This year, the traditional funds raised for Minar-e-Pakistan were redirected towards emergency aid for the flood-affected, symbolically making the whole of Pakistan the venue of the blessed gathering as millions joined online across the world. Renowned Quran reciters from Iran also attended as honoured guests.
In his keynote, Shaykh-ul-Islam explained that there are two milestones of the Prophet’s blessed life: Milad, the manifestation of His sacred physical beauty at birth, and Be’sat, the revelation of His Seerah at the declaration of prophethood. At His birth, humanity beheld His unparalleled beauty, but at His prophethood, the world was gifted His living miracle as the complete and final example for mankind.
The Prophet ﷺ was described as the purest of heart, soft spoken, most faithful, honest, courageous, merciful, compassionate, benevolent, charitable, free of sin, jealousy, or greed, selfless, modest, forgiving, relatable, respected and respectful, ethical, inspiring, affectionate and always pleasant in nature. Sayyiduna Ali (R.A) reported that he never saw the Prophet ﷺ speak harshly to anyone and that His face was always smiling. Imam Hussain (R.A) once asked his father about the Prophet’s qualities, and Sayyiduna Ali (R.A) replied that his grandfather’s blessed face was always radiant with joy and elegance.
Shaykh-ul-Islam addressed the troubling disconnect between religion and morality in the modern era. He strongly criticised contemporary religious discourse and practice, noting that religion has too often been reduced to rituals and seasonal ceremonies, divorced from daily conduct. Religious figures frequently display harshness, judgement and disrespect, contradicting the very example of the Prophet ﷺ. Many claim to follow Him, yet their character bears no resemblance to His teachings. This distortion drives people away from true faith and leaves religion hollow of its essence.
He reminded that the Prophet ﷺ taught that the best among people are those with the best akhlaq, and that good character will be the first matter judged on the Day of Judgement.
The conference concluded with a call to moral reform. To truly love the Prophet ﷺ is to reflect His mercy and ethics in our own lives. Muslims must return to His Seerah as their standard, measure themselves against His character, cultivate gentleness in temperament and speech, forgive and overlook faults, treat all people with dignity, respect human life, and embrace positive thinking. Religion must be re-anchored into daily conduct, not confined to rituals. Humanity precedes religiosity; without humanity, there is no true religion.
This year’s 42nd International Milad Conference provided a moment of reflection. Through the words of Shaykh-ul-Islam, participants were reminded that the mercy of the Prophet ﷺ is timeless, His character is the true path to Allah, and that revival of His Seerah in our lives is the only way for the Ummah to find peace, unity and divine acceptance.
