Read

We celebrated Raya in my hometown up north.  My grandfather's house is no longer there, and in its place is my  Maksu's beautiful home.  I miss my grandfather.  He instilled in me the understanding of the oneness of God, of heaven and hell.  He told me stories of the prophets, of angels and Iblis.  He taught me how to pray, how to fast and how to recite the Qur'an.  He had imparted to me "ilmu yang menfaat" (knowledge that is beneficial).

Upon return, I continued my reading of the meaning of the Qur'an.  Remembering my grandfather's voice and remembering listening to him as a little girl, I think of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah's peace and blessing be upon him, when the Qur'an was revealed to him that very first time.   The very first Revelation were the five verses from Surah Al Alaq (the Clot) or also called Surah Al-iqra' (Read), recited by the Angel of Revelation to the Prophet.

96:1	Read in the name of thy Sustainer, who has created -
	Iqra' bismi rabbikallazee khalaq
96:2	Created man, out of a clot
	Khalaqal-insana min a'laq
96:3	Read - for thy Sustainer is the Most Bountiful -
	Iqra' warabbukal-akram
96:4	Who has taught (man) the use of the pen,-
	Allazee a'llama bilqalam
96:5	Taught man that which he knew not.
	A'llamal-insana ma lamyaqlam