EACH age has brought its own set of unique challenges. The present epoch is no different, as immense technological advances go hand in hand with widespread war, uncertainty and anxiety. We are witnessing the rise of machines with mind-boggling capabilities — superintelligence, they call it — while at the same time people seem to be losing their humanity, as the arrogant and the powerful bomb and maim innocent children, without facing accountability.

We ask each other: what will tomorrow bring, what world will our children inherit? These anxieties are not limited to any one country, religion or race. It seems that most of humanity — at least ordinary people who have no role in perpetuating this bloodshed and chaos — is deeply concerned about what the future holds.

Perhaps in these troubled times, when materialistic philosophies fail to offer any satisfactory explanations, the message that the Holy Prophet (PBUH), whose birth we celebrate today, brought over 14 centuries ago soothes the nerves and gives us some perspective: this world is transient, full of trials, and we will be made to answer for our deeds in the Divine court. This, arguably, is the core of the Quranic message and the Prophet’s Sunnah, and the crux of the........

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