Meelad-un-Nabi:

Celebrating the birth of Prophet Muhammed

by Riaz Ismail

"Meelaad" means "Birthday". In Arabic the word Meelad-un-Nabi denotes the birthday of Prophet Muhammed.

Prophet Muhammed was born on the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal. In the Muslim calendar this day is regarded as a day of joy and blessing. Muslims throughout the world celebrate the birthday of the Prophet as an Eid (festival).

On this day a host of activities ranging from processions and religious programs to lectures and many more events take place to honour the birth and memory of the Prophet Dignified marches are arranged for everyone to participate echoing the spirit of joy, gratitude and to give thanks to Allah. The march is characterised by singing Naats (praise) and Quaseedah in praise of the Prophet. Salawaat and salams are rendered on the beloved Prophet.

Food and charity is given to the poor and needy and gifts are exchanged as signs of love and happiness. The birthday of the Prophet is a calling that unites the Muslim Ummah in the midst of activities and festivities.

Not only are Meelad celebrations governed by an atmosphere of festivity and singing they are an opportune moment to enlighten and educate the Ummah about the life and personality of the Prophet.

Knowledge about his Sunnah his message, his mission and his actions are unfolded to those who engage in the celebration. This is not a new celebration, it is a tradition which dates back to the advent of Islam. The practice of meelad celebrations has been upheld and continued for generations by Muslims. The Quraan and Sunnah mention the significance and celebration of Meelad.

Both provide guidelines as to how Meelad should be observed.Those of us who have the capacity to ponder will understand that the Prophet was sent down as a gift from Allah unto mankind.

Thus Allah reminds us of His other blessings.

Should we not then pay gratitude to our Lord for His graciousness? It is an unquestionable duty on our part to thank Allah. How do we respond to Allah's blessings? Do we pull long faces to show distress? Or do we rejoice (in delight) and commemorate and celebrate? Let us seek guidance on this in the Quran. Almighty Allah commands us "Say you o'Prophet in the grace of Allah and in his mercy let them therefore rejoice."

"That is better than what they amass". The Quran guides us to express joy and happiness when we receive Allah's grace and mercy.

It is stated as clear as daylight in the Quran that the beloved Rasul is Allah's grace and mercy unto us as He says "And believers that for them is great grace of Allah" the Prophet and his mercy also as He declares "And we sent not you, but as a mercy unto all worlds".

Should we not then celebrate Meelad-un-Nabi? in the spirit of joy to express our gratitude and thanks to Allah.

On closer examination, the Quran provides more information about the birthdays of prophets.

Logically, if Hazarat Isa received only a tray of food with seven bread and seven fish and he celebrates that day as an Eid, then is it not incumbent upon us to celebrate the day on which Allah Ta'ala bestowed us with His Noor (Light) (Q 12) Fadhal (Grace) and Rahma (Mercy), when Prophet Muhammed was born?

Every Monday, Prophet fasted. Upon questioning by his companions on the wisdom of this fast, the Prophet explained that he was born on a Monday and he received the first revelation on a Monday. Thus Rasulullah himself celebrated his Meelad Mubarak. The Prophet did so not once a year, but every week by fasting on Monday. Celebrating Meelad is therefore the Surmah of our Prophet

On the occasion of returning from the battle of Tabook, Hazarat Abbas, uncle of Prophet asked his permission to render a Qaseedah which he had composed in honour of Rasul.

He was granted permission. This Qaseedah was about Meelad in which Hazarat Abbas (RA) described the miracle that appeared on the birth of the Prophet. They liked this Qaseedah so much that he blessed Hazrat Abbas (RA) with special dua.

This Meelad was commemorated in Masjid- un-Nabawi in the presence of Prophet Hazarat Hassan Bin Thabit who is known as the poet of Prophet "had the honour to stand on the shawl spread by Prophet and sing a Na'at (Praise) of the Prophet. He composed a beautiful poem.

He says "O Prophet of Allah my eyes have never beheld someone as handsome as you and certainly a woman has never given birth to someone as attractive as you.

You have been created without any defect as if this is the manner in which you wanted to be created."

This Meelad remembrance was made in the presence of the Prophet who blessed him with the Dua "May Jibreel be with you". Abu Lahab uncle of Prophet who was his bitter enemy when he received the good news from his female slave Thuwiba that a child was born to his late brother Hazar Abdullah out of happiness, he set Thuwiba free.

Let us ponder over this story.

Abu Lahab was an enemy of Rasulullah, but Abu Lahab was happy just because he got a nephew, but we rejoice that Allah bestowed us with the last messenger.

Thus if a polytheist can benefit from the meelad of Prophet, can't we as Muslims seek the pleasure of Allah and His Prophet by commemorating meelad-un-Nabi at least annually.

Many opponents of meelad celebrations use the argument of Tauheed. To firmly believe in Tauheed (Oneness of Allah) It's of utmost importance in the life of a Muslim.

A meelad celebration is an action that infact affirms Tauheed. By celebrating the birthday of the Prophet. We indeed clarify and confirm that he was born.

The one who is born can never become Allah for the quality of Allah is that "He begot none nor was He begotton."

Thus Prophet is the perfect and exalted of creations but obviously he is not Allah.

A meelad celebration is actually a rejection and refutation of polytheism.

Any action or ritual during the meelad celebration which is contrary to Shariah, or if it affects the practicality of any provisions of the Shariah by any means that action or ritual is rejected. Prophet came to practise and promote Islam.

We can please Allah and His Prophet only if we follow Islam correctly.

Meelad commemoration infact is the source to enlighten our hearts with the love for the Prophet which is the heart and soul of faith and of any good action. Thus the one who only celebrates meelad but does not practice the Sunnah, which is the primary object of meelad is mistaken.

And the one who is proud of his salaah, fasting, Haj and charity but condemns meelad must be careful of the consequences of his condemnation in the hereafter.

May Allah accept our meelad program and guide us to follow the life pattern of our Prophet.