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How should we celebrate Miladunnabi shareef?

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The month of Rabi’ul Awwal has started. Some people will

go wild in celebrating due to the fact that Allah’s messenger, Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa sallallahu alayhi wasallam was born in this month. Therefore, it is important for us to answer the question: what is the Islamic guidance in this regard?

To express happiness within limits is desirable in Islam. It is a form of shukr and an expression of gratitude towards the blessings Allah bestows upon us.

Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam’s birth is a great blessing of Allah Ta’ala upon the whole of creation. It is therefore imperative that we show our gratitude to Allah for creating him, making him the final messenger and for letting us be from his ummah.

If it wasn’t for him, we would still be in the darkness of ignorance. Through him Allah Ta’ala gave us the guidance, the Quran, the Hadith and the like. Allah Ta’ala made him a mercy for the whole universe. May Allah shower His special mercy, special blessings and special salutations upon His specially chosen Rasul, sallallahu alayhi wasallam Alfa Alfa marratin bi adadi kulli zarratin.

The Sunnah Way of Celebrating

When Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam arrived at Madinah Munawwarah, he noticed that the local Jewish community would fast on the day of Aashura. When he was told that this is to commemorate the great event of Musa’s (alayhis salam) and Bani Israeel’s escape from the persecution of Pharaoh and the annihilation of the huge tyrant pharaoh along with his whole army by way of drowning them in the sea, he said, “We are more closer to Musa than you” (and thus we should show our gratitude more).”

He thereafter fasted on that day and he instructed the Muslim community to do the same.

The day in which Makkah Mukarramah was conquered (year 8AH) was a special day. This marked a great development in our faith and that Islam was on the rise. Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam bathed his blessed body and performed 8 Rak’ah of Salah ad-Duha as an expression of gratitude towards Allah Azza wa jalla.

On another occasion, he, salallahu alayhi wasallam, came back from a long tiring journey. He slaughtered a cow and fed the meat to the people of Madina al-Munawwara.

This was his Sunnah. Fasting, praying, being charitable.

There are narrations which highlight things he did not prohibit, despite not doing them himself.

On Eid day some Abyssinians were playing a game with arrows and spears. He permitted them to do so and He allowed our mother Aysha Siddiqah radiallahu anha to watch their game.

Likewise, on the day of Eid, tender aged girls were singing rhymes in the house of Aisha radiallahu anha, He was resting and permitted them to carry on with their merry making.

However, there are also things which he disliked. He would hate his own praise. Some Bedouins praised him with very lofty words. He corrected them and said, “Just say some of what you mentioned! Don’t let Shaytan drag you.” (Abu Dawood)

He also said, “Do not exaggerate in my praise, as the Christians exaggerated in the praise of Isa, son of Maryam. For I am only a slave, so say “Slave of Allah and Rasul of Allah.” (Mishkat)

He hated music. Once he passed by an area where there was noise of music. He thrust his fingers in his ears and kept walking. After walking for some distance, he asked his companion “Has the noise gone?” Only when his companion replied in the affirmative, did he take his fingers out of his blessed ears.

Also He, salallahu alayhi wasallam, has prescribed only two Eids for us; Eidul Fitr & Eidul Adh’ha. Therefore, we can’t add another Eid.

He forbade us from imitating others. He taught us to use our god given brains in distinguishing right from wrong. He warned us against emulating other beliefs.

In light of the above, if we were to bring the community together by gathering everyone and narrating episodes of his blessed life, this would be desirable.

The events prior to his blessed birth may be discussed. For instance, the story of Abraha and his army who came with the Elephants to demolish Ka’ba sharif. However, Allah Ta’ala protected Ka’ba Shareef, destroyed his army and raised the status of Abdul Muttalib in the hearts of the whole Arab society. Abdul Muttalib was the grandfather of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam and the guardian of Ka’ba Shareef.

Another such occurrence was the dream that his mother had seen before his birth. She observed that a noor (light) emanated from her by which the palaces of Shaam, Yemen and Busraa began to shine.

In addition to this were the many prophecies given by various monks that the last prophet is about to be born.

We can also relate the incident of Hazrat Haleema Sa’diyyah who became the wet nurse of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam. While he resided with her, she witnessed many such blessings which were a direct result of his blessed presence.

As mentioned above, this type of celebration is desirable and it can be further coupled with the mention of his excellence, magnificence and those attributes which were exclusively linked to him and no other prophet shared them.

What is wrong with the present day celebrations?

In our society today, we see that people exceed the limits set by the Shari’ah. Many vices have become rife in events which are ‘supposed’ to commemorate the birthday of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam.

Free mixing, music, dancing, creating a pop culture, overspending, exaggerating, abandoning Salah upon Salah (which is fardh), putting up light bulbs on windows, decorations in homes and in Masaajid, vilifying those who do not join in such celebrations, labelling them as enemies of Rasul salallahu alayhi wasallam and the list goes on. These are but mere examples.

If Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam himself was present, would he allow all these actions?
In our society today, we see that people exceed the limits set by the Shari’ah. Many vices have become rife in events which are ‘supposed’ to commemorate the birthday of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam.

Free mixing, music, dancing, creating a pop culture, overspending, exaggerating, abandoning Salah upon Salah (which is fardh), putting up light bulbs on windows, decorations in homes and in Masaajid, vilifying those who do not join in such celebrations, labelling them as enemies of Rasul salallahu alayhi wasallam and the list goes on. These are but mere examples.

If Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam himself was present, would he allow all these actions?

In some places, the ignorant re-enact the birth by putting a woman behind curtains and telling her to make the noise of a woman who is in child birth. They then stand up and begin to scream the Salam and Durood.

Surely when such innovations creep in, the logic gives way and people fail to realise their mistakes.

I would request every reader to think carefully before doing whatever they do in celebrating Milad An-Nabi Shareef. It’s Mustahabb (desirable) up to a certain degree as has been expounded upon above. Of course it increases our love for him and this helps in following his Sunnah. However, things should be kept in perspective.

May Allah give us the true love of our beloved, our master, our patron, our guide, the leader of both worlds, Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa sallallahu alayhi wasallam.
May Allah give us the ability to follow in his footsteps.
May Allah protect our Deen from anything that He and His Rasul do not like,
And may Allah keep us steadfast upon sirate mustaqeem. Ameen

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