teach Muslims to Become a Source of Good

The verse connects faith with righteous action, reminding educators that the goal is not simply knowledgeable Muslims but people whose knowledge benefits others.

Practical Challenge: Challenge every learner to complete one act of service before the next class and invite them to share what they learnt from the experience.