The Prophet’s Birth, a Beacon of Light, Deserves Our Celebration

Muslims worldwide celebrated the holy birthday of the Prophet (PBUH) in great profusion through rallies and conferences, including Mawlid recitation, food distributions, and sermons. We as Keralites witnessed the most fabulous and splendid moments, as well as the non-muslims being part of those everlasting occurrences. However, some narrow-minded ignorants turned down the issue through social media and other means, stating that the birthday should not be celebrated as if it were unIslamic and illegitimate according to Sharia.

We are companions of the Prophet (PBUH), as he was considered an eternal blessing to our community. Hence, both are priceless offers we've been gifted. Thus, we're intending to regale ourselves in celebrating our beloved prophet's birth. Though the Quran narrates, Oh prophet, proclaims to them, “In Allah's grace and mercy, let them rejoice” (10:58). Likewise, Ibn Abbas interprets that the blessing is meant to be our Prophet. (Durarul Mansoor 4:367)

In accordance with the hollow arguments of the so-called narrow-minded, reviving the chronicles and prophet's life, narrating the moralities and verses of the Quran, reciting the Swalath, distributing sweets and foods, and coming up with electrifying speeches about his life are merely unIslamic and against Sharia. Even though scholars have warned us from doing anti-Shariah, it (anti-Islamic practices) shouldn't be applied in the Prophet's birthday celebration alone, but the same applies to all dimensions of our lives, including wedding ceremonies and other gatherings.

Basically, one must comprehend whether this is religious or not. It is indubious that the aforementioned statements are valid. Through this, It would definitely be a remarkable breakthrough if one could apprehend and acquire the life of the Prophet. Particularly, narrating the stories of Caliphs and prophets will enlighten them for sure.

Moreover, even the Prophet had celebrated his birthday by fasting on weekends. As Qathada reports, someone asked about his fasting on Mondays. Prophet replied, That's the day I was born, and I was offered the revelation for the first time. In short, Prophet indeed memorizes his birthday himself by fasting on Mondays every week.

Similarly, we can learn that the Prophet taught us about linking our prayers or adorations out in special moments. The well-known occurrence of Ashura's fasting is solid and sound evidence that supports the above-mentioned argument. Ibn-Abbas states: When the Prophet came to Medina, he saw Jews fasting. While the Prophet inquired about this, they replied, "It's the day Almighty saved us from our enemies.”. Abruptly, the Prophet responded, “Moses is more related to me than you.”. Thus, he started fasting and commanded others to fast that day (Bukhari: 2658). This Hadith clarifies that the prophet's birth can be celebrated, linking it to the prayers, as Ibn-Hajar Asqalani reports, in order to highlight the significance of Mawlid celebration. Numerous hadiths have been reported in connection with this.

The celebration of his holy birth only reminds us of his sacred life and a bunch of chronicles. It can be completely clarified by the verse, “We're narrating these stories as if to ascertain your heart from other prophets.”. Therefore, their hollow claims are invalid and conjured up as if they're trying to say that listening to the chronicles of the past, specifically, the life of the prophet, can't be merely regarded as an exact and accurate intention. Several hadiths demonstrate that one should love the beloved Prophet more than everyone else, and therefore, Mawlid celebration is also part of loving our Prophet and also a chance to foster our love for the beloved.

The Prophet stated, while he was explaining the specialities of Friday, that Adam (A) came into existence on that day (Muslim: 1467). The Hajj is definitely the commemoration of Hazrath Ibrahim, Hazrat Ismail, and Hajra, and also the Quran has clarified that one should worship in the place where Hazrat Ibrahim stood. Concisely, we can understand that religious deeds are related to memorable occurrences in history.

Furthermore, some argue that the modern Mawlid celebrations are unislamic as compared to the celebration at the time of the Prophet. But, in fact, the Prophet has encouraged us to do things that are exemplary and legitimate in the Sharia. As the Prophet narrates, if anybody comes up with a good deed, then he shall be given a share of his followers’ rewards. (Muslim: 2351). Imam Nawawi has described that this kind of good deed cannot be rejected by comparing them with the well-known hadith that states “things that are built new out of the Islamic tradition shall be regarded as an atrocity.”. Umar bin Khattab (RA) narrates that Salat-Tarawih, consisting of 20 Rakath, is a Bid'ah hasanah (a newly-found good action or deed). Some scholars have opined that the Bid’ah can be classified into Mandatory and Sunnah as well.

The renowned Imams of four schools of jurisprudence have mentioned that Mawlid celebration is legitimate in the Sharia. Imam Suyuti, one of the most renowned shafi scholars, has authored a book that elucidates the authenticity of Mawlid celebration titled "Husn-al Maqsad Fi Amal-al Mawlid. Allama Ibn Abidin, one of the much-admired Hanafi scholars, has clarified the issue in detail by interpreting the “Mawlid” of Ibn Hajar.

The renowned Malikite scholars, Ibn Abbas, in his “Al Mawahib al Jalil," Shaikh Sharisi, in his “Al Mi'yar,” and Shaikh Muhammed Al-Lish, in his “Minah al-Jalil," have explained the issue authentically. Ibn Rajab, a Hanbali scholar, has clarified the Mawlid celebration as a good deed in his “Lata'if al-Ma'arif.”.

Even Ibnu Thaymiyya, as an exemplary scholar for all ignorant, narrow-minded people, has ascertained that it's a good deed to celebrate the birth of the Prophet in his book of “Iqtizaa’u Sirath al-Mustaqim.”. The respect shown to the Prophet (PBUH) through these practices is why Ibn Thaymiyya saw it as a good deed. May Allah bless us with the wisdom to spread the prophetic teachings with compassion and love.