God has commanded reading and revealed an entire chapter of the Quran on the significance of reading. “Read in the name of your Lord” (96:1). However, some people are oblivious to the benefits of reading and may deride non-student individuals who carry books with them and read them in public places. The “Read” chapter of the Quran was the first chapter God revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
Reading is to the soul what food is to the body. Reading enriches the soul and elevates it to a higher status. The more you read, the more you know. And through reading, you can understand what exists in faraway places, and how people live in those places. You come to know what the weather is like in such distant places, what main dishes are consumed, what clothes are worn, and what customs are adopted. Hence, reading widens your horizons and rectifies assumptions you might otherwise have about some settings and their residents. You read about nations and their ways of living, you cannot capitulate to rumours said about such nations. You might have already read about this country or that country and know what is true and what is untrue about them. Reading empowers you to rebuff myriad misinformation spread by liars. Reading can also be a pleasant pastime engagement, giving you joy and deep gratification. At times, reading an engaging book is akin to listening to a good storyteller, who grabs your attention and makes you laugh.
While some nations value the act of reading, other nations do not put much emphasis on it. For the former nations, reading is not confined to any generation or strata of society. Anyone can read, be they young or old, student or none student, rich or poor. For them, reading is boundary-less, not specific to any specific generation. Buying a cup of a coffee and a newspaper to read are on the same footing for those who value reading. As much as they like to have a cup of coffee in early morning, they also like to read a newspaper or something similar to it to keep abreast of current trends of the world. Reading resides in their hearts and minds. They read privately, they read in public, they read whether they can, and in whatever settings they can afford. And they are not shamed of reading, nor do others shame them to read. To encourage reading, some nations hold reading contests and reward writers deemed to have produced compelling books that contribute to the cultures and educational advancement of those nations. Such recognition and reward incentivize the writers and encourage them to double down on their creative works aimed at benefiting their societies.
Moreover, nations accustomed to reading establish libraries in their towns and cities. Not only do towns and cities have libraries, but every neighbourhood has its own library where residents come to borrow books and other items, and hang out to read whatever materials they have to read. Libraries found in neighbourhoods are called public libraries and are open to all ages of patrons. Also, there are other types of libraries. They are school libraries, academic libraries, and corporate libraries. Each of these libraries caters to specific needs and serves particular patrons. These libraries acquire and store specialized materials specific to the needs of their particular patrons.
On the other hand, nations that do not value reading do not create reading endeavours for students, be they in schools, colleges, or universities. Worse, the general public of these nations does not see any value associated with reading. They may ask what the point of reading is. Am I a student and preparing myself for an exam? What do I get from reading books, newspapers, or magazines? The general public may also deride those who are not students and still carry books with them. For example, if you carry a book with you and sit in a public place to read, people may stare at you and even ask you questions. What are you reading? Are you learning something somewhere? Unable to resist their curiosity and questioning, it is possible to eventually stay away from reading books in public places.
Nations that do not value reading do not establish viable libraries in their countries. Neither their towns nor their schools have libraries where citizens can access knowledge to advance their educational standards. You can come across a big city with a large population that does not have a single viable library. No wonder, because such countries do not see libraries’ values and what they stand for. You may argue that such nations cannot afford to build libraries for their citizens. No, that is not the case. Economically, they can afford to establish libraries in their cities, towns, schools, and academic institutions. Nevertheless, those in leadership positions do build libraries, and the public does not demand libraries in their cities, towns, neighbourhoods, or educational institutions.
God commands us to read. So, it is imperative to read, encourage reading and readers. Reading leads to awareness and stimulation. The more your brain reads, the more it gets stimulated. Pick the habit of reading and read whenever you can, in whatever possible setting. If you are frowned on for whatever reason, try to resist that derision.