Scholars highlight at the 17th Annual Milad Conference held at Khanqah-e-Arifia, Saiyed Sarawan under Shah Safi Memorial Trust

Press Release – 14 September 2025
Every moment of the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ — whether before the announcement of his prophethood or after — is a complete guidance for humanity. His teachings are not confined to Muslims alone; he is not merely the Prophet of Muslims. Just as Allah is the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe and His mercy extends to all creation, in the same way, the prophethood and message of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ are universal, meant for all humankind. These thoughts were expressed by noted scholar and former Member of Parliament Maulana Obaidullah Khan Azmi while addressing the 17th Annual Milad Conference held in the spacious courtyard of Khanqah-e-Arifia/Jamia Arifia, Saiyed Sarawan. The conference was organised under the aegis of Shah Safi Memorial Trust and presided over by Sufi guide Sheikh Abu Saeed Ehsanullah Muhammadi Safawi.

Maulana Azmi further said that the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ illuminated a dark society divided into classes and gripped by injustice and oppression. He not only raised his voice for the rights of different sections of society but also ensured those rights were granted, uplifting their dignity. In an age when widows were denied respect, the Prophet, at the young age of twenty-five, married a widow (who had lost two husbands) and restored social honour to widows. In a society where daughters were buried alive, he blessed them with life by promising Paradise to those who brought them up with care and married them honourably. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ carried a message of welfare not only for Muslims but for the entire humanity.

Dr Kausar Usman (Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow) said in his address that the Prophet ﷺ came as a mercy for all mankind. His life is a model of humanity, peace and social justice. His teachings are full of hope, leaving no room for despair. He emphasised that those who seek closeness to Allag must serve humanity, for Allah is found in broken hearts. Serving widows, orphans, the needy, the helpless and the oppressed is the best way of attaining nearness to Allah, as such services are also forms of worship.

Dr Tariq Siddiqui Alig observed that the Prophet ﷺ laid the greatest stress on education and humanity. Caste, religion or region held no meaning in his teachings. He always stood for justice, brotherhood and tolerance. His life provides a practical model of patience in adversities and forgiveness for enemies. Even when he was granted full authority by Allah and his enemies deserved the harshest punishment, he declared a general amnesty, thereby establishing the principle that human beings must always be given the opportunity to reform their mistakes.

The grand conference was conducted by noted journalist Mohammad Ahmad (Watan Samachar). The programme commenced with a recitation of the Qur’an by Qari Sarfaraz Saeedi, a teacher at Jamia Arifia, followed by a chorus of devotional poetry presented by Hafiz Zaka Saeedi and his group. With the theme “Message of Peace and Harmony for Humanity”, the event saw participation of thousands, including a large number of Hindus, Sikhs and people from other faiths besides Muslims. The conference highlighted the true spirit of Islam and its universal message, inspiring the audience to adopt Islamic values in their lives. It reinforced that Islam is not merely a religion but a complete way of life that teaches peace, love and brotherhood.

The programme was attended by teachers and students of Jamia Arifia as well as guests from far and wide. Prominent among them were Dr Saeed Ahmad, Maulana Arif Iqbal Misbahi, Syed Mahboob Miyan Baqai, Syed Hayat Ahmad Abul Ulai, Shambhu Lal Kesarwani, Ramakant Singh Patel, Advocate Shashi Bhushan Tripathi and Advocate Munna Dubey of Allahabad High Court.

The conference concluded with Salat-o-Salam and prayers offered by Sahibzada Husain Saeed Safawi, after which sweets were distributed among the participants.