Mutala Kutub Ke Fawaid
If I were to be made the greatest king in the world, with the most beautiful palaces and gardens to live in, exquisite and delicious food to eat, fine clothes to wear, the best carriages for travel, and hundreds of servants at my service, but with the condition that I could not read books, I would absolutely refuse to accept such kingship.
These were the words of the famous British writer, Lord Macaulay, who himself was not lacking in wealth and status. His words aptly convey the immense value of reading. As one thinker has beautifully said, “Books are a guide in youth, a diversion in old age, and a companion in solitude.” They prevent life from becoming burdensome.
Books are among the few treasures in the world that, despite being so valuable and beneficial, are a shared heritage for all of humanity. It is through books that the priceless wisdom of past and present sages, the unique insights of writers, and the pure emotions of poets are preserved in the most elegant and refined words.
The most fascinating aspect is that books are an inheritance from which everyone can take a share according to their ability, enthusiasm, and interest—regardless of whether they are rich or poor, powerful or weak, masters or servants. Through books, we can enjoy the company of the world’s greatest authors, philosophers, and statesmen from the comfort of our homes, and even seek their counsel. This advice does not require us to pay any large fees, nor do we face any difficulties when benefiting from it.
Books are often compared to friends. However, in all honesty, they are far better than friends. With friends, there is always the fear of betrayal and unfaithfulness, and the heart trembles at the thought of parting from them. But books stand by us in times of hardship and prosperity, in joy and sorrow. When the weight of grief feels unbearable, when the world’s fickleness leads to despair, and even the most sincere friends are nowhere to be found, it is in those heart-wrenching times that a book brings comfort to the soul. As a poet has expressed:
“In this world, there is no one of my own,
This, I have learned, this, I have known.
All supports are baseless, forsaken,
No one but you as my haven.”
Books are such a blessing that no other worldly treasure can replace them, for they possess a power that can lift the impoverished from poverty and deliver the unfortunate from despair. Books offer companionship to the lonely, help the sick forget their pain, and ease the suffering of the sorrowful. They fill the heart with noble thoughts and emotions. Reading inspiring biographies profoundly influences the shaping of character. Biographies present ideal examples for us to follow, illuminating our path with wisdom and motivating us to take action, instilling passion and a drive to move forward.
Books do not only impact individual lives; they have the power to change the course of history for entire nations. The writings of Rousseau and Voltaire filled the hearts of the French with ideas of freedom and equality, leading them to overthrow centuries-old monarchy and bring about a great revolution whose effects spread across Europe. The revolutionary writings of Karl Marx, Mao Zedong, and Lenin taught the oppressed working class to stand on their own feet. Meanwhile, the poetry of Hali and Iqbal worked like a miracle in reviving a once-dead nation.
Just as the company of virtuous people has a positive influence on one’s character and the company of wicked individuals poses the risk of leading one astray, good and bad books also leave their impact. Thus, one must be very careful when choosing books. Some books are merely a waste of time. Others have an insidious effect like a deadly poison, gradually seeping into the soul and ultimately leading to the death of humanity, spirituality, and morality. In contrast, reading excellent and worthwhile books fills a person’s heart with true emotions, stirs their spirit for great achievements, and cultivates resilience, ambition, and enthusiasm.
When reading, it is essential to have a purpose in mind. Reading without a goal is not only futile but also harmful, as aimless reading draws us further away from meaningful study. Some people read purely for entertainment. While it is true that occasionally indulging in a good novel is not harmful, and is indeed far better than wasting time on games like cards or Ludo, the most beneficial and noble purpose of reading is to gain knowledge. When we are born, we are completely ignorant of the experiences and knowledge of the world. Then, gradually, through the reading of books, we become acquainted in a short span with things that humanity has achieved over centuries.
Another objective of reading is to awaken the dormant powers of the mind. A good book reveals our true potential, helping us realize that we are capable of achieving something significant. Reading brings to the surface thoughts and ideas that we may not have even realized existed within us. This is why we often feel as though a book is expressing the very thoughts that had been present in our minds but that we were unable to articulate.
Just as overindulgence in anything can be harmful, excessive reading may not be very useful. Instead, whatever is read should be thoroughly understood and contemplated so that it becomes a part of the mind. Books bear the same relation to the mind as exercise equipment does to the body. Once we have exercised, we don’t need to carry the equipment everywhere; instead, the strength and power acquired through exercise stay with us. Similarly, books nourish the heart and mind with strength, but we should benefit from them in such a way that we don’t have to carry them everywhere. In other words, “Consume only as much as you can digest; read only as much as you can absorb.”
