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Sunday, July 05, 1998
Egypt's Honourable Guests, Reverend Ulemas Brothers and Sisters, On this glorious Islamic occasion, marking the birthday anniversary of Prophet Muhammad, the altimate of Allah's Messengers, who was sent as a mercy to all nations, it is my pleasure to extend congratulations and greetings to you in my own name and on behalf of the faithful people of Egypt.I hope that our meeting in this holy night will be an occasion where we would derive strength and seek guidance from the life story of this great Prophet (peace be upon him ). His message has crowned the procession of guiding messengers. God calls us to follow his path and derive moral lessons from his immaculate course of life as Allah Almighty says, in the Holy Quran "Verily in the messenger of Allah ye have a good example for him who lookth unto Allah and the Last Day, and remembereth Allah much." You all may share with me the belief that We need today, more than ever, to seek from the life of the gracious Prophet the essence of the message sent to all mankind. we need to get acquainted with his righteous method of building both good individuals and storng, cohesive community and establishing bridges of communication and interaction with other nations and peoples. This is particularly important as we, together with the whole world, are on the threshold of a new century which will start after less than twenty month, the forthcoming century that will bring new risks and unprecedented challenges; as well as such fresh opportunities for progress and prosperity that we should not let slip through our hands. During the last years of the 20th Century, thanks to the overwhelming sway of science and its amazing developments in various fields, most of the barriers among nations have been dismantled, such that isolationism and self-insulating have been no longer a possible, beneficial nor secure option. Accordingly, we Muslims must communicate with all peoples of the world on a give-and-take basis. Thus, we can participate in building a new world where chances of justice, freedom, equality and peace are increasing.This requires us to be on the lead of the active and positive powers taking the intiative and daringly and self-confidently facing challenges. We should declare to all the world that we are able to provide a firm moral base for the new human march. This moral base is inspired from our humane Islamic civilization as well as from the biaography of the great prophet, whose blessed birthday we tonight celebrate. Let us identify some of the features of the method laid down by Allah Almighty and later handed down by Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him) to believers and succeeding rulers, so that they would not deviate from the right path nor disintegrate into different factions. This is particularly required as they are seeking to achieve a major civilizational awakening, whereby they could restore their leading position, and realize the Islamic peoples' aspiration for security, prosperity and stability. The Prophet's method of educating individual was not one of compulsion or coercion. According to Islamic Shar'ia, a coerced person shall have no say to reckon on, nor shall there be any benefit in obeying him. The great Prophet was sent by Allah to facilitate not to complicate,to remind not to dominate Thus, his was a method of educating, guiding and instructing with soft words, good advice and good example given by the Prophet during his lifetime to the nation and coming generations after him. So lenient and merciful was the Prophet that his heart never harboured any violence nor his conduct showed any cruelty. This is reflected in Allah's words in the Holy Qur'an" It was the mercy of Allah that thou wast lenient with them ( O Muhammad), for if thou hadst been stern and fierce of heart, they would have dispersed from round about thee". What strikes us is the Quranic and Prophet's method of educating individuals is that Islam provides three bases, at present most needed by our nation, for building both individual and community, namely science, work and power. Speaking of science, it was no coincidence that the initial verses of Heavenly Revelation mentioned reading, learning and writing, so as to show that Islam is a religion of science and civilization. This was asserted in Allah's words in the Holy Book of Quran, where scientists of all men are considered the most God-fearing, given that they are the most-knowledgeable of the secrets of creation and the greatness of the creator. Moreover, Allah accords a more honourable status to those who know over those who know not. Therefore, the Prophet naturally makes science a mandatory duty for each Muslim man or woman, urges all Muslims to pursue learning, ever as far as China. He held scientists as heirs to prophets. On Doom's Day, the ink used by scientists is weighed against martyr's blood. Ever since the beginning of Islamic call, the Prophet was keen on combating illiteracy, thus making the pursuit of learning an available option for all wishing believers. Hence, it was the practice of the Prophet( peace be upon him), following the Badr Battle, to release each prisoner of war who teaches ten Muslims how to read and write . Nothing is more indicative of the importance accorded by Islam to science and knowledge. Science as conceived by Islam is not confined to religious science ( theology) but it encompasses all types of knowledge whereby man seeks to reach truth and unravel the unknown. However, religious science has its own qualified men with indepth knowledge of religion. For God Almighty says "Of every troop of them, a party only should go forth, that they (who are left behind) may gain sound knowledge in religion, and that they may warn their folk when they return to them, so that they may beware." Apart from that, the fields of science are opened before all without limits or restrictions, in order to meditate, study and find out laws govering the universe with the object of reconstructing the planet, spreading prosperity and establishing civilization as Allah says in Holy Quran, "And hath made of service unto you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth; it is all from Him. Lo! herein verily are portents for a people who reflect." Obviously, the doors of science would be opened only except for those who use their power of intellect to search, study and meditate. Hence, the emphasis, at the end of the verse, is laid on the fact that the way is paved for those who use their intellect whereas those who do not think, will not have a share of knowledge or progress. It is not appropriate for man, whom was appointed by Allah as His successor on earth, to stop using his intellect, abandon resarch and study, for Allah entrusted man with the message of reconstructing the earth, elevating civilization and making glory and progress. We need not emphasize that it is not appropriate for a nation with a great ancient civilization such as ours to lag behind the contemporary march of civilization. If progress means to some other nations an addition or luxury, to us a matter of life or death, on which our destiny it is, to be or not to be is determined. In the age of scientific revolution, there is no room for the ignorant and the weak. However, working hard on the path of reform, construction and reconstruction is a slogan for all Muslims in the Holy Quran, for Allah Almight says "And say (unto them): Act! Allah wil behold your actions, and (so will) His messenger and the believers,". It appears as if the Prophet knew the challenges awaiting his nation in a world where peoples compete over what they produce, manufacture and what they excell at shaping. So, He addressed his nation saying " Allah loves that when you do a work, you doit well". Thus, work becomes worthless if not done with mastery.Today, industry will be of no use, if not capable of competing with others. Power from time to time, acquires different meanings.Today power is multi-dimensional and multi-faceted, with intermingling elements and components. A nation's power is measured not only by its military strength but also by its social coherence, stable and sound economic system, proper political as well as its rich civilizational and cultural composition. Today, a nation's wealth is measured by what they know rather than they possess. Human resources have now become more significant than natural resources. All the said elements together constitute the bases for leadership whereby rights are protected, aggression detered and harm fended off. Hence, no wonder the Prophet Muhammad-may peace be upon Him-teaches us that a strong believer is better and more favoured by Allah than a weak believer. He used to pray for Allah to protect Muslims against disability and sluggishness. Moreover Prophet Muhammad urges the Muslims to endeavour to seek elements of power so that no one would take his weakness and failure as an excuse or put the blame for his dilatory and negligent attitude on irresistable fate. The power we are demanded by the gracious Prophet to arm ourselves with is not that of tyranny and aggression nor that of unjustly encroaching other people's rights. It is rather the power that guards right, protects constructive efforts and defends all national work against aggressors,duly aligned to the side of the injured, the weak and the oppressed. As for community building, Prophet Muhammad -may peace be upon him- lays down three bases: First: Solidarity and the individual's sense of responsibility towards the destiny of his nation. Second: Allowing every individual to seriously contribute to the administration of the affairs of his community. Third: The Islamic Nation has to communicate with other nations in order to exchange experiences and benefits, thus allowing international relations to be based on peace and beneficial cooperation. The trustworthy Prophet was keen on teaching Muslims that the effects and results of all deeds of an individual will reflect on the whole community, that one should not be egotistic and self-centered. Man is not regarded as a believer from an Islamic point of view if he is glutted while his neighbour is starving and that "the best are those who are most beneficial to others". Regarding the contribution to community affair, Prophet Muhammad( peace be upon him ) said that "Whoever is not concerned with Muslims' affairs is not considered one of them". This injunction for allowing public participation to the nation was made in response to a Heavenly inspiration to the gracious Prophet as expressed in the Quran: " So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult with them upon the conduct of affairs". The same idea recurs when the Creator describes the believers as those who consult each others, Prophet Muhammad sets the best example to the extent that Aisha-God bless her- said that nobody had ever consulted people more than Prophet Muhammad- may peace be upon Him. As for the communication with others, the convention concludedby the Prophet -peace be upon Him- when he entered Yathreb as an emigrant is the clearest and best witness. The Prophet established a constitution which served as a basis for judgement for all the tribes living in Medina including Al-Aws and Al-Khazraj, the Jewish tribes also living in Yathreb as well as all tribes who emigrated with Him -peace be upon him- from Mecca. This constitution described each of these tribes as "a nation with the believers". Soon the Prophet sent messages to the kings and rulers of the whole world calling them with tolerance and cordiality to enhance Islam and cooperate in good-going and righteous behaviours rather than in sinning and aggression. In such a way, he gives an excellent example of how the relations among nations and peoples should be. Brothers and Sisters, Our great nation stands at a historic crossroad. We have no choice but that of progress and development because all the nations around us are competing, racing, and rushing with maximum energy to win position of leadership and superiority under the new world order, which is still in the making. . Awakening is not merely well-wishing made by peoples nor a slogan which can be achieved merely by shouting, too much talking, but rather a course arduous and continuous work, meaningful, rational endeavour and first and foremost test for the solidity of nations and peoples. We are a nation of a great history and eternal message, entrusted by Allah to call for right, justice and we are endowed with a system of sublime human values capable of achieving these great goals and protecting human progress against animosity and dissension generated by greed and inflamed by egoism, the temptation to use power to enslave the weak and overpower the poor and denial of the right of the deprived. We have no other choice but to muster up our efforts, coordinate the sources of our power, glory and dignity. We are having the age of major international and regional blocs where no single country can be effective capable of steadfastlydefending its rights and interests against these blocs which possess huge potentialities and resources. Nothing can preclude economic integration and cultural and political coordination among the Arab nation. Such integration and coordination will not be directed against anyone, on the contrary, it is intended to make the Arab nation more capable of contributing effectively to the world's prosperity, security and safety. There is no room in today's world for isolation, Unless, we help ourselves nobody would help us and no Heavenly miracles are waiting for us. For this, Allah hold us responsible, as He says in Holy Quran,"Allah changeth not the condition of a folk until they change which is in their hearts". Dear Brothers and Sisters, We have to recall all this as we are commemorating the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad whose life was an honest expression of the Heavenly-inspired sublime values, ideals and high principles. That's why Sayyeda Aisha, God bless her, has described him saying "His manners were derived from the Quran". This testimony had been clearly expressed in the Holy Quran: "And Io! thou art of a tremendous nature" We have to realize in all our steps that Islam is in essence a civilized message. We can not turn it into a rigid religion nor an extremist or aggressive thought because the message of Islam is one of peace and co-existence with all religions, civilizations and cultures. According to Islam all people are created from one soul. They are all brothers in humanity regardless of varying languages, colours and races. No one is favoured over others except by nature of benefits he presents to people. Let us set a good example for others in setting firm grounds for love, unity and cooperation amongst ourselves as loyal Muslims to our doctrine and our Prophet and amongst Muslims and other peoples in Western and eastern parts of the globe. The ultimate goal is the interest of man, who was appointed by Allah as His successor on earth and most favoured of all creatures. Let's derive from the virtuous course of life of our Prophet the energy to rejuvenate our determination, sharpen our effort and enlighten our path. May God bless us and guide us to the right path, He is the All-Hearing , All-Responding. May Allah's Peace and Mercy be upon you |
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