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Quran Anniversary

1400th Anniversary of the Revelation of the Holy Quran
IQRA is an acronym of International Quran Revelation Anniversary. International Quran Revelation Anniversary (IQRA 1400) Organization is an organization originally conceived and founded in 2009 by Allama Dr Syed Shabih ul Hassan Rizvi, a renowned theorist, philosopher and theologian. The main aim of IQRAORG is to celebrate the 1400th Anniversary of the beginning of the Revelation of the Holy Quran in 2010.

Historical Background
Though all the historians are not unanimous about the exact solar year regarding the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) yet most of them are of opinion that he was born in the Year of Elephant (Aam al Fiil in Arabic) which equates with the year 570 CE. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had an admirable character. The residents of Makah honored his noble character by giving him the titles of “the Truthful and the Trustworthy “(Saadiq and Amin in Arabic). He was always socially active to do any right thing for public good but in his personal life he was fond of contemplation in solitude. While writing about the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), famous historian Edward Gibbon has remarked in his monumental work `The History of Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire`. Solitude is the school of Genius.(Chapter XVI,Section 2,Page 653) Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to go to a cave near Makah for his contemplative solo sittings. During such a session the revelation of Quran began. That was the year 610 CE when he turned 40. The Holy Quran continued to reveal for a further period spanning nearly 23 years.

The Episode of the First Revelation
It was the lunar month of Ramadan corresponding the solar month of August 610 CE when the Angel Gabriel came into the cave and said to him: Read. At that moment Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was wide‐awake and fully conscious. According to various accounts of the occurrence, the Prophet said that he could not read. He said it thrice while the Angel pressed and squeezed him three times. After that the Prophet was able to read and repeat what was being uttered by the Angel. This episode of the Cave of Hira is largely taken as such but the scholars and even the common people of Shia faith do not collectively accept it. In the light of many verses of the Holy Quran, they are of opinion that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had already been given all knowledge by Allah Almighty himself and he needed no such pressing and squeezing instructional operation.

The Wording of the First Revelation.
Read (O Muhammad) in the name of Your Lord who created. Created man from a clot. Read: and Your Lord is the Most Bounteous. Who taught by the pen. Taught man that which he knew not. [Holy Quran 96:1‐5]. These were the five verses of the Holy Quran sent to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the First Revelation. These five verses are now the beginning part of the 96th chapter (Sura in Arabic) of the Holy Quran.

From Hira to Home
The Messenger of God (PBUH) came back to home with verses and went to his wife Hazrat Khadijah (SA) and told her what had happened? She instantly believed the incident by saying such soothing sentences to her high esteemed husband: ……you consolidate and salvage relationships, you speak the truth, you bear peoples’ burdens, you help the destitute, you entertain guests and you relieved the pain and grief suffered for the sake of truth.” (Mishkat al‐Masabih, Vol. IV, p. 1253). Hazrat Khadija (SA) was the first woman to embrace Islam.

The Revolution of the Revelation
While giving a speech on the topic of pen at New Delhi in 2008, Allama Dr Syed Shabih-ul-Hassan Rizvi said: ` Due to certain reasons, there was no noticeable worth of the written word in the Arabian nomadic culture and society of those times. The word of mouth was widely accepted and largely appreciated way of communication and transferring knowledge in the forms of oral description of different historical events, delivery of sermons and presentation of poetry. The very first revelation of the Holy Quran disclosed and declared the importance of pen in the process of preserving knowledge for posterity.

Anniversaries: Islamic Perspective
Anniversaries are common phenomena in almost all the cultures and countries. These are the ways and means to remember and recall the Past in order to relate it with the Present and the Future. Some thinkers and writers do not endorse the idea of celebrating or commemorating any anniversary. For example the world known linguist Prof David Crystal delivered a lecture at the University of Cambridge regarding the certain miscalculations of different historical events and affairs. However, Islam and the Holy Quran encourage and motivate the believers, for their own benefit, to celebrate or commemorate those anniversaries which remind the humankind the eternal message of Allah Almighty.

Bring out thy people from the depths of darkness into light and remind them of the Days of Allah (14-5, Holy Quran)

Scope & Structure
International Quran Revelation Anniversary (IQRA 1400) Organization is a non-profit, non-sectarian, non-violent organization. The focal points of the studies at International Quran Revelation Anniversary (IQRA 1400) Organization are the academic and intellectual aspects of the teachings of the Holy Quran. International Quran Revelation Anniversary (IQRA 1400) Organization is headed by a Chairman who manages the matters with the help and assistance of the other office bearers and team members. Allama Dr Syed Shabih-ul-Hassan Rizvi Is the Founder and Chairman of International Quran Revelation Anniversary (IQRA 1400) Organization. Dr Syed Shabih-ul-Hassan Rizvi is also Chairman of World Future Forum, a think tank researching suggesting and advocating the policies for global peace and better world future. He is Editor in Chief of KIDZINE International, a quality BookMag for every reader, especially for the youth and kids. He is Director General of International Institute of Individuality, a training institute to explore and improve human capital. Dr Rizvi is also fellow and member of different International organizations and socities.

Programs &Plans
International Quran Revelation Anniversary (IQRA 1400) Organization has already arranged different thematic sessions to make the masses aware of the importance of the 1400th Anniversary of the Holy Quran. Soon a campaign will be started at greater scale to inform, inspire and involve all those who express their desire to do so. The individuals and the organizations can join by simply sending an e-mail to iqraorganization@gmail.com or iqra1400@gmail.com. The 1400th Anniversary of Quran Revelation will reach the peak during the Month of Ramadan Karim 1431/August 2010. A grand ceremony will be held during the mid of the holy month of fasting. The celebrations will not end with the peak point of the 1400th Anniversary but IQRAORG intends, insha Allah, to continue the festivity for a period of 23 years according to the time span of the revelation of the full text of the divine word.