Holy Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH)

Today is 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal, the holy Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH), marking the birth and death anniversary of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), the greatest guide of humanity and the greatest of all prophets. He was born in 570 AD in the holy city of Makkah, the centre of the world. He is not only the guide of his followers but also the ideal and guide of all people regardless of race, religion, colour or tribe. Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran, “We have sent you as a mercy to the worlds.” The Holy Prophet (PBUH) is the greatest guide, teacher and incomparable role model for humanity. Allah Almighty sent the Messenger (PBUH) with a special responsibility. He said: “It is He who has sent among the unlettered a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom, although they were previously in clear error.” (Surah Al-Jumu’ah).

At a turning point in human history, during its darkest period, he came with the message of Allah Almighty. Through his powerful call, sincere efforts, highest principles and ideals, and immaculate character, he established a luminous and superior way of life within a very short period. He removed the impurities of ignorance, superstition, injustice, sin and disbelief and created a new path of peace, civilisation, security and human dignity. As the architect of a new civilisation enriched with faith, wisdom and human qualities, he was celebrated and praised not only in the Arab world but throughout the world. As the bearer of the message of Islam, the only religion chosen by Allah Almighty, he not only influenced and defined people’s religious lives but also had an inevitable influence on every aspect of human life. He was at once the founder of a religion, the builder of a nation and the creator of an unparalleled civilisation. He is the greatest of the prophets, Sayyid-ul-Mursaleen and Khatam-un-Nabiyyin.

When the Prophet (PBUH) appeared, the holy city of Makkah and the entire Arabian Peninsula were immersed in the age of ignorance. Polytheism, war, conflict, violence, disbelief, social injustice, superstition, discrimination and human degradation had reached alarming levels. Within a short period, he transformed a degraded and fallen community into a righteous, truthful, humane and responsible nation that believed in Tawheed. He was not only the bearer and implementer of the final Book of Allah Almighty, the Holy Quran, but his entire life was an embodiment of the Holy Quran. The liberation, peace, welfare in this world and the hereafter, development and security of humanity can all come through following the Holy Quran and his life and deeds. He said, “I have left two things behind. As long as you hold firmly to these two, you will not go astray.” These are the Book of Allah and my Sunnah.

Following the teachings, ideals and guidance of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), people belonging to the Muslim Ummah have pursued their lives for more than 1,500 years. During this period, Muslims conquered many territories, established numerous empires and governed vast regions. In the past, they led the world for long periods in science, knowledge, technology, philosophy, education and culture. Today’s world civilisation is most indebted to Islam and Muslims. Whatever is beautiful, beneficial and welfare-oriented in this civilisation has the inevitable contribution of the ideals, teachings and guidance of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) behind it. The contribution of Islam to peace, security, human rights and human development is undeniable.

At a time when people in today’s world are suffering from war, conflict, terrorism and unrest under the influence of materialistic philosophies that reject religion, and when they are accelerating their own destruction by becoming obsessed with power, wealth and luxury, only Islam and the teachings of the Prophet of the world (PBUH) can provide them with the best protection. The condition of the world today is not very different from the age of ignorance 1,400 years ago. Unrest, war, conflict, discrimination, injustice and indecency have established themselves everywhere. The Prophet (PBUH) established a society free from exploitation, discrimination, injustice, corruption and criminality. It was a compassionate, kind-hearted and humane society. Such a society does not exist anywhere in our country or in the world. We speak of the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH), but we do not speak of the Sunnah of establishing a peaceful and humane society. This is regrettable.

We are passing through a time when we are increasingly moving away from the life and ideals of the Prophet (PBUH). Discussion and study of his ideals and life have almost disappeared. Previously, schools, colleges and various educational institutions and social organisations in our country used to observe Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH). Programmes were organised to discuss the life and ideals of the Prophet (PBUH). Through these programmes, children and adolescents received guidance for their lives. Now, such programmes have almost disappeared.

Some people now describe the organisation of “Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam” as Bid’ah and call its organisers people who practise Bid’ah. Yet there are no objections to events such as the Bishwa Ijtema, annual Ijlas, the conventional six-principle Tabligh, thanksgiving gatherings, Quran recitation and memorisation competitions, Khatm-e-Bukhari gatherings, Quran memorisation completion ceremonies, book publication programmes, Seerat-un-Nabi gatherings, Seerat Olympiad, Seerat competitions, Azmat-e-Sahaba gatherings, regular madrasa classes, Shana-e-Risalat gatherings and others. There is no reason to object to these events either. Scholars from different schools of thought around the world, particularly Qawmi, La-Madhhabi and Ahl-e-Hadith scholars in Bangladesh, organise such programmes. No one raises the question that these activities did not exist during the time of the Prophet (PBUH).

Therefore, it is not reasonable to describe something as misguidance merely because it is newly introduced. The main purposes of these activities are to teach the Quran, teach Hadith, discuss the Seerah, spread religious knowledge, provide advice, promote the welfare of Muslims and encourage good deeds, all of which have a basis in Shariah. In the present age of technology, there are extensive opportunities to spread Islam, its ideals, philosophy and teachings, as well as the message of the Holy Quran and Hadith, and Islamic scholars around the world are doing so. There is no reason to object to this. Similarly, observing the holy Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) is also a good way to study and spread the ideals of the Prophet (PBUH) and the philosophy of Islam. It is unnecessary to create controversy by calling it Bid’ah.

Yet we are seeing how Israel is killing Muslims while some countries in the Muslim world remain largely silent instead of strongly protesting against it. In various African countries, conflicts and wars are being encouraged and directly supported by creating divisions among Muslims. Muslims are killing Muslims. At the same time, unnecessary confusion and division are being created among Muslims over various ideologies. There is a tendency to impose one’s own ideology on others. In an attempt to establish the Salafi ideology, the views of Muslims outside that ideology are being described as Bid’ah, creating doubts and confusion. It was this group that helped break up the powerful Ottoman Empire that Muslims once had. The same group opposes the observance of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH), creating and perpetuating controversy among Muslims.

The entire Muslim world and the Muslim Ummah are passing through a difficult time. Islamophobic and imperialist forces have united and are carrying out successive aggression, wars and acts of terror against Muslim countries and the Muslim Ummah. They are employing every possible strategy to weaken, incapacitate and destroy the Muslim world and the Muslim Ummah. The genocide being carried out by Israeli forces in Palestine and the situation currently prevailing in India and other countries are nothing but a process of killing Muslims and eliminating Islam. The tendency to defame Islam and the Prophet (PBUH) is increasing. Muslims are being killed, while various obstacles are being created in their practice of religion and adherence to the Islamic way of life.

Muslims in India are being subjected to killings, persecution and oppression on a regular basis. Laws have been passed at the state level to expel Muslims. Reports by human rights organisations around the world have said that the trend of illegally punishing Muslims in India has increased. Similarly, Myanmar and various other countries are pursuing hostile policies towards Muslims and efforts to obstruct Islam. Yet various surveys in recent years have shown that interest in Islam has grown significantly around the world and that people are seeking shelter under the cool shade of Islam. Various studies have said that Muslims will become the world’s largest religious population in 2050.

Against this backdrop, Islamophobic and imperialist forces are determined to prevent the progress of Islam and Muslims. In Bangladesh too, various forms of propaganda are being carried out against Muslim national identity and Islam. In a country where 92 percent of the population is Muslim, secularism, atheism, immorality and harmful cultural practices are being encouraged. Islamophobes are spreading confusion in various ways.

On this Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH), we call upon the Muslim Ummah to remain alert and aware of the propaganda, conspiracies, plots and efforts to eliminate Islam and Muslims being carried out in Bangladesh and throughout the world. We call upon everyone to become truly humane by following the ideals and teachings of the Prophet (PBUH). There is no alternative to following the footsteps of the Prophet (PBUH) for national liberation, welfare, prosperity, development and establishment.