Quran A Personal Guide, Source of Profound Peace: Iranian Memorizer
Now a religious studies teacher, she is working to pass that connection on to a new generation.
In an interview with IQNA, Iran Yazdani, whose journey from a confused mathematics student to a memorizer of the entire Quran was driven by a search for purpose, shared her perspectives on the transformative power of Quranic study.
She described her unexpected start. “I was studying mathematics for my bachelor’s degree, and at that time, I never thought I would one day memorize the entire Quran,” she said. “I didn't even have much interest in my field and often decided to drop out. It was in this state of mind that an incident drew me towards the Quran.”
Her approach was gradual. “I started with small sections, then I saw that this (memorizing the Quran) brought me peace. Gradually, I reached a point where I could not distance myself from the Quran. Memorizing the entire Quran was not a duty for me, but a divine gift.”
The teacher emphasized the profound personal change she experienced. “Before memorizing the Quran, my life had no clear purpose. Perhaps like many young people today, I was confused and did not know what the right path was. But the Quran became a guiding light. It gave me a strange tranquility and illuminated my life's path.”
Now an educator, she argues that Iran’s school system holds a key role in fostering this connection but must change its approach. “The Education Ministry can play a key role. It would be enough to design the school environment so that the Quran is attractive to students, not just an exam subject.”
Yazdani called for systemic recognition. “Principals should honor Quran memorizers and give them a special place in school. Even a small encouragement can create great motivation,” she noted. “We need Quranic elites to be introduced as role models so that students know that someone who has memorized the Quran is valuable.”
Beyond the classroom, she pointed to the family as the primary influence. “The family is a person’s first university. If parents are people of the Quran, there is no need to forcibly send their children to classes,” she said. “The child sees the parents’ behavior and learns. Even the smallest behaviors are influential.”
Addressing a common skepticism, especially among international audiences who may view such practices as purely ritualistic, she argued for the Quran’s practical utility. “This unfortunately common view is that memorizing the Quran is only a devotional act and has no application. But my experience has proven the opposite,” she said. “Memorizing the Quran is like having an internal consultant that guides you in all life’s decisions. I owe my peace, decision-making power, and even my career successes to the Quran.”
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To make the Quran more prominent in society, she advocated for modern methods. “We must use all tools: media, social networks, creative festivals. The Quran must enter daily life,” She said.
“We must also value Quranic elites. When society sees that memorizers of the Quran have status and respect, others will also be encouraged to come to this path.”
Her final message was one of personal engagement. “I want to say that the Quran is your friend, not just a Holy Book. If you even spend a few minutes today and become familiar with the Quran, you will have a brighter life tomorrow,” she said directly to the youth. “Families should also know that their children need role models more than anything. The best model is the behavior of the father and mother. If we are people of the Quran, the next generation will be too.”
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