His Eminence Grand Sheikh of al-Azhar,
Reverend Ulemas,
Bothers and Sisters,
Prophet Muhammad who was sent by Allah as an act of mercy for both
worlds. Thus, millions of people in all ages were delivered to light from
bottoms of darkness, guided to Allahs right path and redeemed, through the
light of faith and Islam, from ignorance, injustice and oppression to vistas of knowledge,
justice and peace. A new bright leaf of mans life on this planet was opened.
On this occasion every year, it has been our custom to recall to memory the
immaculate biography of the Prophet that Allah rendered to us as a good example. We
are taught by Allah Almighty that the biographies of His Messengers and Prophets are
not merely stories to be told or a history to be narrated and then forgotten.
They are rather sublime examples of noble and virtuous lives. This is shown in Allahs
words in the Holy Quran, in this connection,"In their history, verily there is a
lesson for
men of understanding",and His description of Prophet Muhammad, (peace and prayers
be upon him), Verily in the messenger of Allah ye have a good example for him who
looketh unto Allah and the Last Day, and remembereth Allah much.
In this important juncture in the history of humanity where mankind made massive,
unprecedented progress in all fields of science and knowledge, we should firmly establish
this great progress by adhering to basic principles of the highest importance in charting
the future and destiny of humanity.
The first is to follow the steps of the blessed Prophet who was a paragon of good
manners, the way of dealing with people and his vision of how to provide welfare for the
community.
The second is to establish solid and firm foundations for a unified human community,
avoid such theories and practices that discriminate and disunite people and spread
hatred among them.
The third is to give an elevated status to science and scientists, urge good reasoning
and use rational methods in arguments. Noble manners were the essence of the prophets
call, as in his own word, "his mission was to crown the highest levels of noble
morals".
On top of these noble moral values is mercy that encompasses the entirety of his call
according to the Quranic verse .We sent thee not save as a mercy for the peoples .
These great values were embodied in the character of the Prophet as can be shown by
the statement of as-Sayyda Aisha, God bless her al quran was the source of his manners.
The glorious Quran praised him saying, "And you are of a tremendous nature".
As morals form the essence of Islam, every Muslim must follow the example of the
great Prophet in his manners and conduct as well as his dealings with people of all
levels.
The Prophets biography tells us that he had never made any such utterance, intimation
or act that may harm others. It also shows that he was bent on showing mercy and
forgiveness towards wrong doers. Most expressive of this conduct was that when the
Prophet entered into Makkah as a conquerer winning the battle against idolaters who
had earlier harmed, tortured, fought against and evicted his followers, he told them,
What do you think I would do? Well, you are a kind brother and nephew, they said.
Hereupon, the Prophet said, go, you are all free. He, thus, gave us a good example for
forgiveness by the powerful.
In the course of building the community of Madina after Hijra, the Prophet ensured
that all new members of the new community are active and righteous regardless of their
creeds and orientations. He charged all of them with the responsibility for safeguarding
the safety and stability of the community. In this new community, the Prophet did not
exclude any of the non-Muslims of whom the Jews formed one of its components. Again,
the Prophet gave the highest example of human brotherhood and unity of the members of
one and the same community where all citizens, without exception, are equal and
preference is made on account of each individuals contribution to the welfare of his
society.
On the other hand, Islams interest in science has been crystal clear since the first
moment, as can be shown by the first Heavenly Revelation to the Prophet reading,
"Read: In the name of thy Lord Who createth". This was also reflected in the
honourable status accorded to scientists as Allah says " The erudite among His
bondmen
fear Allah given that scientists are the most knowledgeable of the secrets of creation,
the
greatness of the universe and the Exalted Status of the Creator, as can be seen in His
comparison between those who know over those who know not as Allah says "Say: Are
those who know equal with those who know not?".
The early Muslims realized these lofty values and thus engaged in a sustained pursuit
of learning and more knowledge. This pursuit is a mandatory duty for each Muslim man
and woman as can be reflected in the Prophets Traditions. Hence, they excelled in all
fields of science and established one of the greatest, richest and most contributive of
civilizations to all humanity. Together with the world, we are passing today through a
massive revolution in all fields of science and knowledge. Thus, we need today, more
than ever, to follow the example of this immaculate life course and seek guidance from
Islams teachings and the essence of its message. Islam is such a message that is pursued
not only by the Prophet but also by all Muslims, nation after nation and generation after
generation, following Allahs words, "And Lo! it is in truth a Reminder for thee and
for
thy folk; and ye will be questioned".
The message of true Islam is one of construtive endeavours; a message of guidance
and reform. However, Muslims today confront major challenges concerning both
messages:
1- The peoples of the world are vieing for building an advanced, pioneering,
distinguished and competitive communities; whereas most of the Islamic countries face
grinding problems and try to keep peace with the others. While facing this major
challenge, it will not do us good to escape to the past, basking in the glory of early
predecessors. Those generations are now history, their past achievements remain theirs;
while ours will have to be seen.
Therefore, it is incumbent upon our honourable ulemas and advocates to raise their
voices high calling the nation to work more and speak less, reminding Muslims
everywhere that our Muslim nation is entrusted by Allah with a responsibility and a
message. We are taught that superiority and progress have their own prerequisites and
means of access. For all that, the nation will be accountable to Allah Almighty. He who
takes up such means of access and meets requirements will be eligible to superiority and
leadership.
2- Brothers and sisters, nations worldwide are joining forces, coming closer and
intercommunicating more and more after the downfall of those walls of isolation and
disparity built in the past as a result of earlier historical circumstances most of which
are
now by and gone. However, nations pursuit towards convergence, has not only taken the
form of regional groupings that channelled together their natural and human resources
and defend collectively their joint interests in face of other parties. They also further
their communications with all other nations calling for dialogue rather than confrontation
and conflict and plurality rather than insularity and exclusion.
As Muslims, we have no option but to recognize this reality and deal with it along a
new line of thought and advanced methods. This is because isolationism is now literally
impossible especially after the barriers of time and place have fallen apart thanks to the
massive revolution in means of transport and communication. Accordingly,
communication with others has now become the only way of providing requirements for
revival, through exchanging experiences and mutual interaction. Such
intercommunication offers us an indispensible opportunity to redress missconceptions in
the minds of many peoples of our religion and culture. It is an opportunity to introduce
anew to the whole world a true image of the the message of Islam. It is a message that
was revealed as guidance and mercy for mankind, believing in God and recognizing prior
Heavenly messages, maintaining justice among all nations. Besides, it recognizes man as
the most honoured and most favoured of Gods creatures on the strength of the virtues of
knowledge and free will and choice endowed by Allah. Through faith, it transcends all
barriers of colour, race, wealth and prestige. Above all, this message calls for
cooperation among all nations regardless of their origins and religions for good doing and
public welfare,maintenance of justice and respect for human rights.
Reverened Ulemas,
Brothers and Sisters,
Egypt has embraced Islam for about fourteen centuries and so has it been ever since
embraced by Islam. Over centuries, Egypt and its ulemas have been an ever-continuing
source of cultural radiation that extended from the Arab world to all parts of the glob.
Ever since the establishment of al-Azhar al-Shareef and thanks to the contributions made
by its ulemas and students involving profound and proper understanding of Islam, Egypt
has always been most expressive of the moderation and tolerance of Islam that freely
embraces all people pro or aganist. It further transcends over extremism and hyperbolic
lines of thought. It rises above overestimations or underestimations, being a call for
right, and good going by means of benevolent words, dialogue and respect for the rights
of others to have their own free and different opinions. As the door is now open for
dialogue between cultures and intercommunication is revived among civilizations after a
long period of isolation, I am quite sure that you agree with me that it is the duty of
our
venerable ulemas to address these domains. They have to acquaint all the world, once
more with all the good and well-being that the civilization of Islam has in store for all
nations. They should also clarify that Islamic Shariais based on protecting interests,
lifting encumberances keeping away from constraint in favour of facility. As such, Islam
can make a powerful nation capable of revival, where civilization is built on the
shoulders
of men and women who truly believe in God, while their minds are enlightened by
science, knowledge, day after day and generation after generation.
Their spirits are imbued with determination, trust and insistence to face challenges
without departure from Islamic tolerance and lessons of mercy and clemency to people
they have learned under the umbrella of Islam. They should also make friendly approach
to people, in a bid to unite their ranks, and make peace among people at home and
among nations of the world. We pray to God Almighty as we celebrate the birthday of the
great Prophet to help us follow his course and make it easy for us to shoulder the great
responsibility we have undertaken since we have professed faith in Him and His
message. Many happy returns of the day May Allahs Peace and Mercy be upon you
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