– Ammar Ahsan (General Secretary, Islamic Youth Federation)
The arrival of the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal heralds a spiritual season that refreshes the air of faith. It is the month in which Allah Almighty, in His special mercy, bestowed upon humanity the greatest gift ever: the birth of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Thus, Rabi’ al-Awwal, in its essence, spirituality, and historical depth, stands as the month in which an event occurred that changed the fate of both heaven and earth.
This is the month when Allah, in order to illuminate a humanity submerged in darkness, sent His final Prophet, Muhammad Mustafa ﷺ, a personality who was the embodiment of goodness, mercy, justice, and guidance. The coming of the Prophet ﷺ was not a temporary reform plan for a specific nation or region, but the herald of a universal, comprehensive, and eternal revolution.
The Qur’an proclaims clearly:
“We have sent you O Prophet only as a deliverer of good news and a warner to all of humanity, but most people do not know.” (Qur’an 34:28)
This declaration makes it clear that the Prophet’s mission was not limited to a particular nation, race, or region. He came as a source of mercy, guidance, and justice for all of humanity.
Further, Allah states:
“He is the One Who has sent His Messenger with true guidance and the religion of truth, making it prevail over all others, even to the dismay of the polytheists.” (Qur’an 9:33)
This verse tells us that the core objective of the Prophet’s ﷺ mission was the establishment of the truth and the liberation of humanity from ignorance, oppression, and the bondage of polytheism.
The Prophet ﷺ himself explained the purpose of his mission:
“I was sent only to perfect noble character.” (Hadith)
This statement makes it clear that the heart of his mission was moral, spiritual, and social transformation — a revolution that starts from the heart of an individual and spreads throughout society. One could say that the Prophet’s ﷺ mission was a complete reform package.
The first thirteen years in Makkah were dedicated to the reformation of belief and thought. The Prophet ﷺ illuminated minds with the light of Tawheed (Oneness of God). This was no easy task — the Makkan chiefs considered abandoning their ancestors’ religion as an insult. Yet, the Prophet ﷺ continued with wisdom, patience, and impeccable character. His recitation of the Qur’an, his title of “The Truthful and Trustworthy,” and his pure character astonished even his enemies.
The Prophet Muhammad was faced with intense trials and tribulations in Mecca, but he persevered
A study of the Seerah (biography of the Prophet ﷺ) teaches us that he dedicated every moment of his life to this mission — whether in domestic life or on the battlefield, in markets or places of worship — he conveyed the message of the truth. Even when suffering from a high fever and unable to walk, he did not neglect delivering the message of guidance.
After migration to Madinah, the Prophet ﷺ established a practical state based on justice, equality, brotherhood, and peace. Muslims, Jews, and other groups lived peacefully under a treaty. The Masjid al-Nabawi was not just a place of worship, but also the centre of government, judiciary, education, and welfare.
His decisions were always in accordance with the Qur’an, and no discrimination was made based on tribe, race, or colour. The social reforms he introduced had a profound impact on society, as reflected in the lives of the noble Companions (RA). Once they embraced Islam, their thoughts, purpose, and lifestyle completely transformed. They abandoned the dark customs of ignorance and adopted a missionary life.
In just twenty years of determined effort, the centuries-old culture of polytheism and oppression in the Arabian Peninsula was eradicated. The justice of Umar (RA) became so famous that the Roman Emperor remarked, “Umar rules yet sleeps alone in the market.” Uthman (RA) endured hunger to buy a well for the Muslims, and Ali (RA), in pursuit of justice, stood in court on equal footing with a Jew.
All of this was possible because the Prophet ﷺ connected his Ummah with the true purpose of his mission. To him, religion was not limited to acts of worship — it was a comprehensive system encompassing economy, politics, society, and ethics.
Unfortunately, the modern Muslim Ummah has forgotten this purpose. Religion today has been confined to rituals and celebrations. In most places, Rabi’ al-Awwal has been reduced to decorations, flags, food gatherings, and noise. What we truly need is to use this month for intellectual awakening and revival of the Prophet’s mission.
Muslim Ummah, although large in numbers, are largely insignificant when it comes to driving the worldly affairs – primary reason being that it has largely forgotten the Prophetic Mission
Rabi’ al-Awwal should serve as a reminder to assess our individual and collective lives — how connected are we to the mission of the Prophet ﷺ?
On a practical level, revival begins with renewal of faith. We must connect our new generations with the Qur’an, as it was the Qur’an that transformed the Companions into great personalities. After this comes character building, so that faith is not just lip service but reflected in action.
Educational institutions must include the Seerah in the curriculum. Media must be used to spread the Prophet’s message. To take the message of Islam to the global stage, we must use modern tools such as social media, online lectures, and academic research.
But without unity in the Ummah, this goal cannot be achieved. We must set aside sectarian disputes and come together on shared foundations: Tawheed, Prophethood, and the Qur’an. If we firmly hold on to these principles and tolerate other differences, we can once again become bearers of truth in the world.
Rabi’ al-Awwal gives us the message:
- Make the Qur’an and Sunnah the centre of your life.
- Understand and implement the revolutionary aspects of the Seerah.
- Revive the Prophet’s exemplary character in your conduct.
- Provide intellectual and practical training to the youth.
- Stay active in establishing justice and fairness in society.
When these elements come together, Rabi’ al-Awwal will not just be a commemoration, but a starting point for intellectual and practical awakening in the Ummah.
Islam’s message is not limited to one nation or region but meant for all of humanity. Its goal is to eliminate polytheism, false systems, oppression, and exploitation at every level, and to establish a society based on justice, equality, honesty, and purity.
This is the universal revolution that the Prophet ﷺ was sent to bring — and it remains the need of humanity today. This is the true purpose of the Prophet’s mission, and this is the covenant we must renew in this blessed month.
