By: Sadoqat Qahramonovna To’rayeva
A book is a person’s best friend, closest companion, and confidant. Books contain vast knowledge and bring together many destinies. There are things a book can teach that even some people cannot. Whether big or small, books can touch everyone’s heart and contribute to the development of our thinking.
Books help discover new individuals, people with high potential and broad perspectives. They reveal events we haven’t witnessed in real life. They show the characters of people around the world and guide us on how to interact with them. Abu Rayhan Beruni said: “A person without knowledge is blind, deaf, and mute. A book is a treasure of knowledge.”
The happiest person is a reader. A reader keeps reading, and as a result, grows spiritually more than those who don’t read. Exactly because of reading, they become richer than others. The more we read, the more we understand the book, ourselves, and our identity. Books heal our soul with their words and the remedies hidden inside. “Knowledge is the light that purifies the human heart, and the book is its source.” (Imam Ghazali)
A good book is better than an ignorant person beside us. There are such books that, once read, can be applied throughout our lives or can entirely change our lives for the better. A true reader feels the book deeply and can compare it with the lives of others.
If one reads a book, they will understand that it benefits not only themselves but also those around them. In a family, if one person starts reading, others will likely follow. A person who reads has a rich mind. Their view of others changes, and they can bring goodness and new ideas not only to the outer world but also within themselves. Through reading just one book, we begin to understand life; our words become sharper, our thoughts clearer, and our conclusions more complete.
To enrich our spirituality and reach the heights of culture, we must acquire knowledge. When we look around, we see successful people. Surely, they didn’t reach their status by chance. They spent time among knowledgeable, capable individuals and learned a lot from them, while also striving on their own. Entertainment and wasting time give us nothing. If we want to achieve something, we must start now. Time will never wait for us. We must begin striving for our desired success from today.
Let’s be the kind of people who amaze the world with our intellect and wisdom. We are spiritually nourished by the books written by great minds. One day, we must strive to write books that will help future generations distinguish between good and bad, right and wrong. Over time, worldviews change. To ensure that today’s ideas are understood in the future, we must leave behind a rich legacy. Whether in the company of ordinary people or among scholars and politicians, there are those who can speak appropriately and clearly. They can convey their well-thought-out ideas in a way that listeners understand.
Let us read books—be it scientific or artistic, the type doesn’t matter. What matters is that we read for the sake of our nation, for the community. Especially our women must read. Because when a woman reads, she reads not only for herself but also for the upbringing of future generations. A single mother can raise either several unworthy children or several educated and successful ones.
Reading is easy; understanding it is not easy for everyone. A book that is read carelessly gives no benefit. Learned knowledge, a book that benefits others — that is a true book.To understand the world more deeply, to analyze any situation in our lives, and to make the right decisions, the help that books provide us is invaluable. What if the street troublemakers had studied life through books—would they regret how their days are passing? If those begging for alms had once looked into books, perhaps they would have led a different life.
Just as there are good and bad people, there are also useful and useless books. We must learn to draw conclusions after reading a book. The best choice a reader can make is to select a beneficial book. There are authors who can embed great meaning into a short story. A reader benefits only when they discover and understand this hidden meaning. Abdulla Qahhor, a prominent figure in Uzbek literature, is one such writer who could fit profound messages into small-scale works.
Nowadays, with the advancement of modern technology and a decline in reading habits, some parents are giving their children phones or computers. Unfortunately, some children misuse them. They become accustomed to colorful games and short videos. Everything seems to be hidden in that “rectangular box.” A child accustomed to such distractions finds books unappealing—books have many pages, require time, and demand reflection. Compared to this, smartphones and computers seem easier to them. In doing so, we are unintentionally teaching children not to think, not to reason. A nation, a parent, or any noble person who thinks about tomorrow must put a book in a child’s hand today—must give them a real book.
Those who soared in the skies,
Built golden palaces,
Ask “What shall I give?”
Give a book to the child!
The child is a swan, a white dove,
Unaware of the world,
Not yet touched by evil,
Give a book to the child!
(Zulfiya Mo‘minova)
We must place our trust not in today’s technology, but in the children who will create the technology of tomorrow! For that, we must make sincere efforts and achieve great results. By giving a book to one child, we can do immense good for one human being.
Reading enriches a person’s thinking, expands their knowledge, and improves their speech. Books not only provide new information and knowledge but also support personal development and help shape one’s worldview. In today’s fast-paced information age, a book remains a priceless resource that nourishes the spirit and encourages a deeper perspective on life. That’s why every person should dedicate a special place for reading in their life.
In conclusion, becoming a reader is not an easy task. The desire to read and gain knowledge is a gift that God places in every person’s heart. If you are continuing to seek knowledge, know that God has not withheld His grace from you. Readers are our present, our tomorrow, and our future. They are respected and cherished everywhere. True joy lies in reading a good book — it gives us the feeling of having a sincere companion by our side.
Sadoqat Qahramonovna To’rayeva was born on March 26, 2005, in Gurlan district of the Khorezm region. She graduated from School No. 23 in Gurlan district and studied at the academic lyceum of Urgench State University from 2021 to 2023. Currently, she is a second-year student at the Faculty of Philology and Art of Urgench State University named after Abu Rayhon Beruni.