By Mohammad Sami Ahmad
Patna: Modern administrative models, including census systems and broad public infrastructure initiatives such as four-lane highways, trace their earliest conceptual roots to the governance established during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad, according to Islamic scholar and state chief of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Maulana Rizwan Ahmad Islahi.
Addressing a commemorative seminar on the life and legacy of the Prophet during Khuda Bakhsh Day on Monday in Patna, Maulana Islahi emphasized that the Prophet’s mission extended far beyond religious rites, offering structural guidance for societal welfare, governance, and civil rights that remain universally relevant today.
Maulana Islahi highlighted the modern relevance of the Prophet’s governance, stating that early concepts corresponding to modern census systems and major infrastructure planning (such as four-lane roads) can be traced back to his era. He noted that the Prophet laid the foundation of a model state, denounced oppression, forbade verbal abuse against rulers, restored women’s dignity, and granted them inheritance rights in ancestral property.
The seminar formed a central segment of the annual Khuda Bakhsh Day observances held at the Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library in Patna. The morning commenced with Quranic recitations by Qari Akram Hussain, followed by ceremonial wreath-laying, fatiha khwani, and devotional recitations (naat) by Shakeel Ahmad Shamsi and Mr. Iftikhar.
In his welcome address, Professor Mohammad Zahidul Haque, Director of the Khuda Bakhsh Library, highlighted the library’s historic mission to advance education across community lines. He cited the divine Quranic mandate “Iqra” (Read), noting that institutions committed to public literacy and research embody the primary instruction given to humanity. The library preserves religious texts, historical manuscripts, and rare works spanning all major world faiths.
“Khuda Bakhsh Library stands as a vital hub of knowledge, art, thought, and action. Since its inception, the institution has remained steadfastly committed to realizing the Prophet’s foundational teaching of spreading education,” Prof. Haque stated.
He further emphasized that the library houses scriptures and texts from all major religions, offering wisdom and enlightenment to every reader. Underscoring that every faith teaches goodness and morality, he called upon society to take collective responsibility in spreading education to every household. Prof. Haque urged people to adopt the righteous lifestyle of Prophet Muhammad, who taught unity, brotherhood, ethical conduct, and the eradication of social hierarchies and discrimination.
Prof. Haque called for collective action to ensure no household remains deprived of education, stressing that the Prophet’s life promotes harmony, brotherhood, and the elimination of social discrimination.
In the presidential address, scholar and thinker Professor Maulana Syed Shah Shamimuddin Munemi underscored that social disintegration stems primarily from moral decline. He pointed out that research on the Prophet’s life (Seerat) continues to evolve worldwide, with Urdu literature on the subject standing alongside classical Arabic and Persian traditions.
“If every virtue and noble quality in the world were summarized under a single name, that name would be Muhammad,” Prof. Munami remarked. He noted that the Prophet’s teachings extend even to ethical standards for the treatment of animals and that practicing compassion and integrity remains the most effective path toward resolving modern social conflicts. Professor Munemi shed light on key dimensions of the Prophet’s life, touching upon topics such as Seerat (biography), Naat, prohibition of alcohol and usury, and the right to education.
Pointing out that the Quran itself praises the Prophet’s sublime moral character, Prof. Munemi warned that social collapse stems directly from moral decline. To safeguard society from conflict and decay, he urged the adoption of moral values demonstrated in the Prophet’s life, noting that practicing his principles of forgiveness and compassion would naturally resolve many contemporary social issues.
