As we learned towards the beginning of the seminar, despite the remarkable diversity within the religion, a commonality that ties virtually all adherents of Islam is their veneration and admiration of the Prophet Muhammad. As we discussed, Muslims aim not to simply to imitate the actions of the Prophet, but also to learn from and instill his generosity, fairness, and selflessness. In particular, I found it intriguing that the role of the Prophet Muhammad, as well as the extent to which he should be revered had proved to be such a contentious issue among many Muslims. For instance, while some Muslims hold the belief that Muhammad is the source of all creation, most simply view him as God’s messenger and last prophet. Furthermore, a significant number of Muslims believe that Muhammad, on the Day of Judgment, will assume the role of an intercessor, while others denounce this notion, claiming that such qualities would raise him above the level of a human, contradicting the notion of God’s oneness, which is fundamental to a monotheistic faith. Many express their love for and veneration of the Prophet through poetry, which can, in some cases, be likened to mortals who long for their beloveds. This comparison inspired this creative entry, in which a young woman looks to the moonlit sky, longing to curtail her detachment from the divine by uniting with the Prophet himself. In the background I wrote words that describe how Muslims view the Prophet, such as “intercessor” and “messenger”.
