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Rabiul Awwal is that bountiful month of Islam in which the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) graced the universe. On the 12th of Rabiul Awwal an inextinguishable light known as Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was born, triumphing over darkness which had prevailed till then. Allah Subhaanahu Wata’ala in His Infinite Mercy endowed mankind with a gift, immeasurable in worth. Celebrating, remembering and showing gratitude for that auspicious day on which we received this precious gift is known as Jashne Eid-Milad-un-Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Indeed, it is a day of great and splendorous celebration, for in it we thank Allah Ta’ala for His gift, whose appreciation is beyond the power of mortal man. It is with this Meelad-un-Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) that we avail ourselves the opportunity of rejuvenating our souls and strengthening our belief in Allah Subhaanahu Wata’ala and His Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
Allah Ta’ala exclaims in the Holy Qur’an, “And remind them of the days of Allah.” [Surah 14, Verse 5] Indeed all the days and nights, every fraction of a second of existence are among His creations and belong to Him, so of which days does Allah Ta’ala remind His servants? The days are those wherein Allah Ta’ala has sent His Bounties unto His servants. And which is the Bounty of Bounties? Those who believe know that above all the gifts from Allah Ta’ala none is more apparent in greatness than the very person of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Allah Ta’ala further says in the Holy Qur’an, “Say (Oh Muhammad), with the receival of Allah’s Bounty and Mercy the believers should be happy.” Therefore, the Holy Qur’an clearly sanctions the fact that the believers should remember and express joy at the receival of the gifts of Allah Ta’ala. Almighty Allah then says, “Proclaim and publicise the Bounty of thy Lord.” [Surah 93, Verse 11] Imam Bukhari (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) says that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is the greatest Bounty of Almighty Allah. Therefore in accordance with the Aayat and narration above, our Beloved Aaqa (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) should become the object of most publicity.
The intention of celebrating Milad Shareef is to show joy and gratitude to Allah Ta’ala on the auspicious birth of the Noble Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and there is no doubt from the above Aayaat that this is a virtuous and commendable act. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) came into this mundane world on a Monday and as a mark of gratitude to Allah Ta’ala for this day, he would fast every Monday. When asked about his fasting on Mondays he replied, “I was born on a Monday and revelation also began on this day.” Therefore even the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) himself celebrated the day of his birth and showed gratitude to Allah Ta’ala, which is the essence of Milad-un-Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) celebrations.
When the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was born, Abu Lahab’s slave-girl Thuwaibah brought the news of a child (Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) born to his brother Hazrat Abdullah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh). In his frenzy of happiness Abu Lahab freed Thuwaibah from her chains of servitude. All Muslims know that Abu Lahab was a kaafir and that Surah Lahab is Almighty Allah’s Wrath upon him, yet Oh Muslims listen:
It is stated in Bukhari Shareef that when Abu Lahab died he was seen in a dream by Hazrat Abbas (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) in a very bad state. Hazrat Abbas (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) asked him, “What has come to pass?” Abu Lahab replied, “I have known no peace since my separation from all of you but yes, from this forefinger of mine I receive water because with this finger I freed Thuwaibah.”
In another narration Imam Hafiz Ibn Asqalaani (Rahmatullah Alaih) writes that Hazrat Abbas (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) said that, “One year after Abu Lahab died I saw him in a very bad state in a dream saying to me that, “I have known no peace since I departed from you all but yes every Monday my punishment is lessened.” This was because Abu Lahab freed Thuwaibah on a Monday after hearing the good news of the birth of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
Shah Abdul Haq Muhaddis Dehlvi (Rahmatullah Alaih) commenting on this narration writes, “In this incident there is clear proof for the celebration of Milad Shareef and that those who are happy and spend in the celebration of Milad Shareef then indeed they will be in a laudable position, because if a kaafir such as Abu Lahab received a gift for showing happiness at the birth of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) then greater by immeasurable extent will be the reward for Muslims who do likewise.”
Allamah Ibn Hajar Makki (Rahmatullah Alaih) writes in his great book Ne’matul Kubra the sayings of the first four Caliphs of Islam:
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) said, “He who hath spent in the recital of Milad Shareef one dirham, then he shall be my companion in Jannat.”
Hazrat Umar Farooq (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) said, “He who hath kept in veneration the Milad of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), he hath kept Islam alive!”
Hazrat Uthman Ghani (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) said, “He who hath spent one dirham in the recital of Milad Shareef, it is as if he had been a participant in the battles of Badr and Hunain!”
Hazrat Maula Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) said, “He who revered the Milad Shareef and was instrumental in its recital, he shall leave this world upon Imaan and shall enter Jannat without reckoning!”
Allamah Ismail Haqqi (Rahmatullah Alaih) writes in his famous Tafseer Roohul Bayaan under the Qur’anic Verse “Muhammadur Rasoolullah” that the celebration of Milad Shareef is also a mark of respect for the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Furthermore, Imam Jalaaluddin Suyuti (Rahmatullah Alaih) and Allamah Ibn Hajar Makki (Rahmatullah Alaih), who were giants of knowledge in Islam, proved the permissibility of Milad Shareef and at the same time, refuted the corrupt beliefs of those who claimed Milad Shareef to be ‘Bid’at-e-Sayyiah’ (bad innovation).
Hazrat Shah Waliullah Muhaddis Dehlvi (Rahmatullah Alaih) reports that, “In Makkah Shareef on the day of Milad-un-Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) I was present. The people sent salutations on the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and mentioned his birth and the miracles at the time of his birth, and I saw Noor (light) and Blessings in that gathering. I ventured to find out where the Noor was coming from and I came to know that the Noor was that of the angels who are sent to such gatherings and I saw the Light of the angels and the Light of Mercy together.”
He further goes on to explain that once his honourable father said that, “During the day of the birth of the Beloved Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) I always have food cooked for the people but one year besides roasted chana (gram) I did not have anything else to give to my guests and I was saddened.” After this I had a dream wherein I saw the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and around him lay roasted chana and the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was indeed very happy.”
If after all these proofs there are people who still do not want to acknowledge the permissibility of Milad Shareef, then they should ponder over the following statement. Imam Mujaddid Alfe Thaani (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) who was the Mujaddid of the 11th century has stated in his writings on Milad Shareef, “What matters when the Qur’an is recited sweetly and when praises are sung in honour of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)?”
There are many more proofs on the permissibility of Milad Shareef however one more incident is being presented which will reinforce our belief in the permissibility of Milad Shareef. On the night of the birth of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), angels came and stood at the door of Sayyidah Amina’s (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) home and commenced the recital of Salaat and Salaam. Yes, the natural wretch and disgraced Shaitaan ran in sadness. [Madaarijun-Nubuwwah] Therefore those, in whose bosoms kindles the light of belief, who celebrate the birth of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and stand to send Salaam upon him, are following the practice of the angels. And those who stop others from attending such gatherings by calling it haraam and bid’at-e-sayyiah and run far from such gatherings are following the practice of shaitaan. So we should ponder carefully on this and decide whether we want to follow the angels or to follow shaitaan. Unfortunate beyond measure indeed, are those who are bereft of these bounties!
May Allah Ta’ala grant us all the Taufeeq to participate in the beautiful occasion of Jashne Eid-Milad-un-Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), so that we may show our happiness and gratitude to Almighty Allah and attain the Mercy and Bounties of Allah Ta’ala that descend on this auspicious day, Ameen.
