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by Alhaj A. C. M. Shafeek , President, All Ceylon Moors Association

Muslim the world over will commemorate the birth of Holy Prophet S.A.W. on May 25, 2002. Holy Prophet Muhammed (Sal) was born on the 12th day of Rabiul Awwal (570 A.C.) in the desert town of Mecca in Arabia at a time there was turmoil and disorder in that country.

The Prophet's (Sal) sole was inspired by mysteries of creation of life and death, of good and evil, of order and chaos. When he was born, Arabia was a desert land which bore nothing, it was out of nothing a decent new world was fashioned by the mighty spirit of Prophet Muhammed (Sal), a new life, new culture, new civilization, new kingdom, which extended from Morocco to Indies and influenced the thought and life of the three continents, Asia, Africa and Europe came into being.

Prophethood

His call to Prophethood was at a time when Arabia was a backward, primitive country, people lacked human values, imbibed in immorality, bursting ever into quarrel and without a religion, no man could have commanded them. After the fall of Mecca there were more than one million square miles of land lay at the feet of Prophet (Sal) in his quest to establish "The Unity of God" he underwent great hardships, insult, obstacles and conspiracy to kill him by the enemies. In Thaif city on the way to Medina he was abused, stoned and was heavily wounded. When reaching Medina and Prophet of Islam was given a rousing welcome by the Medinians, where he established a firm base to propagate Islam.

He raised an army of the faithful and encountered the Mecca army of infidels at the "Battle of Badr" and defeated the foes. Few years after he led the attack on the Citadel of Mecca, stormed it and marched into the holy mosque purge it's precincts of the various idols and purified the place for divine worship. His own treatment of enemies was the noblest example for his followers. At the conquest of Mecca, he reached the zenith of his power. The city that had tortured and terrorized him and his followers were at his feet.

By the laws of war the Prophet could justly avenge all the cruelties inflicted on him and his people, but he did otherwise, he pardoned his enemies who later accepted the truth and the Prophet of Islam.

Sermon on Mount Arafat

When the hosts of Arabia came flocking to join the path, Islam, the Holy Prophet (Sal) felt that his mission was accomplished, he was determined to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. The holy Prophet (Sal) left for Mecca with a large contingent of his faithful and addressed from the top of Mount Arafat, which sermon still, reverberates and lives in the hearts of all Muslims. He said "Ye people, listen to my worlds, for I know not whether another year will be left to me after this year to find myself amongst you at this place.

Your lives and properties are sacred and inviolable amongst one another until ye appear before the Lord, as this day and month is sacred for all and remember ye shall have to appear before your Lord, who shall demand from you an account of all your action in this world. Keep always faithful to the trust reposed in you and avoid sins.

Usury is forbidden, see that you feed your slaves with such food as ye eat and cloth them with what ye wear. Ye known that all Muslims are brothers unto one another. Ye are one brotherhood, guard yourselves from committing injustice. I am leaving unto you two noble things, so long as ye cling on to them. Ye will not go astray. One is the Quran, and the other is the tradition of his Apostle. Prophet (Sal). Towards the conclusion of the sermon the Holy Prophet overcome by the intense enthusiasm of the people, a sudden glow flashed up his face and eyes filled with joyful tears. He raised his hand to the heavens and said thrice, "Oh Lord, I have delivered my message and accomplished my task."

Prophet's Contribution

Holy Prophet's contribution to human thoughts and for the progress of mankind are too many to give in this short note, but some of them needs reference in this article.

He lifted the concept of the word "Religion" from prayers, fasting and charities to things yet better, higher and nobler. Instead of the word "Religion" he gave the concept of "Deen" and equated it with the nature of Allah and with service of humanity. He is kind merciful and forgiving and therefore in your day today life you must be also kind, merciful and forgiving. In the "Deen" that the holy Prophet gave, not only to the Muslims but also to the entire humanity, the key word is "Service" to all mankind without any distinction of sex, race, religion caste or creed or on the basis of the one's rank of position. There is a bountiful verse in the Quran which says "You help others on this earth and Allah will help you in the Heavens."

The Holy Prophet (Sal) gave the world the new inspiring concept of one human family. He lifted humanity from the narrow concept of being shut in by rivers and mountains, the so-called established frontiers of states are but artificial. History bears witness to changes in the boundaries of many states.

The Holy Quran tells us that all of us have been created from one male and one female and it is later on that we have been spread into various tribes, races and nationalities.

The preachings of the Prophet teaches us to keep the balance between the temporal and the spiritual aspects, indeed we need both material and spiritual prosperity. Islam teaches us to seek the bounty of Allah both in this world and world hereafter.

Islam teaches us how to pray and to fast and to perform other socio-religious duties, one's right over their wives and the rights of wife over the husband, thus the Holy Prophet speaks of a balanced way of life. Holy Prophet was a great teacher of moral and ethical values which creates in the minds of a person a sense of responsibility and awareness of better consequences and this makes a person enriched in this sense of kindness to others.

Faith in Allah

In Islam service to humanity is a great goal of life. Many scholars have referred to his charity as proverbial.

The Holy Prophet had absolute faith in Allah. Nothing can prove it better than his implicit faith in Allah, when on his way to Medina, he was in the Cave of Saur alone with his ever true companion, Sayyidina Abu-bakr, and was surrounded with avowed enemies from all sides and when he found his companion perturbed and angry, he calmly, but with confidence told him, "Grieve not surely, Allah is with us." Confidence in Allah was the hallmark of the Muslims which had made them leaders of light and learning the world over.

We have to once again, regain our lost ground and through perseverance we shall be once again in the lead. Prophet Mohamed (Sal) preached the doctrine of "One True Allah" to the idol worshippers of Arabia and these words have been the life guidance of millions of men and women throughout the world. The words are "There is no God but Allah" Mohamed Sallahu Alaihi Wasallam is the messenger of Allah." This is the faith of Islam.

With the blessed Holy Prophet Mohamed Sallahu Alaihi Wasallam, as our guide and preacher, let us keep marching towards the great Islamic goal of Peace, Progress and Prosperity.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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