The Prophet's Birth

The Year of his Noble Birth:

According to the most correct opinion of the scholars, the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam (SAWS) was born in the city of Makkah in the year of the Elephant (in the year 570 or 571CE), in the month of Rabee'ul-Awwal.

The Day of his Birth:

There is an agreement amongst the Scholars that the Prophet (SAWS) was born on a Monday, since he (SAWS) was asked about fasting on a Monday, and he said: "On that day I was born and on that day Revelation descended upon me." (Related by Muslim and Ahmad)

However, as regards the exact date of his birth, then the scholars have differed about this. Dispite the common belief amongs people that he (SAWS) was born on the 12th of Rabee'ul-Awwal, yet the only substantiated fact regarding this date is that it is his (SAWS) death date .

Imaam an-Nawawee (d.676H) - rahimahullaah- said: "There is on agreement that he was born on Monday in the month of Rabee'ul-Awwal. There is a difference of opinion whether this day was the 2nd, 8th, 10th or 12th day of the month - and these are the four most well-known opinions concerning this." 3

Events at the Time of his Birth:

Certain miraculous events are reported to have occurred at the time that the Prophet (SAWS) was born. However, most of them are not authentically related, rather they are da'eef (weak) or mawdoo' (fabricated) and therefore cannot be relied upon as decisive proof; such as the narration which relates that some of the galleries of Kisraa's (the Persian King's) palace broke-up and collapsed, that the sacred-fire of the Magians died-out and that some of the churches on Lake Saawah (in Syria) collapsed and sank down. (Related by adh-Dhahabee who said: munkar ghareeb (rejected))

However, it is authentically related that the Prophet (SAWS) said. "I am a result of the supplication of my father Ibraaheem and the glad-tidings brought by 'Eesaa 'alayhimus salaam. And my mother - when she bore me - saw that a light shone out from her, which lit up the palaces in Syria ... " (Related by al-Haakim and Ibn Katheer said: "Its isnaad is good and strong.)

Celebrating the Day of his Birth:

Imaam al-Fakihaani (d.734H) - rahimahullaah -said: "Celebrating his birthday has no basis in the Book (Qur'an) nor the Sunnah, nor is this action recorded from any one of the scholars of this Ummah; those who are taken as examples to be followed and who cling to the narrations. Rather it is a bid'ah (innovotion), which was introduced by the Battaaloon (a deviated sect from the Faatimids).

As regards to the origins of this newly-invented celebration, then some of the research scholars have stated that the first person to innovate this practice was 'Umar ibn Muhammad al-Mulaa in the city of Mawsil in Iraaq, during the fourth century, as is mentioned by the Imaam Abu Shaamah (d.665H).

He was followed in this by the likes of Abul-Khattaab 'Umar ibn Dihyaa: "who was employed in the west, then travelled to Syria, then he travelled to the city of Irbil in 'Iraaq, during the fourth century, where he found its king Mudhaffarud-Deen ibn Zaynud-Deen showing a keen interest in the Milaad (birthday) of the Prophet (SAWS). So he composed a book for him called at-Tanweer fi Mawlidis-Siraajil-Muneer; so he recited this to the king who then rewarded him with one thousand deenaars."

Imaam Maalik (d.179H) - rahimahullaah - said: 'Whosoever introduces into Islaam an innovation, and holds it to be something good, has indeed alleged that Muhammad (SAWS) has betrayed his message. Read the saying of Allaah - the Most Blessed, the Most High: "This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you and I have chosen for you Islaam as your religion." [Soorah al-Maa'idah 5:3]. So that which was not part of the religion at that time, cannot be part of the religion today. And the last part of this Ummah cannot be rectified, except by that which rectified its first part."

Thus, had the practice of celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (SAWS) been something praiseworthy then: "the Salaf (the Pious Predecessors) - may Allaah be pleased with them all - would have instituted it. For they were the ones having a greater love and honour for Allaah's Messenger (SAWS) and a greater zeal for doing good.

Indeed, the most perfect expression of love and honour for him is by following him, obeying him, carrying out his commands, upholding and reviving his Sunnah (guidance and example) - both inwardly and outwardly - and in spreading his message and striving in this, with the heart, the hand and the tongue. Such was the path of the Companions and those who followed them in goodness (i.e. beliefs and actions)."

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UNIQUENESS ABOUT THE HOLY PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SALLAL LAAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM)

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the first creation of Allah.

Almighty Allah created the universe through the Sadqa of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has been decorated with all the beauties of the garbs of Prophethood.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the most exalted of all the Prophets.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the Universal Prophet.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the Prophet of all Prophets.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the first and the last.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the final Messenger of Allah.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is Mercy unto the Worlds.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the intercessor.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the bright proof of Allah.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the Noor (light of Allah).

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the Zikr (remembrance) of Allah.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the Kaaba of the Kaaba.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is present and seeing everything.

Love and reverance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the basis of Imaan.

Insult to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is Kufr.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is alive.

REMEMBRANCE (ZIKR) OF THE PROPHET (SALLAL LAAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM)

Almighty Allah first made remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the Sunnah of Allah.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the soul of Ibaadat.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the key to Jannah.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the solution to all calamities.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is protection from Hell.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is cure for illnesses.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) takes away evil.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the path to salvation.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the means to Almighty Allah.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is a way of thanking Allah.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the way of all Prophets.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) takes place amongst the Angels.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the way of humans.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the way of the Jinns.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is in all the creations of the universe.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is Shari’ah.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is Tareeqah.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is Ma'arifat.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is Haqeeqat.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is Ibaadat.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is prayer.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is in the 

Holy Quran.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is in the Injeel (Bible).

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is in the Zaboor.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is in the Torah.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is in all the Books of Allah.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is in the Azaan.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is in Namaaz.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) takes place in the heights of the sky.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) takes place in the depths of the earth.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) takes place on the peaks of mountains and the depths of the sea.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is in the winds.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is in every atom of the earth.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is in the beauties of the earth.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is in Jannah.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was in every era.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) takes place in every language.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is in the physical domain.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is in the spiritual domain.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is in the domains of the souls.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is in the domains of the body.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) took place before the earth existed.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) will take place even after Qiyamah.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is even in the graves of the deceased.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) will take place on the Day of Reckoning.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) always took place.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) will always take place.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) brightens one’s heart.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) strengthens ones faith.

Remembrance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the way of the Saints.

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Proclaiming Ya Rasool-Allah (Salallaho Alaihi Wasallam)

The sensitive issue of whether or not Muslims can call upon the Holy Prophet(SAW) by proclaiming the words 'Ya Rasulullah' needs to be clarified effectively, sincethis issue divides the Muslim community and causes untold pain and friction among the Muslim communities throughout the world.

There are basically two schools of thought, one that says that calling upon the Holy Prophet(SAW) is 'shirk' and that any Muslim proclaiming 'Ya Rasulullah' in factgoes outside the pale of Islam and becomes a mushrik. Thus, such a person needs to take the 'shahadah' again in order to became a Muslim or he remains a 'mushrik'.

The following statements make clear the beliefs and ideology of this school of thought:

1."Most people call out to the spiritual guides, the Prophets, the Imams, the martyrs, the angels, the devils and the fairies in times of distress and ask them to redress their needs. They also give them offerings for this purpose. Thus they indulge in polytheism.(Taqwiyat-ul-Imaan,P5-6, by Ismail Dehlvi)

2."How can anyone be the redresser of needs, the solver of difficulties and holder of one's hand? People holding such beliefs are out and out polytheist. They cannoteven be allowed to get married to Muslims. And those people who are informed about their evil thoughts and even then do not call them 'apostates and polytheist'are polytheists themselves in the same degree. (Jawaahir-ul-Quraan, P147, by Ghulam Khan, Rawalpindi)

3."He who seeks help from anyone except Allah is, in fact, a thorough polytheist. There is none in the world as bad as he. Curse be upon such a person from all(creatures) in the world." "To ask for fulfilment of ones needs and invoke them(i.e. Prophets & Saints) is the way of the polytheist". (Tazkeer-ul-Akhwaan,P83 &P343, by Ismail Dehlvi).

The above statements belong to the Wahhabi/ Deobandi/ Tabligh Jamaat scholars according to whom it is a great sin to proclaim 'Ya Rasulullah' with the intentionthat the Holy Prophet(SAW) can hear such a call for help. Also seeking the 'waseela'(intercession) of the Holy Prophet(SAW) is deemed as polytheism by this school of thought.

Let us now examine the beliefs of the other school of thought, namely the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, who believe it is permissible to proclaim 'Ya Rasulullah'according to Islamic Law. The following proofs have been forwarded by this school of thought in their support:

1. Imam Bukhari(RA) in his Kitaabu Adaabul Mufrad has written that Hazrat Adullah ibn Omar(RA) once suffered from cramp. Someone advised him to rememberthe person whom he loved most. The great Companion then proclaimed loudly: "Ya Muhammad", it is recorded that he was immediately relieved of the cramps.

2. Imam Tabraani(RA) in his Muh'jam records the following incident: "A person in dire need once visited Ameerul Mu'mineen Hazrat Uthman Ghani(RA). The Caliphthough, due to other work, did not pay much heed to this man. The person thereafter went to Hazrat Uthman bin Hanif(RA) and complained about the matter.

Hazrat Uthman bin Hanif(RA) ordered the man to perform Wudhu, enter the Masjid and offer two rakaats of Nafil Salaah, he was then to recite the following Du'a:

"O Allah, I beg of you and I seek your Assistance, with the Waseela of Your Beloved Prophet(SAW) who is the Prophet of Mercy. O Muhammad!, I turn to Allahwith your Waseela so that my needs be fulfilled!.

The man was then told to mention his need. After completion he and Hazrat Uthman bin Hanif(RA) both visited the august court of the Caliph. The man wassuccessful in his encounter with the Caliph and thanked Hazrat Uthman bin Hanif(RA) for mentioning him to the Caliph. But Hazrat Uthman bin Hanif (RA) repliedthat he had not approached the Caliph at all, he then stated: