Milad-un-Nabi Many Muslims in different parts of the world celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) on the 12th day of Rabi-ul-Awwal (the 3rd month of the lunar calendar). In India the day is popularly known as Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, meaning festival of the birth of the Prophet, sometimes in colloquial Arabic it is simply called as Mawlid (مولد). Mawlid is derived from the Arabic root word (ولد), meaning to give birth, bear a child, descendant. In contemporary usage, Mawlid refers to the observance of the birthday of prophet Muhammad (SAW).[1] However, the truth is that his actual date of birth is unknown just as the date of birth of prophet Isa (Jesus) (AS) is unknown to us. The celebrations of the birth of Muhammad (SAW) did not occur until four centuries after his passing away. Nobody knows exactly when the first celebration of the Prophet’s birthday was celebrated or marked as a holiday. It is noted in history that the celebration was found during the reign of Wazir al-Afdlal (487-515 AH/1095-1121 CE) of the Fatimite regime in Egypt. From Egypt the tradition of Mawlid was spread to Mecca and the land of Hejaz in Arabia. From the Holy City where Muslim peoples of different nationals assembled during the hajj season each year, the tradition was spread to North Africa, Morocco and Andalusia (Spain). To the north it was spread to Syria, Iraq, Turkey and Balkan peninsula, and to the south, to Yemen and Hadramaut, and to the east, to Southeast Asia, Indonesia[2] and shortly it spread to the rest of the Muslim World. There is nothing in the Quran to say that we should celebrate the Mawlid or birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The Prophet (SAW) himself did not do this or command anyone to do it, either during his lifetime or after his death. In fact, he told us not to exaggerate about him as the Christians had exaggerated about Isa (Jesus) (AS). The Messenger of Allah, said: Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised the son of Mary, for I am only a Slave. So, call me the Slave of Allah and His Apostle. (Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 3445)[3] Similarly, the companions of the Prophet (SAW) also never celebrated his birthday. However, it is reported that the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (SAW) used to fast on the day of his birth (i.e. Monday). He was asked about fasting on Mondays, and he said: “It was the day on which I was born. on which I was commissioned with prophet hood or revelation was sent to me.” (Sahih Muslim, no. 1162 b)[4] Then again note that, Allah alone knows on which Monday, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was born. The Historians have no concrete evidence regarding his birthday. Yet, the people have invented the celebration of the birthday of the Prophet (SAW). And the day they chose to celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), is historically the day on which he died. They celebrate this occasion in various ways: Some of them simply make it an occasion to gather and read the story of the Mawlid, then they present speeches and qasidah (odes) for this occasion. Some of them make food and sweets etc., and offer them to the people present. Some of them hold these celebrations in the mosques, and some of them hold them in their houses. But the most sad part of it is some people do not limit themselves only to these actions mentioned above, they also include in these gatherings, haram and reprehensible things, such as free mixing of men and women, dancing and singing, or committing actions of shirk such as seeking the help of the Prophet (SAW), calling upon him, seeking his support against their enemies and so on. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, If anyone introduces in our matter (religion) something which does not belong to it, (his innovation) will be rejected. (Al-Bukhari, no. 2697 & Muslim, no. 1718)[5][6] This indicates that whoever follows his desire and invents or adds to the religion of Allah what is not a part of the religion, or what is not in conformity with the general rules and basis of the religion, then this innovation should be rejected. In another Hadith the Prophet (SAW) says, I urge you to adhere my Sunnah and the path of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs after me; and cling stubbornly to it. And Beware of newly-invented things, for every newly-invented thing is an innovation (bidah) and every innovation is a going-astray. (at-Tirmidhi no. 2676)[7][8] Therefore, the birthday celebration of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), under the banner of Mawlid or Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi is not permissible in Islam. Attaching importance and significance to such functions is purely Bidah and an innovation in Deen. However it is Sunnah to fast on Mondays, the day on which the Prophet (SAW) was born. Celebrating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is an imitation of the western cultures and the Christians, as they celebrate the birth of the Isa (Jesus) (AS). The Muslims are forbidden to imitate the kuffar, and we are commanded to differ from them. The Prophet (SAW) said, Act against the polytheists (Be different from the mushrikin). (Sahih Muslim, no. 259c)[9] And in another Hadith he said, He who imitates any people (in their actions) is considered to be one of them. (Related by Abu Dawud) This is especially with regard to things that are the symbols or rituals of their religion. Besides being bidah and an imitation of the Christians, both of which are haram, celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (SAW), also leads to exaggeration and excess in venerating him, which even goes as far as calling upon him (making dua to him) and seeking his help, instead of calling upon Allah, as happens now among many of those who observe the bidah of the mawlid or Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, when they call upon the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (SAW) instead of Allah, and ask him for support, and sing qasidah (odes) of shirk praising him. Watch the video below and find out, what Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips, a contemporary Muslim teacher, speaker, and author, says about Birthday Celebration of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). However, those who Celebrate the Mawlid or Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi defend their practice saying, this celebration is a sign of one’s love for the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and by celebrating the mawlid they are keeping the memory of the Prophet (SAW). But as we mentioned above that the celebrations of the birth of Muhammad (SAW) did not occur until four centuries after his passing away. — Can it be possible that the Sahaabah (Companions) of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the imams and the people of the best three centuries were unaware of it, and it was only those who came later who were aware of its importance? — No, by Allah! They were the people who loved the Prophet (SAW) most, and they did not celebrate the Mawlid or Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, just because it is not permissible in Islam. Allah says, This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion. (Quran 5:3)[10] — Allah has perfected and completed His religion, therefore nothing more we can add to it or nothing we can take out of it. In another verse Allah says, Verily in the messenger of Allah ye have a good example for him who looketh unto Allah and the Last Day, and remembered Allah much. (Quran 33:21)[11] — The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (SAW) did not celebrate his birthday nor command anyone to do it, either during his lifetime or after his death. The Almighty Allah says, And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it) , and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment. (Quran 59:7)[12] — The Prophet (SAW), forbid us to exaggerate about him as the Christians had exaggerated about Iesa (Jesus) (AS).
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 14:25:29 +0000
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