I sincerely thank Radiance for bringing out Seerah Special issue (30 March-5 April 2008) with thought-provoking articles and brilliant analysis of the contrast between the present world and the world that Islam contemplates.
Prof. M. Rafat informs that the Day of Judgement will immediately follow the Age of the Last Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless and greet him); hence the final phase. Those who follow the Divine guidance shall have no fear or grief. Instead of following the Divine guidance, the so-called advanced communities introduced innovations to commit excesses against the less-privileged. The Prophetic mission aims at dispelling such innovations and re-establishes the truth and right path. Thus, the Prophetic mission is quite relevant.
The author advises Muslims to learn to find reliable information out of the pouring lot. The communication revolution violates many norms and values set by the Holy Qur’an. We should uphold one’s right to privacy and mutual respect while interacting with people. Islam holds the whole humanity as a single family. The diversity of races and clans is merely for mutual introduction and cooperation. It is as if rainwater produces a variety of fruits with different hues. We should respect the diversity of creation but should shun the indecent and unreasonable customs. Islam attaches importance to protection of environment by holding every one of us accountable for use of natural resources. People living in urban areas are interacting very less. Regular prayers in mosques break the ice and create conditions conducive for social interaction, sharing the views and concerns.
Prof. Jamil Farooqui explains how purpose of scientific advancement and technologies is aimed at the comfort of the material world, and how the rich misuse these tools to exploit the poor further. The Holy Messenger (may Allah bless and greet him) addressed this problem by teaching a comprehensive and potential system of social life. He defined the harmonious relationship between the Creator and the created, as a pre-requisite. Islamic teachings enlighten the mind and soul of the people to lead an Islamic life by following the moral and ethical principles ordained by Allah and saving themselves from falling into the trap of their own desires and ambitions. The followers of Islam, out of fellow feelings and mutual understanding, attach priority to the welfare of the Islamic society. They treat fellow human beings at par with justice and compassion. The question of exploitation or domination does not arise. When this maturity and wisdom pervade the human thinking, relationship – interpersonal, intercommunity and international – will become friendly, peace will stem and prosperity will follow.
Mr. Shamim A Siddiqi explains how the world societies were studded with many inhuman practices of domination and serfdom. The systems such as feudalism, monarchy, aristocracy, capitalism, socialism, communism and secular democracy and military dictatorship – all failed to establish an egalitarian society. The most inspiring character of Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless and greet him) evolved a peaceful and exploitation-free society based on the accountability of human beings to their Creator. This is the only hope for the humanity.
Dr. Javed Jamil beautifully distinguishes between the Islamic point of view and the Anthropic Principle on the purpose of creation of man and his position in the cosmos. He objects to the discussion on the relevance of the Holy Messenger (may Allah bless and greet him). We should rather judge this imperfect world on the touchstone of the Holy Qur’an and the Traditions, which are the final criteria. He has provided elaborate data that expose the hollowness of the so-called New World Order, which thrives on commercialisation and exploitation of human weaknesses such as alcohol, drug addiction, sexual abuse, gambling, etc. Allah chose Muhammad (may Allah bless and greet him) to engineer the greatest revolution to establish a complete system of life, in the Natural Order.
Prof. U Muhammad Iqbal states that Prophet’s Mission is relevant to Muslims, generation after generation, because Allah ordains them to take what His Messenger gives and to leave what he withholds. The life of Muhammad (may Allah bless and greet him) is perfect model for all Muslims to emulate. His Mission is relevant also to non-Muslims. For example, Salman travelled from Persia to Palestine to Paran in search of the Truth. He embraced Islam after experimenting Zoroastrianism and Christianity. Likewise, all of us should study the Prophet’s Message objectively, relying on personal investigation and not on the distorted representations. Violent opposition as well as internal sabotage could not harm Islam. The then imperial powers could not block the advance of Islam. Even now, some forces are working to project Islam as the religion of falsehood and terrorism. Allah says that Hereafter will be better than the present and this belief in Hereafter gives Muslims the necessary strength to face the adversities. The teachings of Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless and greet him) are quite relevant today. His life is an open book. The fact that the people hailing from various continents, races, social strata, languages, etc. are following Islam is a clear proof of the relevance of the Prophet’s mission.
Dr. Waquar Anwar spells out how Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless and greet him) set an example as a good trader. Transparency in dealings, riba-free economy, banning trade in items that one does not possess, prohibition of certain modes of income and manner of consumption are some salient features of a principled and healthy commercial system. Riba (unjustified additional return), forward trading, speculative trading, immoral trading such as in alcohol, gambling, flesh trade, immoral traffic and every kind of fraud are wrong practices.
Ms. Rida Islam takes pity on women pursuing the meaningless women empowerment movement to imitate men desperately. Modern woman does not want to have a family at all, which has shaken most of modern nations. Islam accords respect to woman in all her natural roles. Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless and greet him) said paradise lies at the feet of mother. He also said a perfect believer is one who is behaving well with his wife and children. He taught equal treatment to both male and female children. He prevented the companions to leave their parents and take part in expeditions. He commanded all men to lower their gaze. Women are already empowered in Islam. The unpreventable and incurable disease called AIDS is a sign for the humanity to wake up and realise the transgression. Human beings should submit to the will of Allah for their well-being.
Mr. Khan Yasir quotes Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless and greet him) having said that every one of us is a guardian (leader) and responsible for what he is entrusted with. Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless and greet him) established the Islamic empire within 23 years with minimum cost of 456 lives. His leadership qualities include absolute faith in Allah, high sense of responsibility, compassion for the ignorant, strong will, patience and endurance, steadfastness, moral teaching in a touching manner, binding social groups, welcoming good ideas, gentleness and overlooking the mistakes of others, thinking far ahead, lively personality within everybody’s reach, correct judgement about the capability of each companion, and many more refined and sublime qualities. The Holy Qur’an states that in the personality of Muhammad (may Allah bless and greet him) we have an excellent example.
Dr. S. Ausaf Saied Vasfi is of the view that the teachings of the Last Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless and greet him) are in fact essential because amorality reins our country. People try to earn respectability out of caste, wealth, connections and other worldly pursuits but God-fear finds no place. Smart politicians are exploiting the state and the people. The quantum of profit in trade is like that of salt in food. Profit-oriented corporate business is expanding at the cost of small traders. It produces more billionaires and more paupers. Western model of society is making inroads. Woman is nowhere safe. Female feticide and abnormal sexual behaviour are rampant. Our diplomacy maintains neutrality between the aggressor and the aggressed, which amounts to tacit support to the imperialist designs. Muslims have a duty to present Islam, the only hope, to one and all for the good of the country. To achieve this goal, we have to clear the bias and prejudices, to which enormous patience is necessary.
May Allah accept the efforts of Radiance team and the authors of the articles and lead us to the Right Path.