Spirit of Islam, June 2017

True Reform No reform work is truly such, unless it is confined to the sphere of peace and humanitarianism. Any work, even if it is carried out in the name of reform, is to be condemned if it disturbs the peace, or worse, results in the loss of lives or the destruction of property. STUDY OF THE QURAN Intellectual Food A CCORDING to Abdullah ibn Abbas (Companion of the Prophet), the Prophet of Islam once said that the one who reads the Quran will not reach old age in an abject state (14: 35). In this tradition, reading the Quran means studying the Quran. One who undertakes a profound study of the scriptures will continue to receive intellectual food from them. This intellectual food will be an unending source of energy which will result in his not being mentally impaired in his old age. His mind will be continually active. His body may become old, but his mind will not grow old. Research shows that there is a difference between the mind and body of the human being. Purely biologically, the body grows old, but the brain does not. If one saves one’s mind from negative thinking, one will become a positive thinker, then one’s mind will not age. Anyone who makes a thorough study of the Quran, will never experience intellectual starvation. His mind will forever be active. It will continually be filled with creative thoughts. The way material food gives strength to the body, in the same way intellectual discoveries give a man energy. For a man, the greatest thrill is the experience of discovery. One who analyses the Quran in depth continually has this kind of experience. This creative experience for a person ensures that when he reaches old age, he will not become inactive. o The way material food gives strength to the body, in the same way intellectual discoveries give a man energy. For a man, the greatest thrill is the experience of discovery.