Zafar Bangash
An important landmark is upon us: the 1500th anniversary of the Prophet’s birthday in early September 2025. Will Muslims celebrate it in a manner that they learn something meaningful from it or will they continue with the traditional method of celebrating it by singing nasheeds? It is a choice Muslims must make themselves. We in the Institute of Contemporary Islamic Thought plan to make it a memorable event in contemporary Islamic history, insha’Allah.
The Qur’an says: “[He has sent] an Apostle who correlates for you Allah’s clear demonstration [of power and authority], so that He might extricate those who are committed to Him and do what is right and righteous from obscurity into light” (Surat at-Talaq[65] verse 11).
Muhammad (pbuh) is Allah’s last and final messenger (33:40) to all humanity (7:158) who brought the message of Islam so that people will be guided to the right path. Naturally, a prior condition is that people must be prepared to listen to and abide by Allah’s commands. Those that refuse shall find no guidance. Human beings are given the choice to accept or reject what Allah has sent as guidance (18:29).
Relating to the Prophet’s (pbuh) role in providing guidance, Allah says in the noble Qur’an, “Without doubt, in the Apostle of Allah you have an excellent role model” (33:21). In order to follow his example, we must look at his personality in its entirety and understand the struggle he waged to bring people out of darkness and into light.
Thus, Muslims must be engaged in the study of the noble Qur’an and the Prophetic Sunnah and Seerah at all times. It may be argued that it is not practical since we have so many other obligations in life. This is based on faulty assumptions.
The Qur’an teaches us that we must uphold justice at all times (4:135, 5:08 and other ayats). Being conscious of this Qur’anic principle and upholding it, we will fulfill an important Islamic obligation.
The Prophet (pbuh) taught us that something as simple as removing a stone from the path so that nobody stumbles upon it is a meritorious act. When we undertake these practical steps, we are living the teachings of the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh).
There are also certain occasions that lend themselves to engage more deeply in the study and understanding of the Seerah. This year, the month of Rabi al-Awwal in the Islamic lunar calendar coincides with the month of September in the gregorian calendar. More significantly, it is the 1500th birth anniversary of the noble Messenger (pbuh).
It is an historic occasion that must be celebrated in a befitting manner. While Muslims worldwide celebrate the Mawlid (called Miladun Nabi by Muslims in the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent) every year, there has emerged a pattern for such celebrations. There is great emphasis on nasheed recitals. While important, these tend to serve merely as spiritual entertainment for most Muslims.
If any aspects of the Seerah are discussed, the focus is mainly on the number of miracles the Prophet (pbuh) performed. It is then asserted that the Prophet’s miracles were superior to those of other prophets.
Gratifying as it may be for Muslims to hear about the miracles the Prophet (pbuh) performed, it needs emphasizing that prophethood is not a competition of miracles. Nor can we, ordinary human beings, perform miracles.
Thus, we cannot emulate the Prophet’s example in terms of miracles. Discussing them may give us some satisfaction but that misses the point of the Prophet’s seerah and his being an example for us. Our challenge is to struggle, like he (pbuh) did, to get out of the depths of darkness and into light.
Darkness is any state lived outside the frame of guidance Allah has provided in the noble Qur’an and as exemplified by the Prophet (pbuh). Light is that state of life when we live according to Allah’s commands.
This brings us to the significance of the 1500th birth anniversary of the Prophet (pbuh). It is an historic moment. Such occasions do not occur every year. Being a special occasion, we must move beyond the traditional celebrations and understand the great transformation he (pbuh) brought about in society.
The great tragedy of the vast majority of Muslims today is that we have confined the Prophet’s seerah to mundate issues. Tahara and najasa and the length of one’s beard or how high the trousers should be are issues we are trapped in. This is truly tragic.
We cannot overlook the fact that the Prophet (pbuh) took on the Makkan mushriks as well as the two superpowers of his time: the Roman and Persian empires. Given the mindset shaped by mundane teachings, most Muslims would be horrified if it were suggested to them to stand up against tyrants and oppressors to uphold justice.
The manner in which Islam, the Qur’an and the Prophet’s seerah are taught in most Muslim societies, any mention of taking on the superpowers is viewed with horror. This is branded as “politics” and according to this view, Islam has nothing to do with politics.
True, in today’s world, politics has become the game of the corrupt. It is, therefore, assumed that Islam and the Prophet (pbuh) were not involved in it. This is based on a lack of understanding of the Qur’an and the Prophetic seerah.
Even a superficial study of the Seerah shows that the Prophet established the Islamic State in Madinah. He promulgated a constitution, entered into treaties with different tribes and he waged wars against those who attacked Muslims. Islam permits Muslims to fight against those that wage war against them. There is no such concept as ‘turning the other cheek’. It is a convenient myth peddled by the oppressors and warmongers.
We need to develop a broader, holistic understanding of the Prophetic Seerah. The 1500th anniversary of the Prophet’s birthday provides a great opportunity to understand his seerah in its totality. Sent as a “mercy to all the inhabited worlds” (21:107), he was the recipient of the Qur’an as well as its first teacher and mufassir. He is also a model for all of us to emulate (33: 21).
This places an obligation upon us to study his lofty personality in its multifaceted dimensions. What this means is that Muslims have to move beyond the mundane issues and parables.
Exhibition of books on the Seerah should also form part of such celebrations to familiarize people—Muslims and non-Muslims—with the vast body of literature available. Exhibition of artefacts—the Prophet’s dress, equipment (swords and shields) as well as the hundreds of letters and treaties that he sent or signed—should be part of such an exhibition. There are some original letters still preserved in different parts of the world.
If organized properly, it would be an immense contribution to creating greater awareness about the Prophet’s (pbuh) Seerah as well as bringing Muslims onto a common platform. It is essential that Muslims unite during these troubled times and derive appropriate lessons from the Prophet’s Seerah to chart a way out of their present predicament.
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