Birthday Month of Prophet Muhammad: Reconsidering His Legacy for Peace and Development, Invoke the Prophet’s Legacy for Social Cohesion

By New Age Islam Correspondent 6 September 2025 The birthday of Prophet Muhammad offers Indian Muslims and society at large an opportunity to reclaim his legacy as a force for peace, compassion, and social progress rather than letting extremists and Islamists monopolise his name. Instead of restricting celebrations to rituals and processions, the day can be reimagined through acts of charity, interfaith gatherings, cultural events, and initiatives that highlight education, women’s empowerment, and communal harmony. By focusing on the Prophet’s values of kindness, justice, and inclusiveness, Indian Muslims can counter divisive ideologies and strengthen their bond with the wider society. Such innovative ways of celebrating his birthday can turn it into a festival of happiness and social solidarity, where the Prophet’s example becomes a living resource for harmony, progress, and national unity. Major Points: 1. The Prophet's life was strongly grounded in mercy, justice, and compassion. He called for friendliness with neighbours, generosity with the needy, forgiveness even with enemies, and courtesy toward women and children. 2. Extremists deliberately downplay this side of his life because it goes against their program. They prefer to picture a Prophet of battles and not of mercy. 3. Yet, India, with its vibrant pluralism and tradition of common customs, has a special chance of welcoming the Prophet's birthday as a festival of peace, harmony, and societal evolution. Celebrating Milad-un-Nabi innovatively can test radical thought and highlight the merciful nature of Islam. 4. The Prophet, who was born in Mecca over 1,400 years ago, still inspires billions of human beings across the globe. His life story—a fabric woven with threads of mercy, forgiveness, and justice—is still the beacon for the future. 5. Reviving his birthday as a token of peace and prosperity is not just how Indian Muslims pay tribute to their Prophet, but also play a great role in national harmony. 6. When Islam itself gets associated with war these days, transforming Milad into a festival of laughter and humanity is not merely a desirable thought; it's a necessity. ------ Muslims from across the globe join in celebrating the birthday of Prophet Muhammad annually in a festivity known as Milad-un-Nabi or Mawlid. Praying, processions, and congregations at which the faithful remember the life and teachings of the Prophet are the celebrations. The occasion throughout centuries in India has held a sacral and cultural richness wherein streets have been festooned, mosques have twinkled by lights, and societies have congregated in remembrance. Nevertheless, commemoration today has a sense of import which transcends rituals. When extremists misuse the Prophet's name in defence of violence and Islamists use his memory for short-term politics, a birthday celebration for the Prophet may become a significant means of recovering and rediscovering his authentic message. The Prophet's life was strongly grounded in mercy, justice, and compassion. He called for friendliness with neighbours, generosity with the needy, forgiveness even with enemies, and courtesy toward women and children. Extremists deliberately downplay this side of his life because it goes against their program. They prefer to picture a Prophet of battles and not of mercy. Yet, India, with its vibrant pluralism and tradition of common customs, has a special chance of welcoming the Prophet's birthday as a festival of peace, harmony, and societal evolution. Celebrating Milad-un-Nabi innovatively can test radical thought and highlight the merciful nature of Islam. Recalling the Prophet's Legacy The Prophet Muhammad was born at Mecca in 570 CE and was already nicknamed Al-Amin—the trustworthy, in early life. Long before he became the recipient of revelation, he was respected for integrity and justice. When he actually began teaching, his message was of mercy, justice, and compassion for the weak. One of his own aphorisms tells of his character: "The best among you are those who are best in character." He also taught, "Do not do evil to those who do evil to you, but deal with them with forgiveness and kindness." These words directly oppose the extremist ideology extolling bloodshed and hate. The Prophet made treaties with his adversaries, forgave those who wronged him, and strongly held that hurting innocents was a serious sin. He exhorted his people to seek knowledge, to value the environment, and to treat women with respect. His heritage centred on the concept of community-building, not community-breaking. To really commemorate his birthday, it should do so in such a way as to inject these ideals into society again. Why Extremists Fear His True Message Organisations using Islam as a means for acquiring political authority fear the real message of compassion embodied by the Prophet. Extremists thrive on an environment of hate and polarisation; they pervert Islam into an account of brutality and a limited identity. Yet, if Muslims would instead restore the Prophet's legacy of generosity and inclusiveness, such extremists would no longer have in their disposal their most effective tool. Therefore, to recall the Prophet as a reflection of compassion and justice goes beyond simple faith—it becomes an act of powerful resistance against Islamist thought. Where Muslim populations live among a vibrant array of dissimilar societies, such as in India, commemorating the Prophet in a tone of festivity and harmony might act as a cultural bridge and moral fortress. Visioning Festivals in India Historically, in India, Milad-un-Nabi used to be marked with colourful processions, devotional songs from the heart, and community meals. Though these beloved customs have rich meaning, the moment has arrived to accept newer expressions that connect the Prophet's message to issues of our contemporary world. Instead of restricting the day to ritual, Muslims may extend its spirit into a service festival of knowledge and societal harmony. One of the strongest ways of doing so is by turning the Prophet's birthday into a community service dedicated day. Once, the Prophet said, "The best of people are those who bring the most benefit to others." On Milad, Muslims could set up free kitchens not just for fellow Muslims but also for local people of other faiths, following the Sikh tradition of langar. Hospitals and NGOs may organise free medical camps, blood donation camps, or check-ups for general well-being. Youngsters could observe cleanliness drives in public places, following the Prophet's dictum that "cleanliness is half of faith." Such service acts would make the festival a living embodiment of Islam's teaching of helping humanity. This principle transcends mere theory. In Hyderabad, on the occasion of the Milad celebrations of 2023, various Muslim youth groups went out of their way to distribute food among pavement dwellers and daily wage workers near Charminar. Rather than limiting their celebrations to processions, they voluntarily distributed biryani packets and bottled water among those who sheltered on the pavement. Likewise, Milad meetings in Kerala's Malappuram region distinguished themselves by having blood donation camps by mosques, including volunteers from outside the Muslim fold. These instances illuminate how service-based celebrations of Milad are already taking place, and how they set an exemplary pattern for everyone else to emulate. Another sector where Milad can have an impact is in moulding minds among children. Extremists more often target adolescents with distorted ideologies. As a counter to such efforts, the commemoration of the Prophet's birthday can be converted into a children's story festival. In parks, schools, and community centres, trained narrators could spin simple stories of the Prophet's generosity—how he looked after animals, freely gave away his share of food, and forgave those who insulted him. Puppetry, picture books, and indeed comics narrated in local languages could make his life accessible to children. Such festive narrations would ensure that the next generation of children grows up looking at the Prophet as an embodiment of compassion and not as a scary person. This has already started on a limited level. In Lucknow, 2024 Milad events featured poetry sessions for kids wherein they recited poems on the Prophet's compassion. School districts also promoted essay contests on his teachings, making the occasion integral to learning instead of a mere ritual. By institutionalising such activities, Milad itself could evolve as a festival of learning for future generations. Milad can become an occasion for interfaith celebrations. In India's diversified landscape, it would enhance harmony to have Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism, and other religions invited to join the festivities. Instead of the processions that sometimes tend to create animosity, peace processions could be held where people from every community join hands and walk, promoting messages of harmony. Interfaith dialogue sessions could be held in mosques, and syncretic music festivals could feature qawwalis and bhajans together to remind people of India's common tradition. The Prophet taught us to respect diversity, and India's vibrant religious landscape offers a perfect setting to give that teaching a reality. One such instance came from Kolkata in 2023, wherein Milad-un-Nabi was celebrated by means of an interfaith event that was hosted at a community centre. Emissaries of Hinduism, Christianity, and Sikhism participated and shed light on the Prophet's role in providing peace to today's society, whilst qawwalis and bhajans peacefully filled the atmosphere side by side. Such events make Milad not just a Muslim occasion, but a festival of our common ideals. The arts really can play a central role. City walls adorned by murals may reflect the Prophet's insights on justice and compassion. Brief films and animations may be produced for use on social media, demonstrating how his teachings have relevance for today's society. Sufi music festivals and poetry nights may appeal to the young in ways sermons may not. Art has the capability of transcending bigotry and reaching hearts, making Milad a showcase for such expressions. Another fundamental area revolves around knowledge. The Prophet directed his people to acquire knowledge for life. On its birthday, Muslim societies should consider establishing scholarships for deserving students of any faith. Schooling institutions and universities should organise lectures and book exhibitions on issues of peace and justice. Libraries and schools should establish displays of books on the Prophet, Sufism, and inclusivism. By doing so, they would portray Islam as an education-centred faith and not resist progress. In Aligarh, in 2023, something special happened when Aligarh Muslim University held a series of lectures on the Prophet's teachings on social justice. The event was attended by students from different faiths and converted Milad into a festival of intellectual discussions rather than communal isolation. Environmental awareness is another area in which the Prophet's message can shine. Respect for nature was taught by the Prophet; he warned against water wastage and promoted tree plantation. During a period of climate emergency, Milad can be celebrated with tree-plantation campaigns, environmentally friendly decoration, and sustainability campaigns. Communities, instead of using plastic buntings, can march with plants and give away cloth bags. By associating the Prophet's birthday with environmentalism, Muslims can demonstrate that faith and nature harmony go together. The seeds of this idea were sown in Kerala in 2024, when Muslim student groups decided to plant thousands of saplings in schools and colleges to commemorate Milad. Many processions proudly carried small plants instead of flags, a symbolic gesture that beautifully connected faith to the environment. Promotion of the Prophet's message on women's dignity should also assume priority. The Prophet promoted women's position in his era by giving them inheritance rights and teaching to value daughters. Milad can highlight the aspect by conducting conferences on women's rights, women achiever awards, and drives for girls' education. The celebrations in such a way would challenge directly the Islamist ideologies restricting women's freedom and, at the same time, contribute to India's struggle for gender justice. With the digital revolution today, Milad can fill cyberspaces with positivity. Hashtag campaigns on social media, such as #ProphetOfMercy can share quotes, anecdotes, and video materials accentuating his unlimited compassion. Young groups may create lively short reels or educational infographics on his life. On the other hand, YouTube channels may reveal mini-documentaries connecting his timeless legacy to Indian peace movements. By filling the digital landscape with his caring message, Muslims can effectively challenge extremist propaganda in its strongest arena—online. Derived From Indian Culture India itself has a vibrant tradition of celebrating the Prophet's birthday in various ways. Muslim groups in Kerala sing Mappila music in his praise. Shia groups in Lucknow perform poetry and lights. At Sufi shrines throughout the subcontinent, Mehfil-e-Sama nights of music and worship commemorate his life. Hindu neighbours have similarly participated in these festivals in the past, testifying to the composite nature of Indian culture. Renovating these practices and extending them into new-fangled forms might infuse Milad with a brand-new inclusive spirit. Bulleh Shah and Amir Khusrau's poetry, for instance, might be set to music along with new songs of peace and harmony. Challenges in Reconceptualising Milad Inevitably, such developments will face opposition. Some right-wing voices will argue that new practices dilute tradition. Extremists will plot against those promoting interfaith events or gender equity. Politicians may try to hijack the occasion for their own benefit. Still, change never encompasses risk. Yet if community leaders, academicians, and especially the youth accept such ownership, these obstacles can be overcome. India's historic tradition of pluralism forms a sturdy base on which to build a better future. Conclusion The birthday of Prophet Muhammad transcends a calendar ritual; it provides an opportunity to redeem his legacy in a world frequently veiled by misrepresentation. In India, Milad-un-Nabi can be a festival of service, of knowledge, of art, of interfaith understanding, of environmentalism, of women's empowerment, and of digital affection. If every dinner consumed, every tree planted, and every child instructed on the occasion would constitute a powerful corrective against ideologies of extremism, imagine the possibilities. The Prophet, who was born in Mecca over 1,400 years ago, still inspires billions of human beings across the globe. His life story—a fabric woven with threads of mercy, forgiveness, and justice—is still the beacon for the future. Reviving his birthday as a token of peace and prosperity is not just how Indian Muslims pay tribute to their Prophet, but also play a great role in national harmony. When Islam itself gets associated with war these days, transforming Milad into a festival of laughter and humanity is not merely a desirable thought; it's a necessity. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/prophet-muhammad-peace-social-cohesion/d/136740 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