Eid Milad-ul-Nabi or the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was celebrated on Thursday January 24, 2013 across Afghanistan with full religious zeal. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the last messenger of Allah Almighty, was born in Rabi’ al awwal - the third month in Islamic calendar. On this day, the people of Afghanistan hold gathering to pay homage to their beloved Prophet (PBUH). Afghans called upon the Taliban to renounce violence and stop killing their own countrymen as what they do were against what Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has taught the Muslims.
The message of Mohammad (PBUH) is the message of peace. Almighty Allah in the Holly Quran says about His prophet "And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a mercy to mankind" (Al-Anbiyah, The Prophets 21:107).
Islam is the religion of peace. About fourteen hundreds years back, it changed the lives of Arabs bringing them out of ignorance and blessing their lives with knowledge of knowing themselves and their creator. The light of peace did not remain confined to Arab world and soon spread to other parts of the globe. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the man behind Islam.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) implemented the religion of Islam practicing consistency, patience and strong will and determination. Behind the success of Islam, there are also sacrifices of countless people who, for the will of Allah, donated their lives and everything.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was active as a diplomat, merchant, philosopher, orator, legislator, reformer, military general, and, according to Muslim belief, an agent of divine action. His teachings cannot be limited to the Muslims only as all the human beings on this planet can benefit from them. Throughout his life, he preached Islam.
The process of preaching and inviting other people to Islam still continues and will continue. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), practically, taught people not to oppress and never be the oppressed, respect the followers of other religions, apply justice in their lives and avoid treating women harshly. He declared education ‘a must’ for both men and women. Muslim scholars have left behind their vast knowledge of sciences and arts – valuable asset for today’s and future human beings.
Today Islam is the religion of more than 1.6 billion people. Nevertheless, there are serious challenges ahead of Muslims as serious misperceptions about Islam persist in the minds of the people across the globe, especially people in West. These misperceptions up to a great extent have been given birth by the misuses of religion to achieve particular political goals.
There is a need for bridging the gap between Islam and the West. No any part of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) teachings is aimed at harming humanity, but for peace, harmony and mutual respect. Islam condemns terrorism in all its forms and shapes. Therefore, linking extremism and terrorism with the religion of Islam is nothing except a great injustice with this religion. Terrorism, indeed, has no religion, nation or country.