On the 12th day of Rabbi-ul-Awal or January 24, Muslims around the world including T&T will be celebrating Milad-un-Nabi (Peace Be Upon Him) with religious zeal. It is a sacred day for Muslims in particular and the entire human race. The day marks the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), who is the last of the prophets and the guide to mankind.
He brought with him the Holy Qur'an and Islam which would continue to serve as a beacon of light for the human beings till the Day of Judgment. The Holy Qur'an says: "And, (O Esteemed Messenger) We have not sent you but as a mercy for all the worlds."
"On the occasion of Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH), I would like to congratulate the entire Muslim community in Trinidad and Tobago and around the world. With the arrival of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), the clouds of infidelity evaporated and the message of peace, love and equality became eternal.
"He (PBUH) purged the Muslims of darkness of sin and integrated them into a relationship of brotherhood and one nationhood. The prophet brought about a social and spiritual revolution in the world and hence changed the course of human history.
He declared: "The Muslims are from whose hands and tongue other Muslims remain safe." The Holy Prophet (PBUH) urged his followers to imbibe the values of love, peace, tolerance and compassion and told the world that Islam is a universal religion of peace which guarantees human dignity, brotherhood and welfare without any discrimination.
"He advised the people to demonstrate sympathy, love and affection and be kind to one another in their dealings and interactions. The way Islam spread across continents within a short span of time was unbelievable that demonstrates the power of persuasion of the Islamic teachings. "Islam, a universal religion, guides the humanity to the path of peace, security and welfare.
The literal meaning of Islam is peace and total submission to the will of God. The life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is a perfect and practical interpretation of the Holy Qur'an. It is for this reason that Allah Almighty endowed the title of "mercy for all the worlds" on the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
"Islam presents such an excellent code of life as it is founded on the lofty principles of the sovereignty of Allah Almighty, brotherhood, equality and respect for humanity. Islam is firmly opposed to nepotism, sectarianism, oppression and coercion and fully rejects exploitation of every kind.
"Islam does not allow anyone to spread violence and strife on the face of Earth and forbids people to kill others. The essence of Islamic teachings is that a man should respect other human beings and does not tolerate any kind discrimination based on caste, colour, creed or race.
"Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur'an: "Whoever killed a person (unjustly), except as a punishment for murder or for (spreading) disorder in the land, it would be as if he killed all the people (of society); and whoever (saved him from unjust murder and) made him survive, it would be as if he saved the lives of all the people (of society, i.e. he rescued the collective system of human life)."
"We can make the world hub of peace by acting upon the teachings of Islam. Since Islam preaches peace and love, therefore, those who enter its fold become the embodiment of the same. There is no space for terrorism, militancy or extremism in Islam. Those who spread disorder and chaos cannot even claim to be a Muslim as the scourges of terrorism and extremism are incompatible to the essence of Islamic teachings".
(Imam Rasheed Karim is the chairman of the ASJA Media Committee and the organisation's prison chaplain).