Islam

Expressing gratitude to Almighty Allah

Holy Prophet's Birthday:

"Meelad" means birthday. In Islam the word Meelad specially denotes the birthday of the Holy Prophet (OWBP). Meelad-Un-Nabi is not a novel celebration. It is a tradition that dates back to the advent of Islam.

The Holy Quran and the Sunnah mention the significance of the great event. Almighty Allah contends in the Holy Quran "And if you count the favours of Allah, you will not be able to number them (Surah Al Nahl, Verse 18).

Hence we are obliged to be grateful to Allah as he says "And be thankful for the blessings of Allah if you worship Him" (Surah Al Nahl Verse 114).

It is worthy to note that throughout the entire Quran, there is no bounty of the Lord that is mentioned as a great favour than when He reminds us "Undoubtedly Allah did great favours to the believers when he raised up a messenger unto them from amongst themselves" (Surah Al Imran Verse 164).

The Holy Prophet was therefore a supreme gift from Allah unto mankind.

Surely if we are obliged to thank and be grateful to Allah for all the blessings such as health, wealth, parents, wives and children should we not be extremely grateful to Him for the supreme gift of His Messenger.

Then should we not rejoice, commemorate, and celebrate the coming of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Allah Almighty commands "Say you (O Prophet) "In the Grace of Allah and in His Mercy let them rejoice. That is better than what they amass. (Surah Yoonus, Verse 48).

Allah states in the Holy Quran in unambiguous words that the beloved of Allah, His Rasool was Allah's Grace and Mercy as when He acclaims "And believers, that for them is a great Grace of Allah (AL Ahad Verse 47). "And we sent not you but as a mercy unto all worlds" (Al Anbiya Verse 107).

Celebration

It is therefore incumbent on all Muslims to celebrate Meelad-Un-Nabi in the spirit of joy and express gratitude and thanks to Almighty Allah.

Allah says to the Holy Prophet "And remind them of the days of Allah (Surah Ibrahim, Verse 5). Although obviously all days belong to Allah, some days have special significance because of the bounty and dignity Allah has bestowed on us on these days.

The birthday of our beloved Prophet is one of these exceptional days, we must mark, commemorate and celebrate.

The Holy Prophet observed optional fasts every Monday.

On being questioned by his companions on the wisdom of the fast, he replied that he was born on a Monday and received revelation on a Monday.

Thus the Holy Prophet himself observed his birthday. He did not celebrate Meelad only once a year but every week. Celebrating Meelad is therefore a Sunnah of the beloved Rasool. Abu Lahab the uncle of the Holy Prophet (OWBP) an arch enemy of Islam, celebrated the birth of the Holy Prophet.

He set free his slave girl Thuaiba when she conveyed to him the glad news of the birth of a baby boy i.e Muhammed by his brother's wife Amina.

For this gesture of celebrating the birth of the Holy Prophet, Abu Lahab is given relief from his punishment in Hell every Monday (Bukhari).

Stories

Hazrat Abbas reports that one day he was relating the noble stories of Meelad-Un- Nabi to the people of his household.

They were rejoicing at the wondrous bounty of Almighty Allah.

The Holy Prophet suddenly appeared there and listened to the narration of Hazrat Abbas.

He was so pleased that he exclaimed "My intercession has become incumbent on you on the Day of Judgment". Hazrat Abu Dharda reports that one day in the blessed company of the Holy Prophet they called on Aamer Al Ansari and found him busy explaining the miracles of Meelad-Un-Nabi and the virtues of fasting on Mondays to his family. On listening to this the Holy Prophet expressed "Allah Almighty has opened doors of mercy for you , not only you, but whosoever follows your practice will enjoy the same rewards".

Poem

Once Hazrat Abbas, the uncle of the Holy Prophet sought his permission to render a qaseeda (poem) in honour of the Holy Prophet The qaseeda was about Meelad-Un-Nabi in which Hazrat Abbas described the miracles that appeared at the time of the birth of the Holy Prophet.

The Holy Prophet appreciated the qaseeda so much that he blessed Hazrat Abbas with a special dua. This Meelad was held in Masjid-un-Nabavi. (As Seerah-Ibn Kathir).

Hassan Bin Thabith (Ral) who was known as Shahir Al Rasool i.e. the poet of the Prophet had the honour to stand on the shawl spread by the Holy Prophet and recite a poem on the birth of the Holy Prophet.

Meelad remembrance

Two of the verses of this beautiful poem were as follows:- "O Prophet of Allah, my eye have never beheld someone as handsome as you and certainly a woman has never given birth to someone as attractive as you.

You have been created without any defect as if this is the manner in which you wanted to be created."

The Holy Prophet was so pleased with this Meelad remembrance, that he blessed Hassan with the Dua "May Jibreel (As) be with you".

Allama Ibn Jouz, an eminent Imam of Hadis writes "The people of Makkah, Medina, Egypt, Syria, and all over the muslim world commemorate Meela-Un-Nabi in the month of Rabbiul Awwal.

They celebrate the Holy Birth of Rasool and achieve glorious reward for it.

Following Islam correctly un-Nabi

RIAZ Ismail

The Holy Prophet Muhammed (Sal) was born on the 12th of Rabi Awwal. In the Muslim Calendar this day is highly regarded as a day of joy and blessings. Muslims throughout the world celebrate the birthday (Meelad) of the Holy Prophet (Sal) as an Eid.

On this glorious day host of activities ranging from processions and religious programmes to lectures and many more take place to honour the birth and memory of the Holy Prophet (Sal). Dignified marches are arranged for everyone to participate and echo the spirit of joy, gratitude and to give thanks to the Almighty Allah. The march is characterized by singing Naats (praise) and Quaseedah in praise of the Holy Prophet (Sal) Salawaat and salams and rendered on the beloved Rasul (Sal).

Charity

Food and charity are given to the poor and needy. Gifts are exchanged as signs of love and happiness. The birthday of our holy Prophet (Sal) is like a calling that unites the Muslim Ummah in the midst of activities and festivities. Not only are the Meelad celebrations governed by an atmosphere of festivity and singing they are an opportune moment to enlighten and educate the Ummah about the life and personality of the beloved Prophet (Sal). Knowledge about His Sunnah, His message, his mission and his actions are unfolded to those who engage in the celebration of Meelaad Nabi (Sal).

Meelad-un-Nabi (Sal) is not a novel celebration. It is a tradition which dates back to the advent of Islam. The practice of Meelad celebration has been upheld and continued for generations upon generations by the Muslim Ummah.

The Holy Quraan and Sunnah mention the significance and celebration of Meelad. Both provide guidelines as to how Meelad should be observed.

Alquraan Allah Ta'ala grants us countless blessings as He says "and if you count the favours of Allah, you would not be able to number them" (QI). We are obliged to be grateful to Allah as He says "and be thankful of the blessings of Allah if you worship Him."

We firmly believe that it is Allah alone who bestows the blessings of health, wealth, business, good parents, wives and children, respect, brotherhood, intimacy, affability, safety and tranquility and more.

Favour

It is worthy to note that throughout the entire Quran there is no bounty of the Lord where He reminds us of His favour except when raising the Holy Prophet (Sal) then He says 'Undoubtedly Allah did great favour to the believers when he raised up a messenger unto them from amongst themselves."

Those of us who have the capacity to ponder will understand that the Holy Prophet (Sal) was sent down as a supreme gift from Allah unto mankind. Thus Allah reminds us of His other blessings should we not then pay gratitude to our Lord for His supreme graciousness unto us? Surely it is an unquestionable duty on our part to pay thanks to Almighty Allah.

Responce

How do we respond to Allah's blessings? Do we pull long faces to show distress? Or do we rejoice (in delight) and commemorate and celebrate? Let us seek guidance on this in the Holy Quraan. Almighty Allah commands us "Say you (O'Prophet (Sal) in the grace of Allah and in His mercy let them therefore rejoice. That is better than what they amass. The Holy Quraan therefore guides us to express joy and happiness when we receive Allah's grace and mercy (which is a natural reaction of a sound minded person).

To be continued