Noble Birth of the Beloved Prophet

The issue of the celebrations of the noble birth of our Holy Prophet Mohammed (Peace and Blessings be upon Him) sparks much debate and questions are raised as to whether it is correct or otherwise to observe it. Indeed a lot has been argued on this subject, hence the need to clarify why Muslims from all over the world celebrate this occasion as an “Eid” (literally meaning happy occasion or festival).

It is firmly established from various Qur’anic Verses, Prophetic Ahadith, Sunnah of the Companions, historical facts, and by consensus of the Ulema, that innovations could either be blameworthy or meritorious.

This article is not an attempt to define the categories of “Bidat” – (what is a Good Innovation or a Blameworthy Innovation etc) – for that is an entirely different subject. What this article shall prove, with Allah’s help, is that this commemoration is not an innovation (Bidat) at all!! So the question of whether such a commemoration is good or blameworthy, simply does not arise!

The issue of mixing these commemorations with forbidden (Haraam) acts is one that applies not only this, but universally to all forms of worship. Needless to say, forbidden acts must be abstained from at all times, not only during these commemorations. We cannot, obviously, leave any sort of worship because some people might mix it with forbidden acts. For example – offering Salaat is compulsory, but if the Niyah (intention) is for showing off (display), then this act of display is forbidden – but not the Salaat. So if the person indulging in these acts (in our example display) is to be advised, he should be advised to abstain from display – but not advised to forego Salaat altogether. Another example is that if a person steals something from a mosque, should we try to prevent the theft or should we just stupidly demolish the mosque?

The Following will make it amply clear that:-

Allah, the Almighty, has Himself commemorated Mawlid of the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him)

Allah has gifted mankind with innumerable favours due to the Mawlid of the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him), and that these favours shall continue. So this commemoration by Allah is still ongoing.

So when such radiant and undisputable proofs are available from the Holy Qur’an what is the need to search

for “historical” evidence as to when and where it was actually done by the Ummah?

ALLAH COMMEMORATES MAWLID OF THE BELOVED PROPHET (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him)

Proof # 1

وَإِذْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَ النَّبِيِّينَ لَمَا آَتَيْتُكُمْ مِنْ كِتَابٍ وَحِكْمَةٍ ثُمَّ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مُصَدِّقٌ لِمَا مَعَكُمْ لَتُؤْمِنُنَّ بِهِ وَلَتَنْصُرُنَّهُ قَالَ أَأَقْرَرْتُمْ وَأَخَذْتُمْ عَلَى ذَلِكُمْ إِصْرِي قَالُوا أَقْرَرْنَا قَالَ فَاشْهَدُوا وَأَنَا مَعَكُمْ مِنَ الشَّاهِدِينَ

And remember when Allah took a covenant from the Prophets; “If I give you the Book and knowledge and the (promised) Noble Messenger comes to you, confirming the Books you possess, you shall positively, definitely believe in him and you shall positively, definitely help him”; He said, “Do you agree, and accept My binding responsibility in this matter?” They all answered, “We agree”; He said, “Then bear witness amongst yourselves, and I Myself am a witness with you.” [Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:81]

Allah has never sent a prophet, from Adam onward, unless he took from Him the covenant regarding Mohammed (Peace and Blessings be upon Him): If Mohammed (Peace and Blessings be upon Him) is sent in that prophet’s lifetime, he was to believe in him and support him, and that prophet was to take this covenant to his people as well.

Proof # 2

وَإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ إِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ مُصَدِّقًا لِمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَمُبَشِّرًا بِرَسُولٍ يَأْتِي مِنْ بَعْدِي اسْمُهُ أَحْمَدُ فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ قَالُوا هَذَا سِحْرٌ مُبِينٌ

And remember when Eisa the son of Maryam said, “O Descendants of Israel! Indeed I am Allah’s Noble Messenger towards you, confirming the Book Torah which was before me, and heralding glad tidings of the Noble Messenger who will come after me – his name is Ahmed (the Praised One)”; so when Ahmed came to them with clear proofs, they said, “This is an obvious magic.” [Surah Saff 61:6]

Proof # 3

أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصْحَابِ الْفِيلِ

O dear Prophet, did you not see how did your Lord deal with the People of the Elephant? [Surah Feel 105:1]

It is well known that Allah protected the Meccans from the attack of Abraha, and that this took place in the year of the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him)’s birth. This event is an indication of the prestige of the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him) , and a clear proof of Allah’s great favour in the year of the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him)’s birth.

Proof # 4

وَلَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ كِتَابٌ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ مُصَدِّقٌ لِمَا مَعَهُمْ وَكَانُوا مِنْ قَبْلُ يَسْتَفْتِحُونَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ مَا عَرَفُوا كَفَرُوا بِهِ فَلَعْنَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ

And when the Book from Allah came to them, which confirms the Book in their possession - and before that they used to seek victory through the medium of this very Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him) over the disbelievers; so when the one whom they fully recognised came to them, they turned disbelievers - therefore Allah’s curse is upon the disbelievers. [Surah Baqarah 2:89]

Proof # 5

لَعَمْرُكَ إِنَّهُمْ لَفِي سَكْرَتِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ

By your life O dear Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him) - they are indeed straying in their intoxication. [Surah Hijr 15:72]

Note here that Allah has sworn upon the entire life of His Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him) – this includes the time of his noble birth!

Proof # 6

وَالْعَصْرِ

By oath of this era of yours (O dear Prophet Muhammad). [Surah A`sr 103:1]

How did Allah celebrate this on the DAY of the Prophet’s birth?

He made the Ka’aba lean in prostration towards the place of the noble birth.

Allah caused the idols to fall down.

He extinguished the fires of Persia.

Only male children were born on that day.

The skies were illuminated.

Paradise was further decorated on this occasion.

Allah removed drought from Mecca, turned the earth green and made the trees bear fruit, and blessings came to the Quraish from every direction

Allah stopped sending down torments.

He sent down the maidens of Paradise to give company to Syeda Amina .

He sent down Angel Gibreel to carry the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him), and announce his birth all over the world.

ALLAH’S GIFTS TO MANKIND DUE TO THE ARRIVAL OF THE HOLY PROPHET (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him)

Proof # 1

كَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا فِيكُمْ رَسُولًا مِنْكُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْكُمْ آَيَاتِنَا وَيُزَكِّيكُمْ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمْ مَا لَمْ تَكُونُوا تَعْلَمُونَ

The way We have sent to you a Noble Messenger from among you, who recites to you Our verses and purifies you, and teaches you the Book and sound wisdom, and teaches you what you did not know. [Surah Baqarah 2:151]

Proof # 2

لَقَدْ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ بَعَثَ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آَيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِنْ كَانُوا مِنْ قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ

Allah has indeed bestowed a great favour upon the Muslims, in that He sent to them a Noble Messenger from among them, who recites to them His verses, and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and wisdom; and before it, they were definitely in open error. [Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:164]

Note that Allah has called the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him) – as one of His greatest favours to Muslims.

History of Milad un Nabi Celebrations

Another trick (Irony) that opposition use to attain is saying that some ignorant people from India and Pakistan of the last few decades have invented the celebrations of Mawlid an-Nabawi Sharif being influenced by the Hindu Celebration culture and It was never ever celebrated before in previous ages and bla bla bla. Let them have some glimpses of facts from the very true history.

History of Celebrating Mawlid an-Nabawi Sharif

1. Hadrat Allama Mulla Ali Qari narrating the routine of the people of Madina Munawwarah writes,

“The people of Madina Munawwarah (May ALLLAH have Mercy on them) used to arrange and attend mawlid gatherings with great enthusiasm and sincerity on the occasion of Mawlid Sharif.” [Mawrid ar-Rawi Fi Mawlid an-Nabawi, Page 29]

2. Ibn Jauzi says:

"People of Haramain Shareefain (Makkah and Madinah) and Egypt and Yemen and Syria and of the eastern and western cities of Arabia hold functions in celebration of the birth of the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam), they rejoice at the sighting of the moon of Rabi al-Awwal, bathe and put on their best dresses adorn themselves in various ways, put on scent, and give alms with great joy, and exert themselves in listening to the Mawlid of the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam). By doing so, they themselves attain to success, as it has been proved that by celebrating the Mawlid of the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) much good accrues the whole year round, security and comfort, greater means of livelihood, increase in children and in wealth, peace in cities and contentment and peace in homes."

References:

1. Tafsir Ruh al-Bayan by Allama Ismail Hiqqi, Vol. 9, Page 56

2. Milad al-Uroos – Urdu “Bayan-e-Milad-un-Nabi”, Page 34/35, Published in Lahore.

3. Ad-Durr al-Munazzam, Page 100/101

4. Al-Milad an-Nabawi, Page 58

3. Gatherings of Mawlid an-Nabi SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam was switched to Prose in 3rd/4th Hijri then 700 years back from today, A pious and virtuous person named Umer bin Mullah Muhammad Mousli Alaihir RaHma established it on regular basis. Following him the great commander Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi’s dearly loved Sultan Arbal Malik Abu Saeed Muzaffar al-Din celebrated Mawlid an-Nabi officially. Ibn-e-Khalqaan Arabali Sha’fai was eyewitness of that festival.

4. According to “Tarikh-e-Mar’at az-Zaman” billion of rupees were used to spend on those festivities. In the beginning of 7th Century of Hijri Calendar; Great Scholar named Abul Khattab Umer Bin Hasan dah’hia Qalbi Andalusi Balansi wrote a book on the topic Milad an-Nabi SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam named “At-Tanveer Fi Mawlid as-Siraj al-Muneer”. In 1207, He went to Sultan Arbal’s castle and presented his book on Mawlid to him, for which he was awarded thousand Gold Coins from Sultan. This was the status and respect of Mawlid Shareef in hearts of earlier leaders of Islam.

5. Not only Sultan Arbal, King of Egypt celebrated the Mawlid Shareef; Allama Ibne Juzri Alaihir RaHma is one the eyewitnesses. For the celebration of this festival 1000 Mithqal of Gold was spent on it. Sultan Abu Hamu Musa Talamsani and earlier rulers of Aqsa and Andalus used to Celebrate Mawlid an-Nabi SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam. Abdullah Tonsi Summa Talamsani has written the details of these festivals in his book “Raah al-Arwah”.

Eid-e-Milad-Un-Nabi

Allahuma salli ala Muhammadin wa - ala - Ale Muhammad

O God! Shower thy blessings on Muhammad and the descendents of Muhammad

Eid-e-Milad is here and its time to celebrate. It is time to remember the teachings of the Prophet and follow the mission the Prophet dedicated all his life to.

Eid-e-Milad is celebrated in the memory of Prophet Muhammed. The Holy Prophet was born on the twelfth day of Rabi-ul-Awwal in 570 C.E Saudi Arabia, Mecca. Rabi-ul-Awwal is the third month of the Muslim year. Eid-e-Milad is both, a time to rejoice and a time to mourn, since the Prophet passed away on the same day.

The tradition of celebrating the Holy Prophet's birthday on a large scale began in Egypt by the Prophet's descendants, through his daughter Fatima. It was celebrated mainly by religious scholars and religious establishments. They gathered to hear sermons, distributed sweets, alms and particularly honey, the Prophet's favourite.

Maulid

Eid-e-Milad is also called Maulid, since it is Prophet Muhammed's Eid and the song sung in praise of the Prophet's birth is called a Maulud. From the Middle Ages, it was believed that, listening to the recitation of Maulud has not only worldly but heavenly rewards too.

Barah Wafat

This festival is also referred to as, 'Barah Wafat' which stands for the twelve days of sickness of the Prophet, before he passed away. The day is for both mourning and celebrating. The Sunni sect and the Shia sect have a different take on the ways of celebrating of this day.

Celebrations by Shia Muslims

Shia Muslims celebrate this day to remember that Prophet Muhammed chose Hazrat Ali as his successor at Gadhir-e-Khumm. This occasion symbolises the Habillah (the chain of imamat or the next leader). Eid-e-Milad and Eid-al-Gadhir are two names for marking the same day, for two different reasons.

Milad-e Nabi - Milad-un Nabi - Maulid

Prophet Muhammad's Birthday

"And peace on him on the day he was born, and on the day he dies, and on the day he is raised to life" Holy Quran 19:15

Allahuma salli ala Muhammadin wa Aal-e Muhammad

O God! Shower thy blessings on Muhammad and the descendents of Muhammad

Milad-un Nabi or Maulid (Mawlid) is the birthday celebration of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s.) and is celebrated by Muslims as Eid-e Milad. Prophet Muhammad was born Arabia in the city of Mecca on the 12th day of Rabi-ul-Awwal, which was Monday the 20th day of April, 571 A.C. This falls on Saturday May 25, 2002 and fell on June 4th last year (2001). This is also his death anniversary. The occasion is celebrated by remembering the favors bestowed on the ummah (community), the first is the revelation of the Holy Quran with its instructions, the second, the institution of an Everliving Guide who would advise the mu'mins (believers) according to the needs of the time. 

This is why Ismailis are called Ibn'ul Waqt (children of the time) as they are guided by the Imam of the time, Noor Mowlana Shah Karim Al Hussayni Hazar Imam (salwaat), His Highness the Aga Khan. He is the 49th Imam descended from the Holy Prophet's daughter, Fatima and Hazrat Ali (a.s.). For Shia Muslims, this occasion is of even more import and full of symbolism as this was also his death anniversary and, therefore, it endorses the Hablillah (Rope of Imamat) wherein Prophet Muhammad had chosen Hazrat Ali as his successor at Gadhir-e Khumm.