Prophet Mohammad Belongs To All: Miladun Nabi An Occasion To Remember The Prophet Dispatched As Grace To All Humanity
By
Grace Mubashir, New Age Islam
28
September 2023
There is no
other person in the history of mankind who has had such an influence as Prophet
Muhammad. That is why when the world-famous Michael H. Hurt made a list of the
100 most influential people in world history, he gave the first place to
Prophet Muhammad. The Prophet is not a legendary man. Not a myth. One hundred
percent was a holy man who lived in the light of history. There is a prophet's
example in every aspect of life. When the Prophet's wife Aisha (RA) was asked
about the Prophet's life, Aisha (RA) replied that the Prophet's life is the Qur'an.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the epitome of the life envisioned by the Holy Qur'an. He wasn't just a preacher. What was preached was a pious personality that was emulated in his life. He has proved through his own life that they are practical and eternally relevant. Prophet was a family hero who was a treasure of love at home. He was a good husband. He was a loving father and grandfather to his children and grandchildren.
The Prophet
who led the prayer in the mosque was a righteous judge and a good ruler. The
Prophet became an example for people in all fields. The Prophet did not live in
a Muslim-only society. When the Prophet was freed from the persecution of
Makkah and went to Madina, he became the leader of all the sects in Madina. The
covenant made by the Prophet with the community consisting of Jews and
Christians is a model for people like India where different religions and
communities live together. The Prophet did not see others as enemies. The
Prophet (PBUH) served in friendship and love with all religions and sects who
did not engage in war with the Muslims.
Milad procession welcomed at a Hindu house
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History
records that when the Prophet (PBUH) died, the Prophet's sword was mortgaged to
a Jew. The Prophet (PBUH) even gave the Christians of Najran an opportunity to
pray as his guests in the mosque of Madina. When the body of a Jew was being
taken away, the Prophet (PBUH) stood up and someone woke him up saying that it
was the corpse of a Jew. The Prophet (PBUH) asked back, 'Why is a Jew not a
human being?' When Makka was conquered, the triumphant Prophet forgave even his
bitter enemies who had persecuted him severely and driven him out of the
country. Among them were Vahsi, who killed his cousin, who protected him from
his enemies, and Hind, who chewed his dead cousin's liver. There was a woman
who used to sprinkle dirt on the Prophet's head when he was walking. when she
didn't appear, prophet visited her house.
The Prophet
was an epitome of mercy unmatched in history. That mercy was not limited to
humans. The Prophet showed mercy even to animals. Seeing a starving camel, the
Prophet reprimanded him for starving it. The Prophet did not allow trees to be
destroyed even during war. The Prophet advised not to attack women and children
and not to harm those engaged in prayer, even in cases of war. The Prophet
commanded that no one should attack those places of worship or harm those who
were engrossed in prayer, even in war.
Ayyapa
devotees given Milad sweets
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It was that
culture of tolerance cultivated by the Prophet and his Companions that created
people like Amru ibn al-Aas, who volunteered to give his nose to the governor
when the nose of the statue in the Christian temple was broken by the hands of
an Egyptian soldier after his death. When some people tried to harm a native
Arab who had urinated in the Prophet's mosque, the Prophet stopped him. Where
else can you see such generosity and philanthropy? Where else in history can we
find a lover of letters who was released on the condition that he teach letters
to his enemies captured as prisoners of war?
Not only
the public life but also the personal life was transparent like a glass jar.
Every point of that life burns in the light of history. Every movement in that
life has a recorded history. The position of the Prophet in history is that
there is no such recorded history of a religious prophet, great soul or holy
soul in the world. Not once did he consider himself to be superior or superior
to his fellows in any way or place himself in such a position. If he had done
so, it would not have been inappropriate at all. Because who is better than the
Prophet?
The
Prophet's body is the recipient of divine revelation. But the Prophet was
always humble. He lived with his followers as one of them. He sat, walked, ate
and dressed like them. Did not set itself apart in any way. Strangers coming
out had to ask who the Prophet was. Standing up to honour him was forcefully
forbidden. When someone said that he was
better than Prophet Musa, he forbade them to say so. When someone said that 'if
Allah and Muhammad willed', he was forbidden to say so.
Prophet
feared that his personality would be targeted. He taught that true relationship
and love should be with Allah.
The Qur'an
says:
'Muhammad
is nothing but a messenger of God. Many prophets have passed before him. If he
dies or is killed, will you turn back?' (Quran 3:144).
We should
see everything in the light of the Prophet's character, personality, and moral
greatness. It is from that life that all who move in the way of preaching and
movement must light their lamps. None of us can even dream of attaining the
position of the Prophet. Because Allah appointed the Prophet to be the perfect
example of the best teaching and movement the world has ever seen.
Therefore,
the more our character, mind and practical life are illuminated by this light,
the closer we will be to the Prophet, the more God will love us, forgive our
weaknesses and mistakes, and be blessed in both worlds.
Allah says:
'Tell
the Prophets to the people, follow me if you truly love Allah. May Allah love
you. And He will forgive your sins. He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (Qur'an 3:31).
Today on
the occasion of Milad Nabi (Prophet Muhammad’s birth anniversary) let us try to
delve into the injunctions and directives the Holy Qur’an has laid as regards
to the various aspects of religious tolerance. And the practical examples we
can find in the life of Prophet Muhammad.
Hindu
devotees offering to children at Milad procession
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Islam
preaches total social harmony which includes religious harmony. Islam provides
an excellent and practical model of plural society and this model was
practically implemented by Prophet Muhammad and the whole world has seen its
fruits. The message and life of Prophet Muhammad possesses extensive resources
that favour modern concepts of democracy, human rights and religious pluralism.
For
instance, The Holy Qur’an epitomises religious tolerance in a nutshell
“There
is no compulsion in religion” Holy Qur’an (2:256).
This verse
in the Qur’an constitutes a charter of freedom of conscience unparalleled in
the religious annals of mankind.
The Qur’an
further says:
“If it
had been thy Lord’s wish, everyone in the world would have believed; will you
then compel people, against their will, to believe” Holy Qur’an (10:99).
It is
unfortunate that the recent tragedies throughout the world have been linked to
Muslim extremists and also to religious intolerance. These extremists claim
they are inspired and infused with Islamic tenets. In fact, radical groups say
they want to establish a new caliphate, and an Islamic state. But the matter of
fact is that these group’s ideology and their extreme behaviour and doctrines
are not in alignment with any of Islam’s tenets, scriptures, or even remotely
connected to Prophet Muhammad’s life.
What the
pertinent question is how this community sees birthday of the Prophet? is it
not wrong to say that the current state of Ummah is to forget it's on mission
and confirm the Prophet’s memory to rituals and celebrations?
The Holy
Qur'an describes the Holy Prophet as a blessing to the entire human society, he
was placed at the height of history with the simplicity, purity and innocence
of his life. In the moments of joyful feeling that the birthday of that worldly
blessing gives thanks for this immense blessing of Allah, Sallallahu ala
Muhammad…
Interfaith
Milad Nabi Programmes In Kerala
As part of
preaching the messages of prophet to non-Muslims, Muslims try to engage with
them as much as possible. It includes special small gatherings, informal dining
sessions and community-oriented festivals. It helps all to come out of the
shroud regarding Prophet and see the light clearly.
Below are
some images from last year’s Milad festival in Kerala where Hindu community
actively engaged.
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A regular columnist for NewAgeIslam.com, Mubashir
V.P is a PhD scholar in Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia and freelance
journalist.
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-pluralism/prophet-milad-nabi-grace-humanity/d/130773