An intellectual re-reading of his Blessed personality is the need of the hour.
Dear Friends and respected scholars.
We live in an age where labels often overshadow the essence of a soul. Today, we are here to attempt an intellectual re-reading of the Blessed personality of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.
The Spiritual Secularist
I choose to describe him as a Spiritual Secularist. Why? Because the Prophet never compromised on the values of justice and human dignity. He was a leader who stood firm against oppression, especially when it originated from within his own community. He warned his followers sternly not to resort to injustice, or else risk missing the very train of salvation you seek. His message was clear: faith is empty without justice.
The Balance of Logic and Emotion
Now, we must admit a certain reality. While we as Muslims can be cold and logical when debating the existence of God, logic often bows to emotion when we speak of the Prophet. Sentiment gets the better of us because the love for him runs deep.
However, love should not prevent us from an intellectual inquiry. Beyond his role as a social reformer or a military commander, we must see him as a man for our times whom we can successfully emulate in the modern world.
The Animal Lover and the Savior of Ants
Consider his gentleness. This was a man who was an ardent animal lover. He didn’t just advocate for the big things; he was a savior of the small, even the ants. He possessed a child-hearted spirit that allowed him to be a true companion to the young. He was a man who shed genuine tears over the loss of the poor and the deprived.
A Patron of the Arts
Perhaps most importantly for our cultural dialogue today is that the Prophet was a man who respected the arts. He honored poetry and lavishly recognized artists, irrespective of their faith. He did not see a wall between the sacred and the creative.
In his eyes, humanity was one. He believed in a peace that transcended borders and beliefs. As we look to the future, let us move beyond the two-dimensional historical figure and embrace this multifaceted man—the artist, the protector, and the ultimate humanitarian.
Thank you.
Excerpts from Mujeeb Jaihoon’s valedictory speech at the one-day seminar entitled, ‘Prophet Muhammed (PBUH)- Education, Religion, Humanity & Society‘, jointly organized by the Department Of Arabic, Persian & Urdu, Cotton University, Guwahati and Darul Huda Islamic University, Assam Centre, held on 22nd January, 2020.