A Lesson in Reverence: The Grand Ayatollah’s Adab in the Presence of the Qur’an

This is a profoundly moving anecdote shared by a cultured friend residing in the UK, who has years of experience in Dawah and teaching Islamic sciences to Muslims in the West. This story, involving the esteemed Grand Ayatollah Seyed Muhammad Riḍā Moosavi Golpaygani (may God have mercy upon him), offers an enduring lesson for all preachers and seekers of truth.

The friend recounts his frequent visits to the late Grand Ayatollah’s presence, thanks to the close relationship his father maintained with the revered scholar. On one such occasion, he witnessed a scene that was truly astonishing and deeply influential: “The day I visited him, I observed Ayatollah Golpaygani had put on his formal attire, placed his turban on his head, and perfumed himself. He then sat facing the Qiblah (direction of prayer) and took the Holy Qur’an to begin his recitation.”

Seeing this elaborate preparation and special ceremony, the friend grew curious and asked if a special guest was expected.

The Ayatollah’s reply was brief, yet deeply profound and rich in meaning: “No, my son. I intend to go into the presence of the Book and Word of God. I have prepared myself to stand before the Qur’an.”

He then began reciting the Qur’an aloud. The friend describes the experience: “I was delighted to see how engrossed he was in the Word of God, as if he saw nothing else in that moment but the Divine speech”. After the recitation was complete, he inquired why the Ayatollah chose to recite with a loud voice.

The Grand Ayatollah responded: “My eyes enjoy seeing the lines of the Qur’an, and my ears enjoy hearing the verses of God; why should I deprive either of them?”

Following the conclusion of the recitation and his visit with the Holy Book, he changed his clothes again and returned to his routine activities.

This spectacle -this level of profound respect and reverence for the Holy Qur’an-made a deep impression on the friend. He reflected that such an act of devotion in the presence of God’s Word could not possibly go unnoticed by the Almighty. He concluded that if God had directed the hearts of millions of believers towards such an eminent personality, a great part of that honour must surely be the result of this admirable etiquette shown towards the Book and Word of Truth.

Three Key Lessons from this Preaching Experience

1. The Importance of Spiritual Etiquette in Worship: Living according to religious teachings is more powerful than a thousand sermons. The adherence to external etiquette (formal clothes, perfume, etc.) in the presence of the Qur’an demonstrates an intense inner reverence, serving as a potent form of practical Dawah (propagation).
2. Reciting the Qur’an Must be Treated as an “Important Event”: The meticulous preparation elevates the act of recitation from an ordinary daily task to a formal meeting and sublime encounter. This perspective teaches the believer that the Word of God must always be held in the highest regard.
3. Comprehensive Reverence for the Word of God: Just as connecting with God’s Word through both the eyes (reading) and ears (listening) has a combined impact, in the field of Dawah, one must utilize all available means, physical and spiritual, auditory and visual, intellectual and emotional, to the best of one’s ability, ensuring the message reaches the depths of the audience’s being.