Let’s reclaim the spirit of Eid-e-Milad

In the deserts of Arabia, about 15 centuries ago, in 570 AD, a supremely creative and paradigm shattering historical (even trans-historical) event with eschatological implications happened. The consequences of this event were far reaching: a world historical civilization was borne-one that transformed not only the environs of Arabia but the whole world. This event was the birth of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The day that the Great Prophet of Islam was born was later called the Eid Milaad un Nabi. Eid Milad un Nabi(SAW)will be celebrated with fervor and gaiety on the 24th of December, 2015.  Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was rahma(t)(mercy) for the entire mankind. The message that he brought from God through Arch Angel Jibraeel was that of monotheism, peace, amity and a value system defined and characterized by truth equality, equity, and justice. He (SAW) taught mankind these values by example and deed. Belief in One God (monotheism) and His Messenger (SAW), Peace, Justice, Equality, Compassion for all Creation, a metaphysical dimension, were and are  the essential and defining characteristics of Islam.

Because of the personality, attributes, spiritual dynamism and savoir faire of the Prophet(SAW) and the inherent appeal of Islam, the religion spread beyond Arabia to all corners of the world-gradually and inexorably. The appeal of Islam and its tour de force also reached Kashmir (roughly in the 13th century through Sufi Masters). The rather austere and spiritual but at the same time simple message of Islam and the Prophet (SAW) met with a fertile reception in Kashmir. Kashmiris or the people of Kashmir , in the 13th century were ripe for a spiritually uplifting and a socially and culturally redemptive message and appeal of Islam. The people of Kashmir almost converted en masse to Islam. Central to the Sufi ethos of Islam that percolated to and in Kashmir, besides the essential message of Islam was devotion to the Prophet (SAW).

Devotion to the Prophet (SAW) entailed emulation of the Prophet (SAW) in all aspects and details of corporeal existence. In other words, this meant imbibing, and incorporating the essential teachings of Islam –socially and individually.  Islam in Kashmir gyrated to the Sufi dimension of Islam with great intensity.

Fast forward a few centuries.

We have morphed into a self absorbed, materialistic and vulgarly capitalist society (read distorted version of capitalism). Our selves are the centre and locus of our attention. Our nobler instincts are crowded out by baser ones. We are no longer as compassionate and caring as we were. Materialism motivates us and determines the locus and focus of our individual and collective energies. We are an angry society with a sense of entitlement that is disproportionate. Me, mine , mine has , by and large become our motto. All this is in sharp contradistinction to the ethos of Islam and the teachings of the Holy Prophet. All this is not a self flagellating exercise aimed to demean and distort but to put  our social and collective selves into perspective. We, Kashmiris, by and large , are still a fine people. There’s , for instance, very few places in the world , where outsiders are treated so well; hardly any place in the world can demonstrate such fine traditions of hospitality that we are imbued with; very few places are as non-violent as we are(temperamentally). But , these fine attributes , are a legacy of the past- a past that was defined by the cosmogony of Sufi Islam and the centrality of the Prophet(SAW) in our lives. We cannot really afford to rest on the residual legacy of these. We need to and must re-inculcate these fine values and value system in our collective and individual selves.

Now coming back to the theme of Eid Milad un Nabi: this day will be celebrated with great festivity, fervor and nobility of spirit in Kashmir. Thousands will flock to the Durgah at Hazratbal, and other shrines to remember the Prophet (SAW) and make special devotional prayers. Many will endure the bitter cold wintry nights and pray. They will be spiritually uplifted but alas the enlightenment accruing from this spiritual odyssey will be ephemeral. It will not last long. We will after the Milad celebrations are over revert to our usual selves. This, in the final analysis, constitutes a travesty. The ultimate meaning of the Milad prayers and remembrance of God and the Prophet (SAW) should enable us to reorient ourselves towards enduring nobler and spiritual dimensions. But, given that most of us will revert to quotidian lives and forget the spiritual dimension of the Milad, our devotion and prayers will cease to be meaningful, unless it affects a change in our orientations.

So, on this Milad un Nabi, let us all make that extra effort and resolve to make self purification , self transcendence and self transformation our end goals. This can only happen if we seriously introspect and take to heart the teachings of our Great Prophet(SAW). To repeat, the essential components of his(SAW) message were Compassion, Honesty , Truth, Equality and Justice- ideas and themes that have over time become largely notional for us. This notional fidelity to these great moral and spiritual ideas and ideals has meant that we , as both society and individuals, have to a degree, lost our compass and bearing. The saving grace is that all is not lost. We can reclaim the spirit and essence of the Prophet’s teachings. Key here is sincerity of purpose and fidelity. This would constitute real love for the Prophet (SAW); not mere mechanical and ritualistic incantations and behavior. So, on the Milad un Nabi, let us disavow the cosmetic and focus on the real and the substantive.

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