On the blessed night commemorating the commencement of the prophetic mission of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), a celebration took place on 28 January 2025 at the Islamic Centre of England. Attended by a large gathering residing in London, the event featured lectures delivered in English, Persian, and Arabic.
In his Persian address, Sayyed Hashim Moosavi, the Imam of the Islamic Centre of England, highlighted the influential qualities of the Prophet as described in the Holy Qur’an. He emphasised that the Prophet’s duty to call people to monotheism, fight corruption, and elevate the moral standing of society was a tremendous responsibility. The Qur’an frequently points to the Prophet’s outstanding attributes—such as kindness, compassion, trustworthiness, a magnanimous character, and deep concern for the welfare of the people—as key factors in his ability to transform his community.
Sayyed Moosavi remarked that the Prophet (peace be upon him & his family) employed these unique qualities wisely, adapting his approach depending on the cultural and social contexts he encountered. His use of wisdom, benevolent counsel, and courteous debate succeeded in changing societal norms, replacing ignorance with a divinely inspired outlook. Through clear logical arguments and compelling proofs, he persuaded those of influence, while kind words and uplifting admonitions resonated with the general public. Even with his opponents, the Prophet’s respectful dialogue and sound reasoning won many hearts to the path of truth.
Sayyed Moosavi added that these noble characteristics of the Prophet, which were evident throughout his Prophetic mission, have continued to serve as a timeless model for humanity in every era. He underscored that anyone seeking positive change can still draw inspiration from the Prophet’s life and teachings.
Delivering his remarks in English, Sayyed Abbas Abedi discussed the aim behind the sending of Prophets. He stated that the ultimate purpose of human creation is only realised when there is a source of guidance beyond sensory and rational perception—namely divine revelation brought by Prophets. He went on to describe the many benefits that Prophets have brought to humankind, including unveiling hidden truths, providing righteous models for society, calling people to monotheism and away from idolatry, establishing justice, fostering moral education, offering clear arguments against doubt, and resolving social conflicts.
In his Arabic speech, Sheikh Rashad Ansari addressed the concept of the Prophet’s ‘ummi’ status, which some Muslim scholars interpret as an inability to read or write prior to the commencement of his Prophetic mission—a point also noted in the Qur’an. He explained that, according to certain narrations and historical evidence, the Prophet later acquired reading and writing skills miraculously or through divine instruction. This ability further supported his efforts to teach and propagate Islam effectively.
The celebratory atmosphere was enriched by nasheeds and poetry in praise of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), performed in both Arabic and Persian by eulogists of the Ahlul Bayt. The grand gathering concluded with prayers for the continued guidance and unity of the Muslim community and for the spread of the Prophet’s universal message of compassion, morality, and justice.