The very first word by which Quranic revelation is started is 'Iqra' which means read. The first tool that mentioned is pen. Who said this powerful comment of reading? Was it a principal of renowned college after his retirement? Was it a famous scientist after any memorable achievement? Was it a well known philosopher after having promoted in to any greater position?
Nay! It was an illiterate! He ordered so after having visited a cave. It was in a mountain called 'Jabalunnoor. Where the Jibril (A) came and asked him to read, he informed about his illiteracy. When the angel repeated his comment, he replayed the same. The comment came thrice and so was the reply. Then it was revealed. "Read in the name of your Lord, He created the man from 'Alaqa (clot). Read. Your lord is most generous he taught with pen".
History records how the irresistible strength of the command 'read' had changed the Arab people, Prophet (Peace be upon him) taught his followers to gain knowledge as the compulsory responsibility of each Muslim and asked them to gain knowledge even by going to China. The condition that he placed to free the prisoners of war was that at least ten of the followers should be taught how to read and write. By this, Prophet (P.B.H) was democratizing literacy (the ransom that Prophet decided for enemies in the battle of Badar was to teach ten Muslims how to read and write).
