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:-
- Allah, the Almighty, has Himself commemorated Mawlid of the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him)
- 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.
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?
- He made the Ka'aba lean in prostration towards the place of the noble birth.
- Allah caused the idols to fall down.
- He extinguished the fires of Persia.
- Only male children were born on that day.
- The skies were illuminated.
- Paradise was further decorated on this occasion.
- Allah removed drought from Mecca, turned the earth green and made the trees bear fruit, and blessings came to the Quraish from every direction
- Allah stopped sending down torments.
- He sent down the maidens of Paradise to give company to Syeda Amina .
- He sent down Angel Sayyiduna Jibreel to carry the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him), and announce his birth all over the world.
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?
- He sent down the Holy Qur'an.
- He sent down the sound Wisdom (i.e. the Prophet's Sunnah)
- He made the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him) as a Mercy to all mankind.
- He lessened the punishments of Muslims sins.
- He increased the rewards tenfold for Muslims' good deeds.
- He lessened the burdens on the necks of Muslims.
- He accepts forgiveness who seek it from him, and for whom the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him) seeks forgiveness.
- He has kept open the doors of forgiveness till the very end.
- He has promised first entry in to Paradise for the Muslims.
- This list is endless.
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, the Almighty, has Himself commemorated Mawlid of the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon Him).
- 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. This commemoration by Allah is still ongoing.
- Allah wants us to remember His favours, His Prophets, His "days" etc.
- So in light of the above, Mawlid commemoration is not an innovation at all.
- Other than 2 compulsory Eids, there are other non-obligatory "Eids" (days of joy) in Islam.
- Fixing a date for commemorating any of Allah's favours, is not against Islamic law.
- We are in fact through Mawlid refuting the wrong Christian belief, and upholding Tawheed.
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
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