ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Qom and the Virgin of the City Lamps in the Heart of Darkness The snows of (Bahman) that year were falling heavily. Muhammad went into his room and closed the door while the storm remained blowing violently. When the snow fell while the wind was blowing, the (kolak) [110] would be badly cold. Therefore Muhammad gave up the idea of going home and he preferred to stay in his small room near the gate of qibla (in the holy shrine).

He could go home and come back to the haram of Lady Fatima early because he had to light the lamps in the minarets of the haram. Muhammad was a middle-aged man. He had accustomed his family not to wait for him because he might think of spending his night in the shrine of Lady Fatima (s) to offer night prayers. He found in that the sweetness of faith especially in this holy peaceful place. The mad storm at that night chilled the passer-bys and travelers.

Muhammad preferred to stay in his small warm room. The old heater gave a faint light and spread warmth about. He lit a small lamp and sat on his bed. His eyes [110] Kolak is a snowstorm. fell on some old books. Among them were books of du’a**[111]** and some books of history. In a special place on the shelf there was the holy Qur’an wrapped with a green kerchief. He had read the holy Qur’an many times.

When he wanted to recite the Qur’an, he used to close his eyes and then he whispered submissively with praying Allah to bless Muhammad and his family (s) then he opened the holy Book and recited the two pages. As usual in the winter nights Muhammad opened the Holy Book and the sura of (Fussilat) [112] appeared to him. The first verse in the beginning of the right page was the verse (39).

Muhammad began to recite the verses with a moving voice and pondered on their meaning in Persian because he was careful to understand what he read: "And among His signs is this, that you see the earth still, but when We send down on it the water, it stirs and swells: most surely He Who gives it life is the Giver of life to the dead; surely He has power over all things." [113] The wind was still whistling while roving through the curved narrow lanes of Qom.

The sound of the wind mixed with Muhammad’s voice while reciting the Qur’an: And if We had made it a Qur'an in a foreign tongue, they would certainly have said: Why have [111] Du’a is praying or beseeching Allah for something. [112] Sura no. 41. [113] Qur’an, 41:39. not its communications been made clear?