The issue of the
celebrations of the noble birth of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and
Blessings be upon Him) sparks much debate and questions are raised as to whether
it is correct or otherwise to observe it. Indeed a lot has been argued on this
subject, hence the need to clarify why Muslims from all over the world celebrate
this occasion as an “Eid” (literally meaning happy occasion or festival).
It is firmly established from various Qur’anic Verses, Prophetic Ahadith, Sunnah
of the Companions, historical facts, and by consensus of the Ulama, that
innovations could either be blameworthy or meritorious.
This article is not
an attempt to define the categories of “Bid'ah” – (what is a Good Innovation or
a Blameworthy Innovation etc) – for that is an entirely different subject. What
this article shall prove, with Allah’s help, is that this commemoration is not
an innovation (Bid'ah) at all!! So the question of whether such a commemoration
is good or blameworthy, simply does not arise!
The issue of mixing these commemorations with forbidden (Haraam) acts is one
that applies not only this, but universally to all forms of worship. Needless to
say, forbidden acts must be abstained from at all times, not only during these
commemorations. We cannot, obviously, leave any sort of worship because some
people might mix it with forbidden acts. For example – offering Salaah is
compulsory, but if the Niyah (intention) is for showing off (display), then this
act of display is forbidden – but not the Salaah. So if the person indulging in
these acts (in our example display) is to be advised, he should be advised to
abstain from display – but not advised to forego Salaat altogether. Another
example is that if a person steals something from a mosque, should we try to
prevent the theft or should we just stupidly demolish the mosque?
The Following will make it amply clear that:-
So when such radiant
and undisputable proofs are available from the Holy Qur’an what is the need to
search
for “historical” evidence as to when and where it was actually done by the
Ummah?
Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala Commemorates Mawlid
of
the Beloved Prophet
Proof # 1
وَإِذْ
أَخَذَ
اللَّهُ
مِيثَاقَ
النَّبِيِّينَ
لَمَا
آَتَيْتُكُمْ
مِنْ
كِتَابٍ
وَحِكْمَةٍ
ثُمَّ
جَاءَكُمْ
رَسُولٌ
مُصَدِّقٌ
لِمَا
مَعَكُمْ
لَتُؤْمِنُنَّ
بِهِ
وَلَتَنْصُرُنَّهُ
قَالَ
أَأَقْرَرْتُمْ
وَأَخَذْتُمْ
عَلَى
ذَلِكُمْ
إِصْرِي
قَالُوا
أَقْرَرْنَا
قَالَ
فَاشْهَدُوا
وَأَنَا
مَعَكُمْ
مِنَ
الشَّاهِدِينَ
And remember
when Allah took a covenant from the Prophets; “If I give you the Book and
knowledge and the (promised) Noble Messenger comes to you, confirming the Books
you possess, you shall positively, definitely believe in him and you shall
positively, definitely help him”; He said, “Do you agree, and accept My binding
responsibility in this matter?” They all answered, “We agree”; He said, “Then
bear witness amongst yourselves, and I Myself am a witness with you.”
[Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:81]
Allah has never sent a prophet, from Adam onward, unless he took from Him the
covenant regarding (our master) Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon Him): If
(our master) Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon Him) is sent in that
prophet’s lifetime, he was to believe in him and support him, and that prophet
was to take this covenant to his people as well.
Proof # 2
وَإِذْ
قَالَ
عِيسَى
ابْنُ
مَرْيَمَ
يَا
بَنِي
إِسْرَائِيلَ
إِنِّي
رَسُولُ
اللَّهِ
إِلَيْكُمْ
مُصَدِّقًا
لِمَا
بَيْنَ
يَدَيَّ
مِنَ
التَّوْرَاةِ
وَمُبَشِّرًا
بِرَسُولٍ
يَأْتِي
مِنْ
بَعْدِي
اسْمُهُ
أَحْمَدُ
فَلَمَّا
جَاءَهُمْ
بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ
قَالُوا
هَذَا
سِحْرٌ
مُبِينٌ
And remember
when Eisa the son of Maryam said, “O Descendants of Israel! Indeed I am Allah’s
Noble Messenger towards you, confirming the Book Torah which was before me, and
heralding glad tidings of the Noble Messenger who will come after me – his name
is Ahmed (the Praised One)”; so when Ahmed came to them with clear proofs, they
said, “This is an obvious magic.” [Surah Saff 61:6]
Proof # 3
أَلَمْ
تَرَ
كَيْفَ
فَعَلَ
رَبُّكَ
بِأَصْحَابِ
الْفِيلِ
O dear
Prophet, did you not see how did your Lord deal with the People of the Elephant?
[Surah Feel 105:1]
It is well known that Allah protected the Meccans from the attack of Abraha,
and that this took place in the year of the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be
upon Him)’s birth. This event is an indication of the prestige of the Holy
Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him) , and a clear proof of Allah’s great
favour in the year of the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him)’s
birth.
Proof # 4
وَلَمَّا
جَاءَهُمْ
كِتَابٌ
مِنْ
عِنْدِ
اللَّهِ
مُصَدِّقٌ
لِمَا
مَعَهُمْ
وَكَانُوا
مِنْ
قَبْلُ
يَسْتَفْتِحُونَ
عَلَى
الَّذِينَ
كَفَرُوا
فَلَمَّا
جَاءَهُمْ
مَا
عَرَفُوا
كَفَرُوا
بِهِ
فَلَعْنَةُ
اللَّهِ
عَلَى
الْكَافِرِينَ
And when the
Book from Allah came to them, which confirms the Book in their possession - and
before that they used to seek victory through the medium of this very Prophet
(Peace and Blessings be upon Him) over the disbelievers; so when the one whom
they fully recognised came to them, they turned disbelievers - therefore Allah’s
curse is upon the disbelievers. [Surah Baqarah 2:89]
Proof # 5
لَعَمْرُكَ
إِنَّهُمْ
لَفِي
سَكْرَتِهِمْ
يَعْمَهُونَ
By your life
O dear Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him) - they are indeed straying in
their intoxication. [Surah Hijr 15:72]
Note here that Allah has sworn upon the entire life of His Holy Prophet
(Peace and Blessings be upon Him) – this includes the time of his noble birth!
Proof # 6
وَالْعَصْرِ
By oath of
this era of yours (O dear Prophet Muhammad). [Surah
A`sr 103:1]
How did Allah celebrate this on the DAY of
the Prophet’s birth?
Allah's gift to mankind due to the Arrival of the
Beloved Prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him)
Proof # 1
كَمَا
أَرْسَلْنَا
فِيكُمْ
رَسُولًا
مِنْكُمْ
يَتْلُو
عَلَيْكُمْ
آَيَاتِنَا
وَيُزَكِّيكُمْ
وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ
الْكِتَابَ
وَالْحِكْمَةَ
وَيُعَلِّمُكُمْ
مَا
لَمْ
تَكُونُوا
تَعْلَمُونَ
The way We
have sent to you a Noble Messenger from among you, who recites to you Our verses
and purifies you, and teaches you the Book and sound wisdom, and teaches you
what you did not know. [Surah Baqarah 2:151]
Proof # 2
لَقَدْ
مَنَّ
اللَّهُ
عَلَى
الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
إِذْ
بَعَثَ
فِيهِمْ
رَسُولًا
مِنْ
أَنْفُسِهِمْ
يَتْلُو
عَلَيْهِمْ
آَيَاتِهِ
وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ
وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ
الْكِتَابَ
وَالْحِكْمَةَ
وَإِنْ
كَانُوا
مِنْ
قَبْلُ
لَفِي
ضَلال
مُبِينٍ
Allah has
indeed bestowed a great favour upon the Muslims, in that He sent to them a Noble
Messenger from among them, who recites to them His verses, and purifies them,
and teaches them the Book and wisdom; and before it, they were definitely in
open error. [Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:164]
Note that Allah has called the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him)
– as one of His greatest favours to Muslims.
Proof # 3
الَّذِينَ
يَتَّبِعُونَ
الرَّسُولَ
النَّبِيَّ
الْأُمِّيَّ
الَّذِي
يَجِدُونَهُ
مَكْتُوبًا
عِنْدَهُمْ
فِي
التَّوْرَاةِ
وَالْإِنْجِيلِ
يَأْمُرُهُمْ
بِالْمَعْرُوفِ
وَيَنْهَاهُمْ
عَنِ
الْمُنْكَرِ
وَيُحِلُّ
لَهُمُ
الطَّيِّبَاتِ
وَيُحَرِّمُ
عَلَيْهِمُ
الْخَبَائِثَ
وَيَضَعُ
عَنْهُمْ
إِصْرَهُمْ
وَالْأَغْلَالَ
الَّتِي
كَانَتْ
عَلَيْهِمْ
فَالَّذِينَ
آَمَنُوا
بِهِ
وَعَزَّرُوهُ
وَنَصَرُوهُ
وَاتَّبَعُوا
النُّورَ
الَّذِي
أُنْزِلَ
مَعَهُ
أُولَئِكَ
هُمُ
الْمُفْلِحُونَ
“Those who
will obey this Noble Messenger, the Herald of the Hidden who is untutored
(except by Allah), whom they will find mentioned in the Taurat and the Injeel
with them; he will command them to do good and forbid them from wrong, and he
will make lawful for them the good clean things and prohibit the foul for them,
and he will unburden the loads and the neck chains which were upon them; so
those who believe in him, and revere him, and help him, and follow the light
which came down with him - it is they who have succeeded."
[Surah Aa'raf 7:157]
Note that to honour the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him) is
part of faith. To disrespect him is blasphemy.
Proof # 4
هُوَ
الَّذِي
بَعَثَ
فِي
الْأُمِّيِّينَ
رَسُولًا
مِنْهُمْ
يَتْلُو
عَلَيْهِمْ
آَيَاتِهِ
وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ
وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ
الْكِتَابَ
وَالْحِكْمَةَ
وَإِنْ
كَانُوا
مِنْ
قَبْلُ
لَفِي
ضَلَالٍ
مُبِينٍ
It is He Who
has sent among the unlettered people a Noble Messenger from themselves, who
recites His verses to them and purifies them, and bestows them the knowledge of
the Book and wisdom; and indeed before this, they were in open error.
[Surah Jumu'ah 62:2]
Proof # 5
وَمَا
كَانَ
اللَّهُ
لِيُعَذِّبَهُمْ
وَأَنْتَ
فِيهِمْ
وَمَا
كَانَ
اللَّهُ
مُعَذِّبَهُمْ
وَهُمْ
يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ
And it is not
for Allah to punish them while you (O dear Prophet) are amongst them; and Allah
will not punish them as long as they are seeking forgiveness.
[Surah Anfal 8:33]
Proof # 6
وَمَا
أَرْسَلْنَاكَ
إِلَّا
رَحْمَةً
لِلْعَالَمِينَ
And We did
not send you (O dear Prophet) except as a mercy for the entire world.
[Surah Ambiya 21:107]
Note that Allah has named the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him)
“a mercy unto mankind”.
How has Allah rewarded the Muslims after
the day of the Prophet’s birth?
From the above it is proven that Allah has gifted mankind with innumerable favours due to the Mawlid of the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him) , and that these favours shall continue. So this commemoration by Allah is still ongoing. This also proves that any day can be chosen to commemorate this auspicious occasion, because the gifts and commemoration from Allah are continuous, every day, every hour, every moment. Muslims usually choose the 12th day of Rabi-ul-Awwal, because that is the day the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him) was born, and is the easiest to remember. Any other day can also been chosen. And we all know that unless something is scheduled, it is human nature to keep postponing it or to simply forget it.
Allah commands us to remember and rejoice upon his favors
to
Increase His Worship especially on the Great Days
Proof # 1
فَاذْكُرُونِي
أَذْكُرْكُمْ
وَاشْكُرُوا
لِي
وَلَا
تَكْفُرُونِ
Therefore
remember Me, I will cause you to be spoken of and acknowledge My rights, and do
not be ungrateful [Surah Baqarah 2:152]
Proof # 2
إِنَّ
الصَّفَا
وَالْمَرْوَةَ
مِنْ
شَعَائِرِ
اللَّهِ
فَمَنْ
حَجَّ
الْبَيْتَ
أَوِ
اعْتَمَرَ
فَلَا
جُنَاحَ
عَلَيْهِ
أَنْ
يَطَّوَّفَ
بِهِمَا
وَمَنْ
تَطَوَّعَ
خَيْرًا
فَإِنَّ
اللَّهَ
شَاكِرٌ
عَلِيمٌ
Undoubtedly
Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah; so there is no sin on him, for
whoever performs the Hajj of this House (of Allah) or the Umrah to go back and
forth between them; and whoever does good of his own accord, then (know that)
indeed Allah is Most Appreciative, the All Knowing.
[Surah Baqarah 2:158]
Note here that Allah has promised excellent reward for those who good deeds
of their own accord (increase their non-obligatory worship) - for such Allah
will be “Most Appreciative”.
Proof # 3
يَا
بَنِي
إِسْرَائِيلَ
اذْكُرُوا
نِعْمَتِيَ
الَّتِي
أَنْعَمْتُ
عَلَيْكُمْ
وَأَوْفُوا
بِعَهْدِي
أُوفِ
بِعَهْدِكُمْ
وَإِيَّايَ
فَارْهَبُونِ
O Descendants
of Israel! Remember My favour which I bestowed upon you, and fulfill your
covenant towards Me, I shall fulfill My covenant towards you; and fear Me alone.
[Surah Baqarah 2:40]
Proof # 4
يَا
بَنِي
إِسْرَائِيلَ
اذْكُرُوا
نِعْمَتِيَ
الَّتِي
أَنْعَمْتُ
عَلَيْكُمْ
وَأَنِّي
فَضَّلْتُكُمْ
عَلَى
الْعَالَمِينَ
O Descendants
of Israel! Remember the favour of Mine, which I bestowed upon you and gave you
superiority over others of your time. [Surah Baqarah
2:47]
Note the superiority is by the sending of the Noble Messengers.
Proof # 5
وَإِذَا
طَلَّقْتُمُ
النِّسَاءَ
فَبَلَغْنَ
أَجَلَهُنَّ
فَأَمْسِكُوهُنَّ
بِمَعْرُوفٍ
أَوْ
سَرِّحُوهُنَّ
بِمَعْرُوفٍ
وَلَا
تُمْسِكُوهُنَّ
ضِرَارًا
لِتَعْتَدُوا
وَمَنْ
يَفْعَلْ
ذَلِكَ
فَقَدْ
ظَلَمَ
نَفْسَهُ
وَلَا
تَتَّخِذُوا
آَيَاتِ
اللَّهِ
هُزُوًا
وَاذْكُرُوا
نِعْمَةَ
اللَّهِ
عَلَيْكُمْ
وَمَا
أَنْزَلَ
عَلَيْكُمْ
مِنَ
الْكِتَابِ
وَالْحِكْمَةِ
يَعِظُكُمْ
بِهِ
وَاتَّقُوا
اللَّهَ
وَاعْلَمُوا
أَنَّ
اللَّهَ
بِكُلِّ
شَيْءٍ
عَلِيمٌ
And when you
have divorced women, and their term reaches its end, either retain them on good
terms within this period or release them with kindness; and do not retain them
in order to hurt them, hence transgressing the limits; and he who does so harms
only himself; and do not make the signs of Allah the objects of ridicule; and
remember Allah’s favour that is bestowed upon you and that He has sent down to
you the Book and wisdom, for your guidance; keep fearing Allah and know well
that Allah knows everything. [Surah Baqarah 2:231]
The favour separately mentioned here is the advent of the Holy Prophet (Peace
and Blessings be upon Him)
Proof # 6
لَقَدْ
مَنَّ
اللَّهُ
عَلَى
الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
إِذْ
بَعَثَ
فِيهِمْ
رَسُولًا
مِنْ
أَنْفُسِهِمْ
يَتْلُو
عَلَيْهِمْ
آَيَاتِهِ
وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ
وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ
الْكِتَابَ
وَالْحِكْمَةَ
وَإِنْ
كَانُوا
مِنْ
قَبْلُ
لَفِي
ضَلَالٍ
مُبِينٍ
Allah has
indeed bestowed a great favour upon the Muslims, in that He sent to them a Noble
Messenger from among them, who recites to them His verses, and purifies them,
and teaches them the Book and wisdom; and before it, they were definitely in
open error. [Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:164]
Note that the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him) is one of
Allah’s greatest favours to mankind.
Proof # 7
وَإِذْ
قَالَ
مُوسَى
لِقَوْمِهِ
يَا
قَوْمِ
اذْكُرُوا
نِعْمَةَ
اللَّهِ
عَلَيْكُمْ
إِذْ
جَعَلَ
فِيكُمْ
أَنْبِيَاءَ
وَجَعَلَكُمْ
مُلُوكًا
وَآَتَاكُمْ
مَا
لَمْ
يُؤْتِ
أَحَدًا
مِنَ
الْعَالَمِينَ
And when
Moosa said to his people, “O my people! Remember Allah’s favour upon you, that
He created Prophets among you, and made you kings, and has now given you what He
has not given to any one else in this world.” [Surah
Maidah 5:20]
Note that the creation of Prophets is mentioned as a separate favour.
Proof # 8
يَا
أَيُّهَا
النَّاسُ
قَدْ
جَاءَتْكُمْ
مَوْعِظَةٌ
مِنْ
رَبِّكُمْ
وَشِفَاءٌ
لِمَا
فِي
الصُّدُورِ
وَهُدًى
وَرَحْمَةٌ
لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
۔۔۔
قُلْ
بِفَضْلِ
اللَّهِ
وَبِرَحْمَتِهِ
فَبِذَلِكَ
فَلْيَفْرَحُوا
هُوَ
خَيْرٌ
مِمَّا
يَجْمَعُونَ
O mankind!
The advice has come to you from your Lord and a cure for the hearts - and
guidance and mercy for believers. Say, “Upon Allah’s munificence and upon His
mercy - upon these should the people rejoice”; this is better than all the
wealth they hoard. [Surah Yunus 10:57-58]
Proof # 9
وَلَقَدْ
أَرْسَلْنَا
مُوسَى
بِآَيَاتِنَا
أَنْ
أَخْرِجْ
قَوْمَكَ
مِنَ
الظُّلُمَاتِ
إِلَى
النُّورِ
وَذَكِّرْهُمْ
بِأَيَّامِ
اللَّهِ
إِنَّ
فِي
ذَلِكَ
لَآَيَاتٍ
لِكُلِّ
صَبَّارٍ
شَكُورٍ
And indeed We
sent Moosa along with Our signs that, “Bring your people from the realms of
darkness into light - and remind them of the days of Allah; indeed in them are
signs for every greatly enduring, grateful person.”
[Surah Ibrahim 14:5]
The “days of Allah” refers to days when various favours were bestowed.
Proof # 10
وَأَمَّا
بِنِعْمَةِ
رَبِّكَ
فَحَدِّثْ
And
abundantly proclaim the favours of your Lord. [Surah
Duha 93:11]
Note that we are commanded here to keep proclaiming the “favours” of our Lord
Allah.
By
the grace of Allah, from the above,
It
has been amply proven that
Allah and His Beloved Prophet Knows the Best!!
Peace And Abundant Blessings Be Upon Our Master Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon Him) - The Leader Of The Creation – And Upon His Progeny, His Companions, And All His Followers.
———
Compiled by:
Mawlana Aqib Farid al-Qadiri
11th
Rabi al-Thaani 1424H | 11th June 2003