IQRA!

Penned by Firdaus@Qalamuddin

As I was lying on bed
The word ‘Iqra’ kept flashing in my head
For Iqra – much had been said
But no attention was being paid
The word and deed
Iqra makes the world a treat
Education is not for greed
But to keep peace and harmony among creeds
‘Iqra’ does not simply mean ‘read’
In Allah the trust and intention as they fit*
Now let’s look at Iqra in a different seat
To keep us alert on our feet

I
‘I’ as in Islam and I
The closest connection and the warmest ties
To maintain as a way of life
This is what we seek and strive

Q
The letter ‘Q’ represents Quran the miracle revelation
It’s pure from alteration and adulteration**
From generation to generation
To save us from degradation

R
R is Rasulullah (s.a.w) for any matter
The exemplar and the choice of The Creator***
He is the ‘trendsetter’
For our lives to get better

A
A is for Allah the ultimate Creator
The One all worship except the unbeliever
None is the same in manner or matter****
Allah is much more Greater!
Thus looking at IQRA in a new light
You’ll see Islam at its height
Let us soar in flight
See the connection at sight
Do not read for the sake of reading
We must know where we are heading
IQRA represents the seedling
Success in both worlds that’s the wording*****
So next time when you think of Iqra – the first revelation
Widen the scope without reservation
As we – Read! – In the name of our Lord

Remember Islam, Quran, Rasulullah and Allah they are the main plots!

*Al-Quran 96:1 “Proclaim! (or Read!) in the name of thy Lord and
Cherisher, Who created “”

**Al-Quran 15:9 “Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an and
indeed, We will be its guardian”

***Al-Quran 60:6 “There was indeed in them an excellent example for
you to follow — for those whose hope is in Allah and in the Last Day

****Al-Quran 42:11 “[He is] Creator of the heavens and the Earth. He
hasmade for you from yourselves, mates, and among the cattle, mates;
Hemultiplies you thereby. There is nothing like unto Him, and He is
theHearing, the Seeing.”

*****It is said, “If you want bliss in this world you need knowledge
andif you want bliss in hereafter you need knowledge and if you want
bliss of both you need knowledge too”

REUTERS - Now that we are nearly at the end of the first month of 2012, it's time to consider new places to explore this year, which is why online travel consultant TripAdvisor (www.tripadvisor.com) has offered a list of its top 15 destinations on the rise. Reuters has not endorsed this list:

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