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)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate,
Peace & Abundant Blessings upon our Beloved Prophet Muhammad
Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam, His Blessed Family & Noble Companions
Peace & Abundant Blessings upon our Beloved Prophet Muhammad
Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam, His Blessed Family & Noble Companions
Prelude
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
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
The Most Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) is the highest, most perfect human being. He is the First to be created, the First to be mentioned, the First to be honoured. When Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) ordered the Pen to write, it asked, "What shall I write?" and Allah said, "Write LA ILAHA ILLALLAH." The Pen wrote "LA ILAHA ILLALLAH" for seventy-thousand of Allah's years and then it stopped. One of Allah's days is equal to one thousand of our years. Then Allah ordered it to write again, and the Pen asked, "What shall I write?" and Allah answered, "Write Muhammadun RASUL-ALLAH." And the Pen said, "O Allah, who is this Muhammad that You have put Your Name next to his name?" Allah said, "You must know that if it were not for Muhammad I would not have created anything in Creation." So the Pen wrote Muhammadun RASUL-ALLAH for another seventy-thousand years.
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
In a hadith, Hadrat Zaid Ibn Thabit Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu related, "The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam passed away and the Qur'an had not been compiled anywhere." Then Hadrat 'Umar Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu suggested to Hadrat Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu to compile the Qur'an al-kareem in one book when a large number of Companions were killed in the battle of Yamama. Hadrat Abu Bakr wondered, "How could we do something that the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam did not do?" Hadrat 'Umar Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu said, "By Allah, it is good." Hadrat 'Umar Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu persisted in asking Hadrat Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu until Allah I expanded his chest for it (Allah made him agree and accept these suggestions) and he sent for Zaid Ibn Thabit Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu and assigned him to compile the Qur'an al-kareem. Hadrat Zaid Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu said, "By Allah I, they had asked me to move a mountain, it would not have been more difficult than to compile the Qur'an." He also said, "How could you do something that the Beloved Prophet did not do?" Hadrat Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu said, "It is good, and Hadrat 'Umar Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu kept coming back to me until Allah expanded my chest for the matter." This Tradition is narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari.
Maqam
The Maqam of Hadrat Ibrahim alaihi as-salaam in relation to the Ka’aba
Al Bayhaqi Radi Allahu anhu narrated with a strong chain of narrators from Hadrat Aisha Radi Allahu Ta'ala anha, "The Maqam during the time of the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam and Hadrat Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta'ala anhu was attached to the House, then Hadrat 'Umar Radi Allahu Ta'ala anha moved it back." Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar Radi Allahu anhu said in al-Fath, "The Companions did not oppose Hadrat 'Umar Radi Allahu Ta'ala anha, neither did those who came after them, thus it became unanimous agreement." He was also the first to build the enclosure (maqsura) on it, which still exists today.
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
These
salutations have been mentioned by Said bin Mansoor and Ibn Jareer in
'Tahzeeb al Aathar', and by Ibn Abi Assim and Ya’qoob bin Shaiba in
'Akhbar 'Ali' and by Al Tabarani and others from Salamah al Kindi.
Tashahhud
The addition to the tashahhud by Ibn Masud
After
"wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh," and the Mercy of Allah Subhanahu wa
Ta'ala and Blessings, Ibn Masud radi Allahu anhu used to say, "assalamu 'alayna min
Rabbina," peace upon us from our Lord.
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'.
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]
The addition to the tashahhud by Abdullah Ibn 'Umar
Abdullah Ibn 'Umar Radi Allahu anhu added the basmala at the beginning of the tashahhud. He also added to the talbia :
Abdullah Ibn 'Umar Radi Allahu anhu added the basmala at the beginning of the tashahhud. He also added to the talbia :
"labbaika wa sa’daika wal khayru bi yadayka wal raghba’u ilayika wal 'amalu"
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
Prophet
Muhammad, peace be upon him and on his family and companions, is our
hero, nay––our superhero! The people of each Muslim country rejoice in
having achieved freedom from the colonialists who once held them in
chains, considering their independence day the birth of their nation––a
national holiday. In any Muslim country the emphasis on this is so
strong, that every child has memorized the date of independence and the
events associated with it. The anniversary of that day represents their
liberation from imperialism and having assumed their new identity as a
young 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?
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
To further this discussion, it becomes
essential to understand the difference between halal and haram, and the real
meaning of innovation.
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.
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
Let
us review some of the early sources mentioning public commemoration of
the Mawlid in Makkah al-Mukarrama. One is Ibn Jubayr's (540-614) Rihal
("Travels"), wherein he describes his observation of Mawlid:
"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."
"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
The
following description consolidates eyewitness accounts by three
10th-century authorities: the historian Ibn Huhayra from his al-Jami'
al-latif fi fasl makka wa ahliha; al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-Haytami from
his Kitab al-mawlid ash-sharif al-mu' azzam, the historian al-Nahrawali
from al-i'lam bi-a'lam bayt Allah al-haram. A fourth account by
al-Diyarbakri (d. 960) in his Tarikh al-khamis correlates exactly with
the following:
"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.
"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
A
nation is only as great as its greatest man or woman. What then of a
Nation, whose greatness is derived from the Incomparable Perfect Man,
whose creation preceded all others? His very nature was not simply
heroic, not just great––no, it was magnificent––not as appreciated by
limited minds of men, but by the Creator Himself, for Allah subhanahu wa Ta'ala praised
our Blessed Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam in countless
verses of the Qur'an al-kareem, and He swore an oath by his perfect
character when He I said;
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."
"And lo! Thou art of a tremendous nature!"
[68: 4]
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;
"Glorified be He Who
carried His servant by night from the Inviolable Place of Worship to
the Far Distant Place." [17: 1]
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;
"Of the favour and the
mercy of Allah let them rejoice." [10: 58]
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;
"We did not send you
except as a mercy to human beings ?" [21: 107 ]
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;
"So peace on him the
day he was born, the day that he dies, and the day that he will be
raised up to life (again)!" [19: 15]
And similarly, Sayyaddina 'Isa alaihi as-salaam;
"So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that
I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)"! [19:33].
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;
"In pain did his mother
bear him, and in pain did she give him birth." [46: 15]
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;
"Indeed, there has come
to you Light and a clear Book from Allah." [5: 15]
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;
"O Allah, send for us a heavenly
table that we will eat from; and it will be a feast (Eid) for the first
of us and for the last of us...." [5: 114]
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:
"Behold! Allah I took
the covenant of the Prophets, saying: I give you a Book and Wisdom;
then comes to you a Messenger, confirming what is with you; do ye
believe in him and render him help? Allah said: Do ye agree, and take
this my Covenant as binding on you? They said: We agree. He said: Then
bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses." [3:81]
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;
"Verily, Allah
and His angels are praying on the Prophet. O believers, pray on him."
[33: 56]
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
Recitation of poetry in the
Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's honour is one
of the meritorious acts recommended by the Sunna. Thus, we find it is
one of the primary means of observing the Mawlid in almost all Muslim
nations. Here we cite a few examples from seerah and hadith in which
the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam listened to
poetry in his praise.
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'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:
"I am the Prophet! This is no lie. I am the
son of 'Abd al-Muttalib!" [Ibn Kathir, Dhikra Mawlid an-Nabi]
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
Today, we often see
Muslims gather on specific days to serve food, give speeches on the
life of the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam and
on Islam, to pray, recite Qur'an al-kareem and Islamic poetry, chant
qasidas or na-at, tell some jokes, and also collect money for the
purchase of a mosque or an Islamic school. However, if one looks in
the seerah, the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam never
held a fund-raising dinner. When he needed finances for a battle, to
build a mosque or for whatever purpose, he asked his Sahaba to donate
and they would give. Some gave all, some gave half, others gave what
they could afford. Without the "bait" of delicious food or
some show in a fancy hotel, they gave of their wealth––they
simply obeyed.
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?
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:
"Hold
fast to the rope of Allah and do not separate."
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
As
for the claim that there is no such thing in religion as good
innovation, here are some sayings of the brilliant scholars of Islam
belying this claim.
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 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
In the same source
previously mentioned, Imam al Suyuti alayhir rahman said, "Someone asked Ibn Hajar
about commemorating the Mawlid. Ibn Hajar answered, 'Basically,
commemorating the Mawlid is an innovation that has not been
transmitted by the righteous Muslims of the first three centuries.
However, it involves good things and their opposites, therefore,
whoever looks for the good and avoids the opposites then it is a good
innovation.’ It occurred to me (Suyuti) to trace it to its
established origin, which has been confirmed in the two authentic
books: 'al Sahihain'. When the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala
'alayhi wa Sallam arrived in Madinah he found that the Jews fast
the day of 'ashura; when he inquired about it they said, 'This is the
day when Allah drowned the Pharaoh and
saved Moses, therefore we fast it to show our gratitude to Allah
Subhanahu wa Ta'alaSubhanahu wa Ta'ala.' From this we can conclude that thanks
are being given to Allah on a specific day for sending bounty or
preventing indignity or harm. What bounty is greater than the bounty
of the coming of this Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi
wa Sallam, the Prophet of Mercy, on that day?"
"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.
"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.