Shaykh Hammad Mustafa al-Madani al-Qadri, a renowned Islamic scholar and spiritual leader, graced the Living Legacy Festival with his presence and delivered a powerful keynote speech that left a lasting impact on the over 1,200 attendees. The festival, held at the prestigious Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, United Kingdom, celebrated the living legacy of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and emphasised the values of mercy, compassion, humanitarianism, and inclusivity embedded in Islam.

The Living Legacy Festival, a much-anticipated annual event, welcomed esteemed guests and dignitaries, including respected nashid artist Mohamed Tarek from Egypt, Seyed Ali Jabeiri and ensemble, Hamzah Khan, Muneera Pilgrim, and Aminah 786, among others. Shaykh Hammad’s talk revolved around the theme of “Reviving our Connection with the Beloved Prophet ﷺ.”

At the start of his address, he expressed gratitude to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ for the opportunity to gather in Manchester to celebrate the living legacy of the Prophet, highlighting his attributes as an ambassador of peace, mercy, compassion, benevolence, generosity, and humanitarianism. Shaykh Hammad went on to emphasise the profound connection Muslims have with the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

While acknowledging that today’s generation may not have experienced the physical presence of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, Shaykh Hammad emphasised that Allah Almighty continues to provide the opportunity to establish a connection through the heart, mind, actions, morality, and service to humanity.

He stressed the importance of obedience to the Prophet, stating that following his teachings unconditionally is akin to obeying Allah. Shaykh Hammad underlined the mutually dependent relationship between love and obedience, asserting that genuine love for the Prophet is demonstrated through acts of obedience.

Shaykh Hammad further elaborated the two pillars of the connection with the Holy Prophet ﷺ: love and obedience. Quoting the Qur’an, he reminded the audience that the Holy Prophet ﷺ is closer to the believers than their own lives and that true belief requires loving the Holy Prophet ﷺ more than anything in this world.

The Shaykh recounted a conversation in which a companion asked the Holy Prophet ﷺ about the Day of Judgment. The Holy Prophet’s ﷺ response highlighted the significance of unconditional love for him as a means to attain closeness to Allah.

He urged the audience to make a commitment to revive their connection with the Holy Prophet ﷺ, emphasising that this was the primary objective of the Living Legacy Festival. Shaykh Hammad encouraged attendees to emulate the Holy Prophet’s ﷺ qualities in all aspects of their lives, including family, community, and service to society.

In today’s world, characterised by excessive desires and social media influence, Shaykh Hammad argued that reviving the connection with the Holy Prophet ﷺ is essential to rekindling spirituality, restoring the light in hearts, and aligning with Allah’s guidance.

The Shaykh stressed that adopting the Holy Prophet’s ﷺ way is necessary for those seeking Allah’s guidance, mercy, compassion, and benevolence. He emphasised the need to follow the path the Holy Prophet ﷺ set, as it leads individuals closer to Allah.

To illustrate this, Shaykh Hammad shared a story about the Holy Prophet ﷺ drawing a line in the sand, signifying the path to Allah. He emphasised the importance of prioritizing the Prophet’s teachings over personal desires and preferences.

The Shaykh’s speech concluded with an inspiring message about the signs of true believers who have embraced the Holy Prophet’s ﷺ teachings: their hearts soften in remembrance of Allah, their faith continuously increases, and they demonstrate unwavering trust in Allah.

Shaykh Hammad commended the organisers, Minhaj College Manchester (MCM), Minhaj-ul-Quran UK, and various forums for their efforts in hosting the festival, expressing hopes for future events that celebrate the Holy Prophet’s ﷺ teachings and legacy.

The Living Legacy Festival served as a profound reminder of the enduring significance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in the lives of Muslims and the importance of reviving the connection to his teachings in the modern world.