A Moment of Divine Presence – Reflections from the Qur’an Competition in Seattle

In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.

It was an honor beyond words to serve as a judge in the Qur’an competition held at the Zainab Islamic Center in Seattle — a gathering where hearts echoed the eternal melody of divine revelation. As the recitations filled the air, the verses of the Qur’an did not merely pass through our ears; they pierced the veils of heedlessness and stirred the soul’s yearning for its Creator.

Each young voice became a reminder of the verse:

إِنَّ هذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ وَ يُبَشِّرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ الصَّالِحاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْراً كَبِيراً

Verily, this Qur’an guides to that which is the most upright, and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they shall have a great reward.

Al‑Israa (الإسراء) ‎- 9

The atmosphere was not simply one of competition, but of communion — a spiritual assembly where angels descended upon us, drawn by the beauty of God’s Word rising from sincere hearts. In those moments, time itself seemed to pause, allowing us to feel the nearness of the unseen world.

The light of the Qur’an, ancient yet ever new, moved through the gathering like a gentle breeze from paradise, breathing life into weary hearts and kindling sparks of divine love. I witnessed in their recitations the reflection of that eternal covenant we once made before time — a reminder of our souls’ origin and destination.

May Allah bless these gatherings and make the hearts of our youth ever connected to the Qur’an, and may He allow us all to be among

الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ أُولئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَداهُمُ اللَّـهُ وَ أُولئِكَ هُمْ أُولُوا الْأَلْبابِ

Those who listen to the Word and follow the best thereof, those are [the ones] whom Allah has guided and those are men of understanding.

Az‑Zumar (الزمر) ‎- 18

With gratitude, humility, and prayer,

[Sayed Abazar Wahedi]

Sayed Abazar Wahedy