Prophet Muhammad’s Legacy: World’s 1st Constitution and Human Rights Charter Highlighted at Interfaith Meet
Gandhi Jayanti event in Kolkata revisits Prophet Muhammad's message of equality, women's rights and human dignity
Kolkata: Prophet Muhammad gave the world’s first constitution and a human rights charter. Additionally, the Ghazwa-e-Hind had already occurred in India when Muhammad Bin Qasim came from Damascus to rescue Muslim women and children from Raja Dahir in Sindh. This was stated during an interfaith meeting held in Kolkata on October 2.
In an effort to counter rising Islamophobia and propaganda against Prophet Muhammad, this interfaith meeting was organized on Gandhi Jayanti in Kolkata. The seminar, held during the birth month of Prophet Muhammad, Rabiul Awwal, was conducted by two organizations, SR Foundation and Hayaat Foundation, to educate the public on the life and works of the Prophet. Around 30 non-Muslim intellectuals participated in the three-hour-long event.
Prophet Muhammad is the Most Recorded Prophet in World History, No Room for Propaganda in Islam
Dr Sarfaraz Adil, the convener of the event, pointed out that every second of Prophet Muhammad’s life has been recorded. As there was no formal education system at the time, narrators helped preserve these records, maintaining a chain of narration.
“To record the Prophet’s sayings, the narrators’ lives were also documented. Six lakh narrators’ lives have been preserved to record the Prophet’s works and life. Every detail, from his sitting posture to his hair and every moment, has been preserved,” Dr Adil explained.
“There is no place for propaganda in Islam. Yet, people and organizations attempt to spread it through fake memes, doctored videos, and misinformation. Although these falsehoods are later debunked, by that time, riots often erupt, and many innocent lives suffer as a result.”
Dr Adil also mentioned how people’s lives have changed while reading or writing about the Prophet. One such person is Swami Laxmi Shankaracharya, who first wrote the book Islamic Atankwad Ka Itihas but later authored Islam Atank Ya Adarsh. Not only did he realize his mistake and write a second book, but he also formed the Hindu-Muslim Ekta Manch to bring the two communities closer.
“When Gandhi Ji met Maulana Mungeri, he mentioned that he had read the Quran and liked it very much. He also read the biography of Prophet Muhammad and found many good things about him. He said, ‘If his life is followed by Indians, India will become heaven.’
Maulana Mungeri then asked Gandhi Ji if he found anything wrong in the Quran or the life of Prophet Muhammad.
“I wasn’t expecting this question, but no, I didn’t find anything wrong in either the Quran or the teachings of Prophet Muhammad,” Gandhi Ji had answered,” Dr. Adil shared.
Never Spoke Lies and Always Paid Others Their Due Rights
The next speaker, Mufti Abdul Mueed, highlighted two important aspects of the Prophet’s life: “Prophet Muhammad’s two most significant teachings were—never speak lies and always fulfill the rights of others. Most conflicts, whether personal, social, or political, arise from not giving others their due rights.”
The Prophet Told the World That Women Are Equal and He Trusted Them
Professor Abdul Rasheed emphasized that Prophet Muhammad established a constitution when he went to Medina, which contained 52 points. This constitution united all social groups, including Christians and Jews, to protect Medina and promote social responsibility and financial stability. The Prophet also formed 300 agreements with different tribes.
The professor discussed seven important messages the Prophet gave to the world. “He proclaimed that the Almighty is One, and never accept anyone else as God. He asserted this concept clearly and simply for common people. He also taught that the father of every human being is one, meaning all are brothers and equal, which brought his third message about equality. No one is superior based on caste, color, or creed. His last sermon in Mecca introduced the world’s first human rights charter.”
Although historians recognize The Cyrus Cylinder as the world’s first human rights charter, written by Persian King Cyrus in 539 BC after the conquest of Babylon, and in modern times, the UN Charter is known as the human rights document, Rasheed explained that Prophet Muhammad’s last sermon was also a human rights charter for the world.
Rasheed further stated that the fourth important message was that human beings are the best creation of the Almighty, and everything in this world was created for them.
“He also taught that men and women are equal. While in Arabia, a girl child was often killed, this was a common practice worldwide at that time. The Prophet empowered women, giving them rights in marriage, property, and education. He trusted women so much that he first told his Prophethood to his wife and even performed household chores,” said the professor.
Rasheed also stressed that Prophet Muhammad warned against superstition, advising people not to let it hinder their progress. “Religion is not just spirituality; it should be connected to daily life to make life better.”
He added that the Prophet reformed the system of slavery, urging people to feed their slaves the same food they ate, dress them in similar clothes, and assist them with major tasks. “He even encouraged people to free their slaves.”
Prophet Muhammad Teaches Us to Respect All Religions
The attendees, who patiently listened, later asked questions and thanked the organizers for hosting an event that provided them with valuable, authentic information about Prophet Muhammad.
“What I learned from Professor Sahab’s speech is that we are all children of one father. What he said about the Prophet is very inspiring and ideal for everyone. The life of Prophet Muhammad conveys respect for other religions and promotes living a peaceful life,” said Swami Devaker Chinmaya.
Bimal Sharma, a guest, asked where he could find references to counter misinformation and disinformation, to which he was promised recommendations for books and writings.
Dr Sanchay Sarkar, a Matua community leader, expressed happiness at the knowledge he gained from the event.
Soumya Mondal remarked that many of his friends often speak about the Ghazwa-e-Hind, claiming Muslims will take over India. Similar statements were made during the recent political turmoil in Bangladesh, saying the Ghazwa-e-Hind had already begun.
Dr Adil clarified, “The Ghazwa-e-Hind has already happened in India. Raja Dahir’s army had imprisoned several Muslim women and children, and to free them, Bin Qasim fought against the king. After this, Islam came to India. As Dahir was not popular among his people, Bin Qasim stayed for two years, demonstrating the qualities of a ruler before eventually returning.”
Maulana Ansar Alam Qasmi spoke in Bangla to the audience, while Imtiaz Mollah moderated the event. Athar Firdausi from the SR Foundation gave the vote of thanks.