FIRST REMINDER. Wednesday. 29th day of Dhul Hijjah. LWAYS REMEMBER THE FIRST COMMAND OF ALLAH. BismilLaah Most of us know by heart the very first words that were revealed from the Qur’an to Noble Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). But sometimes we don’t reflect deep enough on the major life changing message that it contains. The circumstances of revealing those verses relate so much to the state that many people find themselves in today … this is the state of seeking meaning, seeking answers, clarity, purpose and direction. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) had a very good and comfortable life. He had an honourable wife whom he loved dearly, he had children, he had a good job, he was well respected in his community… he had a very successful and stable life. But something was missing. Something big was missing and it was aching his heart and he needed answers, he needed clarity, he needed meaning and understanding. What’s beyond this life? What’s the purpose? What’s the meaning? What’s next? Is this it? Marriage, children, job, living, dying…. This is it? But what’s in my heart? Why is it still searching? What is it searching for? What am I missing? He left everything behind and went in seclusion in the cave to think and reflect and listen attentively to what’s in his heart because he knew someone was listening and he knew there were answers… Then came the answer. “Recite!” “Recite what exactly?” “Recite I said!” “I don’t know how to recite what you’re asking me to recite … I can’t recite!!” Then he received the answer that gives meaning to everything he ever had to wonder about…“Recite in the name of your Lord who created – Created man from a clinging substance. Recite , and your Lord is the most Generous, Who taught by the pen, Taught man that which he knew not.” (Qur’an 96: 1-5). Beautiful, deep, subtle yet powerful answer that cannot be taken at face value. When Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam needed to understand this life, he was then given the most truthful and most powerful answer: Read life through the lens of its Creator! He will teach you how to read life, how to read yourself, and how to find what you are looking for. It is not random “reading” or “reciting” that was instructed here. It was a specific instruction to know and understand the truth from its Source whose Name is The Ultimate Truth. To be continued in Shaa Allah. Don't miss the second Reminder please. May ALLAH keep guiding us all till Jannat becomes our abode. May Allah ease the suffering of all our oppressed Muslims in other parts of the globe. Aameen.