THE whole month of Rabi-ul-Awal is being celebrated across the country to celebrate the birth of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) highlighting different aspects of His (PBUH) life as guiding principles for the Muslims with the pledge to transform the whole society in line with his teachings of tolerance, forgiveness, patience, humanity, compassion, reconciliation and dialogue. The heart of every Muslim is filled with the deepest love for the Holy Prophet (PBUH). It is the love of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) which had the greatest asset for the Muslims. Every deed of the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) life has to be followed by the Muslims with utmost devotion as the highest test of faith.
Around 570 AD, the Holy Prophet (PBUH)was born in Mecca, Arabia and died in 632 in Medina. It is believed that the holy Prophet (SAW) was born on Monday: When the holy Prophet of Allah (SAW) was asked about fasting on Mondays, he replied, That is the day on which I was born and the day on which I received Revelation. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) is the last messenger of the Almighty and a man of wise words, honesty and mercy on all human beings. The entire humanity has been blessed by the birth of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and therefore any day related to his life is of great significance for Muslims irrespective of geographical boundaries. On this day, the believers greet his birthday to show their love and devotion to him. This festival is all about remembering and regarding the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
The day of Eid Milad-un-Nabi is celebrated with great zeal and fervour in an unprecedented manner across the country. The day begins with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in provincial capitals with the aim of paying homage to the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The religious processions are being held in various cities to remember glorious teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Public and private buildings, mosques and streets are decorated while special prayers were offered in mosques for peace, development and prosperity of the country. On this day, the Muslims offer special prayers in mosques and countless blessings is sent upon the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The importance of sending blessings upon the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is very significant, so on this day, the Muslims try to read blessings increasingly.
The life of Holy Prophet (PBUH) represents a complete picture of the “Divine Message” which was communicated to him for the entire human race to bring them out from the deep swamp of darkness to the brightest light of paradise (polytheism to monotheism). The Holy Prophet (PBUH) has proved himself to be the ideal of manhood a combination of the best social attributes: spotless character, virtuous behaviour, graceful manners, most honest in talks, truthful, gentle-hearted, chaste, hospitable, merciful and kind towards all segments of the society, particularly children, orphan, old, women and the poor. The fellow citizens in the surroundings by common consent have given him (PBUH) the tile of Al-Amin (the trustworthy).
The religious scholars describe in these processions the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his way of life in the life of the coming generations. In order to make Pakistan a true welfare state like Medina, it is mandatory on each and every Muslim to take practical steps to follow biography of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in all aspects of their lives.
Someone asked Aisha (R.A) about the noble character and manners of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), she answered: Have you not read the Quran? His character is a complete explanation of the Quran. It means the ideal character and manner which the Holy Quran demanded from the mankind was present in the personality of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in the highest degree. Love of Allah’s Messenger is compulsory part of the Muslim faith as there is a Hadith which says: “None of you has Faith unless I am dearer to him than his father and his son and all mankind”.
The life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is a role model, beacon of light and practical demonstration of Islam and Holy Quran for resolving the most complex issues being faced by the humanity. And he (PBUH) has introduced the system of justice for the entire humanity with special focus on the rights of weaker segments of the society: widows, orphans, poor, children, old and minority. As an ideal role model, the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) teaches us different roles and responsibilities in the society such as father, son, teacher and husband. Lots of lessons about tolerance, forgiveness, patience, humanity, forbearance, compassion, pardon, reconciliation and dialogue could be learnt from the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) who has guided people in all aspects of life for maintaining peace in the society.
The large number of conferences and seminars regarding biography of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) would highlight the teachings, biography and other aspects of the Hoy Prophet’s (PBUH) life for following his footstep that he was sent as “Rehmatul Lil Alameen” and his teaching is for all times and all living beings. And he (PBUH) is a role model for all of us. His teachings work as a beacon of light in the darkness, not only for the Muslim community but whole humanity. This source of light and guidance can lead us towards the righteous path, which is the true path of the Almighty.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Islamabad.
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