SHAYKH AL ISLAM
JANASHEEN - MUHADDITH AL A'ZAM AL HIND
Mawlid 
Eid Milad an-Nabi
In Praise and Commemoration of the Final Messenger of Allah
The Beloved Prophet's Birthday
Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa aalihi wa Sallam
Eid Milad an-Nabi (2) | Eid Milad an-Nabi (3)
Peace & Abundant Blessings upon our Beloved Prophet Muhammad
Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam, His Blessed Family & Noble Companions
Introduction
Should we be Celebrating Mawlid
Compiling the Qur'an
The Maqam of Hadrat Ibrahim in relation to the Ka'aba
Adding the first call to Prayer on Friday
Salutations on the Beloved Prophet as taught by Hadrat Ali
The addition to the Tashahud by Ibn Masud
The addition to the Tashahud by Abdullah Ibn 'Umar
In Honour of our Beloved Prophet
An explanation of the Dubai Fatwa
Mawlid: Independence day of the Muslim Nation
Annual Global Mawlid Conference
Early Commemoration of Mawlid in Makkah
Three 10th Century accounts of Mawlid
Mawlid is Sunnat Allah
Evidence for Mawlid from the Sunnah of the Prophet
Recitation of Poetry in Praise of the Prophet
Islamic fundraisers and Mawlid
Conclusion
Sayings of Scholars concerning the types of innovation in Islam
Sayings of the Rightly Guided Imams concerning the Mawlid
Imam al Suyuti
Hafiz ibn Hajar al Haythami
Imam Muhammad bin Abu Bakr Abdullah al Qaisi al Dimashqi
Imam Al 'Iraqi
Mulla 'Ali al Qari
Imam ibn Dahiya
Imam Shams al-Din bin Nasir al Dimashqi
Imam Shams al-Din Ibn al Jazri
Imam Abu Shama
Imam al Shihab al Qastallani
Conclusion of the Imams Regarding the Mawlid
Sayings of Imams who deviated New
Ibn Taymiyyah
Imam Ibn al Jawzi
Eid Milad an-Nabi in Light of Al-Qur'an and Ahadith
Question & Answer
Evidence from the Qur'an al-kareem
Evidence from Ahadith
Evidence of General Consenus of Muslim Ummah & Scholars
source : www.mawlid.net
| Eid Milad an-Nabi (2) | Eid Milad an-Nabi (3) |
Prelude
Introduction
Nowadays, we find publications filled with lies and deception which mislead many Muslims into thinking negatively about the honourable Mawlid of the Most Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam. These publications claim that to celebrate the Mawlid is an act of innovation that goes against Islam. This is far from the truth, and it is therefore necessary for those who can speak clearly to help clarify and reverse the doubts surrounding this most blessed day. It is with this humble intention that I present the following proofs in support of celebrating our Most Beloved Prophet's Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam birthday.
The Most Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam said, "He who innovates something in this matter of ours that is not of it will have it rejected." He also said, "Beware of innovations, for every innovation (kullu bid'a) is misguidance."
Those opposed to Mawlid cite this saying and hold that the word every (kul) is a term of generalization, including all types of innovations, with no exception, and that therefore, celebrating Mawlid is misguidance. By daring to say that, they accuse the scholars of Islam of innovation. At the top of the list of those they have accused, then, is our Master Sayyadina 'Umar Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu. Those in opposition to Mawlid quickly reply to this, "But we did not mean the Companions of the Most Beloved Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam."
It follows, then, that the meaning of "every" (kul) cannot be taken in its general sense. Therefore, although the Beloved Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam may not have said to celebrate his blessed birthday, it is nonetheless not an innovation to do so. For, as the following examples show, there were many actions and practices instituted by his close followers after his time that are not deemed innovation.
Qur'an
Compiling the Qur'an al-kareem
Maqam
The Maqam of Hadrat Ibrahim alaihi as-salaam in relation to the Ka’aba
Call to Prayer
Adding the first call to prayer on Friday
In Sahih al-Bukhari, Al Sa'ib bin Yazid related, "During the time of the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam, Hadrat Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu and Hadrat 'Umar Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu, the call to Friday prayer used to occur when the Imam sat on the pulpit. When it was Hadrat 'Uthman's Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu time, he added the third call (considered third in relation to the first adhan and the iqama. But it is named first because it proceeds the call to the Friday prayer.)"
Salutations
Salutations on the Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam composed & taught by Hadrat 'Ali Allah be pleased with him
Tashahhud
The addition to the tashahhud by Ibn Masud
Narrated by al Tabarani in 'Al Kabir', and the narrators are those of the sound transmitters, as it has been mentioned in 'Majm'a Al Zawa'id'.
Tashahhud [2]
Abdullah Ibn 'Umar Radi Allahu anhu added the basmala at the beginning of the tashahhud. He also added to the talbia :
This is mentioned in Bukhari, Muslim, et al. These are some of the developments instituted by the Beloved Prophet’s Companions, the scholars, and the honourable members of his nation, which did not exist during the time of the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam, and which they deemed good. Are they, then, misguided and guilty of bad innovation?
Dubai Fatwa
An Explanation of the Dubai Fatwa
AS SALAATU WAS SALAAMU ALAYKA YA RASOOL'ALLAH
AS SALAATU WAS SALAAMU ALAY
KA YA HABIB'ALLAH
Every year at the time of 12th of Rabi 'al-Awwal, Muslims around the globe commemorate with profound love and abounding joy the birthday of our Most Beloved Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam. In keeping with Allah's Subhanahu wa Ta'ala's Way, His Sunnah of recollecting the birthdays of the prophets as special events in the history of mankind, Muslims have found unique Islamic forms of worship to express their joy, their gratitude and their connection to the birth of the Master of Humankind and Jinn, Sayyaddina Muhammad al-Mustafa Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam.
His greatness reflects the Greatness of His Creator, and his purity outshone that of angels, mankind and spiritual beings. His advent on this earthly sphere was accompanied by extraordinary signs and miraculous occurrences, harbingers of the inestimable effect our perfect leader, the Most Beloved Prophet of Islam Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam the Guide of the believers, was to have on history.
Independence Day
Mawlid: Independence Day of the Muslim Nation
On that holiday, flags fly on every street, the portrait of the "Father of the Nation" is prominently displayed everywhere, names of founding heroes and their stories are broadcast throughout the month, week and day. Everywhere the birth of a nation is commemorated by means of dazzling displays, parades, lights, decorations, fireworks, and military processions, as in America on the 4th of July. Subhan-Allah, no objections are made to the commemoration of Muslim national holidays.
Therefore, does it not behoove the Muslims to commemorate the one who brought us independence from other than Allah I, who took us from unbelief to faith, from idolatry to monotheism, founded our Nation and gave us our identity as Muslims? He gave us more than a nation––he gave us an ummah!
Why not rejoice in that event—remember his greatness, his courage, his leadership—and thank Allah I for that day He favoured and honoured us to be of the Nation of Muhammad Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam? As the Best Nation on earth, will we not enter Paradise first for the greatness of our Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam?
Conference
Annual Global Mawlid Conference
As Islam progressed in America and Europe, many Islamic organizations sprang up, dedicated to reviving and supporting the spirit of Islam. All these organizations hold annual Islamic conventions and conferences. No one would deny these gatherings are rewarded by Allah I, because they bring Muslims together to worship Allah I in congregation in many ways: praying, studying Qur’an al-kareem and hadith, studying fiqh, seerah, tafsir, Islamic science, Islamic applications of secular science, Islamic politics and so on, invoking Allah In a gathering, introducing families to one other, increasing brotherly ties, and soliciting donations for building Mosques, schools and Islamic institutions.
Most Islamic organizations hold their annual conference on the same day every year. Usually this day is a national holiday in the West; such as Independence Day, Bank Holiday, Thanksgiving and even Christmas. The dates these conferences are held on are so well established that every western Muslim knows which national holiday is the day of the annual conference of each particular Islamic organization.
Not only is it ironic that the day is emphasized, but that the day emphasized is not an Islamic holiday! Most dangerous is that our youth attend such conferences in a hotel on Christmas where they are exposed to large, glamorous parties which promote drinking, dancing and other haram behaviour. Yet attendees are often those who insist that to honour Mawlid on the 12th of Rabi’ al-Awwal leads to harm.
If Islamic gatherings can be held on the same secular or Christian holiday every year and Muslims will be rewarded for attending them, why not emphasize a particular day for communal supererogatory worship to commemorate the Mawlid of the Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam?
Is it Islamic justice to reject the 12th Rabi al-Awwal as commemoration of the birth of our Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam but to assign Christmas Day—and other Christian and secular holidays such as Labour Day— for a "35th Annual Convention" or Independence Day for the "15th Annual 'Ijtima'a"? Do we want our youth to consider these un-Islamic holidays as standard events for Muslims? The sponsoring organizations are proud of the numbers of conference attendees on that holiday, although that day was nowhere emphasized in Qur’an or Sunna, nor in the practice of the Salaf.
If we give credence to the claim, "In Islam there is no compromise", then why compromise on these dates? The same excuse—of allowing annual Islamic events on secular U.S.A/European or Christian holidays —must be given for the Mawlid.
Therefore, Muslims can proudly say that this year, 1.2 billion Muslims will be attending the Annual Global Conference for Commemorating the Birth of the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam (i.e. 1426 years since the Hijrah, plus 13 years in Makkah added to the 40 years before the Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam received revelation).
We are in support of the practices of commemorating Mawlid and sponsoring Islamic conferences. We only present these facts here to provide a clear analogy (qiyas) of the fact that what is done every year by all Islamic organizations is no different than what is done to commemorate the Most Beloved Prophet's Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam birth; thus, we must put an end to criticism of topics of whose scholarly roots the average reader may be unfamiliar.
Makkah
Early Commemoration of Mawlid in Makkah
"This blessed place [the house of the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam] is opened, and all enter to derive blessing from it (mutabarrikeen bihi), on every Monday of the month of Rabi al-Awwal; for on that day and in that month was born the Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam."
The 7th-century historians Abul Abbas al-'Azafi and his son Abul Qasim al-'Azafi wrote in their 'Kitab ad-durr al-munazzam': "Pious pilgrims and prominent travelers testified that, on the day of the Mawlid in Makkah, no activities are undertaken, and nothing is sold or bought, except by the people who are busy visiting his noble birthplace, and rush to it. On this day the Ka'ba is opened and visited."
The famous 8th-century historian Ibn Battuta relates in his Rihla: "On every Friday, after the Jum`uah prayers and on the birthday of the Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam, the door of the Ka'ba is opened by the head of the Banu Shayba, the doorkeepers of the Ka'ba, and that on the Mawlid, the Shafi'i qadi (head judge) of Makkah, Najmuddin Muhammad Ibn al-Imam Muhyiddin al-Tabari, distributes food to the shurafa' (descendants) of the Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam and to all the other people of Makkah."
10th Century
Three 10th-Century Accounts of Mawlid
"Each year on the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal, after the evening prayer, the four qadis of Makkah (representing the four Sunni Schools) and large groups of people including the scholars (fuqaha') and notables (fudala') of Makkah, Shaykhs, zawiya teachers and their students, magistrates (ru'asa'), and scholars (muta' ammameen) leave the mosque and set out collectively for a visit to the birthplace of the Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam, shouting out dhikr and tahlil (la ilaha illa Allah).
"The houses on the route are illuminated with numerous lanterns and large candles, and a great many people are out and about. They all wear special clothes and they take their children with them. Having reached the birthplace, inside a special sermon for the occasion of the birthday of the Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam is delivered, mentioning the miracles (karamat) that took place on that occasion. Hereafter, the invocation for the Sultan (i.e. the Caliph), the Amir of Makkah, and the Shafi`i qadi is performed and all pray humbly.
"Shortly before the night prayer, the whole party returns from the birthplace of the Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam to the Great Mosque, which is almost overcrowded, and all sit down in rows at the foot of the Maqam Ibrahim. In the Mosque, a preacher first mentions the tahmid (praise) and the tahlil, and once again the invocation for the Sultan, the Amir, and the Shafi'i qadi is performed. After this the call for the night prayer is made, and after the prayer the crowd disperses."
Similar events are recorded as having taken place in Makkah and Madinah up to the year 1917. Only then did these traditions and practices cease in these two holiest cities, though they are still held in the homes of many Hijazi families, attended by many Muslims who come from around the world. At that time, muqri'een (reciters) of Qur'an and maddaheen (those who praise the Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam from Egypt, Syria, Pakistan and many other countries visit Makkah and Madinah and participate in these private ceremonies.
Until today in Muslim countries around the globe, government offices, universities and businesses are closed on that day.
Sunnat Allah
Mawlid is Sunnat Allah
And the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam was most pleased when he was mentioned in the Noble Qur'an in Surat al-Isra, attributed as "'abd", saying;
One might ask, "How is Mawlid part of the Sunna?" But recall the day of freedom and independence of Bani Israil, the 10th of Muharram, the day on which Sayyaddina Musa alaihi as-salaam saved his people from the bondage of Pharoah, who drowned. The Jews of Madinah observed this as a special day on which they fasted, in gratitude for Sayyaddina Musa's alaihi as-salaam salvation.
When the Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam migrated to Madinah, he found the Jews fasting that day. Upon inquiring as to the reason, the Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam ordered his community to fast that day, saying "We have more right on Musa alaihi as-salaam than they do." Thus, the day of independence for Bani Israil became a day of worship for the Muslims.
As the followers of Hadrat Muhammad Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam is it not appropriate for us to say, "We have more right on commemorating Muhammad Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam than any other nations in commemorating their Prophet?" Yes, and let us praise Allah I on that day and rejoice in His mercy as He ordered;
This order came because joy makes the heart grateful for Allah's subhanahu wa Ta'ala's mercy. What greater mercy did Allah I grant to mankind than the Noble Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam himself, about which He subhanahu wa ta'ala says;
Let us recall then, with love and fervour, joy and deep emotion, the birth of our Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam, as Allah Himself commemorates without cease, in His final revelation, the births of the Prophet Yahya alaihi as-salaam;
And similarly, Sayyaddina 'Isa alaihi as-salaam;
Similarly the conception of Sayyaddina Ismail alaihi as-salaam, Sayyaddina Ishaq alaihi as-salaam and of the Virgin Mary alaihi as-salaam were mentioned in the Qur'an al-kareem.
We also find another birth commemorated in the verse;
Hadrat Ibn Abbas Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu in his Qur'anic commentary explains that this verse was revealed in reference to Hadrat as-Siddiq al-Akbar Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu. What then of the one who is higher in station, who is the Seal of the Prophets and Master of all Mankind?
The mention of his Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam birth in Qur'an al-kareem is more subtle and more exalted, closer to the angelic realm where Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala said;
Qur'anic commentators have concluded that the "Light" as mentioned here is the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam, and his birth is the turning point of a new cycle in the history of humanity: bringing the Divine message of Islam and the Noble Qur'an.
The Qur'an al-kareem relates the supplication of Isa alaihi as-salaam on behalf of his Disciples when he said;
That feast was held in honour of a heavenly table, sent down from paradise full of food: seven loaves of bread and seven fish, as mentioned in traditional commentary on that verse. For a table of food, an Eid was held. What then for the coming to mankind of one who would serve not their worldly needs, but one sent by Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala as the Intercessor for all nations? Does not this day deserve at least an annual commemoration?
Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala also mentions in the Noble Qur'an how He brought together the souls of the Prophets before creating their physical forms:
If Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala mentioned his birth before this worldly life, in the presence of the souls of all Prophets on the Day of Promises, does that day not deserve commemoration, as it is commemorated in the Qur'an? What of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala's mention of the Prophet's Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam birth in hadith, when He told Adam alaihi-salaam, "If he comes in your time you must follow him." If Allah I is reminding us of this great event, who are we to say "forget about it?"
We know there are only two Eids in Islam and no others: Eid al-adha and Eid al-fitr. Therefore, people must not confuse Eid with commemoration (dhikra). The Prophet Muhammad's Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam birthday is not an Eid, but it is an exceedingly important event that took place for humanity in the Light sent with him––the Message of Islam––which brought the two Eids.
What then can we recall of the birth of the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam? What is known of it? According to Ibn Kathir’s, Al bidaya wal nihayat and Dhikra Mawlid Rasulillah, "Paradise and the skies were decorated and angels moved about in continuous processions, the palace of Chosroes was shaken and the fire of 1000 years ceased to burn." All these events happened on the night and within the moment of the Beloved Prophet’s Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam birth. So, it is not 'eid on a particular day, but it is a universal blessing from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala to humanity, for which reason its commemoration is needed.
He was the most honoured and perfect creation that Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala created as a servant, and raised him by putting his name with His Name, elevated him on the night of the Ascension and revealed to him the Noble Qur'an. If Allah 'Subhanahu wa Ta'ala's creation rejoiced at the advent of the Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam on the day of his birth, what about us, for whom his birth is the greatest favour, and the means by which we were granted the religion of Islam? Is it not illogical to say, "We must not rejoice on that day," when all heavens and all creations were doing so, in the most auspicious manner?
Imam al-Fakhr al-Din Razi radi Allahu anhu said, "The Prophet's Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam importance is a favour for all human beings and Allah I has honoured the Arabs by him and improved their status for the sake of the Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam. From bedouins raising sheep as shepherds, they became leaders raising nations. For the sake of the Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam, He took them from utter ignorance to the station of knowledge, enlightenment and leadership. He put them over all other nations, better than Jews and Christians, who were always proud of Moses (Musa, alaihi as-salaam) and Jesus (Isa, alaihi as-salaam) and the Torah and the Gospel. Allah I made them better than everyone, so He made the Arabs and Muslims proud of their Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam above anyone."
Evidence from Sunna
Evidence for Mawlid from the Sunna of
the Prophet
Muslim narrated that, "Abi Qatada Radi Allahu anhu said that the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam was asked about fasting on Monday and he said 'That was the day I was born.'" This hadith is clear evidence of the importance of the commemoration of the beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's birthday through worship. Al-Hafiz ibn Rajab al-Hanbali Radi Allahu anhu, in his book Lataif al-maarif (p. 98), in explaining this hadith of Muslim said, "It is good to fast on the days that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala honoured and favoured his servants."
It is incumbent not only
on Muslims but on all human beings to rejoice in his advent, the day
of his birth. As al-Hafiz ibn Rajab al-Hanbali radi Allahu anhu said, "The best
favour that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has granted this nation is the
birth of Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam when
he was sent to humanity. So we review and recall Allah subhanahu wa
ta'ala's favour of sending the beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa
Sallam by fasting on that day."
Thus, commemoration
of the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's
birthday by any form of worship, starting with fasting, was derived
analogously by the great scholars of jurisprudence, who concluded
that all forms of worship according to the Qur'an and Sunna are
meritorious to perform on that day. This includes recitation of
Qur'an, loudly or quietly, individually or in congregation, praising
the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam - amongst
the most meritorious forms of worship, feeding people, charity and
remembering Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.
Allah subhanahu wa
ta'ala's injunction stands unceasingly;
This clear order to praise the Beloved Prophet Salla
Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam includes remembering who the Prophet
Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam was and what he did. Thus,
coming together and sitting in a session in which the sirah is told
and the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's excellent
character is recalled, and his person is praised, even through
excessive Salawat, is a form of worship. Similarly, fasting on the
day of the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's birth or
on any Monday is an act of worship related to his birthday, which
brings nearness to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, as the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu
ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam explicitly stated.
Similarly,
the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam slaughtered
an 'aqiqa on his own behalf, 40 years after his birth, though one had
been slaughtered by his grandfather when he was born. This is a firm
evidence from the Sunna for increasing acts of worship and
remembrance of his birth, for the 'aqiqa is an act of worship
associated with a birth.
By analogy (qiyas), any worship
increased on Monday or on the day of the Beloved Prophet Salla
Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's birth, is acceptable and meritorious.
Thus, sitting in commemoration of the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala
'alayhi wa Sallam––by remembering his sirah, praising him,
offering food to people, giving donations to the poor––are all
forms of worship in the commemoration of the Beloved Prophet
Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's birth, whether it be every
Monday, every month or every year, or even every day of the year.
Poetry in Praise
Recitation
of Poetry in Praise of the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa
Sallam is Sunna
The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's uncle al-'Abbas Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu composed poetry praising the birth of the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam, in which are found the following lines: "When you were born, the earth was shining, and the firmament barely contained your light, and we can pierce through, thanks to that radiance and light and path of guidance." [Suyuti's, Husn al-maqsid, Ibn Kathir's Mawlid, Ibn Hajar's Fath al-Bari.]
Ibn Kathir Radi Allahu anhu mentions the fact that according to the Sahaba, the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam praised his own name and recited poetry about himself in the middle of the battle of Hunayn in order to encourage the companions and scare the enemies. That day he said:
The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam
was therefore happy with those who praised him because it is Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala's order, and he rewarded them from what Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala was providing him by
praying for them and giving them gifts. Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya
relates that the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa
Sallam prayed that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala support Hassan ibn Thabit with ruh
al-qudus (the Divine spirit) as long as he would support the Prophet
Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam with his poetry. Similarly, the
Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam rewarded Ka'b
ibn Zuhayr's Radi Allahu anhu poem of praise with a robe (burda).
Hasan ibn Thabit Radi Allahu anhu recited this poetry
about the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam on
the day of his death saying:
I say, and none can find fault with me
But one lost to all sense:
I shall never cease to praise him.
It may be for so doing I shall be forever in Paradise,
With the Chosen One for whose support in that I hope,
And to attain to that day I devote all my efforts.
[Ibn Hisham, notes to his
Seerah, p. 797, Karachi, Oxford Press.]
As mentioned in
the Dubai Fatwa, al-Hafiz Shamsuddin Muhammad ibn Nasruddin
ad-Dimashqi in reference to the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala
'alayhi wa Sallam's uncle, Abu Lahab noted in his book, Mawlid
as-sa'adi, that his punishment in Hell is lessened every Monday
because upon hearing the good news of his nephew, the Prophet Salla
Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's birth, he released his handmaiden
Thuayyba out of joy. For his celebration of the Beloved Prophet Salla
Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's birth his punishment is reduced on
the day of his birth. "What then" he asks, "of the
believer who all his life was joyful for the existence of the Beloved
Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam and died believing in
the Oneness of God?"
With these hadith in mind,
people constantly relate the Most Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala
'alayhi wa Sallam's 'sirah', speak to their children about the
importance of the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam in
their lives, offer food, help people, recite poetry in his praise and
recite Salawat (darood) excessively. Alhamdulillah according to the
principles of the Qur'an al-Kareem and Sunna, this is considered an
acceptable and effective approach to revive the love of the Prophet
Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam and his message, in our ears
and in our lives.
Regarding praise of the Prophet Salla
Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam and other subjects, we would like to
share here what Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab declared in
'muallafat ash-Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab, al-rasail
ash-shakhsiyya', published by the Islamic University of Muhammad ibn
Saud, on the occasion of "Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab
Week", 1980.
"I was never against tawassul nor
against praising the Prophet, nor against Dalail al-khairat [a book
of prayers on the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam], but
all these I accept. I never said I reject the four schools and that I
claim ijtihad and that I am exempt from taqlid [obligation to follow
one of the schools of fiqh], and I do not say 'differences among the
ulama are a curse' and I do not call kaafir those who seek tawassul
through the pious, and I don't call al-Busiri, who wrote
'al-mudariyya' and 'al-burda', kaafir for saying, 'O Most honoured of
creation,' and I never forbade the visit of the Beloved Prophet Salla
Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's tomb, and I never said, 'burn
Dalail al-khairat' and 'Rawd al-rayyahin' [books of praise of the
Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam], and I never said that
Ibn al-Farid Radi Allahu anhu and Muhyiddin ibn Arabi Radi Allahu
anhu are kaafirs."
So, as Muhammad Ibn Abdul
Wahhab, student of Ibn Taymiyya, did not reject all of these things,
why do some contemporary scholars reject them today? This is an
unambiguous article published by a Saudi Arabian University on the
occasion of Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab Week, 1980. In fact, we must
ask: if Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab has a special week to commemorate
his life and work, why then is it "wrong" to have one
day––the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal -to commemorate the life and work
of the Greatest Perfect Human Being, Sayyaddina Muhammad Salla Allahu
ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam?
Fundraisers
Islamic
Fundraisers and Mawlid
No one has ever condemned fund-raising dinners as a reprehensible innovation, although it is a newly-developed form of worship and an encouragement for worship (donation, sadaqa), without precedent in the life of the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam, his Companions, or the pious predecessors. Those who judge fairly and without bias must acknowledge there is no genuine difference between a fund-raiser and a traditional Mawlid ceremony commemorating the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's birthday.
One is a dinner and remembrance of the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's birthday by means of different kinds of worship. A fund-raising dinner might even involve mixing of men and women, women uncovered, and hosting non-Muslims as guests of honour, in whose attendance all take pride and for whom attendees stand in admiration and respect.
If one wishes to be very strict, then we must apply the rules evenly and not discriminate. After all, what is more deserving of a dinner, a function or a ceremony––building a new mosque, or building love of the one who taught us to worship in Mosques, peace be upon him?
Conclusion
Recently 50 years of the occupation of al-Quds was marked across the U.S. by many Islamic organizations. If al-Quds can be commemorated, cannot the one who Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam was blessed by Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala to visit al-Quds and ascend from there to the heavens be commemorated on a special day?
Imam Mutawalli Sha'rawi said in his book, 'Ma'idat al-fikr al-islamiyya' (p. 295), "If living beings were happy for his coming (to this world) and every inanimate creation was happy at his birth and all plants were happy at his birth and all animals were happy at his birth and all angels were happy at his birth and all believing jinn were happy at his birth, why are you preventing us from being happy at his birth?"
We quote again 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.
We hold the hope that every house, every masjid, every street, every school, college and university, every store and factory, every office and government department will shine with lights of happiness and rejoice in the person of the Most Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam, just as the Ka'aba was illuminated in the time of our ancestors, and as paradises and skies were illuminated with stars on the day of the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's birth.
The evidence we have quoted proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that the celebration of the Mawlid and all that pertains thereto of praise and respect for the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam of Islam-such as Salawat, prayers on the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam, seerah (life story), qaseeda (poetry), and madih (praise)-is not only permissible but which according to most opinions is praiseworthy and recommended! 'O people of Islam! 'O nation of the Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam! Celebrate and commemorate your Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam with pride and joy and do not go into dispute in matters that create discord and confusion.
We conclude with the hadith of Muslim, "The Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam said whoever innovates something good in Islam will have its reward and the reward of all those who act according to it, and whoever innovates something evil will have its sin and the sin of those who act according to it." This is a clear statement, along with the numerous proofs presented in this article and the Fatwa of the Awqaaf of Dubai, supported by the opinions of the most highly regarded scholars of Islam, of the acceptability of Mawlid and of its deserving reward.
This article was not written to cause division and discord, but rather to end the arguments revolving around this topic. Let everyone follow their heart and let us unify ourselves and keep Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala's order in the Noble Qur'an to:
Let us pray for Heavenly Support for a better Islamic world in which everyone can find a place for himself or herself, based on the accepted schools of thought and the ijtihad of scholars?
Innovation
Sayings of Scholars Concerning Types of Innovation
Imam Nawawi Radi Allahu anhu said in Sahih Muslim (6-21), "The Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's saying, 'every innovation' is a general-particular and it is a reference to most innovations and it is divided into good and bad." The linguists say, 'Innovation is any act done without a previous pattern, and it is of five different kinds.'" Imam Nawawi also said in 'Tahzeeb al Asma' wal Sifaat, "Innovation in religious law is to originate anything which did not exist during the time of the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam, and it is divided into good and bad." He also said, "al-muhdathat (pl. for muhdatha) is to originate something that has no roots in religious law. In the tradition of religious law it is called innovation, and if it has an origin within the religious law, then it is not innovation. Innovation in religious law is disagreeable, unlike in the language where everything that has been originated without a previous pattern is called innovation regardless of whether it is good or bad."
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Hajar Al Asqalani Radi Allahu anhu, the commentator on al-Bukhari, said, "Anything that did not exist during the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's time is called innovation, but some are good while others are not."
Abu Na'eem, narrated from Ibrahim al-Junaid, said, "I heard Ash-Shafi'i saying, 'Innovation is of two types: praiseworthy innovation and blameworthy innovation, and anything that disagrees with the Sunnah is blameworthy.'"
Imam al Bayhaqi Radi Allahu anhu narrated in Manaqib Ash-Shafi'i that he said, "Innovations are of two types: that which contradicts the Qur'an, the Sunnah, or unanimous agreement of the Muslims is an innovation of deception, while a good innovation does not contradict any of these things."
Sultan al-'ulama, Al 'Izz bin Abdus Salam said, at the end of his book, Al Qawa'id, "Innovation is divided into obligatory, forbidden, recommended, disagreeable and permissible, and the way to know which is which is to match it against the religious law."
Clearly we see from the opinions of these righteous scholars, that to define innovations in worship as wholly negative without exception is ignorant. For these pious knowers, among them Imam Nawawi Radi Allahu anhu, declared that innovations could be divided into good and bad, based on their compliance with or deviance from religious law.
Moreover, the following Prophetic saying as stated in Sahih Muslim is known even to common Muslims, let alone scholars: "He who inaugurates a good practice (sanna fil-Islam sunnatun hasana) in Islam earns the reward of it, and of all who perform it after him, without diminishing their own rewards in the least." Therefore, it is permissible for a Muslim to originate a good practice, even if the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam didn’t do it, for the sake of doing good and cultivating the reward. The meaning of inaugurate a good practice is to establish a practice through personal reasoning (ijtihad) and derivation (istinbat) from the rules of religious law or its general texts. The actions of the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's Companions and the generation following them which we have stated above is the strongest evidence.
Those prejudiced against celebrating the Most Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's birthday have paved the way for their falsehood by deceiving the less-learned among the Muslims. The prejudiced ones claim that Ibn Kathir Radi Allahu anhu writes in his 'Al Bidaya wal Nihaya' (11-172) that the Fatimide-Obaidite state, which descends from the Jew, Obaidillah Bin Maimoon al Kaddah, ruler of Egypt from 357-567 A.H innovated the celebration of a number of days, among them, the celebration of the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's birthday. This treacherous lie is a grave insult to the scholarship of Ibn Kathir and the scholarship of all Islam. For in truth, Ibn Kathir Radi Allahu anhu writes about the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's birthday in 'al bidaya wal nihaya' [13-136], "The victorious king Abu Said Kawkaburi was one of the generous, distinguished masters, and the glorious kings; he left good impressions and used to observe the honourable Mawlid by having a great celebration. Moreover, he was chivalrous, brave, wise, a scholar, and just." Ibn Kathir continues, "And he used to spend three hundred thousand Dinars on the Mawlid." In support, Imam al Dhahabi Radi Allahu anhu writes of Abu Said Kawkaburi, in 'Siyar A'laam al nubala' [22-336], "He was humble, righteous, and loved religious learned men and scholars of Prophetic saying."
Imam al Suyuti
In 'Al hawi lil fatawi', Al Suyuti rahmatullahi alayh wrote a special chapter entitled, "The Good Intention in Commemorating the Mawlid," at the beginning of which he said, "There is a question being asked about commemorating the Mawlid of the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam in the month of Rabi 'al-Awwal: What is the religious legal ruling in this regard? Is it good or bad? Does the one who celebrates get rewarded or not?’ The answer according to me is as follows: To commemorate the Mawlid, which is basically gathering people together, reciting parts of the Qur'an, narrating stories about the Beloved Prophet's birth and the signs that accompanied it, then serving food, and afterwards departing is one of the good innovations; and the one who practices it gets rewarded, because it involves venerating the status of the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam and expressing joy for his honourable birth."
In his book 'Iqtida' al Siratul Mustaqeem' [Al hadeeth print, p. 266]. Ibn Taymiyya states, "As to what some people have innovated either to compete with Christians on the birth of 'Isa alayhi salam or for the love of the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam and veneration for him, Allah might reward them for their love and ijtihad."
As far as we are concerned, we commemorate the Mawlid for no other reason but what Ibn Taymiya said, "Out of love and veneration of the Prophet." May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala reward us according to this love and effort, and may Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala bless the one who said, "Let alone what the Christians claim about their Prophet, and you may praise Muhammad in any way you want and attribute to his essence all honours and to his status all greatness, for his merit has no limits that any expression by any speaker might reach." [Imam al-Busayri]
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Hafiz ibn Hajar al Haythami
"This is regarding the basis of Mawlid. As for the activities, these should consist only of things that express thankfulness to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, such as what has been previously mentioned: reciting Qur'an, eating food, giving charity, reciting poetry, praising the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam or on piety which moves hearts and drives them to do good and work for the Hereafter."
These are the derivations that those opposed to Mawlid call false conclusions and invalid analogies.
Imam Abdullah al Qaisi al Dimashqi
Imam Muhammad bin Abu Bakr Abdullah al Qaisi al Dimashqi
He wrote 'Jami' al athar fi mawlid', 'Al nabiy al mukhtar', 'Al lafz al ra'iq fi mawlid khayr al khala'iq', and 'Mawlid al sa'ada fi mawlid al hadi'.
Imam al 'Iraqi
Imam Al 'Iraqi Rahmatullahi alayh
Imam Al 'Iraqi Rahmatullahi alayh wrote 'Al Mawlid al heni fi al mawlid al sani'.
Mulla 'Ali al Qari
Mulla 'Ali Al Qari Rahmatullahi alayh
Mulla
'Ali Al Qari Rahmatullahi alayh wrote 'Al mawlid al rawi fil mawlid
al nabawi'.
Imam ibn Dahiya
Imam Ibn Dahiya Rahmatullahi alayh
Imam
Ibn Dahiya Rahmatullahi alayh wrote
'Al Tanweer fi mawlid al basheer al nadheer'.
Imam Nasir al Dimashqi
Imam
Shams al-Din bin Nasir al Dimashqi Rahmatullahi alayhi
He wrote 'Mawlid
al sa'ada fi mawlid al hadi'. He is the one who said about the Beloved
Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's estranged
uncle, Abu Lahab, "This unbeliever who has been disparaged, 'perish his hands', will stay in Hell forever. Yet, every Monday
his torment is being reduced because of his joy at the birth of the
Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam. How
much mercy can a servant expect who spends all his life joyous about
the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam and
dies believing in the Oneness of Allah ?"
Shams al-Din Ibn Al Jazri
Imam
Shamsu Din Ibn Al Jazri Rahmatullahi alayhi
Imam
Shamsu Din Ibn Al Jazri Rahmatullahi alayhi wrote 'Al nashr fil
qira'at al 'ashr, 'urf al ta’reef bil mawlid al shareef'.
Imam Abu Shama
Imam
Abu Shama Rahmatullahi alayhi
Imam Abu Shama (Imam Nawawi's shaykh) in
his book 'al ba'ith ala Inkar al bida' wal hawadith' (pg.23) said, "One
of the best innovations in our time is what is being done every year
on the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's
birthday, such as giving charity, doing good deeds, displaying
ornaments, and expressing joy, for that expresses the feelings of
love and veneration for him in the hearts of those who are
celebrating, and also, shows thankfulness to Allah Subhanahu wa
Ta'ala for His bounty by sending His Messenger the one who has
been sent as a Mercy to the worlds."
Imam al Shihab al Qastallani
Imam
al Shihab al Qastallani Rahmatullahi alayh
Al Qastalani (al Bukhari's
commentator) in his book 'Al mawahib al ladunniya' (1-148) said, "May
Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala have mercy on the one who turns the
nights of the month of the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala
'alayhi wa Sallam's birth into festivities in order to increase
the suffering of those whose hearts are filled with disease and
sickness."
Sayings of the Imams
There are others who wrote and spoke about
Mawlid, such as Imam al Sakhawi, Imam Wajihu Din bin 'Ali bin al
Dayba' al Shaybani al Zubaidi, and many more, which we will not
mention due to the limited space available. From these many
evidences, it should be clear by now that celebrating the Mawlid is
highly commendable and allowed. Surely we cannot simply shrug off as
heretics the scholars and dignitaries of this nation who approved the
commemoration of the Mawlid and wrote countless books on the subject.
Are all these scholars, to whom the whole world is indebted for the
beneficial books they have written on Prophetic sayings,
jurisprudence, commentaries, and other sorts of knowledge, among the
indecent who commit sins and evil? Are they, as those opposed to
Mawlid claim, imitating the Christians in celebrating the birth of
Jesus? Are they claiming that the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala
'alayhi wa Sallam did not convey to the nation what they should do?
We leave answers to these questions up to you.
We must
continue to examine the errors which those opposed to Mawlid utter.
They say, "If celebrating the Mawlid is from the religion, then
the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam would have
made it clear to the nation, or would have done it in his lifetime,
or it would have been done by the Companions." No one can say
that the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam did
not do it out of his humbleness, for this is speaking evil of him, so
they cannot use this argument.
Furthermore, that the Beloved
Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam and his
Companions did not do a certain thing does not mean they made that
thing prohibited. The proof is in the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu
ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's saying, "Whoever establishes in
Islam, a good practice...." cited earlier. This is the strongest
evidence that gives encouragement to innovate whatever practices have
foundations in religious law, even if the Beloved Prophet Salla
Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam and his Companions did not do
them. Imam al Shafi'i Rahmatullahi alayhi said, "Anything that has a foundation in
religious law is not an innovation even if the Companions did not do
it, because their refraining from doing it might have been for a
certain excuse they had at the time, or they left it for something
better, or perhaps not all of them knew about it." Therefore,
whoever prohibits anything based on the concept that the Beloved
Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam did not do it,
his claim has no proof and must be rejected.
Thus, we say to
the rejecters of Mawlid: based on the rule you have attempted to
found, that is, that whoever does anything that the Beloved Prophet
Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam or his Companions did
not do is committing innovation, it would follow that the Beloved
Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam did not complete the
religion for his nation, and that the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu
ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam did not convey to the nation what they
should do. No one says this or believes this except a heretic
defecting from the religion of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala. To
the doubters of Mawlid we declare, "Based on what you say, we
convict you," for you have innovated in the basics of worship a
large number of things that the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu
ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam did not do nor did his Companions, the
Generation after the Companions, or the Generation after them. For
instance:
Congregating people behind one Imam to pray 'Salat al tahajjud' after 'Salat al tarawih', in the two sacred Mosques and other Mosques.
Reciting the prayer of completion of the Qur'an al-kareem in 'Salat al-tarawih' and also in 'Salat al tahajjud'.
Designating the 27th night of Ramadan to complete reading the entire Qur'an al-kareem in the two Sacred Mosques.
A caller saying, after 'Salat al tarawih', in the Qiyam prayer, "May Allah reward you."
The saying: "Oneness of Allah s divided into three parts: Oneness of Godhood; Oneness of Lordship and Oneness of of the Names and Attributes." Is this found in a hadith, the statements of the companions or the statements of the four Imams?
Founding organizations which did not exist in the time of the Prophet alaihi as-salaam, such as Islamic universities, societies for committing the Qur'an to memory, and offices for missionary work, and committees for enjoining good and forbidding evil.
We are not
objecting to these things, since they are forms of good innovation.
We merely list these innovations to point out that those who oppose
Mawlid clearly contradict their own rule stating that anything that
neither the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam
nor his Companions did is innovation. Since they claim that all
innovation is bad, they themselves are guilty.
Yet another
claim they make is to say that those who commemorate the Mawlid are
mostly indecent and immoral. This is a vulgar statement and it only
reflects the character of the one saying it. Are all the
distinguished scholars that we have mentioned, from the point of view
of those opposed to Mawlid, indecent and immoral? We won’t be
surprised if this is what they believe. This is a most serious
slander. We say, as the poet said, "When Allah Subhanahu wa
Ta'ala wants to spread a virtue that has been hidden, He would
let a tongue of an envious person know about it."
Those
opposed to Mawlid, may Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala guide them,
have confused some expressions, and claim that some religious
scholars associate partners with Allah. Take for example the plea of
Imam al-Busayri to Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala
'alayhi wa Sallam "Oh, most generous of creation, I
have no one to resort to, save You, when the prevailing event takes
place." They must examine carefully the saying of Imam
al-Busayri: "'inda hulul al-hadith il 'amami, when the
prevailing event takes place." What is al 'amam? It means that
which prevails over the whole universe, and all of creation, in
referring to the Day of Judgment. Imam al-Busayri is asking
intercession from the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi
wa Sallam on the Day of Judgment because on that day we will have
no one to resort to or appeal to. Imam al-Busayri seeks his
intercession to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala through the Beloved
Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam, for when all
other Messengers and Prophets will be saying, "Myself, myself,"
the Prophet will be saying, "I am the one for it, I am for it
[the Intercession]." It becomes even more clear now that the
doubts of those opposed to Mawlid are unfounded, just as their
charges of associating partners with Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala
are unfounded. This is due to their blindness, both physical and
spiritual.
Another similar example can be found in the
well-known saying transmitted by the distinguished Imam al Kamal bin
al Hammam al Hanafi, author of 'Fath il qadeer fi manasik al farisi',
and 'Sharh al mukhtar min al sa'ada al ahnaf'. When Imam Abu Hanifa
Radi Allahu anhu visited Madinah, he stood in front of the
honourable grave of the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi
wa Sallam and said, "O, most honourable of the Two Weighty Ones
(humankind and jinn)! 'O, treasure of mankind, shower your generosity
upon me and please me with your pleasure. I am aspiring for your
generosity, and there is no one for Abu Hanifa in the world but you."
Again, we must not misinterpret this entreaty, but realize its true
meaning.
Yet another misconception those opposed to Mawlid
hold can be seen in their statements such as these: "What occurs
during Mawlid is mixing between men and women, singing and playing
musical instruments, and drinking alcohol." I myself know this
to be a lie, for I have attended many Mawlids and have not seen any
mixing and never heard any musical instruments. As for drunkenness,
yes, I have seen it, but not that of worldly people. We found people
intoxicated with the love of the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu
ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam, a state surpassing even the agony of
death, which we know overcame our master Bilal at the time of his
death. In the midst of this sweet stupor he was saying, "Tomorrow
I shall meet the loved ones, Sayyadina Muhammad Salla Allahu
ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam and his blessed Companions."
To
continue, those opposed to Mawlid say, "The day of the Prophet Salla Allahu
ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's birth is the same day of the week as his death. Therefore, joy on
this day is no more appropriate than sorrow, and if religion is
according to one’s opinion, then this day should be a day of
mourning and sorrow." This kind of lame eloquence is answered by
the Imam Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti, in 'Al hawi lil fatawi' (pg.193), "The
Prophet Salla Allahu
ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's birth is the greatest bounty, and his death is the
greatest calamity. Religious law urges us to express thankfulness for
bounties, and be patient and remain calm during calamities. Religious
law has commanded us to sacrifice an animal on the birth of a child
[and distribute the meat to the needy], which is an expression of
gratitude and happiness with the newborn, while it did not command us
to sacrifice at the time of death. Also, it prohibited wailing and
showing grief. Therefore, the rules of Divine Law indicate that it is
recommended to show joy during the month of the Prophet Salla Allahu
ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's birth and
not to show sorrow for his death."
Furthermore, Ibn
Rajab, in his book 'Al lata'if', dispraising the rejecters of Mawlid
based on the above argument said, "Some designated the day of
'ashura as a funeral ceremony for the murder of al Husayn Radi Allahu ta'ala anhu. But
neither Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala nor His Most Beloved Prophet
Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam commanded that the days
of the Prophets' great trials or deaths should be declared days of
mourning, let alone those with lesser rank."
We conclude
this article with a saying of the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu
ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam which has been narrated by Abu Ya'ala,
from Hudhaifa and about which Ibn Kathir said, "Its chain of
transmission is good." Abu Ya'ala said, "The Beloved
Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam has said, ‘One
of the things that concerns me about my nation is a man who studied
the Qur'an, and when its grace started to show on him and he had the
appearance of a Muslim, he detached himself from it, and threw it
behind his back, and went after his neighbour with a sword and
accused him of associating partners with Allah Subhanahu wa
Ta'ala'. I then asked, 'Oh, Prophet of Allah, which one is more
guilty of associating partners with Allah, the accused or the
accuser?' The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa
Sallam said, 'It is the accuser.'"
Completed,
with all Praises to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala and salutations
and peace be upon our Beloved Master Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala
'alayhi wa Sallam and the family of Muhammad and his Noble
Companions.
Ibn Taymiyyah
Ibn Taymiyyah writes:
'Those
people who celebrate Milad through the love and respect of the Prophet [May
Allah bless Him and grant Him peace], will be rewarded by Allah.'
[Iqtidaa' us-siraat-il-Mustaqeem, page 294]
Ibn Taymiyyah also wrote that:
[Iqtidaa' as-siraat-il-Mustaqeem, page 297, by Hafidhh Ibn Taymiyyah]
Ibn al Jawzi
Imam Ibn al Jawzi
Imam Ibn al Jawzi said about the honourable Mawlid, "It is security throughout the year, and glad tidings that all wishes and desires will be fulfilled."
Question on Milad
Question
:
Please
give me the evidence about Eid al-Milad an-Nabi in the light of
Qur'an & Ahadith.
Answer
:
Before
writing the arguments of Eid Milad an-Nabi (Allah's Grace & Peace
be upon Him), I want to clear the meaning of Milad according to
literature and Shariah.
The word Milad has been derived from
"viladut" which means birth. Therefore, according to Arabic
language, Milad is word which signifies the place and time of birth.
In the light of Shariah, we means, Milad is to remember the events
which took place at the birth time of the Beloved Prophet (Allah's
Grace & Peace be upon Him) and we get the opportunity of
narrating the Seerat of the Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be
upon Him) on this occasion, we also presents the Beloved Prophet
(Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) gifts of Durood-o-salam. We
mention before the people attributes and praises of the Beloved
Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him). We do not believe
that Milad is specified with same night but, we believe that the
remembrance of the Beloved Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon
Him) is incumbent in each minute and second of time and every Muslim
should act it Sunnahs in the whole life time. Milad an-Nabi (Allah's
Grace & Peace be upon Him) is a great source of preaching. It is
incumbent for scholars to teach Muslims nations on this Blessed
occasion, moral behaviour of the Most Beloved Prophet, (Allah's Grace
& Peace be upon Him) his antiquates, His affairs, His Seerat, His
dealings and His worships.
Now I shall write the proofs below of Milad
from the Qur'an al-kareem, & the hadith of the Beloved Prophet
(Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) and consensus of Ulemas.
Evidence from the Qur'an
The Qur'anic verses proves that to celebrate Milad is not only a proper deed but it is also a praiseworthy.
1) Allah Almighty says in al Qur'an :
In the above verse Allah Almighty has mentioned the complete Milad of Hadrat Yahya alayhis salam. And before this Allah Almighty has mentioned the events which took place before the birth. It is the same way of celebrating birth day as Ahl as-Sunnat w'al Jama'at adopts for the Milad of the last Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) of Allah Almighty. In other words the Prophet of Allah Almighty, Hadrat Isa alayhis salam, celebrates his own Milad.
2) As Allah Almighty says:
Before this verse Allah Almighty has stated the whole story of Hadrat Maryam radi Allahu anha that who she got pregnant and gave birth her great son, Isa alayhi Salam. Allah Almighty also mentioned the words of Hadrat Isa alayhis Salam by which Isa alayhis Salam praised himself. This particular style of narrating storys is nothing but celebration of Milad of Hadrat Isa alayhis Salam. Ahl as-Sunnat w'al Jama'at also narrate the story of the Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) in the same style. We too narrate the events which took place before the birth and after it as Allah Almighty narrated about Hadrat Yahya and Hadrat Isa (alaihim as-Salam). Therefore, a person who has eyes of justice will obviously accept that to celebrate Milad is an important deed which Allah Almighty has done. So it proves that the basis of Milad is found in the Qur'an al-kareem.
3) Allah Almighty says:
In this verse Allah Almighty orders his prophet Musa alaihis Salam to remind his nation the days of Allah Almighty. "The days of Allah" are those days in which great events took place or Allah Almighty bestowed his great rewards to his creature. As the Qur'an al-kareem testifies this explanation of the days of Allah Almighty. In the Qur'an al-kareem Hadrat Musa alayhis Salam says:
According to the Qur'anic verse emancipation of the nation of Musa alayhis Salam from Firawn is a day of Allah, so the birth day of the Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) is, with any doubt, also a day of Allah, because the Prophet Muhammad (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) emancipated whole world from the darkness of ignorance and brought them to the light of guidance. Therefore, the birthday (Milad) of the Beloved Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) deserves to be celebrated then the celebration of any other event. In case we would not be grateful to Allah Almighty for his favour, which is Muhammad (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him). He will punish us severely. As Allah Almighty says:
4) Allah Almighty says:
In the above verse Allah Almighty orders us to remember his bounties and rewards. The last Prophet of Allah Almighty Muhammad (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) is, undoubtedly, great blessing of Allah Almighty for whole mankind. Allah Almighty himself considers the Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) his great favour for mankind as He says:
Therefore, according to the Qur'anic commandments we must remember the beloved Prophet of Allah Muhammad (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) and Milad-un-Nabi is a best way of remembrance of the greatest Prophet (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him). In another words Allah Almighty says:
The companion of the Beloved Prophet (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) Hadrat Abdullah Ibn-e-Abbas radi Allahu anhu explained the word 'favours'. He says here, In this verse 'favour' signifies the Prophethood and Islam. (Tafseer Ibn-e-Abbas, Sure Al Duha, Page 651).
So in the light of the given explanation by the cousin of the Beloved Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him), we can say that Allah Almighty orders us to remember Beloved Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) in our gatherings between the people, in our mosque between the worshiper and in our houses between our families and Milad an-Nabi (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him), as I have written is a best way for this Qur'anic purpose.
4) Allah Almighty orders us:
In this verse Allah Almighty orders us to enjoy on his grace and mercy. If we see around us we find that each favour of Allah Almighty is great mercy for us. Even our existence is also a mercy of Allah Almighty. But the greatest of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'alas the Beloved Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him). As Allah Almighty says:
So according the Qur'anic teachings it is necessary for us that you must be happy and pleased on the birthday of the Beloved Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him). The one who pleases with the Beloved Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) is really a true follower of the Qur'an al kareem. And it is obvious that, in whole world Muslims celebrates Milad un Nabi (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him), especially for enjoying the Mercy of Allah Almighty that is the Beloved Prophet of Allah Almighty. Therefore the Qur'an al-kareem itself confirms the Milad an-Nabi (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him).
5) The gathering of Milad an-Nabi (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) incite Muslims on saying Durood and Salam ( to pray for Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) of blessing and peace) Allah Almighty says:
According to the law of Shariah, a thing which is desired by Shariah, is exactly a like an aim of Shariah. And the benefits of Durood-o-salam are so much in numbers that can not be counted. Durood-o-salam causes for the help of Allah Almighty in this world and here after. So Milad an-Nabi (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) is a source of fulfilling the commandments of Allah Almighty
6) Allah Almighty says:
This Qur'anic verse reveals that the wisdom of mentioning the stories and events of Prophets alayhim as-salam was to stand fast the heart of the last prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him). And it is obvious that we are, also today, in need of being stand fast. We must know that how; the Prophet of Allah (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) faced the problems of his time so that we may face the problems of our times according to the Sunnah. Therefore Milad an-Nabi (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) provides us an opportunity to know about the affair of the Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him).
Evidence from Hadith
Evidence
of Hadith (Narrations of the Beloved Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace
be upon him)
There are many narrations, which
prove validity of celebrating Milad Shareef but I have written a few.
1) The Prophet of
Allah (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) himself stated his own
birth from very beginning, He says:
"I had been transferred,
continuously, from purified offspring to purified wombs. I had been
given birth by a lawful marriage not by adultery. When Allah Almighty
sent Adam alaihis Salam on earth, He put me in his spine and then
transferred me in Nuh alaihis salam's boat, and then Ibrahim alaihis salam. Allah Almighty transferred me continuously from noble
offspring to the purified wombs. He brought me into my
parents who never committed adultery." (Tafseer Ruhul Bayan,
Vol. 3, Page 54)
As I have written in the beginning that
Milad means the time of birth or place of birth. So the Beloved
Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) himself celebrated his
own Milad. In the same way Ahl as-Sunnat w'al Jamaat following the Beloved
Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) narrate the events of
the birth of the Beloved Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon
him). This hadith is the clear proof Milad an-Nabi (Allah's Grace
and Peace be upon him) and as well as tell us that to celebrate Milad
an Nabi (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) is not innovation
(bidat) but it is a sunnah (tradition) of Prophet (Allah's Grace
and Peace be upon him).
There are many other narrations which narrate that the Prophet of Allah (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) celebrated his own Milad several times, some of those narrations have been written in Mishkat Shareef.
2) "The one who rejoices the birthday of the Beloved Prophet would not be severely punished and it is hoped that a Muslim who celebrates the Milad un Nabi (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him), will not be punished in hell. Imam Bukhari Rahmatullah Alayh narrates that Abu Lahab would be punished lightly in the hell on Monday. Because he rejoiced and freed his handmaid indicating by his finger, when the Prophet of Allah Almighty (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) took birth. So as a reward of happiness on Milad un Nabi (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) he would be given water by his finger. (Sahih al Bukhari Vol. 2, Page 764)
Imam Shams al-Din Naseer Al Damaishqi narrates this hadith in poetry. Here is its translation.
So perished are his hands, in the flame as his eternal abode.
It is narrated that every Monday,
His torment is made easy for his joy at the birth of 'Ahmad'.
What is the expectation then of a servant who spent all his life.
Happy with the arrival of Ahmad and died on the oneness of Allah Almighty.
(Haul-ul-Ahtifal Bil Mawlid Al-Nabvi Al Sharif, Page 11)
2) The Most Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) celebrated his own Milad by keeping fast [sayyam]. Imam Wali al din writes this narration with reference to Sahih Muslim. When the Prophet of Allah (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) was asked about the fast of Monday. He (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) said:
This narration proves that to celebrate Milad an Nabi [Mawlid] is a tradition of the Most Beloved Messenger of Allah (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) on every Monday. Secondly it is perfectly lawful to fix a particular day for Milad an Nabi (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him). Thirdly it is an act of sunnah to do ibadat (worship) in the cause and for the pleasure of the Milad an-Nabi (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him).
General consensus
1) Imam al-Hafiz al-Suyuti in his famous book "Al-Hawii Lil-Fatawii" allocated a special chapter on that topic and named it "The Excellence of Objective in Celebrating the Mawlid" where he said: The question under consideration is what the verdict of the Shari'ah on celebrating the Beloved Birthday of the Noble Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) during the month of Rabbi al-Awwal. From the point of view of Shari'ah is this a praiseworthy action or a blameworthy one? And do those who arrange such celebration Receive blessings or not? He said:
Even Ibn Tay'miah said in his book "Necessity of the Right Path", p. 266, 5th line from the bottom of that page, published by Dar Al-Hadith, the following:
And we certainly only celebrate Milad out of love and admiration to the 'Prophet of all Mankind'.
2. Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Qastalani, who gave commentary on Sahih Bukhari, said:
3. Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar was asked, same reference of Imam Suyuti, about 'Milad Shareef'. His reply was:
- He then added :
4. Imam Abu-Bakr Abdullah Al-Dimashqi compiled a number of books on the subject and called them "Collection of Traditions on the Birth of the Chosen Prophet", "The Pure Expression on the Birthday of the Best of Creations" and "The Spring for the Thirsty One on the Birth of the Rightly Guided".
5. Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Iraqi wrote a book and called it "The Pure Spring on the Sublime Birth".
6. Imam Ibn Dahyah wrote a book and called it "Enlightenment on the Birthday of the Bearer of Good News, The Warner".
7. Imam Mulla Ali Qari wrote a book and called it "The Quenching Spring on the Birthday of the Prophet".
8. Imam Shams ul-Din bin Naseer Al-Dimashqi, said in his book: "The Spring for the Thirsty One on the Birth of the Rightly Guided" about the story of Abu Lahab that he will receive a light punishment every Monday for expressing joy at the birth of the Noble Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon him) on that day. The Imam wrote the following verses of poetry, of which the translation is:
and in the Flames is his eternal abode It is narrated that every Monday.
His torment is made easy for his Joy at the Birth of Ahmad
What is the expectation then of a servant who spent all his life Happy
with the Arrival of Ahmad
and died on the Oneness of Allah.
9. Imam Shams ul-Din Ibn al-Jazri, the Imam of reciters, wrote a book and named it "The Scent of Notification on the Blessed Birthday".
10. Imam Al-Hafiz Ibn Al-Jawzi said in the description of Milad: "Peace and Tranquility takes over during that year and a good glad tiding to obtain your wish and inspiration".
11. Imam Abu-Shama, [The Shaykh of Al Hafiz Al Nawawi], said:
Wahhabi Mawlids
It is widely believed that Wahhabi/"Salafi" are against the idea of holding celebrations of Mawlid. But that's not true. They celebrate not one, but many Mawlids. Here are some of the Wahhabi/"Salafi" Mawlids we have witnessed.
1- Mawlid of Shaykh Muhammad ibn `Abd al-Wahhab, Shaykh-an-Najdi (Also, the title which was given to Shaytan), Shaykh al-Islam of "Salafis"/Wahhabis, and Imam of the Two Cities (Riyad and Dar`iyya):
Every year at the anniversary date of Muhammad ibn `Abd al-Wahhab's death, a great feast is held at the Ibn Sa`ud University in Riyad (in Najd) at which time they praise the unparalleled magnificence of their beloved religious leader, listing his qualities and reciting new poetry about his greatness. All over the world, their embassies also fulfill this important communal obligation (fard kifaya). This is NOT `ibada, of course.
2- Mawlid of the State, known as National Day:
This Mawlid, similar to Independence Day, Flag Day, and Army Day, is celebrated every year in the country with international gala festivities, fanfare, parades, army reviews, podiums and thrones, and also, of course, new poems of praise and Madih recitations for the State founders and current rulers, all at colossal cost, but whatever means leads to fulfilling an obligation (fard), is itself an obligation. Of course this is NOT `ibada.
3- Mawlid of the Nation's Century:
This was a gigantic and truly new Mawlid, the like of which was never seen before. Last year we all witnessed the great celebrations whose main slogan was "100 years KSA" to commemorate one century of freedom from the innovated Khilafa and the establishment of the Sunni Kingdom. On this occasion thousands of shiny and colorful lights, new constructions, inventive and tasteful decorations, posters, banners, placards, and other graphic art productions were displayed in public places and broadcast over the media with orchestral music, poems, and commentary of self-praise and glorification that filled the heart with warmth, love of dunya, and national pride. All Mawlids should be like this! (Needless to say, this is NOT `ibada.)
4- Mawlid of the Mufti:
At the recent passing of the Grand Mufti of the Wahhabiyya Sect, Bin Baz, it was decided by the Mawlid Celebration Board to issue a special commemorative glossy publication praising his greatness, listing his achievements and merits, and deploring his demise with big tears of sadness. In fact, the magazine cover showed a delightful, artistic painting of a series of big tears stringed together like dhikr-beads, and inside each tear there was a small Ka`ba. Al-Hamdu lillah, the Grand mufti is gone, the tears dried up, but we still have the Ka`ba!
5- Mawlid of the Ministers:
From time to time, public sessions of high praise are held for certain ministers according to worldly (dunya) merit. In a recent incident one of our brothers unduly obsessed with the hereafter (Akhira) witnessed a TV program in Madina during Hajj 1999, in which one of the Ministers was lavishly praised (madih) by a 7-year old schoolboy dressed in a formal army suit, reciting poetry he had innovated for him. The boy was called to the podium (`arsh) and asked by that minister what he would like to receive for praising him so much. The boy said on the spot: "Half a million Ryals." The Minister happily granted his wish. (Jazak Allahu Khayran for such a generous, noble gesture on National TV during Hajj, so that everyone young and old should learn to praise and magnify government officials instead of reciting Qasidat al-Burda or other such things!) The brother who witnessed this event on TV, as he was pleased with the Best of Creation - the Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) - went to the Prophet's Mosque and, standing at Bab Gibril in front of the blessed Green Dome (with other brothers who were also obsessed with Akhira), started excessively obeying the command of the Qur'an al-kareem to invoke blessings and abundant greetings on the Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) and recite Qasida in his praise. Immediately, the guards of the Custodian of the Two Sacred Mosques went on Red Alert (special guards from the elite Tala`al Badru Emergency Alert Unit) as they noticed that the brothers were committing an act of love and respect for the Beloved of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala), something known in their legal police code as SHIRKUFRBID`A (which only they can pronounce correctly). So the elite, frowning paratroopers yelled at the brothers to stop immediately this violation of the National Mawlid Law, manhandled them, and threatened them with arrest and jail unless they stopped their crime. Moral: If only those brothers had used their intellects to recite Mawlid for a State Minister instead of Rahmatan lil-Alamin (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam), they would have been several million Ryals richer today! (And this would NOT be `ibada!)
6- Mawlid of Monuments and Inscriptions:
Unlike the preceding Mawlids which are seasonal or according to special circumstances, this Mawlid is a permanent Mawlid in Madina, steps away from the Prophet's Mosque in the ritzy Dar al-Tayba square. It consists in a 15-foot monument in the shape of a globe topped by a dome similar to the Prophet's dome, flanked by a flag, in the middle of a waterfall. Below, an inscription says: "In appreciation to the King for services rendered to Islam." This Mawlid of Monuments and Inscriptions fulfills two important functions. First, it is most suitable for photography as a memento of His Majesty the King in the City of the Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) as, unfortunately, pictures of the real Dome are prohibited but happily, pictures of this dunya monument are welcome (as it is NOT `ibada).
Second, just like the inscription acknowledging His Majesty the King at the bottom of the door of the Ka`ba in Makkah (for every pilgrim to remember and commemorate) this monument and inscription fills the vacuum created - in the last century - by the destruction of the graves of of the great past Muslim figures who contributed over 1,000 years to the greatness of Islam. Figures such as `Uthman ibn `Affan who used to ride on a donkey and sleep on the mosque floor when he was caliph; `Uthman ibn Mazun whose grave the Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) personally built up; Malik ibn Anas who walked barefoot in Madina out of respect for Rasulullah (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam); our mothers the Prophet's wives; his daughters, uncles, cousins, and thousands of Sahaba all left without one sign - i.e. monument or inscription - reminding of their existence or "services rendered to Islam." But why remember them? Wouldn't that be... `IBADA!?
Conclusion:
It is hoped that this brief description will help dispel the false and unjust notion that no Mawlid of any kind is celebrated in the Wahhabi/"Salafi" world today. Yes, they celebrate Mawlid, rejoice and remember like everybody else - but in their own special way, WITHOUT `ibada. As Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) said: "Every party rejoices in what they have." And the Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) said: "When someone loves something, they make abundant remembrance of it." May Allah reward everyone of them for NOT making `ibada with innovated Mawlids, all according to their intention and according to what they deserve!
Bear this one thing in mind: These shayateen have the cheeks to say that Milad-un-Nabi (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim) is Shirk & Bid'ah, yet in the LA Times, they openly join in the celebration of Christmas.
So let's get this straight. According to the Najdis:
- a. Milad of Nabi Isa ibn Maryam, Christmas, which is actually a pagan Greco-Roman celebration, is considered to be a sacred event.
- b. Milad of the Beloved Last Messenger, Salla Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim, is "bid'ah, shirk, kufr."
La'natullah 'alaa-l-kaadhibeen wa alaa-l-munafiqeen!
History of the Mawlid
The Mawlid in Makkah According to Muslim Historians-Celebration of the Birthplace of the Prophet
Makkah, the Mother of cities, may Allah bless and honour her, is the leader of other Islamic cities in the celebration of Mawlid as in other things. In his book Akhbar Makka, Vol. 2, p. 160, the 3rd-century historian of Makkah, al-Azraqi, mentions as one of the many places in Makkah in which the performance of salah is desirable (mustahabb), the house where the Prophet was born (Mawlid al-Nabi). According to him, the house had previously been turned into a mosque by the mother of the caliphs Musa al-Hadi and Harun ar-Rashid.
The Qur'anic scholar al-Naqqash (266-351) mentions the birthplace of the Prophet as a place where du'a by noon on Mondays is answered. He is quoted in al-Fasi's Shifa' al-gharam Vol. 1, p. 199, and others.
The oldest source that mentions a public commemoration of the Mawlid is in Ibn Jubayr's (540-614) Rihal ("Travels"), p. 114-115:
"This blessed place [the house of the Prophet] is opened, and all men enter it to derive blessing from it (mutabarrikin bihi), on every Monday of the month of Rabi' al-Awwal; for on that day and in that month was born the Prophet."
The 7th-century historians Abul 'Abbas al-'Azafi and his son Abul Qasim al-'Azafi wrote in their unpublished Kitab ad-durr al-munazzam:
"Pious pilgrims and prominent travellers testified that, on the day of the mawlid in Makkah, no activities are undertaken, and nothing is sold or bought, except by the people who are busy visiting his noble birthplace, and rush to it. On this day the Ka'ba is opened and visited."
The famous 8th-century historian Ibn Battuta relates in his Rihla, Vol. 1, p. 309 and 347, that on every Friday, after the salah, and on the birthday of the Prophet, the door of Ka`ba is opened by the head of the Banu Shayba, the doorkeepers of the Ka'ba, and that on the Mawlid, the Shafi'i qadi (head judge) of Makkah, Najmuddin Muhammad Ibn al-Imam Muhyiddin al-Tabari, distributes food to the shurafa' (descendants of the Prophet and to all the other people of Makkah.
In every Muslim country today, we find people celebrating the Most Beloved Prophet's birthday. This is true of the following: Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq, Kuwait, the Emirates, Saudi Arabia (not officially, but in the majority of homes), Sudan, Yemen, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Djibouti, Somalia, Turkey, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaidjan, Uzbekistan, Turkestan, Bosnia (former Yougoslavia), Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, and most other Islamic countries. In most Arab countries it is a national holiday. All these countries, O' Nations of Islam, are celebrating that event.
How is it that today a minority is coming and making up a ruling that it is haram? And who are these scholars who spoke against Mawlid, in comparison to the huffaz (hadith masters) and scholars of the Community such as Abu Shama, 'Asqalani, Suyuti, Sakhawi, Haytami, Shawkani, and al-Qari, all of whom declared Mawlid praiseworthy ? How can any of the "Salafis" declare haram something that even the strictest of their scholars, Ibn Taymiyya, allowed under certain conditions, and which Ibn al-Jawzi and Ibn Kathir encouraged, each of them by writing a booklet entitled Mawlid and consisting of poems and passages from the sirah?