Islam

Prophet Muhammad's birthday falls on March 10:

Celebrating the most celebrated

INTHIKAB Zufer

It's with greatness and respect we enter the Holy month of Rabiul Awwal, the month in which the Most beloved of Allah was created.

When the Month of Rabi-ul-Awwal arrives and the moon of this glorious month is sighted, then the gardens of Islam begin to bloom illuminating the fragrance of the most beautifully scented of flowers, the pearl of the creation of Allah, Muhammad Mustapha.

Almighty Allah says In the Holy Quran "And teach them to remember the days of Allah" (14:5). It's evident from this Quranic verse that the days of Allah like Ahusra, Barath, Laylathul Qadr are more important and better than other days. To talk about these days and to remember them and to remind others, in accordance with the Messenger of Allah is the important duty of a true Muslim. With these instructions I too wish to draw your attention to such a day, which in every respect is more important and better than every other day. This day is the starting point for the guidance, salvation and success of all humanity.

Allah says "Verily, came towards you a light" and says "We have sent you as a Mercy to the Universe" in another verse Allah says "He will relieve them of their burdens" etc. In other words Almighty Allah says in the Quran that He has done a great favor to all his creation by sending them a Prophet among them. There are many Quranic verses and Hadiths which mention the Blessed Birth and arrival of Our Holy Prophet, the Rose of Madeena Musthafa Sallahualahiwasallim.

Before the arrival of Our Rasool sallahualihiwasallim the world was terrible. Everything was turmoil where hatred, danger, nastiness, anger and murder ruled such a time of corruption Allah sent them the Most Merciful Prophet sallahualahiwasallim. Before the dawn of the day the palaces began to tremble, the entire Universe was enlightened. Angles began to salute the status of Mankind. That is the historical day of the 12th of Rabiul Awwal, being the Arrival of the King of Madeena Muhammed sallahualahiwasallim to this World, who has lit the light of Islam till the day of judgment. This Honorable day is called Meelad Un Nabi.

Which no doubt is the greatest day of the year. Rejoicing this day and celebrating is a duty of a true Muslim. Allah says "In the bounty of Allah, and His Mercy, in that let them rejoice that is better than the wealth they hoarded" (10:58).

What takes place in a Meelad celebration? In such a celebration a session of Naat (Poems in praise of Rasoolullah) recitals take place, people are fed, and a sincere effort is made to fill the hearts of Muslims with the love of Rasoolullah. The miracles, excellences and the character of Rasoolullah are mentioned in Meelad gatherings. The Meelad functions present one with one of the best means of learning about Rasoolullah's life. The gatherings of Meelad-un-Nabi are a great means for calling people towards Allah Ta'ala. To mention the Holy Prophet Muhammad in the month of his birth should be increased so that the people could arrange gatherings and congregations to refresh the memories of the Nabawi period. Rasoolullah used to respect the day of his own Meelad. He used to thank Allah Ta'ala for that great favour. He used to fast in order to respect that day. Such is the greatness of Our Prophet Sallahuaahiwasallim. Now let us look into an importance incident which happen during the Prophet sallahualahiwasallims lifetime.

BAHIRA'S INTERVIEW WITH THE PROPHET

The Prophet's first meeting with a Christian occurred when he, as a young boy aged between nine or twelve, joined his uncle's merchant caravan for a trip to Syria. The Christian whom the Prophet Muhammad encountered was monk, Bahira, who was living in Bostra, a Roman colonial city. Monk Bahira was known for his belief that a prophet was soon to appear among the Arabs. Bahira had studied old manuscripts, where he had learned of the coming of a final prophet, and he was convinced that this prophet would appear in his own lifetime. He was particularly interested in the Arab merchants who visited Syria, to see if his conviction would come true.

Bahira's attention was struck in particular by a caravan from Makka, which to his amazement, was shaded by a cloud that hovered closely above them. The cloud moved as the caravan moved, and did not go any further when they stopped it was as if providing shade for a person or people in the group.

When he also noticed that a tree lowered its branches over the caravan to provide further shade, he immediately realized that this caravan must contain an extraordinary person or persons. Bahira came out of his monastry, stood in a corner and instructed his servant, "Go and tell them that today they are all my guests'.

All came to him but the Prophet, stood beside the property and equipment of the caravan. Seeing that the cloud had ceased to move, Bahira asked his guests, "Are all the members of the caravan present here?" They answered, "All but a youth who is the youngest". Bahira said, "Tell him to come as well". So he was asked to come to the monk's room. The keen eyes of Bahira noticed that the cloud over his head moved with him. Taken by surprise, Bahira kept staring at the young boy. When the meal was over, the pious monk told him, "I have a question to ask you and you must swear by Lat and "Uzza to answer my question'. Muhammad sallahualahiwasallims said, "These two you have asked me to swear by are the most detestable things to me". Bahira said, "Swear by Allah to answer my question". He said, "Ask your question". After a short interview with him, Bahira knelt down before him and started kissing his hands and feet, saying, "If I live till you start your divine mission, I will most faithfully aid you and fight your enemies. You are superior to all of Adam's offspring...".

Then he asked, "Whose son is this youth?" The caravan members pointed to Abu Talib, saying, "His son". Bahira said, "No. His father must be dead!" Abu Talib said, "You are right. He is my nephew". Bahira then said, "This youth will have a brilliant, extraordinary future.

If the Jews find out what I have realized about him, they will destroy him. Take great care lest the Jews should hurt him". Abu Talib said, "What is he destined to do? What have the Jews to do with him?" Bahira said, "He is predestined to become a Prophet, and the angel of inspiration will come down and make divine revelations to him". Abu Talib said, "God will not leave him alone and will Himself protect him against the Jews and his malevolent enemies".

MONDAY

Abu Qatada al-Ansari narrates in Sahih Muslim, Kitab as-siyam, that the Prophet was asked about the fast of Monday, and he answered: "That is the day that I was born and that is the day I received the prophecy." From Mutawalli Sha`rawi: "Many extraordinary events occurred on his birthday as evidenced in hadith and history, and the night of his birth is not like the night of any other human being's birth."

These events and the hadiths pertaining thereto, such as the shaking of Chosroes' court, the extinction of the 1,000-year old fire in Persia, etc. are related in Ibn Kathir's work al-Bidaya, Vol. 2, pages 265-268.

From the book Kitab al-Madkhal by Ibn al-hajj (Vol. 1, p. 261):

"It is an obligation that on every Monday of Rabi` ul-Awwal we increase our worship to thank Allah for what He gave us as a great favor -the favor of sending us His beloved Prophet to direct us to Islam and to peace... The Prophet, when answering someone questioning him about fasting on Mondays, mentioned: On that day I was born. Therefore that day gives honor to that month and he said: I am the master of the children of Adam and I say that without pride... and he said: Adam and whoever is descended from him are under my flag on the day of Judgment. These hadiths were transmitted by the Shaikhayn (Bukhari and Muslim). And Muslim quotes in his Sahih, the Prophet said, On that day Monday I was born and on that day the first message was sent to me."

The Prophet emphasized the day of his birth and thanked Allah for the big favor of bringing him to life by fasting on that day as is mentioned in the hadith of Abu Qatada. This means that the Prophet was expressing his happiness for that day by fasting, which is a kind of worship. Since the Prophet emphasized that day by fasting, worship in any form to emphasize that day is also acceptable. Even if we change the form, the essence is kept.

Therefore, fasting, giving food to the poor, coming together to praise the Prophet, or coming together to remember his good manners and good behavior, all of this is considered a way of emphasizing that day.

To express happiness for the Prophet coming to us is an obligation given by Allah through Qur'an, as Allah said in Qur'an: "Of the favor and mercy of Allah let them rejoice" (Yunus 58).

Because the Prophet was sent as a mercy to all mankind, it is incumbent not only upon Muslims, but upon all human beings to rejoice in his person.

Unfortunately, today it is some Muslims who are foremost in rejecting Allah's order to rejoice in His Prophet.

Birth of Holy Prophet

Meelad-un-Nabi

MUSNAD Sufian

The 'Rabiul Awwal' has dawned bringing happiness to all. It's the month that Allah chose to send his best ever creation, the human being filled with all the kind of good attributes that prevail in the earth, our pupil of eye, who is worth more than everything in the world including our lives, our beloved Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam to this world as merci to the mankind, as Guardian to his umma.

As the intercessor to all his followers in the day of resurrection.

In an early morning of a Monday, the twelfth day of the third month of Lunar calendar. Some 1,437 years before, i.e. in 571, Allah sent this wonderful personality to the world to give light as the full moon to those who were in the dark, to create happiness in the minds of those who were stricken by grief, to show the right path towards heaven to those who were heading towards hell.

He was the sun that gave the light to the day, the moon that lit the night, the wind that gave the comfort, the mountain that stood straight against injustice. He was the spring of good qualities, ocean of mercy, treasury of good examples.

He was filled with extraordinary forgiveness, admirable adorable character, unlimited patience, he was the brave at the war front, sensitive before his God, diplomatic in settling crisis, courageous to face challenges.

He was blessed with an attractive beauty. It is said Sayyidina Yusuf alaihissalam was the most handsome Prophet. But his beauty was the same every day. But the beauty of our beloved Sallallahu alaihi wasallam was changing and increasing day by day. The beauty you see today is not what you see tomorrow, is not Allah's Habeeb (the beloved friend)?

His childhood was incomparably adorable. He was true to his words. Honest in behaviour and attitudes. Packed with truth and trustworthiness that earned him two titles as Al Ameen (Trustworthy) and Assadiq (Truthful). He was a loving husband, a caring father, affectionate towards the little ones, respectful towards the aged. Concerned over the welfare of everyone. Generous in giving, friend of the poor to the extent of saying 'Poverty is my pride'.

We are really fortunate to be among the Umma (followers) of this 'Ocean of mercy' where we enjoy much more privileges than all other Ummas of other Prophets, when an ummath of other Prophets does a good or a bad deed, they will be rewarded with one amal or one sin accordingly. If they intend to do an amal but unable to fulfill it, they would not get any reward for that. But if an Ummath of Rasoolullahi sallallahu alaihi wasallam does a good deed, he has ten marks (Amal) and for a bad deed only one sin, if he intends to do good but could not, still he will be rewarded, someone intends to commit a sin but does not, it would not be counted as a sin. There are many a such privilege for the Ummath of our beloved Rasoolullahi sallalahu alaihi wasallam.

His praises will never find an end, even if all the trees in the world are taken as pens, all the seas are taken as ink, if all the human beings start to write his praises, they would not be able to finish it. Such are the qualities, attributes, praises of our beloved Prophet Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu alaihi wasallam. Because, the name Muhammad itself means The Person who was / is / is being / will be praised.

All these above praises may not even be a drop of water in the sea of his praises. But we must endeavour our best to the maximum in praising and celebrating our beloved Prophet while following his Quran and Sunnah.

It does not mean that it is our praises that make Rasoolullahi sallallahu alaihi wasallam great. No not at all. He was sent to this world as the greatest creation of Allah. But our praises will definitely be rewarding our own selves.

All the living beings were happy for his coming to this world. Every inanimate creation was happy at his birth and all the angels were happy at his birth. And all believing (Moomin)jinns were happy at his birth. He is also the reason of creation of this whole universe. A Hadees Qudsi reports that Allah said lawlaaka lawlaaka ma khalakthul afllak, (if not for you, I would not have created all other creations).

Let's celebrate the birth of our Holy Prophet. Celebrating him means celebrating Islam. Because he is the sign of Islam. Let's celebrate and praise our beloved Prophet and rejoice. Let's expose our pride to the world. Let us make it a wake up call and an eye-opener to non practising Muslims.

Meelad-un-Nabi

Myriad meandering minds mirthfully muse making mockery mischiefs misdeeds,

Eschew erstwhile evils, egoism, esoteric eroticism, enmities,

Establish eternal Eeman (faith) endeavour eagerly,

Lo literate lads, lasses loathe lust - lest lurks liberally,

All avidly accomplished Amals (good deeds) Almighty Allah accepts,

Don't deprive downtrodden destitutes' dole (sadaqah) dallying dignified doorsteps.

Urge universal untiring utterance (Zikr),

Negates nihilistic nincompoops', numskulls' nefarious naughtiness.

Ninety-nine noble names (Asmaul Husna), Nabi's

(Holy Prophet Muhammad O.W.B.P) norms nurtures natures' needs,

Abound above all Allah's adorable attributes (Sifats),

Believers beware boastful bragging beguiles brilliant brains

Instead inculcate implicit Ikhlas (sincerity of purpose) Ikram

(duty to fellow being) it is indeed in individuals immensely illumines.

- Dr. M.I.M. Zaheer