This heartwarming tale explores Quran respect and sincere devotion, revealing an extraordinary incident that exemplifies divine blessings. It’s a story rooted in profound faith and demonstrates the power of honoring the Holy Book.
A Hattat’s Legacy: A Touching Story
Emin Saraç Hocaefendi recounts a remarkable event from Medina, shared by Abdülkadir Bekli, a respected member of the city’s community. This story, recorded in the Medina Sharia Court records, is filled with wisdom and wonder.
A Life Dedicated to the Quran
During a pilgrimage season, a beautifully calligraphed copy of the Quran is put up for auction in Medina. Pilgrims from various countries admire its exquisite script and place bids. A Turkish pilgrim, filled with curiosity, approaches the Quran and exclaims:
“This is the Quran written by my late father!”
He continues, “But we buried it with him according to his will!”
Further investigation reveals the following sequence of events:
Due to a lack of space in Medina’s Jannat al-Baqi cemetery, graves are occasionally reopened after a period. During one such reopening, a remarkably well-preserved body and this very copy of the Quran were discovered. Everyone was astonished. Officials retrieved the beautifully written Quran from the grave and decided to auction it off, donating the proceeds to the Muslim community.
A Father’s Devotion
The Turkish pilgrim, overcome with emotion, completes the story:
“My father was a calligrapher who wrote a Quran each year for his livelihood. However, he also painstakingly crafted a special copy, filled with exceptional beauty and devotion. He poured all his skill into it, creating a masterpiece over a long period of time. Upon completion, he gathered us together with immense gratitude and joy, saying:
“My children! I wrote this Quran to be my intercessor in the afterlife. My will is that when I die, you wrap it beautifully and place it upon my chest!”
We fulfilled his wish upon his passing.
And so, what surprised me most was that, despite my father being buried in Istanbul, years later he was found in these blessed lands, within a blessed cemetery!
A Lesson of Faith
Sometimes, deceased believers are not left where they are buried but are transferred to places worthy of them by divine command. This is known as “transfer of graves” (nakl-i kubur). Such events frequently occur in the most blessed lands, and the pious people of Medina have long been aware of this truth. It’s a well-known fact that those who die in these sacred areas and are worthy of them, or those who pass away in distant lands but deserve to be there, have their places exchanged by angels.
This is indeed an exceptional blessing. The calligrapher mentioned here has attained such grace as a reward for his service, respect, and devotion to the Quran.
A hadith states:
“The Quran intercedes, and its intercession is accepted (by Allah).” (Hakim, Al-Mustadrak, 1:757/2087)