Inaugural ceremony of “Irfan-ul-Quran” held

Minhaj-ul-Quran International and Mir Khalil-ur-Rehman Memorial Society of Jang Group of Newspapers jointly organized the inaugural ceremony of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri’s translation of the Holy Quran by the name of “Irfan-ul-Quran” in the Aiwan-e-Iqbal on April 13, 2006. In additions to Arab scholars, a large number of religious figures, academicians and intellectuals participated in the ceremony.

The proceedings of the ceremony got underway with the recitation from the Holy Quran by Qari Allah Bakhsh Naqshbandi followed by recital of Naat by Muhammad Afzal Noshahi. Sayyid Farhat Hussain Shah of Directorate of Training conducted the proceedings of the ceremony. Chairman of Mir Khalil-ur-Rehman Memorial Society and renowned journalist, Wasif Nagi, felicitated Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri for undertaking Urdu translation of the Holy Quran. He said the Memorial Society felt privileged to organize such a sacred ceremony.

Addressing at the occasion, Secretary General of Minhaj-ul-Quran International said that MQI had become the leading organization of the Muslim world in its 25-year long journey. The scholarly contributions of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri would continue to guide the Umma for hundreds of coming years. “Irfan-ul-Quran” is a unique and valuable addition to the history of translations of the Holy Quran.

Mufti Muhammad Iqbal Kharal, the Khateeb of Hazrat Mian Mir Mosque, said that Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri had a distinguished status among the contemporary intellectuals and scholars. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri had tried to spread the gnosis of the Holy Quran in the world by undertaking the translation of the Holy Quran. He said Shaykh-ul-Islam was such personality who was uniting Umma on a single platform as well as spreading the Quranic teachings in the modern way.

Dr Jamil-ur-Rahman Chishti of the Astana Aaliya Chishtia Abad of Kamoke, which is a famous seat of spiritualism, said that Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri’s translation of the Holy Quran enlightens the readers with the real spirit of the Holy Book. The unique and lucid style of translation distinguishes “Irfan-ul-Quran” from the existing body of translations.

Central Amir Jamat e Ahl-e-Hadith, Pakistan, Allama Zubair Ahmad Zaheer said that Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri did full justice to the demands of translation and rendered the translation beautifully by rising above sectarian affiliations. He congratulated Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri for doing translation of the Holy Quran for the entire Muslim Umma and all sects.

Shaykh-ul-Hadith, Jamia Nizamia, Lahore, Maulana Abdul Tawab Siddiqi said that It is need of the hour that the Muslim Umma revives its broken or weak relationship with the Holy Quran. This scholarly effort of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri deserves to be appreciated which is not less than a beacon of light.

Renowned scholar Dr Tahir Hameed Tanoli said that if the translations of the Holy Quran done in the subcontinent were the tree, “Irfan-ul-Quran”, the translation of the Holy Quran by Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri was its fruit. This translation had the unique quality of an exegesis in terms of its meaningfulness. Shaykh-ul-Islam’s translation of the Holy Book was a great scholarly feat of the contemporary age from which the Umma would continue to derive benefit for centuries. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has made the reverence for the Holy Prophet (pbuh) the pivot and no where does the translation go away from this.

Pir Moin-ud-Din Koreja of Kot Mithan Sharif said that “Irfan-ul-Quran” would continue to be read till the Day of Judgment. “Irfan-ul-Quran” not only removes the doubts and reservations of the modern mind but also offers remedy for the scourge of sectarianism. Our society is engulfed in terrorism. The Islamic message of peace was the dire need of the hour and Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri is known as an ambassador of global peace in the entire world. He also declared to hold the inauguration ceremony of “Irfan-ul-Quran” in the annual spiritual celebrations of Kot Mithan Sharif on May 5, 2006.

Provincial Minister for Religious Affairs, Pir Sayyid Saeed-ul-Hassan Shah Gillani, said that there was a need to revive the passion for reading the Holy Quran. “Irfan-ul-Quran” is the unique translation, which would surely ignite the fire of getting connected with the Holy Quran, and the readers would further be led to develop the understanding of the Holy Quran.

Principal of Pakistan College of Law, Dr Humayun Ihsan, said in his talk that undertaking the translation of the Holy Quran was the most difficult job of the world. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri deserved felicitation that he did a great favour to the Umma by doing simple, lucid and modern translation of the Holy Quran which is also compatible with the contemporary demands. He said Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri should undertake English translation of the Holy Quran. At this, Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri told him that English version was almost complete. Dr Ihsan said that if the translations of the quality books were undertaken, it would go a long way in guiding people through a maze of problems. The Umma could regain its lost glory by reading “Irfan-ul-Quran”, for such is its scholarly depth.

Shaykh-ul-Hadith Allama Muhammad Miraj-ul-Islam said that there were a few translation of the Holy Quran which did not contain the element of reverence and respect. “Irfan-ul-Quran” is such a valuable treasure as removes all doubts and enhances respect for the holy personages.

Sayyid Ali Ghazanfar Kararvi said that people undertook translations of the Holy Quran in accordance with their personal belief system but the Divine and Prophetic demands were kept in view in “Irfan-ul-Quran”. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri stands for unity among sects and Umma. His translation, “Irfan-ul-Quran”, would certainly extinguish raging fires of sectarianism.

Provincial Tourism and Culture Minister, Mian Muhammad Aslam Iqbal, said that “Irfan-ul-Quran” would revive the relationship with the Holy Quran which was otherwise getting disconnected. He said that the scholarly contributions of Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri were a matter of immense pride for the nation especially “Irfan-ul-Quran”, which had the potential of providing remedy for the spiritual ills. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri’s efforts were of historical nature so far as conveying of the Quranic light to people was concerned.

Arab scholars Dr Shaykh Shahab-ud-Din Al-farfur, Shaykh Mahmood Abu al-Huda al-Hussain and Syrian Grand Mufti Shaykh Asad Muhammad Saeed As-Sagharji also addressed at the ceremony at the occasion. They said that they could not fully benefit from “Irfan-ul-Quran” because of their ignorance of the Urdu language, which they branded as great deprivation.

Concluding the ceremony, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that great scholars undertook translations of the Holy Quran but he only made humble effort to translate it in a way as is compatible with the contemporary demands so that doubts and questions facing the youth could satisfactorily be addressed. He prayed to Allah Almighty to grant his efforts.