The attachment of Imam Husayn (as) with the Holy Quran was very strong. Infact, this is evident from his Ziyaaraat (salutations) that we recite on different occasions.

For instance, in the Ziyaarah of Laylatul-Qadr, we recite:

“I bear witness that you established prayers, and gave Zakat, enjoined the good and forbade evil. You recited the Book (Quran) the way it should be recited…”

Similarly in the Ziyaarah of Imam Husayn (as), which is recited on the day of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Ad-haa, we say: “I bear witness that you were the recitor of Quran…Peace be on you O companion of Quran”.

In his Ziyaarah of Imam Husayn (as), our 12^th Imam, Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi (AJ) has stated: “You were for the Prophet – a son and for the Quran – a support”. (Bihar al-Anwaar)

Abdul-Rahman Salmi taught one of the sons of Imam Husayn (as) to recite Suratul-Fatiha from the Holy Quran. When the child read the Surah in presence of his father, Imam (as) gave 1000 dinars to the tutor and added many other lavish gifts.

Somebody asked the Imam (as) as to why he (as) had given away so much and the Imam (as) replied, “Whatever I have given cannot be matched with what he (the tutor) has given to my son”. In another narration, it is mentioned that the Imam (as) said, “These gifts are valueless if it were matched with the learning of Quran”. (Tafseer al-Burhaan)

What the Imam (as) implied was that his gifts which he (as) gave to the tutor of his son were nothing in comparison with the gift the tutor had given to the child of teaching him the Holy Quran.

Imam Husayn (as) used to respond to people with quotations from the Holy Quran.

‘Assam Ibn Mustalaq reports that:

[Once, as I was entering into Madina, my eyes fell upon Husayn bin Ali (as). Seeing him filled my heart with awe and respect for him. However, the hatred of his father, which was hidden in my heart, erupted.

I went to him and asked, “Are you the son of Abu Turab (Ali)?”

“Yes” he (as) replied.

Thereupon, I started abusing him and his father in the most degrading manner. Meanwhile Imam Husayn (as) patiently listened to me and there was no sign of anger or annoyance apparent in him. Eventually, he (as) recited the following verse from the Holy Quran:

“I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan. Adopt (the policy of) excusing (the faults of) people, bid what is right, and turn away from the ignorant. Should a temptation from Satan disturb you, invoke the protection of Allah; indeed He is All-hearing, All-knowing. When those who are Godwary are touched by an insinuation of Satan, they remember (Allah) and, behold, they perceive. But their brethren, they draw them into error, and then they do not spare (any harm)”.

                                                                                          (7:199-202)

Then the Imam (as) said, “You have been misled and I pray for your forgiveness. If you desire any help then we shall help you; If you desire any support then we shall support you; and if you need any guidance then we shall guide you”.

When I heard these words, I felt ashamed and remorseful about my action. Seeing this, the Imam (as) recited, “He said: There shall be no reproach on you today. Allah will forgive you and He is the most Merciful of the merciful”. (12:92)

Then he (as) asked, “Are you from the people of Shaam (Damascus)?”

I replied, “Yes”. Imam (as) said, “I do not give importance to what you have said to me. May Allah (SWT) protect you and us. Now tell me what can we do for you? Godwilling, whatever we give, you will find it more than you hoped for and your misunderstanding about us shall disappear”.

I did not find any place to hide myself due to the embarrassment and wished the earth would tear apart and swallow me in it. Today, there is no one on the face of this earth whom I hold dearer than Imam Husayn (as) and his beloved father.] (Safeenah al-Bihar)