MORE than one billion Muslims all over the world commemorated the birth of Prophet Muhammad -- upon whom be God's peace and blessings -- last week. The Prophet's birthday is either on the 12th (after his Companions' reckoning) or 17th (after his Household's) in the Muslim lunar month of Rabi al-Awwal.

Muslims in the Philippines also hold Maulud an-Nabi celebrations in different ways, according to their diverse cultures, exposure or upbringing. There could be no other more appropriate time to recall the things that this post-Nazarene sage, mystic and divine messenger brought to the world, these islands included.

Of course, cynics will say that his most dramatic contributions were the Sept. 11 suicide bombers, Osama bin Laden's terror network or Abu Sayyaf kidnappers. But none of these were prescribed by The Prophet, his traditions or the Holy Scriptures revealed to him by Allah, the Most Merciful.

There are more positive, enduring and authentic legacies that "the unlettered prophet," faithfully and truly bequeathed to mankind. In the Qur'an he preached, and the complementary sayings which later came to be known as Sunnah, was laid down the principles of the social and natural sciences along with one of the best ethical codes, to say the least. These later developed into the modern subjects taught in the earliest university on earth, al-Azhar in Egypt. He also produced descendants and followers who traveled and settled all over Asia and Africa, establishing or developing nations, polities and civilizations. As he himself put it during his first and last complete pilgrimage (hajj): "I shall leave with you two weighty things (thaqalayn): the Book and my descendants."

He could not be exclusively credited for the teachings of the Qur'an, as he was only a messenger who delivered the message to his audience: the Muslim global community and, by extension, the whole world. But the mode and processes by which the message was successfully delivered can be justly attributed to him. Nonetheless, he primarily deserves acknowledgment for raising a household that inherited, and bestowed in turn, all the qualities and essence that the Seal of the Messengers possessed.

Among divergent nations spanning the globe, the theme of gratitude to the Prophet seems to be the common thread that unites varied cultures and ethnies.

The Maguindanaons, for instance, organize gatherings where trained chanters among the "panditas" or traditional ritual masters sing praises to the Prophet and His Household. A bed decorated in elaborate buntings and woven covers serve as a centerpiece. The "panditas" mimic the rhythmic swinging to sleep of a newborn child as they rock coconut blossoms anointed with special oils to and fro. Sweets and other foodstuffs are passed around.

A "dikil," a nightlong ritual chanting of praises to the Holy Apostle, caps the celebration. Needless to say, these rituals wouldn't have survived for centuries were it not for the fact that it celebrates a sense of indebtedness and gratitude. After all, it is gratitude that keeps the good in man eternally alive.

"Ya Nabi, Salamun--alaika. Ya Rasul, Salamun--alaika. Ya Habib, Salamun--alaika!"
 

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