In the name of Allah (SWT), The Merciful, The Compassionate
O Allah bless our beloved Muhammad, the light of lights, the secret of secrets, theantidote fordepression and the key to the door of ease, Muhammad the selected one,and upon his family the pure ones, as much as the bounties of Allah and His blessings.
Asalaamu-AlaikumWa-RahmatullahiWaBarakatuh.

May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah (SWT) be with you all.
Hadhrat Ubayy ibn Ka`bRadiyalláhu Anhu relates:
I said, “O Messenger of Allah, I send much blessings on you. What proportion of my dua should I devote to you?”He said, “As much as youlike.” I said, “A quarter?” He said, “As much as you like, and if youincreased it would only be better for you.” I said, “Then a half?” He said, “As much as you like andif you increased then it would only be better for you.” I said, “Then two thirds?” He said,“As much as you like and if you increased it would only be better for you.” I said, “I’ll devote all of my Dua to sending blessings on you.” RasululláhSallalláhuAlayhiWasallam said, “In that case itwill suffice you from your worries and your sins will be forgiven.” ~ Tirmidhi

My brothers and sisters in Islam and humanity, on this most auspicious occasion of observing the birth and life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘AlaihiwaSallam), I extend to you on behalf of the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana greetings on the Mawlid. I pray that Allah (SWT) continue to blessus and accept all our devotion and service. Ameen.

Perhaps the greatest mercy that Allah (SWT) bestowed upon humanity was sending His Blessed Messenger Muhammad (SAWS). God Almighty describes His best Creation thus:
And you are of the highest standard of character (Quran 68:4)
The Prophet’s (SAWS) character was of such high moral excellence that Allah (SWT) Himself mentioned its greatness. The Prophet (SAWS) was destined to be the best human being ever to live on Earth— the most virtuous, the most patient, the most loving, the most courteous, the most merciful among men, the best to his wives, the best to his friends, the best to his family, the most honest, the most trustworthy, and so much more that even his enemies testified to it. We are reminded in many narrations that when the Prophet (SAWS) was born the thrones of kings shook, palaces crumbled,idols in the Kabaa fell, and fire that was worshipped extinguished.

The Prophet (SAWS)was of such a high and sublime character that, after years of persecution, hemarched triumphant into the city of his birth at the head of the largest army ever assembled in Arabian history. With his head bowed in humility, He declared a general amnesty and granted war criminals refuge. The Prophet’s (SAWS) magnanimity was so powerful that it led to a mass conversion among the citizens of Makkah. Even Abu Sufyan, his archenemy, embraced the religion of Islam. In the months that followed, almost all of Arabia dispatched representatives to swear allegiance to the Prophet (SAWS)and to enter into the faith of Islam.

During a period of twenty-three years, Muhammad (SAWS), Peace be upon Him, had succeeded in uniting a feuding people trapped in cycles of violence into one people with a sense of destiny and a mission that would transform the world. He (SAWS) elevated the low, and he lowered the elevated that they might meet in that middle place known as brotherhood. He (SAWS) infused in them a love of learning, unleashing a creative power that would lead to some of the most extraordinary scientific breakthroughs in human history.

The spirituality He (SAWS) inspired in his people led to the construction of seven hundred mosques in the Spanish city of Cordoba in the West, and a restoration of Masjid Al Aqsa in Jerusalem in the East. In its precincts his followers built the Dome of the Rock (Qubbat al-Sakhra), as a testimony to the oneness of God.
The Prophet (SAWS) died on the same day he was born, in the same house he had lived in for ten years in Madinah, on a small bed made of leather stuffed with palm fibers, in the arms of his beloved wife Aisha (RA).His dying words were, “Treat your women well, and do not oppress your servants, the prayer, the prayer, don’t be neglectful of the prayer. O God, my highest companion, my highest companion.”

The occasion of celebrating the birth and life of our Master and Guide Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) should be used to strengthen our will to follow His (SAWS) example. We oftentimes pride ourselves on the strictness of our adherence to the way of this blessed Messenger (SAWS) in various aspects of our lives. However, are we emulating Him by trying to be merciful to our fellow man? If we aren’t, we should understand that our adherence to His Sunnah is wanting.

Would the Prophet (SAWS) approve if he witnessed division amongst us that is tearing us apart? Let us practice mercy on issues where differences are valid and avoid harsh words and work together in accordance with our sacred law. O mankind, truly we have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that you may recognize one another (Quran 49:13).If we follow our creator’s directive to learn about, appreciate and respect each other, we will replace ignorance and prejudice with understanding, sensitivity, mutual respect and unity.

We should remember that our love for the Prophet (SAWS)will be a means of our being with Him (SAWS) Inshallah. Let us spend these days in increased Salawat upon the Prophet (SAWS), his family, and pray for all of Humanity. Let us repent to Allah (SWT) and renew our commitment to following the Laws of Allah swt by following the middle way; the way of Rasoolullah (SAWS).

I ask Allah (swt )to bless all of you and join us in praising our Beloved Prophet (SAWS)
O Allah, bless our Master Muhammad, who opened what was closed and sealed what was before. He makes the truth victorious by the truth and he is the guide to Your Straight Path. And bless his Household as it befits his immense stature and splendor.
Oh Allah! Bestow Your Mercy and Blessings upon Muhammad whenever he is remembered, and bestow Your Mercy and Blessings upon Muhammad whenever he is not remembered. May the Peace and Blessing of the Most Merciful be upon each and everyone one.
Wa-Alaikumus-Salaam WaRahmatullahiWaBarakaatuh.
Shahabudeen Ahmad
President
CIOG