AMU Organises Milad-un-Nabi Programme and Seerat Exhibition

 Maulana Nazim Ali Kherabadi addressing the seerat celebration programme

Guest Present during the Seerat Celebration

AMU Organises Milad-un-Nabi Programme and Seerat Exhibition; Prayers Offered for the Country’s All-Round Development

Aligarh, August 26: Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) organised a grand Milad-un-Nabi programme at Kennedy Hall on the occasion of the blessed birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him). The speakers highlighted various aspects of the life and teachings of the Prophet and urged the audience to follow his example and work towards making society a haven of peace, justice and peaceful coexistence. Prayers were also offered for the country’s all-round progress, peace and harmony, and unity.

A two-day Seerat Exhibition has also been organised at the Maulana Azad Library, featuring books, manuscripts and rare artefacts related to the life and teachings of the Prophet, along with rare and illuminated copies of the Holy Quran and specimens of Islamic calligraphy.

The guest speakers were Mufti Salman Bijnori, Hadith teacher at Darul Uloom Deoband, and Maulana Nazim Ali Khairabadi, Principal, Jamia Haidariya, Khairabad, Mau, Uttar Pradesh. AMU Pro Vice Chancellor, Prof. M. Mohsin Khan, presided over the programme.

In his address, Mufti Salman Bijnori said that true love for the Prophet requires Muslims to incorporate his words and actions into their lives. He said, “Our youth, in particular, should seek guidance from the words and actions of the Prophet. Whether in family and social life, dealings with others, or in all outward and inward aspects of life, we should learn from the life of the Prophet.”

Referring to various incidents from the life of the Prophet, Mufti Salman Bijnori explained how the Prophet treated and interacted with children, relatives, neighbours, guests and hosts, close companions, servants, persons with disabilities, the elderly, people facing hardships, the poor and needy, the wealthy, people of social standing and distinction, those who approached him with disputes, new Muslims, rural people and even animals.

He told the gathering that anyone wishing to understand the noble character of the Prophet should read the Holy Quran, where everything is clearly explained, adding that the words and actions of the Prophet constitute an interpretation of the Holy Quran.

Addressing the gathering, Maulana Nazim Ali Khairabadi said that the Seerat of the Prophet is not narrated merely for people to listen to it and then allow it to fade from their minds. Rather, it is intended that Muslims imbibe the qualities and characteristics of the Prophet so deeply that, upon seeing them, even a non-Muslim would consider them a true follower of the Prophet. Explaining the root word of Seerat, he said that it encompasses both actions and words. He narrated various incidents from the life of the Prophet and urged the audience to incorporate his noble character into their own lives. He said that the Seerat of the Prophet has been described in the Holy Quran. “Keep reading the Holy Quran, and you will continue to discover the noble character of the Prophet,” he added.

In his presidential address, Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. M. Mohsin Khan said that the Holy Prophet was sent as a mercy to the entire world. His life has many dimensions, and each one offers guidance for us. Whether the problems concern the family or the wider world, the solutions to many of the challenges facing humanity can be found in the life of the Prophet. Despite all the scientific advancements, the world continues to face war, unrest and insecurity. There is oppression, injustice and inequality. The Seerat of the Prophet provides guidance for addressing all these problems.

Prof. Mohsin Khan said that the Prophet treated everyone with kindness and compassion, irrespective of whether they were Muslims or non-Muslims. Peaceful coexistence, mercy and compassion were integral parts of his life. Whether it was the establishment of a collective society comprising different groups in Madinah, the declaration of a general amnesty at the time of the Conquest of Makkah, or his special instructions regarding the dignified treatment of women, the same principles are evident in all these instances. “We must certainly implement these principles in our own lives,” he added.

Prof. Mohsin Khan made a special appeal to young people who spend considerable time on mobile phones to devote at least half an hour to reading the Seerat of the Prophet. He said that this would acquaint them with many lesser-known facts and prove beneficial in their practical lives.

Students presented Naat-e-Pak during the programme.

AMU Registrar, Prof. Mohammad Aasim Zafar, who was the Convener of the programme, proposed the vote of thanks.

Prayers were offered for development and growth in the country, following which the programme concluded.

Prof. Mohammad Habibullah Qasmi, Dean, Faculty of Theology, conducted the proceedings.

Prior to the Milad-un-Nabi programme at Kennedy Hall, the Seerat Exhibition was inaugurated at the Maulana Azad Library by Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. M. Mohsin Khan in the presence of Librarian Prof. Nishat Fatima and other senior university functionaries.

The Seerat Exhibition will remain open to the public until 5 pm on August 26, and from 9 am to 4:30 pm on August 27.

A calligraphy exhibition was also organised by the K. A. Nizami Centre for Qur’anic Studies in the foyer of Kennedy Hall. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Pro Vice Chancellor.