LETTERS: The Prophet Muhammad's birthday is considered an auspicious day amongst Muslims.
Muslims celebrate this occasion, known as Maulidur Rasul or Maulud Nabi, by sending prayers and reciting praises. They also perform marhaban to honour Prophet Muhammad.
Religious lectures are also held in mosques to commemorate his sacrifices, struggles in spreading and elevating the message of Islam, and the exemplary moral history of the Prophet that should be emulated.
Islam is a religion of peace, highly tolerant, friendly, full of gentleness and love, and it cannot possibly spread violence, terrorism, hatred, and the like.
When we celebrate Prophet Muhammad's birthday with joy and gratitude and reflect on the wisdom behind this celebration, it will surely impact the character of the Muslim community itself.
Society now also greatly needs a 'role model' to follow as a guide for navigating future life, which will be marked by technological development, leading to the hereafter.
Islam has shown a form of leadership to be practiced, namely Islamic leadership. In this context, the Prophet Muhammad is the best example of an Islamic leader who is greatly admired.
Indeed, Prophet Muhammad is 'Uswatun Hasanah,' which means the best role model for all humanity in all aspects of life, such as obedience and faith in Allah SWT, social interaction, morality and personality, governance, and so on.
The excellence of the Prophet Muhammad as a 'role model' is not only seen from the aspect of special worship but encompasses all aspects of life, including his relationships with all people, such as family, social, economic, political, and so on.
Such matters can be studied and found in the Prophet's biography.
From the aspect of the Prophet Muhammad's character, not only conveyed the message and teachings of Islam but also showed examples of what Islam requires.
All his actions, conversations, and attitudes reflect the Islamic character demanded and desired by Allah to be emulated by humanity.
The leadership of the Prophet Muhammad was evident and successful when he migrated to Madinah. A society will not be strong without unity.
In this regard, Prophet Muhammad reorganised the Islamic community in Madinah by building a mosque as a symbol ofIslam.
It represented unity and the awakening of the Muslim community and served as a centre of learning, shaping a generation with knowledge and noble character.
It is evident that the character and leadership of Prophet Muhammad are exemplary and serve as a model for the Muslim community.
Prophet Muhammad established civil society for all human beings regardless of religion, nationality and beliefs, a societyin which everyone lives in peace and tranquillity.
During the time of the Prophet and even after the conquest of Mecca, it can be seen in the history of Islam that everyone lived and worked together.
Everyone lived with kindness regardless of religion, nationality, colour, race, and there was no compulsion or reluctance to accept religion.
Yes, the Prophet invited everyone to the truth and the straight path, but there was no reluctance or coercion. This was the Prophet's way of life, which should be a model for everyone.
Let us all together enliven the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad by increasing our prayers to him so that our love and affection for him will always flourish.
Dr Habibreza Arzani
Cultural Counsellor of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times