18-Year-Old Muslim Finds Hope and Healing Through the Quran

The story of an 18-year-old Muslim youth finding hope and healing through the Quran was highlighted.

The third episode of KBS's special series 'Sacred Relics,' titled 'The Word,' aired on the 5th, began with the 'Azan,' a call to prayer that spreads across Istanbul, Turkey, early in the morning. As the Azan awakens the sleeping city, people turn towards Mecca to pray, where the words of the Quran were revealed. The Suleymaniye Library houses rare copies of the Quran, adorned with beautiful miniatures and Arabic script, representing the essence of Islamic faith. The Quran begins with praise for a merciful God, and Muslims recite this passage in their five daily prayers. The Quran transcends the pages of a book, becoming sound and rhythm that permeates the daily lives of Muslims. For Muslims, the Word is a guide to life and an eternal truth.

Aziz, 18, was once a devout Muslim attending an Islamic seminary. Students at the seminary study Islamic theology and law based on the Quran over seven years. Aziz recalled, "At school, they said non-believers would burn in hell, and that certain actions would lead to hellfire. I was troubled by questions like, 'Why is Allah so frightening?' and 'Why must we fear Allah?'"

Aziz shared, "The Allah I wanted and believed in is truly merciful. My friends disliked me for this attitude," leading him to eventually drop out. Additionally, experiencing his parents' divorce caused his world to crumble. Aziz confessed, "I resented God. Why does He always bring pain? Why doesn't He love me?" He even resorted to self-harm. Aziz's mother expressed her fear, saying, "I hugged my son and cried with him, praying to Allah to help my child and end his suffering."

In the midst of his struggles, it was the Quran's message of divine love that reached out to Aziz. Muslims believe that praying on 'Laylat al-Qadr,' the night the Quran's first revelation was sent down, brings blessings greater than a thousand nights of prayer. Seeking to rid himself of long-held anger and hatred from his school days, Aziz visited a religious counseling center at a mosque after night prayers. An Imam, a spiritual leader and messenger of the Word, empathized with Aziz's pain and offered comfort based on the Quran.

For Aziz, the Quran became a healing touch. Additionally, through 'Mevlevi Sufism,' a tradition of Islamic mysticism, he sought to understand divine love through dance and meditation. Participating in the Sufi community's worship, Aziz realized that God is not an object of fear but the source of love. A Sufi practitioner shared, "Wherever you turn your face, there is Allah," which deeply moved Aziz, bringing back his smile.

Every week, Aziz participates in meal-sharing services with the Alevi community, embracing neighbors and reinforcing the precious values of Islam. In the Alevi worship hall, people of all genders and races sing, dance, and pray together. The community warmly embraced Aziz, who had been wandering after leaving school. Within the love and tolerance of the Alevi community, Aziz found peace. He stated, "I often felt lonely, but now it doesn't matter," feeling liberated from his pent-up sorrow and pain.

Aziz prayed, "O Allah of love and mercy, grant Your compassion to all who suffer under discrimination and oppression." Narrator Kim Hee-ae concluded the third episode 'The Word' with the words, "God's love permeates humanity through pain and wounds. May God's blessing accompany the long journey of following the eternal record of that love, the Word."

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr