‘Those Who Go Berserk In The Name Of Protecting The Prophet’s Honour Are False Claimants Of Being Ashiqaan-E-Rasool (Lovers Of The Prophet); Actually They Are Themselves Blasphemers Of The Prophet’: New Age Islam Columnist Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi At The IICC Meelad Celebration

New Age Islam Regular Columnist, Mr. Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi Said That Peace-Building Was The Cornerstone Of The Entire Prophetic Mission. Therefore, Those Who Get Swayed By Extremist Frenzies And Go Berserk In The Name Of Protecting Of Honour Of The Holy Prophet Are False Claimants Of Being The Holy Prophet’s Lovers (Ashiqaan-E-Rasool) Actually, They Are Themselves Blasphemers Of The Prophet And Islam. Main Points: 1. The Delhi-based India Islamic Cultural Centre celebrates all Indian festivals of various faith traditions including Eid, Merry Christmas, Holi and Diwali in order to promote the country’s composite culture. 2. On the last day of Rabiul Awwal it organized its annual Milad-un-Nabi Celebration inviting India’s noted Islamic scholars who spoke on various aspects of the holy Prophet’s life and legacy. 3. Chief Guest Mr. Iqbal Singh Lalpura, Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities said that the true tribute to the holy Prophet (pbuh) would be to put his beautiful teachings and traditions into practice. 4. The Prophet’s life and teachings have much to offer to us to live in peace and harmony and end the growing religious discord and communal conflict in the country”, he said. 5. From this Miladun Nabi Celebration at India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC), Mr. Dehlvi said, a crucial message must percolate down to the community; that is, ------ By New Age Islam Staff Writer 29 October 2022 The Delhi-based India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC) at Lodhi Road New Delhi is the prestigious institution of Indian Muslim community which has been actively working for national integration and communal harmony since its inception. In order to promote the country’s composite culture, the IICC celebrates the Indian festivals of all faith traditions including Eid, Merry Christmas, Holi and Diwali. The centre is also widely known also working on social and educational reform at different level by organizing. In this current month of Birth of Prophet Mohammed Peace be upon him we are going to celebrate his birth anniversary to spread the message of peace, brotherhood, and harmony. As a part of its sustained efforts towards promoting mutual understanding and amity among different communities and restoring communal harmony, the IICC organizes conferences, seminars and workshops throughout the years on different occasions. Every year in the month of Rabiul Awwal—the sacred Islamic month of Prophet Muhammad’s birth anniversary—the IICC celebrates the Meelad, the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) to highlight the brightest sides of his life as Messenger of Peace, Brotherhood and Humanity. This year, on the last day of Rabiul Awwal on October 27, the IICC organized its regular annual Milad-un-Nabi Celebration. India’s noted Islamic scholars including Professor Emeritus in Islamic Studies, Akhtarul Wasey, Comparative Religion Scholar M. H. Qureshi, a retired professor from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Maulana Muhibbulla Nadwi (Imam of Jama Masjid Parliament Street, New Delhi) and Mr. Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi, Indo-Islamic scholar and regular columnist at New Age Islam spoke on various aspects of the holy Prophet’s life and legacy in this Meelad program. Presided by the President of India Islamic Cultural Centre Mr. Sirajuddin Qureshi, the Chief Guest of this Meelad event was the chairman of the National Commission for Minorities and former IPS officer, Mr. Iqbal Singh Lalpura. He said that the true tribute to the holy Prophet (pbuh) would be to put his beautiful teachings and traditions into practice. “But in this day and age, it is too difficult to be a true Muslim, because the prophetic teachings require a Muslim to exercise utmost patience, restraint and forbearance. To be a true follower of the Prophet (pbuh) is easier said than done”, he said. Mr. Lalpura also averred that the nation has been built by the freedom fighters and great leaders of all communities, including the minorities of India. “Our elders have rendered great contributions to the liberation, national integration and empowerment of our country. This country, in which religious minorities including the Muslims, Christians and Sikhs have all lived peacefully for centuries, does not belong to any single community”, he said. Quoting extensively from the central scripture of Sikhism—Guru Granth Sahib—Mr. Lalpura stressed the universal values of Islam and Sikhism and the striking similarities between the two faith traditions. “I, as a Sikh, strongly believe that the Prophet of Islam has greatly inspired our spiritual masters and our predecessors. The Prophet’s life and teachings have much to offer to us to live in peace and harmony and end the growing religious discord and communal conflict in the country”, he concluded. Prof. Akhtarul Wasey shed light on the role of the Prophet’s wives in setting examples for the empowerment of women. “While Hazrat Khadija r.a. was a glaring example of economic empowerment for Muslim women, Hazrat Aisha r.a. emerged as the greatest educator, teacher, and narrator of hadith traditions. Similarly, Hazrat Umm-e-Salma was an icon of political empowerment of women in Islam and almost all the Sahabiyaat i.e., female companions of the holy Prophet (pbuh) serve as models of spiritual empowerment for our sisters and daughters today”, he stated. Prof. M. H. Qureshi dwelt on the scriptural similarities between Islam and Hinduism in terms of their essential message of Monotheism (Tawheed) and the universal and egalitarian values embedded in their texts. He quoted from both the Qur’an and Vedas to substantiate his key point that Muslims and non-Muslims need to come together to develop a deep understanding of each other’s religious precepts, and practices. If they do so, a lot of misconceptions and prejudices will vanish from their minds, he asserted. “Unity, equality and brotherhood of mankind are the essential messages of Islam and all other religions in India that we need to re-rediscover and promulgate in Indian society to preserve our shared heritage and protect the common good”, he said. Mr. Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi, one of the guest speakers in this program, spoke on the “Prophetic Mission and Mysticism” drawing attention to the moral, ethical and spiritual dimensions of the holy Prophet’s life. He highlighted the Prophet’s noble personality traits in both pre-prophethood and post-prophethood periods and his pursuits for peace in both Mecaan and Medinite phases, calling them the brightest sides of the Prophetic Persona that need to be revived and rejuvenated on every occasion of Milad-un-Nabi. Quoting from the Sirah literature, he stated: “From the Prophet’s key role in the formation of Hilf-ul-Fudul—an alliance for peace and justice through a collective action which was created by the Meccans in 590 AD —to the Peace Treaty of Hudaibiyyah (Sulh-e-Hudaubiyyah), and from the enactment of Misaq-e-Madina or Covenant of Madina, which was written as a constitution or charter of human rights, to the Conquest of Mecca (Fath-e-Makkah, the holy Prophet emerged as Peace-Maker for mankind”. The best part of the Prophetic Mission was that holy Prophet reformed and civilized a Bedouin society which was deeply steeped in the pre-Islamic Jahiliyyah. He urged them to shun all forms of violence, retaliation, and vengeance. A true Muslim in the sight of the holy Prophet is the one from whose hands and tongue all other people are safe, Mr. Dehlvi explained. From this Miladun Nabi Celebration at India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC), Mr. Dehlvi said, a crucial message must percolate down to the community; that is, peace-building was the cornerstone of the entire Prophetic mission. Therefore, those who get swayed by extremist frenzies and radical rhetoric in the name of protecting of honour of the holy Prophet are the false claimants of being the holy Prophet’s lovers (Ashiqaan-e-Rasool). Today, if someone goes berserk and beheads a human being, shouting the extremist slogan of “Sar Tan Se Juda” (separating head from body is the only answer to the insults against the holy Prophet), he is the biggest blasphemer who brings disrepute to the holy Prophet (s.a.w) and his noble character. Mr. Dehlvi continued: On the last day of Rabi-ul-Awwal Sharif, we should pay heed to this grim situation and take cognizance of the true Prophetic character. There is no way to defend the dignity and sanctity of the holy prophet by shouting these nefarious and notorious slogans. The truest love for the holy Prophet is to walk in his footsteps, to excel in his noble character, to spread peace, love and harmony and serve the society and humanity at large. I believe every celebration of Milad-un-Nabi in India should mark the holy Prophet's quest for peace, universal brotherhood, social cohesion, national integration, and deep compassion, affection, and mercy for mankind. Other guest panellists and participants in this event included the famed Egyptian scholar on Urdu language and literature, Dr. Walaa Jamal El Esseily who recited her Urdu poetry in praise of the Prophet (pbuh), well-known Urdu poet and Nashed recite, Mr. Mateen Amrohavi and Maulana Muhibullah Nadvi, and Mr. Abrar Ahmed IRS (retired) Secretary. IICC. The welcoming address was delivered by Mr Abu Zar Hussain Khan and the program was moderated by Dr. Hafzur Rahman, noted Islamic scholar and founder-president of Sufi Peace Foundation of India. It came to an end with Durood & Salam and Vote of Thanks by Mr. S. M. Khan Vice President IICC. URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-society/prophet-honour-ashiqaan-rasool-blasphemers-meelad-/d/128296 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism