A birthday remembrance

In the Holy Quran, Almighty Allah says “O Muhammad (SAW) we have sent you as “Remahtul lil alamin” (blessing for entire unive...

In the Holy Quran, Almighty Allah says “O Muhammad (SAW) we have sent you as “Remahtul lil alamin” (blessing for entire universe). Therefore, Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) is a source of kindness not only for Muslims or Arabs but all mankind. He was born in the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal of Arabic era corresponding to 22 April 571 AD at Hijajz, that is, Makkah the holy city of Saudi Arabia.

Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) used to retreat alone into a mountain cave, the “Ghar-e-Hera”. When he was declared “prophet” by Almighty Allah his life was spent in social reform, opposing falsehood, wrong customs and traditions, injustice, maltreatment of women and weaker sections of society.

While he preached for the worship of one God only, he also preached for belief in all earlier prophets and messengers of God, and their heavenly Books, equality, respect for each other. With his persuasion for all of this, people gradually began to follow his advice.

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Within a short span of 23 years, he influenced not only Makkah and Madina but the whole Arab world and even beyond that, by his words and deeds, which is all known as “Seerat-un-Nabi”.

Once, he asked his followers. “Who is poor?” Some said, those who do not have wealth, some said those who are issueless.

Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) said: “No, that one is poor who despite lots of good deeds, does not fulfill the rights of others. Allah says, you people be kind to those living on earth, God will be kind to you”, because those who are not kind to those living on earth do not deserve kindness in heaven.

Moreover, he said that if the neighbour is non-Muslim, be more kind to him. And if in a Muslim state there was injustice on non-Muslims, on the Day of Judgement, he would favour the wronged person. He also emphasised Sadqa/ Zakat: charity, planting trees, digging wells and all those things which are for the welfare of all people everywhere.

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The Holy Quran says, “Killing one person without just and reasonable cause is like killing all mankind.” Cutting green trees and wasting water are also prohibited. Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) laid stress on education equally for all men and women.

He said, “Get an education, even if you have to go to China!” At the age of 63, he was gathered to God and left behind the Holy Quran and his ‘Sunnah’ for our guidance and salvation. He is an inspiration to all without any distinctions.

As the famous Urdu poet, late Raghupati Sahay ‘Firaq Gorakhpuri’ said: “Maloom hai tumko Muhammad ka muqam? Woh ummat-e-Islam mein mehdood nahi”. Do you know the place that is Muhammad’s? He is not confined to the people of Islam.