Like most monotheistic faiths, it is essentially an austere religion. Celebrations are expected to be a family and a community affair rather than public shows of gaiety. Some strands of Islam even forbid commemorating the birthday of the Prophet. [break]
Hence, few in non-Islamic countries mark the event that is associated with one of the most vibrant religions of the world. However, it should be a sacred day for all who believe in the multiplicity of faith and coexistence of different religions.
Islam has a glorious, though sometimes controversial, history in entire South Asia and the Muslim presence in Kathmandu Valley and the Tarai dates back centuries.
Even in some mountainous and hill districts of the western and far western regions, Muslims have lived peacefully with their Buddhist and Hindu neighbors for ages. However, as religious bigotry grows all over the world, renewed efforts are needed to increase understanding between followers of different faiths in secular Nepal.
Islam perhaps needs deeper understanding in the changed global context when Muslims are being painted in uncharitable colors.
The protagonist of the Hindi movie My Name is Khan has to go to great lengths to prove that he is not a ‘terrorist’. Such an arduous onus of proving his innocence—and that of most of his co-religionists by implication—arises because people involved in suicide attacks of September 11 in the United States of America happened to be Muslims.
As the embittered hero of the story utters in exasperation, instead of BC and AD as measures of time, now it’s pre-9/11 and post-9/11 for a significant population of the world. When a Muslim encounters the West, a responsibility of establishing his credentials and intentions falls upon him.
It may appear ironic these days, but when it began, Islam was expected to be the religion to bring peace in the disturbed regions of West Asia and then the world.
Contrary to its contemporary image of being a militant religion, the original meaning of the root word of Islam in Arabic is peace and submission. The fundamental teaching of Islam is that contentment in life can only be found by submitting to Almighty God (Allah) in soul, spirit and deed. From this belief comes the universal Muslim greeting: Salaam Alaykum or ‘peace be with you’.
There are six inviolable “Articles of Faith” in Islam. A Muslim has to believe in the unity of God, existence of angels and prophets, books of revelation, certainty of afterlife and the inevitability of destiny.
In addition, it also requires adherence to what are called the “five pillars of Islam”: Testimony of faith, regular prayers, fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, charity as a percentage of income, and Hajj, which is pilgrimage to the holy site of Mecca. The last two are mandatory only for those who are capable of performing those duties.
These are injunctions of the religion that bind every Muslim from every corner of the world into a global fraternity of Ummah.
Islam is a religion as well as a way of life. It prescribes in detail morals and manners, business ethics, modesty in dress and behavior, dietary rules of permitted and proscribed food, marriage procedures, care of children and elderly, issues of racism and prejudice, and ties of the faithful with non-Muslims.
Sometimes complications arise because interpretations of divine revelation are considered beyond the pale of ordinary beings.
Since Allah revealed the conditions of good conduct for the faithful, these divine laws are for all times and everywhere.
One fifth of the world, and at least five percent of the Nepali population, believes that the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) received and then passed on the Words of the Almighty for the good of humanity. The memory of this messenger of peace would last till eternity.
Faith by definition is beyond logic and rationality. Unconditional religious tolerance and an ability to understand and empathize with those who happen to hold different beliefs need to be cultivated as components of democratic culture.
The blessing that we all need to ask from Almighty God at this year’s Milad Al Nabi prayers: May peace prevail in this land and everywhere else.
Related story
Prophet Song: In Intensity and Spirit
