Art For The Love Of Muhammad (PBUH) Contemporary Contest, 2026 Results
The Winners
The Islamic Arts Society is delighted to announce the winners of the 6th “Art for the Love of Prophet Muhammad” (PBUH) contest on the eve of Meraj, 2026. A first-of-its-kind competition to praise our noble Prophet PBUH through art generated worldwide attention. A panel of judges selected the winners based upon (1) Relevance to the theme of the competition (2) Creativity and originality of the idea (3) Effective use of standard elements of art (4) Artistic skill in the use of materials, colors (5) Professional and aesthetic quality, neatness, presentation (6) Authenticity and credibility of work.
This year the competition was divided into Contemporary and Traditional Islamic art. A panel of four judges from the Islamic Arts Society reviewed more than 400 submissions from 24 countries and five continents to select the top entries from each category. Our panel of judges was supervised by eminent artists, Mr. Nihad Dukhan, Mr. A Q Arif, Ms. Aisha Changezi, and Ms. Mona Sajjad.
We present the competition winners here. Please join us in congratulating the winners of our 2026 competition.
FIRST PRIZE: US $ 1000
Artist: Shamail Ahmed. Pakistan.
Title: Echoes of Devotion.
Description of artwork:
“Echoes of Devotion” draws inspiration from the verse of Qaseeda Burda Shareef:
“Muhammadun Sayyidul Kawnayn wath-Thaqalayn, minal ‘Arabi wa minal ‘Ajami.”
This painting explores the rhythmic repetition of faith and unity — a spiritual echo that transcends time and boundaries. The circular composition symbolizes the continuous orbit of humanity around the divine center of peace and compassion embodied by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Multiple shades of black and white represent the diversity of humankind — different identities coexisting in balance and harmony. At the golden core lies the luminous name of Muhammad ﷺ, radiating light, hope, and collective belonging.
The verse is inscribed 256 times, creating a meditative pattern of remembrance — a visual form of dhikr. Through its motion and form, the artwork reflects social cohesion and unity, portraying how devotion becomes the common rhythm binding all hearts together in love for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Dimensions: 150 × 150 cm
Medium: Acrylic and 24K gold leaf on Canvas
SECOND PRIZE: US $ 500
Artist Name: Ashraf Hasan. Egypt.
Title: Mercy for the worlds.
Description of artwork:
His birth brought guidance and light to all beings, and the mouth of time smiled and offered praise.
A square in the center with the word “Muhammad” in square Kufic script above it, and below it, “And We have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds.” The work is done in gouache on Canson paper
THIRD PRIZE: US $ 200
Artist Name: Maryam Idrees. Pakistan.
Title: The origin of Divine Light
Description of artwork:
The divine light of guidance through Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was a profound gift of mercy for all humanity. Through revelation, he conveyed God’s message with wisdom, compassion, and unwavering truth. His life and teachings illuminated the path of faith, justice, and moral excellence. This guidance transformed hearts, uplifted societies, and strengthened the bond between humanity and God. It remains a timeless source of light, direction, and spiritual harmony. Bold, saturated colors, strong contrasts, and reflective abstraction points to a contemporary approach. The composition feels expressive and interpretive, not bound by classical realism. It blends spiritual tradition with modern visual language, which is a key trait of contemporary art.
Size: 20 by 30 inches. Digital work
SPECIAL RECOGNITION PRIZE: US $100
Artist: Franca Afaf Hassan. Switzerland.
Title: Meditation on the Burdah of Imam Al-Busiri.
Description of artwork:
This artwork is executed in 24-karat shell gold on the interior of a nautilus shell, enriched with natural elements such as feathers and dried plants. Through the integration of multiple techniques—including painting, paper cutting, geometric design, and writing—the piece unites diverse materials and methods into a singular, cohesive artwork symbolizing the Prophet’s ﷺ Isrāʾ and Miʿrāj.
