In the Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa, Ayah 135, it is stated:

“O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even if it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your relatives. Do not refrain from justice.”

This verse is engraved at the entrance of Harvard University’s Law Library. In the Western world, where philosophical maxims and quotations of jurists are often highlighted, Harvard has declared this Qur’anic verse as the greatest truth of all time.

Standing in the courtyard of Adarsha Academy, surrounded by the beauty of nature, Principal Pabel Hossain once told his students:
“If a world-renowned institution like Harvard University can present this verse of the Qur’an before everyone, then should we, who were born into the Muslim society, not implement it in our own lives?”

His words sank into deep silence. In the eyes of the students, a new light seemed to shine. Abid, Tawhid, Samia, Mim, Rahad, Ayesha, Marjan, Afridi, Sabbir, Mahia, Sadia, Lamia, Minju, Nuha, Sihan, Riya— all of them pledged that day:
“We will hold on to the truth, even if it goes against us.”

—

Afridi, a sixth grader. His father, Zahid, is a migrant worker in Malaysia. At home, his mother, Asma Begum, manages the family. One day, Afridi went to buy sugar from a shop. By mistake, the shopkeeper gave him extra money back. But Afridi’s heart was touched by the Qur’anic command. He decided to return the money.

At home, he hesitated for a while and then told his mother:
— “Amma, I brought back more money than I should have. The shopkeeper made a mistake. What should I do?”

Asma Begum was silent at first, then with a trembling voice she said:
— “If you keep this money, it will be haram before Allah. Return it, my son.”

Afridi felt as if the very verse engraved at Harvard was standing before him. He returned to the shop and told the shopkeeper:
— “Uncle, you gave me this by mistake.”

The shopkeeper’s eyes filled with tears. People around said,
— “This boy has truly learned real education.”

—

Sabbir, an eighth grader. His father, Firoz, is a fisherman who goes to the river every dawn. One day, during a village quarrel, some boys falsely accused Sabbir of cutting their fishing net.

A village arbitration was held. Everyone pressured Sabbir. But Sabbir lifted his head high and said:
— “I will not lie. I did not cut the net. If you find proof that I did, punish me.”

In his voice was the Qur’an’s teaching: Bear witness to the truth, even if it is against yourself.

Later, the truth came out. The villagers were astonished and said:
— “Such courage at this age? This boy will one day be the pride of the village.”

—

Lamia, an eleventh grader. Her father, Md. Kamal, is a mason struggling to run the household. One day, a friend asked her to help during an exam by showing her answers.

Lamia felt torn. She feared losing her friend. But she remembered Principal Sir’s words:
“To walk on the path of justice, you must say no, even to your closest ones.”

In the exam hall, she gave a clear reply:
— “I’m sorry, I cannot do that.”

At first her friend was angry, but later admitted:
— “You did the right thing. You’re the true friend.”

—

Sadia, also in eleventh grade. Her father, Liton, works as a tiler. One day, on her way back from school, she saw her uncle trying to grab a neighbor’s land. The whole family pressured her:
— “Sadia, stay quiet. This is a family matter.”

But Sadia remembered the Qur’anic verse engraved at Harvard. Gathering courage, she said aloud:
— “Uncle, this is injustice. Even if it is a relative, wrong must be called wrong.”

There was murmuring around. Some called it insolence, others called it bravery. But in speaking the truth, Sadia found the pleasure of Allah.

—

From that day, the students of Adarsha Academy realized— holding onto truth does not mean only speaking it, but living it in every step of life. The verse that Harvard University declared as the greatest truth in the world, the boys and girls of Hasan Nagar in Bhola began to bring alive in their everyday lives.

At the end of the class, Principal Pabel Hossain simply said:
“You are our future Harvard.”

“Photo: At the entrance of the Library of Harvard University’s Law School, Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa, Verse 135 is displayed.”