In life, many companions come and go, but there is one friend who always stays with you, who never betrays you, who always benefits you; its name is "Book".
A book is a treasure that illuminates a person's consciousness, refines their thoughts, and bestows upon them a high standard of civilization and dignity. A good book connects a person to the past, guides them in the present, and gives them awareness of the future.
The Virtue of Books and Knowledge in the Light of the Quran and Hadith:
Allah Almighty has bestowed excellence upon mankind through knowledge, and the most important means of preserving and spreading this knowledge are books. In the Holy Quran and the blessed Hadith, the greatness of knowledge and books is mentioned in many places:
The First Revelation: The Command to Read
Allah Almighty gave the very first command to "Read"
Iqra bismi rabbikal lazi khalaq
[Surah Al-Alaq: 1]
Translation of Kanz-ul-Iman:
Read in the name of your Lord who created.
This verse clearly shows how important knowledge and books are in Islam.
Allah Almighty, by commanding man to study in the very first moment, declared the pursuit of knowledge as a fundamental pillar of religion.
The Elevated Status of the Knowledgeable
Allah Almighty said:
Ya ayyuhal lazeena aamanu iza qeela lakum tafassahu fil majalisi fafsahu yafsahil lahu lakum, wa iza qeelan shuzu fanshuzu yarfa'il lahul lazeena aamanu minkum, wallazeena ootul ilma darajaat, wallahu bima ta'maloona khabeer
[Surah Mujadila: 11]
Translation of Kanz-ul-Iman:
O you who believe! When you are told to make room in the assemblies, then make room; Allah will make room for you. And when you are told to rise up, then rise up; Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and those who have been granted knowledge to high ranks. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do.
This verse tells us that those who possess knowledge and remain connected to books, Allah Almighty elevates their ranks.
Acquiring Knowledge is Obligatory
The Holy Prophet ﷺ said:
Talabul 'ilmi fareedatun 'ala kulli muslimin
Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim man and woman.
[Sunan Ibn Majah: 224]
This Hadith clarifies that acquiring knowledge is not a trivial act, but rather it is incumbent upon every Muslim to acquire knowledge through books and refine their personality.
Studying: Food for the Mind and Soul:
Just as a balanced diet is necessary for the health of the body, so too is reading good books essential for the development of the mind and soul.
A wise man said:
Tell me what you read, and I will tell you who you are!
Reading books deepens a person's thinking and broadens their perspective. Those who are friends with books are never alone.
Great Personalities and Love for Books
The great thinkers and successful people of the world have always been fond of books. If one wants to assess someone's intellectual and ideological competence, it can be gauged from their reading habits. That is why in the past, when poverty was so severe that there was no light in their homes, people used to read books in the moonlight. What lesson did the Quran give to the People of the Book? Allah Almighty said about the People of the Book:
Masalul lazeena hummilut tawrata summa lam yahmiluha kamasalil himari yahmilu asfara, bi'sa masalul qaumil lazeena kazzabu bi ayatillah, wallahu la yahdil qaumaz zalimeen
[Surah Jumu'ah: 8]
Translation of Kanz-ul-Iman:
The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah and then did not carry it out is like the example of a donkey carrying books. How wretched is the example of the people who denied the signs of Allah. And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.
This verse makes it clear that it is not enough to just have books, but it is necessary to gain knowledge from them and act upon it.
Neglecting Books is a Cause of Decline:
The Holy Prophet ﷺ said:
Iza dayyi'atil amanatu fantazirissa'ah
When trust is lost, then wait for the Hour (of Judgment).
[Sahih Bukhari: 59]
Abandoning knowledge and books can lead to the decline of the Ummah. Because a book is a great companion that never betrays, never tires, and never complains. Those who make books their companions are successful in this world and the hereafter.
If you also want your thinking to be deep, your personality to be dignified, your star of ascent to be high, and you to have a distinct place in the world, then make books your best friend.
These are the companions who never deceive, who always stand by the truth, and who in every situation make your knowledge and actions better and best.
May Allah Almighty grant us all the ability to read and understand religious and scholarly books. Amen, O Lord of the Worlds.