On the night of September 3-4, Muslims worldwide observe Mawlid al-Nabi. This year, 1447 AH, marks a historic milestone—1500 lunar years since the birth of the greatest of humankind, the Final Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) was born on the 12th of Rabi' al-Awwal, 53 lunar years before the Hijrah (April 571 CE), in Mecca. The year of his birth is historically known as the "Year of the Elephant," referenced in the 105th chapter of the Noble Quran, Surah Al-Fil (The Elephant). The chapter describes how a shower of stones carried by flocks of birds miraculously destroyed the invading army of Abrahah Al-Ashram, the Ethiopian governor of Yemen, who sought to demolish the Kaaba. His blasphemous ambitions were thwarted by divine intervention.

As Abdullah Yusuf Ali explains in his commentary on this chapter:
"The lesson is twofold: For the pagan Quraysh of Mecca, it was: ‘Allah will protect His sanctuaries; if you persecute the Prophet, is he not greater than the mere building of the Kaaba—will not the Almighty protect him?’. For all people across eras: ‘A person intoxicated by power may muster armies and material resources against the sacred design of the Creator, but human plans will be destroyed—nothing can overcome Allah.’"

The personality of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has profoundly influenced human history. His life, actions, and teachings have been widely discussed by both supporters and critics over 15 centuries. For Muslims, he embodies the divine message, and his life serves as the perfect model for implementing Allah’s commandments.

American author and scholar Michael H. Hart, in his book The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History, placed the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) at the top:
"He was the only person in history who achieved unparalleled success in both religious and secular domains. Now, 14 centuries after his passing, his influence remains profoundly impactful worldwide."

Press Service of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation