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Sheikh Abdullah Makwinja Correspondent
Islam, like other Abrahamic religions, believes in prophets and messengers of God, who are regarded as role models for humanity. Hence on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh), we extend our felicity to all humanity.

The week in which the Prophet was born was designated by the late Imam Khomeini as Unity Week to enhance unity and peaceful co-existences in the humanity community. Throughout the 23 years of his mission, Prophet Muhammad, exemplified in every aspect the essence of true love, tolerance and human brotherhood.

Prophet Muhammad was able to express love and spread it around him and emphasised much on human dignity In the early days of Islam, when the antagonists far exceeded the Prophet’s companions in number, it often happened that when the Prophet would stand to pray, his detractors would come near him and whistle and clap in order to disturb him, but the Prophet did not even once show his anger at such acts.

He always opted for the policy of tolerance and avoidance of confrontation. Even though those around him urged him to curse their persecutors, he would say “I have not been sent to lay a curse upon men, but to be a blessing to them.”

“O my Lord, guide my people along the true path, as they are ignorant of the truth.”

The Prophet made it clear that one who would only return love for love was on a lower ethical plane. We should never think that we should treat people well only if they treat us well. We should, rather, be accustomed to being good to those who are not good to us and not to wrong those who harm us.

His heart was filled with intense love for all human kind irrespective of caste, creed, or colour. In another hadith, the Prophet said, “If a believer is not able to benefit others, he must at least do them no harm.”

This shows that according to the Prophet, the man who becomes useful to others leads his life on a higher plane. But if he fails to do so, he should at least create no trouble for his fellow men. For a man to be a really good servant of God, he must live in this world as a no-problem person.

He once advised his companions to regard all people as their brothers and sisters.

He added, “You are all Adam’s offspring and Adam was born of clay.”

This illustrates how an atmosphere of mutual love and compassion can be brought about in the world only when we consciously rise above all insidious demarcation of caste, colour and creed. Just as the Prophet did, we, too, must look at all men as human beings who deserve to be respected at all events.

Michael Hart, writes, “My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world’s most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the secular and religious level . . . It is this unparalleled combination of secular and religious influence which I feel entitles Muhammad to be considered the most influential single figure in human history’.

We take this opportunity to congratulate the whole world on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet of Islam (pbuh), who according to the holy Quran was sent by Almighty God as a mercy to mankind.

• Sheikh Abdullah Makwinja is the national director of Ahl-ul-bayt Islamic Guidance Council of Zimbabwe