Milad-un-Nabi

The Holy Prophet’s Birthday:

“We have sent you forth as a Universal Messenger to all mankind, giving them good news, and warning them against sin” - Al Quran (34:28)

By Panchamee Hewavissenti

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Muslims all over the world will be celebrating the birthday of prophet Muhammad on 20, March this year. According to the Islamic calender the month in which falls the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday is considered the month of Rabiul Awwal.

Since the Islamic calender is 354 days long, the Hijri date (the day that Prophet Muhammad fled from Mecca to Madina) is pushed back up to eleven days each year. Thus last year the prophet’s birthday fell on 01, April.

Muslims will gather in mosques to pray for their most beloved and revered religious leader, Allah’s chosen messenger Muhammad. Unlike other birthday celebrations, the commemoration of prophet Muhammad’s birthday takes a more religious form.

Muslims will not feast, will not hold any ostentatious functions, and nor be merry in the name of their religious leader to mark his birth day. Muslims, in short will not give any priority to merrymaking which is against the teachings of Islam.

They will perform their regular compulsory prayers to Allah on that day. Apart from those obligatory prayers they will also engage in (sunnah) optional prayers and other religious activities such as invoking blessings to the prophet Muhammad.

This day has a great portent for Muslims since it’s the birthday of their religious leader who served the community as a head of state, teacher and advisor and a commander of the army since he is considered as the prophet of mercy.

Muhammad’s life from childhood to prophethood

Muhammad bin Abdullah was born in the city of Mecca in 570 CE. His father Abdullah was the leader of the tribe of Qureysh which is believed to be descended from prophet Abraham the father of prophet Ismail to whom the prophet Muhammad’s ancestry is traced.

Muhammad grew up as an orphan since his father died before his birth and his mother Aminah passed away when Muhammad was yet six years old. Muhammad was taken under the custody of his grandfather Abdul Muthalib. After Abdul Muthalib’s demise the boy was then taken under the custody of his poor uncle Abu Thalib.

Muhammad had no formal education, although he was highly acknowledged as a youth with sincerity, fidelity and honesty. He married Kadija a rich widow of forty and extended great assistance to her in developing her business.

The first sign of prophethood came un to Muhammad in the form of a dream. Which subsequently came true shortly after the dream had occurred. Angel Gabriel appeared before him commanding “Iqra” (Recite). Muhammad was quivering with fear and sought Kadija, his wife’s protection. “Iqra” angle Gabriel voiced again. Muhammad was hardly able to give a reply. “I am a person who can’t read or write”. Petrified Muhammad was finally able to recite what angel Gabriel recited to him. Like wise the Prophet Muhammad was to receive Allah’s revelations over a period of twenty three years with vivid descriptions of Paradise and Hellfire, with encouragement and warning to all those it was to reach.

Muhammad as a role model

Nabi Muhammad is a perfect example for the community and its people to be followed. He served the community throughout his life as an illustrious human being who was chosen by Allah. His holistic personality was well balanced and his way of life was all- encompassing.

Prophet Muhammad was a great devotee to the religion he kept his belief on. He was never negligent of his religious duties out of fear of Allah, The Creator. He was constantly aware of the Lord and remembering Him every time out of fear of His displeasure. He also encouraged people to perform religious activities. He carried his mission as a religious leader setting a good example as an ideal slave of Allah.

He was indifferent to worldly things and led a life of contentment. He was satisfied with whatever he received and accepted any hardship as a test from Allah and encountered them with courage and happiness. He underwent rigorous adversities which an ordinary human being could never encounter over which he ultimately gained victorious results.

Despite his supernatural spiritual calibre he never neglected his responsibilities as a husband, father, relative and a friend, instead he set a praiseworthy example.

He was an exemplary community leader.

He set up political ties with various factions among the locals and formed a constitution. He built up a civilised and well disciplined nation out of chaotic tribalism and welcomed peace in to the state. He was a good example of a head of state and advisor.

Muhammad fought many battles not to capture power over any state out of craving for power. He fought battles of mercy. He fought to make people understand the true path of Allah.

He tried to convey his message through mercy and peace but when certain parties were refused morality and mercy, Muhammad had no option but to fight in order to safeguard his followers’ freedom and natural rights.

He was a commander who gathered statistics about military capabilities and sent scouts to gather information and drew up battle planes. He directed correct commands to his soldiers in the war field. He was an excellent role model as a military leader too.

Muhammad cannot be revered merely as a religio humous but also was a man who carried a noble mission and the message of The Supreme. During the period of his prophethood of 23 years, he changed the entire Arabian peninsula from paganism to worship of and believing in one supreme God (Ahad). He didn’t walk on comfortable paths of roses and praises but carried his mission dauntlessly through thorny paths of scorn and hardships.

He encountered many a war during his period of propagating the message of Allah which are fought in the name of the Supreme God and for the betterment of human kind to making them aware of the real God and guiding them towards the correct and the only path which leads to (Jannah) the heavens.