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
[email protected]
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. |