HAZRAT MUHAMMAD (PBUH) CAME AS A BLESSING NOT JUST FOR MUSLIM
BUT FOR THE ENTIRE HUMANITY: ALTAF HUSSAIN

LONDON: 15^TH FEBRUARY 2011

While we rejoice on 12^th of Rabiul Awwal on the birthday of our Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH), the auspicious occasion also enjoins upon us to rededicate ourselves as true followers of his teachings and precepts and followers of his message for universal peace, justice, equality and brotherhood for the entire mankind. He was Rehmatul lil Alemeen, blessings of the two worlds, not just of the Muslims.

As deliverer or the divine message from God Almighty, he made it binding on us to refrain from discrimination between people on the basis of religion, caste, or creed, because that will negate the very basis of our great religion, Islam. Give up hatred and promote love and affection. This important lesson has unfortunately either been totally forgotten, or is being conveniently ignored to suit the vested interests. Divisive tendencies and intolerance has been shaking the pillars of a society, created to be the role model for justice and fair play in the world, but even a cursory glance at our deeds would make us hang our heads in shame.

A man who lives in accordance to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) finds internal and external peace.  He can easily establish harmony with his immediate environment (with his family, relatives, neighbours and friends) and those outside his community. The teachings encourage smooth interpersonal relationships between and among nations. They assure mankind of universal brotherhood, equality, justice, dignity and honour, guidance and salvation. They are very practical, so full of common sense and so full of truth. They apply to every situation, every age, and every man of all walks of life. They revolve around the Islamic way of life which transcends and penetrates far beyond all barriers of race and status of wealth or prestige. More significantly, the Ahadith prove Muhammad’s universal prophet hood honour, guidance and salvation.

Even a cursory glance of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) life would convince anyone that he not only pardoned those subjected Him to tyranny, humiliation of insults, but made them sit with him. His entire life is replete with example of actions of treating even his worst enemies with grace and dignity. These include the treatment meted out to Hinda, who extracted the heart from the dead body of His uncle, but also the pardon granted to Ikrima, son of Abu Jahl, after Fateh-e- Makkah. Ikrama was trying to escape to Abyssinia when his wife, who was Muslim at heart, carried him the message that the Prophet (PBUH) has pardoned him too. Ikrama stood in total disbelief. Not only that. When Ikrama and his wife reached the city of Mecca, what they witnessed was never witnessed by anyone in the history of mankind. The Holy Prophet (PBHU) of Islam, the king, the victor, himself was standing at the door of the city to receive Ikrima, the bitterest enemy of Islam. When the Holy Prophet (PBHU) saw Ikrima approaching him, riding on a camel, he chanted in a loud voice, “You are welcome. You are welcome, O rider of the camel

!2th of Rabiul Awwal also reminds us that non-Muslim minorities enjoyed every freedom in the Islamic state under the principles enshrined in Islam. There cannot be any discrimination in Pakistan because Islam guarantees equal rights to non-Muslims and permits them freedom to pursue their faith without fear or favour. Another example is of the Holy Prophet’s Charter of Privileges to the monks of St. Catherine Monastery in Mt. Sinai. It consisted of several clauses covering all aspects of human rights including such topics as the protection of Christians, freedom of worship and movement, freedom to appoint their own judges and to own and maintain their property, exemption from military service, and the right to protection in war. This document is excellent guidance for all the Muslim states for dealing with the Non-Muslim minorities.

 The level of intolerance today is heightened to such horrendous proportions that suicidal and bomb attacks have put the safety of our people at extreme risk. The Jihadi thinking has begun to destroy the very fabric of our country. The biggest jihad is the jihad against self (nafs), and Jihad to promote literacy and tolerance in the society so that everyone can live in peace and pursue his vocation without fear for life and property. We need to guard against sectarianism, massacring people in the name of Jihad, treating minorities as equals, stop street killings, and be guided by just one golden principle of serving the country and serving humanity with single mindedness.  That thinking alone can help us to rediscover ourselves, and guide us on the path of development, glory at home and internationally. That has been the message of our Great Prophet, which needs to be remembered by all and sundry. The Muttahida Quami Movement can take a legitimate pride in following the golden principles of the Holy Prophet (PBHU), and in creating and developing a society which is just and worthy of being proud of. 

MQM PARLIAMENTARIANS CONCERNED AT PAKISTAN RAILWAYS AFFAIRS
 

KARACHI: 15^TH FEBRUARY 2011

MQM Parliamentarians have expressed concern over non-payment of salaries to the employees of Pakistan Railway and demanded of the government to release the salaries immediately. They said that rampant corruption at the highest level has degenerated Pakistan Railways into a failing institution and a number of train services had been shut down due to the apathetic attitude of the Railway ministry. They said that the employees were facing considerable problems because of non-payment of their salaries and were forced to stage protests for their rights. They regretted that the situation had come to a point when the Railway department did not even have funds to buy fuels. They demanded of President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani to take immediate notice of the situation and order the concerned authorities to release the salaries of the employees immediately.

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