Prophet Muhammad should strengthen our will to follow his example – CIOG President

May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah (SWT) be with you all.
My dear brothers and sisters in Islam and humanity, on this auspicious occasion of observing the birth and life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAS), I extend greetings to you on behalf of the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana. I pray that Allah (SWT) will increase our love for the final Messenger to Humanity, Prophet Muhammad (SAS). May Allah (SWT) bless us and accept all our devotion and service. Ameen.
More than fourteen hundred years ago, Allah bestowed great mercy upon humanity by sending the final Prophet Muhammad with the final message of the Qur’an and to guide humanity with his exemplary conduct.
The Prophet worked for a living, got married, had a family, and endured hardships. Through it all, the Prophet (SAS) set the example of how to live in a manner that is pleasing to Allah (SWT). The Prophet (SAS) was humble, loyal, honest, patient, considerate, compassionate, and merciful.
The Prophet’s (SAS) character was of such high moral excellence that even his enemies testified to it, and he was known among his people as Al-Ameen — The Trustworthy.
Allah (SWT) confirmed: And verily, you (Muhammad) are of the highest standard of character (Quran 68:4)
Stories abound about Prophet Muhammad’s (SAS) patience, loyalty, and compassion to all around him. He (SAS) was consistently kind and considerate to his family, his followers, his foes, and to every living creature, including animals and trees. The Prophet (SAS) reminded us:
“…verily, Allah is kind (gentle) and He loves kindness (gentleness) and confers upon kindness which he does not confer upon severity and does not confer upon anything else like it [kindness/gentleness]” – Sahih Muslim
The occasion of celebrating the birth and life of our Master and Guide our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAS) should be used to strengthen our will to follow his example. Are we emulating him by trying to be kind and merciful to our fellow man? If we aren’t, we should understand that our adherence to his tradition is lacking. Let us reflect on his message:
“Wealth, social position and racial superiority do not give special status to anyone; all of you are equal in the eyes of God. It is only the path of righteousness, which makes you a distinguished human being.”
We should remember that our love for the Prophet (SAS) will be a means of our being with Him (SAS) In-Sha-Allah, (God Willing). Let us spend these days in increased prayers upon the Prophet (SAS), as Allah (SWT) commanded us in the Holy Quran Chapter 33: Verse 56 “Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O you who believe! Send blessings on Him and salute Him (SAS) with a worthy salutation.”
This is a unique command from Allah (SWT), in which He commands us to perform an act that He and His Angels are performing. Whenever we send blessings on our Beloved Prophet (SAS), Allah (SWT), His Angels, and His Messenger (SAS) send blessings on this person. Such a person’s sins are expiated, his good deeds are increased and purified, his status elevated, his wealth increases, poverty is removed, and the supplicant attains proximity and closeness to the Messenger of Allah (SAS) on the day of resurrection. The Messenger of Allah will testify on the Day of Judgment for such a person and His intercession will be granted for him.
Our perpetual love for Prophet Muhammad (SAS) is the framework by which every Muslim lives his life; and what a beautiful life we will have if we pattern ourselves by the most beautiful example depicted to us by our Beloved and final Messenger Muhammad (SAS). I ask Allah (SWT) to bless all of you and let us collectively praise our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAS):
O Allah, bless our Master Muhammad, who opened what was closed and sealed what was before. He makes the truth victorious and he is the guide to Your Straight Path. And bless his Household as it befits his immense stature and splendor.
Oh Allah! Bestow Your Mercy and Blessings upon Muhammad whenever he is remembered, and bestow Your Mercy and Blessings upon Muhammad whenever he is not remembered.
Wa-Alaikumus-Salaam WA Rahmatullaahi WA Barakaatuh.
May the Peace and Blessing of the Most Merciful be upon each and everyone.