On Aug. 25, 2026, Muslims around the world commemorated Mawlid al-Nabi, the anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. For many Muslims, the Mawlid is an opportunity not only to remember the life of the prophet, but also to reflect on his teachings and his example of mercy, compassion, justice, and care for others.
In Islam, the Prophet Muhammad is the final messenger of God and an example of how faith can be lived through our relationships with one another. Near the end of his life, in what became known as his Farewell Sermon, the prophet reminded his community of the fundamental equality and dignity of all people: “Your Lord is one, and your father is one. There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab, nor of a non-Arab over an Arab.”
This recognition of our shared humanity was deeply connected to his understanding of faith. The prophet taught, “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” Faith, in this understanding, is not simply a private relationship with God. It calls us beyond ourselves to desire goodness for others, to recognize their needs alongside our own, and to take seriously our responsibility for one another.
Perhaps nowhere is this responsibility expressed more beautifully than in another of the prophet’s teachings: “The merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on the earth, and the One in the heavens will have mercy upon you.” The Arabic word for mercy, rahma, is central to the Islamic understanding of God and to the example of the Prophet Muhammad. In Islam, mercy is more than a feeling of sympathy. It is a way of relating to others rooted in compassion, forgiveness, generosity, and care.
These teachings of the Prophet Muhammad remind us of values shared across the many faith traditions represented within our LMU community. They invite us to recognize the dignity of every person, seek for others the same good we seek for ourselves, and respond to those around us with mercy and compassion. Together, these values encourage a sense of responsibility for one another and reflect our shared LMU mission of “the service of faith and the promotion of justice.”
The Prophet Muhammad’s example challenges us to consider how these values take shape in our own lives and in the communities we belong to. How might they shape the way we encounter those whose experiences differ from our own, the choices we make each day, and the ways we respond to the needs of others? May these teachings inspire us to move beyond reflection and carry these shared values forward through our actions, in service of one another and the common good of all.