Without being conscious of its indebtedness to the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH), humanity is deriving tremendous benefits from the teachings of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the most gifted, powerful and brilliant leader of mankind.

His message is universal in scope, it is all encompassing and cuts across all manmade political, geographic and ethnic boundaries. It has become the common heritage of all mankind and the whole world remains heavily indebted to him for ideological and doctrinal inspiration and nourishment in all walks of life.

He had not come for any single nation but for all humankind. The Holy Qur’ an says, “We have not sent thee (Muhammad PBUH) but as a (source of ) mercy for all the nations” (21:107) The Holy Qur’an goes on to emphasise this fact in Surah Anam (The Cattle) verse Nineteen: “Say, Allah is witness between you and me; and this Quran has been revealed to me that with it I may warn you and whomsoever it reaches.”

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught humility, simplicity, hospitality, modesty, sincerity as well as honesty and made himself supreme example to be followed by the people of all races, cultures and creeds.

His teachings being conductive to human nature transcend the manmade bearers of time and space and his role remains relevant and fresh for all time, not only for Muslims but also for the entire fraternity of believers. He set the lofty example of his own character for others to emulate and follow. The Holy Qur’an says, “Certainly you have in the Apostle of God an excellent exemplar …” 33:21

His inspirational teachings regarding the treatment of children, slaves, women, animals, relatives and orphans are original and conducive to all cultures and traditions.

His lessons in love, mercy, forgiveness, self-sacrifice, justice and piety, backed by his own personal example, are beacon of light and inspiration to people of all ages, cultures and regions. His teachings equally benefit Christians, Hindus, Jews, Buddhists as well as the adherents of all other religions of the world.

Only the human turpitude, bias and prejudice have done a colossal loss to humanity by denying it the benefits of the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). For example, “ his message was the earliest in recorded history of precepts proclaiming that the human race is one in origin and destiny, in life and death, in rights and obligations, before the law and before God, in this world and in the hereafter; and that there is no credit except for virtuous work and no superiority except for the most God fearing.” He asked all men to 
abjure all kinds of prejudices (Asabiyah) and foster the brotherhood of believers.

The Holy Qur’an says, “O Mankind we created you from a male and female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other. Verily, the most honoured of you before God is the most righteous of you: surely God is Knowing, Aware.” 49:13 His farewell Hajj sermon serves as a charter of human dignity and equality. “O people, Verily your Lord is one and your father is one. All of you are descendants of Adam and Adam was created out of clay. There is 
no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab, nor for a non-Arab over and Arab, nor for white over the black nor for black over white except in piety.”

In his last 23 years the people saw him fighting against ‘apartheid,’ tyranny, oppres-sion, exploitation and injustice. He fought for everything good for humanity in general. He opposed, and tried to eliminate that which was bad for it. The  Holy Qur’an always addressed people as “O Mankind”, as the message was for all human beings and not only for Muslims.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH’s) teachings promise blessings for mankind in general. “O Mankind worship your Lord, who hath created you and those before you, so that you may ward off evils.” 2:22 The Holy Qur’an further says, “And those who believe and act righteously, joy is for them and a blissful home to return to.” 13: 29 For the peace of kind and heart he has prescribed “Verily in the 
remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest” 13:28 Quite unfortunately, not only the world at large ignored the message of the last Holy Prophet (PBUH) of revealed religions, Muslims themselves failed
to benefit fully from his teachings.

All the malaise, frustration, decrepit and abject submission to the forces of evil that presently haunt Muslim Ummah is due to this criminal disregard to the teachings of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). We failed to translate the universal teachings of Islam into our lives.

We made them redundant by not reposing our confidence into them and by not putting ourselves to any test to compete for mercy and blessing of God. In the Muslim world, there are factions, schism and rifts leading to fights and severe wars within. Divisive forces are at work in the shape of sectarianism, ethnicity, covetous-ness, and so on. Mostly the religious leaders who should have been obviously the inheritors of Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) message have  terribly failed in imparting their responsibilities.

Instead, they seem to be the source of all the trouble, riot, frustration, 
discontent and disappointment of the society today. Had they been able to structure their character according to the teachings of the Holy Prophet they would have certainly been able to set their own great examples of tolerance and accommodation to others’ point of view that is central to Islam.

Thus they would have certainly been able to lead Ummah more effectively. Interna-tionally “Islamic fundamentalism’ and ‘militant Islam’ are considered as a potent threat to peace and stability. What a colossal misrepresentation it is of the Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) message of love, solidarity, fraternity and human unity. Who is to be blamed? Treachery of the Western vested interests or uncanny persistency of Islamic scholars and leaders to celebrate their 
failures as successes and glorify them as milestones of Islamic history.