Seminar on the Life of the Prophet peace be upon him and the UMO under Dr. Pasha

Seminar on the Life of the Prophet
(PBUH) and the UMO under Dr. Pasha

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Born in an aristocratic Syed family of Madras, brought up in a country where Muslims are minority and having basic Islamic education at home, Dr. Syed Aziz Pasha developed an ideological commitment, a conviction and mission to which he remained firm, unchangeable and unyielding till his death. He had a solid grounding to understand the importance of Dawah work to live peacefully and harmoniously with his cultural and religious identity.

This understanding became more effective and operative when he went to the United States of America for higher studies where he obtained SJD (Doctorate in Juridical Science) equivalent to Ph.D. in the United Kingdom. But when he came to the United Kingdom, the first thing he thought essential is to bring unity within the Muslim communities. But he also realised that to establish peace and harmony in a multicultural country like the United Kingdom, it is very much essential to understand each other, to know each other’s culture, belief, tradition and values.

Dr. Pasha chose once in a year to bring people of different religions, cultures, traditions and races under one roof to speak about the religion culture and belief of Muslims and their Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and that is the background of holding this Seminar on the Life of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Since the formation of the UMO, Dr. Syed Aziz Pasha, its former General Secretary, used to hold this Seminar on the Life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) for the past forty years without fail. This is one item which Dr. Pasha never missed. As early as in 2009, Dr. Pasha told me in an interview: “Once I was in hospital and I asked my assistant secretary to carry on and he held the function.”

The UMO’s last Seminar on the Life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) organised by Dr. Pasha was in 2010. After that, he could not organise the Seminar in 2011. Since November, 2010, Dr. Pasha had been off and on hospitals and home. He died in the morning of Wednesday, the 23rd of November 2011.

In the Seminar on the Life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) organised by Dr. Pasha, among the distinguished guests, there were, besides others, Rt. Hon. Mr. John Patten, M.P. the then Minister of State, Home Office in 1989, Rt. Hon. Mr. Robin Corbett, M.P. the then Shadow Minister on Home Affairs in 1990; Rt. Hon. Mr. Jack Straw, M.P., the then Shadow Education Secretary in 1991. In 1996, nearly forty nations were represented at this celebration.

This year, in 2012, the UMO is organising again the Seminar, on the Life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) at the same place, Churchill Hotel, on Wednesday, the 29th of February, but this time the person who never failed to hold the Seminar to convey the Message of Islam to the Muslim community as well as to the wider society was not there, I mean physically. Both the Muslim and the wider society felt the physical absence of this dedicated pious Muslim, Dr. Pasha, who started and founded this organisation to bring unity among the British Muslim community and also to foster and develop good cordial and harmonious relationship with the wider society through interfaith dialogue.

Dr. Pasha told me in an interview, the purpose of holding this Seminar every year without fail was two fold, “We organised this function every year without fail for two reasons, said Dr Pasha, one is spiritual and another is mundane; spiritual reason because the Prophet (peace be upon him) was the first of Creation. Allah created the Nur of the Prophet and then the other Creation. He gave the title Rahmatullil Alamin; Mercy of all the Creatures. He said that. Allah is Rabbul Alamin; Prophet is Rahmatullil Alamin. Then all the Prophets who subsequently came they had the same faith al-Islam which he brought. The latest Prophets - Musa (peace be upon him) and Issa (peace be upon him) - both of them had forecast the coming of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). And they said when he comes follow him.”

Secondly, while speaking on the mundane side, Dr. Pasha mentioned, “Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) brought a system of life; a system of government and ideology which guarantees happiness on this earth and permanent felicity in the life Hereafter. Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him) was the only Prophet who was given the honour of being transported bodily to witness all the seven Heavens and what happens to people after they die. The Paradise and the Hell they are realities.”

Dr. Pasha also mentioned, “The UMO, for the past 40 years, what we have tried to do is to promote unity between the Muslims and to facilitate the upbringing of Muslim children in a moral and spiritual atmosphere.”

Purpose of Holding Seminar on
The Life of Prophet (PBUH)
As the Seminar on the Life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was the last Seminar organised by the UMO under the leadership of Dr. Pasha in 2010, I am reproducing below in his own words the purpose of holding a Seminar on the Life of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Dr. Pasha said, “The UMO being the representative body of the British Muslims has, since its formation forty years ago, has maintained its tradition to celebrate the birthday of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) for two reasons, namely, 1. spiritual and 2. mundane. At a spiritual level ALLAH Subhanahu wa Ta’ala created the Noor (Light) of the Holy Prophet before any other Creation and designated him as the Seal of the Prophets and Mercy unto all creatures. This Noor was transmitted through all Prophets from Adam to all succeeding Prophets including Prophets Abraham, Moses and Jesus, peace be upon them all. ALLAH ordered all these Prophets and their followers to accept Islam as their religion and way of life. As our Prophet is the last in the line of Prophets, the responsibility of conveying this Message to the British people lies on the Muslims and the UMO has been performing this duty on behalf of the Muslim Ummah.”

At a mundane level, said Dr. Pasha in his press release of 2010, “The Divine Message that the Prophet brought is for the guidance of the whole of humanity guaranteeing a life of peace and tranquillity in this transient world and eternal felicity in the Life Hereafter. Historians, both Muslims and non-Muslims and Orientalists, acclaim him as the greatest benefactor of humanity. He is renowned for his mercy, compassion and magnanimity. He even forgave his enemies after the conquest of Makkah al-Mukarramah. After his emigration to Madinah al-Munawwarah, he promulgated a Charter of Madinah guaranteeing freedom of religion to minorities. In the historic Sermon delivered at the Farewell Pilgrimage he declared a Charter of Human Rights establishing the brotherhood of all mankind regardless of race, colour or ethnicity, raising the status of women to one of legal equality with men, abolishing usury to prevent exploitation of the poor by the rich and banning the consumption of intoxicants.”

Dr. Pasha said in his press release of 2010, “It has taken 1400 years of strife and suffering before the West has accepted the glorious Message of the Prophet and has adopted the United Nations Charter and Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Mankind owes a debt of gratitude to the Holy Prophet for his enormous contribution which has brought enlightenment and civilisation. Islam is making steady progress in Europe and desperate attempts are being made in the media to distort the image of Islam as a religion of peace, justice and brotherhood. The whole world is watching that Muslims are not terrorists but they are victims of terrorism. The UMO for the past forty years has been encouraging Muslims to play their full role in the mainstream while retaining their religious and cultural identity.” (UMO Press Release on 2 March 2010 on the Birthday of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Picture: File Photo (from Left to Right: Rt. Hon. Councillor Alan Bradley, Lord Mayor of Westminster (locam tenens), Dr. Syed Aziz Pasha, General Secretary of UMO and Rt. Hon. Lord Sheikh of Cornhill at the celebration of the Birth of the Prophet (peace be upon him), function at Churchill Hotel, London, 16 March 2009);

Put Your Trust On Allah

Put Your Trust on Allah

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Human life is not only full of roses, there are also thorns. There are pain, sorrows and difficulties. Difficulty comes, calamity befalls and disaster happens in human life. These could be surmounted with patience, perseverance and complete submission to the Will of Allah. Believer will always put his trust on Allah.

The test of a Mu’min lies in his resolute steadfastness in trials and tribulations. That is why the Qur’an says, “Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested.” (29:2)

Putting one’s trust in Allah (tawakkul ala Allah) is the spiritual weapon that turns weakness into strength and few numbers into large numbers. It was also the weapon with which the Messengers of Allah faced up to the tyrants among their people, never being intimidated by their tyranny or weakened by their mischief, but said: “And why should we not put our trust in Allah while He indeed has guided us our ways. And we shall certainly bear with patience all the hurt you may cause us, and in Allah (Alone) let those who trust, put their trust.” (14:12)

Putting one’s trust in Allah means to take Allah as one’s Guide, following His commands and depending on Him, as He says: “(He Alone is) the Lord of the east and the west, La ilaha illa Huwa(none has the right to be worshipped but He. So take Him Alone as Wakil (Disposer of your affairs).” (73:9)

You should take Allah as your disposer of affairs, however, only after you prepare yourself and take every precaution, then go ahead in confidence that Allah will not abandon you. Putting one’s trust in Allah should by no means be taken to mean neglecting one’s work; abandoning the means that lead to the ends, ignoring the approved practices or waiting to reap unsown seeds or harvest unattended crops. It means what the Prophet and the Messengers before him did, i.e. doing one’s best and leaving the outcome to Allah, out of trust in Him, out of conviction in His promise and out of belief in His support.

No person by himself is capable of fighting against the current of misfortune, nor can he fend off the blows of disaster when they strike. This is because man was created weak and fragile. However, when in times of difficulty, the believer places his dependency and trust with his Lord; he knows that all difficulties can be overcome. “put your trust in Allah if you are believers indeed.” (5:23)

Human being has to be sincere to himself, to his belief in Allah and depend completely and fully upon Allah Almighty Alone. He can alone save from calamity and disaster. Live your lives according to this precept: Allah Alone is sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of our affairs.

If you have meagre means, if you are deep in debt, or if you are in any kind of worldly difficulty, call out: Allah Alone is sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of our affairs.

If you face your enemy and are alarmed, or if you fear the misdeeds of the oppressor, say Aloud: Allah Alone is sufficient for us, and He is Best Disposer of our affairs. “But Sufficient is your Lord as a Guide and Helper.” (25:31)

By leaving our affairs to Allah, by depending upon him, by trusting in His promise, by being pleased with His decree; by thinking favourably of Him, and by waiting patiently for His help, we reap some of the greater fruits of faith, display the more prominent characteristics of the believer.

When we incorporate these qualities into our character, we will be at peace concerning the future, because we will depend on our Lord for everything. As a result, we will find care, help, protection, and victory.

When Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) was thrown into the fire, he said, “Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and he is the Best Disposer of Affairs (for us).” Thereupon, Allah made the fire to be cool, safe, and peaceful for Ibrahim. When the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his Companions were threatened by the impending attack of the enemy, “they said: Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us). So they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed the good Pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Owner of Great Bounty.” (3:173-174)

On another occasion, our noble Prophet made the best arrangements for his Hijrah, but the unbelievers managed to reach the cave where he was hiding. “If you help him (Muhammad, peace be upon him) not (it does not matter), for Allah did indeed help him when the disbelievers drove him out, the second of two, when they (Muhammad, peace be upon him and Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu Anhu) were in the cave, and he, peace be upon him, said to his companion (Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu Anhu): “Be not sad (or afraid), surely Allah is with us.” (9:40)

This was also what Prophet Moses (pbuh) said to his people when Pharaoh and his soldiers were pursuing them and they were caught between the sea before them and their enemy behind them:

“And when the two hosts saw each other, the people of Moses said: “We are sure to be overtaken.” (Moses) said: “Nay, verily! With me is my Lord, He will guide me.”(26:61-62)

We are in need of this sort of conviction in facing the hardships and difficulties and we should trust that Allah is with us; and those who have Allah with them will never fail: “And if Allah helps you, none can overcome you; and if He forsakes you, who is there after Him that can help you? And in Allah (Alone), let believers put their trust.” (3:160).