Congratulations to Baitul Ilm for hosting this Intrafaith conference at a time when there is so much strife between the Sunnis and Shiites in the world. The 10th Annual Milad Intrafaith conference took place on Saturday, January 9, in Streamwood, IL, and CIOGC Chair, Dr. Mohammed Kaiseruddin, was invited to speak alongside Mr. Rashad Hussain, former white house attorney, Mr. Naem Baig, ISNA’s President, Professor Inamul Haq of Elmhurst College, and Hajjatul Islam Syed Sulayman Hasan Abidi, President of the Ahl Al Bayt Seminary.
Below is a rendition of the speech that Dr. Kaiseruddin gave:
The killing of Shaikh Nimr and 46 others in Saudi Arabia on one hand and the horrific images of people starving to death in Syria – twenty three starved to death since December 1, 2015 alone, including 6 infants in the town of Madaya – are unacceptable. Let us collectively pray that Allah (SWT) showers His mercy on the suffering people and guides us all to work together to stop these atrocities.
Establishing a relationship of love with the Prophet (PBUH) is essential for all Muslims, as is clear from the Qur’an and the sayings of the Prophet (PBUH). This relationship of love gives a new life into everything we do to comply with his guidance.
How we establish that relationship, now that we are more than 1400 years away from him is something to ponder about. One thing we can do is to see how much Allah (SWT) Himself loves and cares for him. What can be more special than the love and care by the Creator Himself.
We believe that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had the responsibility of delivering Allah’s (SWT) message to us. How hard he work to accomplish this and how he cared that we receive the message is acknowledged by Allah (SWY) as He asks, “Wouldst thou, perhaps, torment thyself to death [with grief] because they [who live around thee] refuse to believe [in it]?” [26:3]
The verse decorated over the window of the Prophet’s resting place in Madinah al-Munawwarah is translated as, “Behold, they who lower their voices in the presence of God’s Apostle – it is they whose hearts God has tested [and opened] to consciousness of Himself; [and] theirs shall be forgiveness and a reward supreme.” [49:3]
The ultimate tribute from the Creator is, “Verily, God and His angels bless the Prophet: [hence,] O you who have attained to faith, bless him and give yourselves up [to his guidance] in utter self-surrender!” [33:56]
May Allah (SWT) shower His blessings on our beloved prophet (PBUH).