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Dubai: Islamic scholars called upon Muslims to follow along the footsteps of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in his teachings and virtues as he was a living example of tolerance, mercy and a messenger to the entire humanity.
Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA) ended its series of lectures with keynote and prominent Islamic scholars presenting topics of critical importance to the Islamic world as it identifies fallacies and weakness in societies.
Dr. Omar Abdel Kafi, a prominent Egyptian scholar and author said during his lecture, titled, "what the Prophet presented to humanity," the greatness of Prophet Mohammad lies in his mercy and compassion to humanity, including lessons on protecting the surrounding environment and the rights of inhabiting animals.
He added history proves that more than 90,000 Sahabi (Prophet's companions) were deployed throughout the world to spread the message of the Quran, pointing out that Prophet Mohammad's teachings has its reflection in the number of Muslims in Europe which accounts for more than 30 million people, and in the Americas and Australia, the number of Muslims is about 20 to 30 million people.
The Prophet forbade Muslims from excessively using water, even if it was from the shore of the river, and forbade urinating in a stagnant water or under trees as it harmed the environment, said Dr. Kafi.
Dr. Kafi presented numerous examples of the Prophet's protection of the environment and animals saying the Prophet forbade overloading animals with weightbeyond their capability, he forbade slaughtering animals inhumanely, and forbade harming animals in any manner.
Dr. Abdel Kafi narrated a saying by the Prophet of a woman who entered hell for harming and torturing a cat.
According to Dr Kafi, the Prophet established a society where security, peace, and coexistence prevailed among people of different religions. He went on quoting, what some historical non-Muslim figures said about Prophet Mohammad. Accroding to him, Karl Marx said that the correctness and stability of a society was present in the life and teachings of the prophet.
He also quoted George Bernard Shaw: "I have always held the religion of Mohammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which appears to me to possess that assimilating capacity to the changing phase of existence which can make itself appeal to every age. I have studied him - the wonderful man and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Saviour of Humanity. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness: I have prophesied about the faith of Mohammad that it would be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today."
Another lecture by popular Egyptian scholar Shaikh Mohammad Hassan, titled, "The Most Righteous Path," emphasized the importance of maintaining integrity in sayings and actions, as the real crisis of humanity lies in obscuring the truth.
"Most people fail to stick to truth either spinning it or altering it for many reasons, and this is the main reason behind their woes, worries, suffering as well as their behavioural degradation," he said
As for prominent Islamic preacher Amr Khalid, who drew the largest crowd among the all scholars as he is known to inspire and motivate the Muslim youth to become active members in their families, communities, and wider society.
In his lecture, "reflections from the Quran," the presenter posed a question to the audience asking "what have you achieved in your life? What is your accomplishment in life?"
He went on saying the Muslim world did not leave a significant achievement in the entire world. "we did not contribute in adding anything to humanity. What are our latest inventions. We didn't even think of inventing something as simple as the Facebook," he said during his lecture which drew a huge audience.
Strong will and the power to dream in achieving a specific goal are all what it takes to accomplishing it, he said while adding that the Muslim world lacks the faith in a strong will to achieve.
"Let Ramadan be the starting point for achieving. Let it be the end of committing sins and a beginning to adding achievements in your life. Let it motivate and energise your inner strength," he said.
He concluded his speech saying that life's difficulties and struggles should not be a stumbling point in a person's life adding that a human mind sometimes might be unable to comprehend the reasons behind an infant's death and the loss of wealth and health, thus weakening a person's faith.
"What is worse than seeing your children dying while your are still alive. Let us remember that the Prophet lost seven of his children and wept for their loss. But he remained faithful and pleased with god's will," he said.
Amr Khalid narrated an incident where an English psychologist told him that a verse in the Quran gives optimism and hope to people, specifically during difficult times, and that people can build their lives upon this verse.
Allah in the Quran says: "But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not," (Quran 2:216).
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