Life and teachings of the Prophet revisited

CHENNAI, JUNE 5. Come Rabi ul Awwal, the third month of Islamic calendar, there is a sense of jubilation and a flurry of activity in the Muslim households. Rabi ul Awwal which literally means the ``onset of sprint'' is widely held in esteem by Muslims as the month of spiritual regeneration of mankind. Prophet Mohammad (May peace of Allah be on him) was born on the twelfth of this month. The glad tidings of his advent were given in all ages by the Prophets. With the sighting of the crescent, houses are cleaned and decorated, while the mosques are lighted on the night of the twelfth Rabi ul Awwal. People wake up to the joys and festivities on the day of Id-e-Milad.

The day is marked by sermons in mosques, which highlight various aspects of the Prophet's life ranging from his birth, as a supreme cosmic event and a forerunner of peace and spiritual evolution of man, to the preaching of Islam and finally his farewell address to the humanity at large from the desert plain of Arafat on the occasion of his last pilgrimage to Mecca. Prophet Mohammed's farewell address makes an impressive and soul- stirring reading. ``I think you and I shall not meet here again next year'', the Prophet thus began his famous address quietly but touchingly from the back of his camel. A little over one lakh people were listening to him in scorching heat in respectful attention sighing and struggling to control their tears. ``Women have certain rights on you and you have certain rights on them'', he resumed. Underlining the essential unity of man, he said, ``Your God is one. Your ancestor is one. You all are the children of Adam, and Adam was made with clay (a suggestion that man should surrender to God for his humble origin). The most respectable among you is the one who is the most God-fearing.'' ``People cannot be discriminated against on the grounds of nationality, status and colour''. Turning his face to the heavens he said thrice in the end: ``O Allah! bear witness that I have conveyed your message to your people''. Then, turning to the congregation he said, ``Convey the contents of my sermon to those who are not here.''

In this way, the life and teachings of the Prophet are revisited by the faithful for 12 days with enthusiasm and religious fervour. From the first to the twelfth of Rabi ul Awwal, every night, scholars describe sayings of the Prophet, his deeds and events from his life to the gatherings in mosques.

Dr. Syed Sami Ullah, Warangal

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