In this week’s bulletin, which is blessed by the presence of the lights of Wilayah, we find ourselves on the threshold of the holy month of Ramadan. As we journey from Sha‘bān to the holy month of Ramadan, we strive to prepare ourselves for sincere servitude in the month of the Qur’an, by seeking blessings from the Sha‘bāniyyah celebrations.

To this end, our esteemed guest this week is Dr. Haj Jawad Foroughi, a distinguished Qur’an reciter and international religious ambassador. From childhood, he has been a well-known figure in the cultural and Qur’anic fields. For over three decades, Dr. Jawad Foroughi has been one of the leading Qur’an reciters and prominent Qur’anic activists in the country. He has also travelled extensively to various countries, including the United Kingdom, to promote Qur’anic teachings.

Q1: Since this bulletin is specifically for Friday prayer leaders, could you share a memory about Friday prayers? Have you ever recited at a Friday prayer?

Yes, one of my best memories is attending Friday prayers with my mother at a young age. I have had the opportunity to recite at Friday prayers multiple times. As many of your esteemed readers may already know, I began reciting the Qur’an at the age of three. By the grace of the Qur’an and the blessings of the Ahlulbayt (peace be upon them), I quickly gained recognition in the country. This recognition led to the privilege of traveling to numerous countries, including the United Kingdom, to share the message of the Qur’an. Currently, I am blessed with the opportunity to engage in Qur’anic outreach activities, particularly in the interpretation and explanation of Qur’anic concepts, in various

Q2: You’ve mentioned your travels abroad; could you share a memorable Qur’anic experience, particularly from your trip to England?

I have had the privilege of travelling to many countries across Asia and Europe. The most significant Qur’anic journey for me was my pilgrimage to Mecca, which I was blessed to undertake during my youth as part of the Hajj Tamattu. This journey was the most spiritually and Qur’anicly meaningful trip I have experienced, a blessing that came to me through the Qur’an.

As for my trip to England, it had its own academic and spiritual blessings. It sparked my motivation to learn English and use this skill for spreading the message of the Qur’an in English. During my visit to England, I had the opportunity to engage with the Islamic Centre in London, and I also gave a lecture at one of the universities there. I witnessed a remarkable speech where the speaker was explaining Qur’anic verses in English. This experience fuelled my desire to learn English, and by the grace of Allah, without attending any formal English classes, I taught myself the language through the Qur’an and my own efforts.

Thanks to the mercy of Allah, I now have the ability to lecture and explain Qur’anic verses in English. I am also able to share Persian poetry in English for my English-speaking audiences. I am grateful to God for granting me this opportunity to spread His words and teachings across linguistic and cultural boundaries.

Q3: Since you mentioned the English language, were your studies always focused on the Qur’an?

No. Although my entire life, starting from my childhood when I learned to read and write with the help of my dear father, revolved around the Qur’an, my family recognized my talent for recitation from an early age. Therefore, since the age of 3, the Qur’an has overshadowed my entire life, and by the grace of God, I continue to live under its light.

After completing my high school diploma, I studied Computer Engineering at Kish University. Later, I pursued my master’s and doctoral degrees in the field of the Qur’an. Alongside my formal education, I taught myself English and Arabic as tools for Qur’anic work. I strive to use my various skills and further education to serve the Qur’an.

I firmly believe that mastering any language or skill opens a new world for a person and has a significant impact on one’s worldview and perspective on society and various issues. God Almighty has stated that the differences in languages and dialects are among His signs of power.

“And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and your colours. Indeed, in that are signs for those of knowledge.” (Qur’an, 30:22)

In my opinion, progress in the Qur’an is not dependent on academic degrees or educational levels, because the heart must be Qur’anic. Once the heart becomes Qur’anic, the light of the Qur’an paves the way for every student of the Qur’an. This is one of the miracles of the Qur’an. To put it more clearly, whatever you seek in this world and the hereafter can be attained through reliance on the Qur’an.

Q4: Dr., since you have worked extensively in the field of the Qur’an, could you share with us the tangible impacts of the Qur’an on your personal life?

The light of the Qur’an always shines on the life of a reciter, preacher, or interpreter. I have personally felt and experienced the blessings of the Qur’an in my own life. For example, I have often faced feelings of loneliness, sorrow, and sadness, which sometimes even brought me to tears. But I swear by God, whenever I began reading or listening to the Qur’an, I was immediately and clearly relieved from all my worries and concerns. I am certain that anyone who follows this method and seeks refuge in the Qur’an can benefit from this miraculous power.

Therefore, I ask my brothers and sisters to test this approach for themselves. You will undoubtedly find answers because this is a promise from God.

The repeated advice of the Supreme Leader of the Revolution is to understand the concepts of the Qur’an and act upon them.

Q5: As we approach the holy month of Ramadan, what advice or recommendation would you give to the centres and mosques in Europe, America, and Australia, who are the audience of this bulletin, regarding the Qur’an?

During the blessed month of Ramadan, there is a unique atmosphere in mosques and centres abroad. Especially in non-Islamic countries, due to the increased sense of loneliness, the reliance on and seeking refuge in the Qur’an and the Ahlulbayt (peace be upon them) becomes even more heartfelt and motivated. I deeply love this spiritual state in the diaspora, as it provides not only an opportunity to fulfil spiritual needs and desires but also highlights the prominent presence of Muslims in religious gatherings and Islamic centres. This is, first and foremost, a sign of the believers’ commitment to honouring religious rites and a symbol of the truthfulness of the Qur’an and the magnetic pull of the Ahlulbayt (peace be upon them), which draws hearts towards them.

However, there is one point I would like to emphasize to my cultural colleagues in Europe and other parts of the world. As the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution has repeatedly stressed in his meetings with Qur’an reciters and memorizers, the importance lies in understanding the meanings of the Qur’an and acting upon them. Therefore, it is expected that religious centres should ask their speakers to pay special attention to this key recommendation from the leadership.

Q6: You used to focus more on recitation, but later you shifted towards understanding and teaching the concepts of the Qur’an. Was this shift in approach based on the leadership’s guidance?

Absolutely. When I first had the opportunity to recite in the presence of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, I was guided by his advice. After that, I tried to focus my studies and activities on this area. Therefore, for many years now, I have been serving in the field of teaching Qur’anic concepts. Of course, I still engage in recitation and reading alongside the interpretation of Qur’anic meanings, which is perhaps one of the distinguishing features of my Qur’anic sessions. This integrated approach of combining recitation and interpretation has been well received by the audience.

Although reciting the Qur’an is highly virtuous, as God has said in the Qur’an: “So recite what is easy for you from the Qur’an”, the higher level is to recite the Qur’an with understanding and meaning. Ultimately, the most important aspect is acting upon the Qur’an, because as the Qur’an says:

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذا ذُكِرَ اللَّـهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَ إِذا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آياتُهُ زادَتْهُمْ إِيماناً وَ عَلى‏ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

“The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses are recited to them, they increase them in faith, and upon their Lord they rely.” (Qur’an, 8:2)