TEHRAN -- A collection of 63 
historic coins bearing the inscription “Muhammad Rasulullah (Prophet Muhammad)” was unveiled Sunday in a ceremony attended by Hamid Shahriari, secretary-general of the World Assembly for the Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought.
Speaking at the event, Shahriari emphasized that Prophet Muhammad’s mission was one of mercy extended to all humanity, not solely to Muslims. 
“The Prophet came to deliver the Qur’an and divine mercy to the entire world,” he said. “This mercy is not limited to Muslims; it is a profound truth also hinted at in earlier scriptures like the Torah and Psalms.”
The coins, which date back centuries, hold significance beyond their economic value. Shahriari noted that coins such as the dirham and dinar have historically played an important role in Islamic law, especially in rituals related to prayer and purification. Now housed in the Museum of Coin Excavations, the coins offer scholars a rare glimpse into the economic, legal, and religious history of the Islamic world.
Shahriari also revisited the Prophet’s early battles, highlighting their defensive nature. “All of the Prophet’s battles were fought in defense,” he said, citing key engagements such as the Battle of Badr, which sought to reclaim stolen Muslim property, and the Battle of the Trench, a response to a coalition threatening Medina. He also spoke of the peaceful conquest of Mecca and the strategic victory at the Battle of Hunayn.
He stressed that Islam is fundamentally a religion of peace and compassion. “The spread of Islam was accomplished through kindness and understanding,” he said. He pointed to the values embodied by the Prophet’s family—the Ahl al-Bayt—as exemplars of divine virtues and defenders of human dignity.
“Wherever human dignity is violated—whether in Gaza or anywhere else—Muslims and non-Muslims alike stand united in defense,” Shahriari said.