The Beacon
Twelfth Rabi-ul-Awal is eternalised in the continuum of mankind's history being the date of both advent and demise of the Prophet of Islam Hazrat Muhammad (SM), but for whose beacon world civilisation, as admitted on all hands, would have been poorer. Islam in its pristine form with its powerful messages of Tauhid, peace and societal harmony lifted the Beduin ignoramuses from a morass of superstitions and hedonic pleasure-seeking principle they had steeped into since the days of their ancestors in the hoary past. It was delivering a whole race of fiercely infighting tribes and clans from the tunnels of blinding darkness to the lighted path of self-enlightenment on which the streams of material living and spiritual pursuit combined in perfect unison of thought and action. The very fact of bringing them up to a rational way of life together with his statecraft in relation to neighbouring communities and states wielded a transcending influence on human affairs undimmed by mankind's civilizational marches. But whither the Muslim Ummah he so assiduously laid the foundation for, and in his life-time saw its scaffolding grow? The Ummah is riven today by internecine conflicts, ideological bi- and tri-furcating and fundamentalist militancy, so much so that the creation of just and fair societies within several Muslim countries looks a far cry. Furthermore, their collective wealth is being of little use to their growth in concert and their voice is feebly heard in terms of defending the oppressed communities, be they in Asia or Africa. A fair just and tolerant society in its internal and external manifestation would be the most fitting tribute to the memories of Rasulullah. Looking at our own selves, we are appalled by the dehumanising tenor and texture becoming so much a part and parcel of Bangladesh society today. Let the sterling qualities of the Prophet (SM) guide us through such a dark patch of degeneracy into the light of human decency.
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