Muhammad Ashar (Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamat )
Introduction
Milad un Nabi is the celebration & commemoration of the sacred birth of our Holy Prophet (Sallalahu alahe wasalam), and is also known as Mawlud un Nabi or Mawlid.
It was on the 12th Rabiul Awwal 571, that the mother of Sayyidina Rasulallah (Sallalahu alahe wasalam) gave birth to him in the holy city of Makkah.
When we celebrate Milad, we gather, in order to send salutations (Esal-e-Swaab) to the Prophet [May Allah bless him and grant Him peace], give charity to the poor (Sadaqah Khairat) and remember wilaadah(Birth) and virtues of the Prophet [May Allah bless him and grant Him peace]. The Ahl as-Sunnah does not say that one must celebrate “Milad” only on 12 Rabee’-ul-Awwal, in fact it can be celebrated at anytime of the year. Generally Milad-un-Nabi is celebrated, on the 12th of Rabee’ul-Awwal, by Muslims all over the world. In every Muslim country, there is a public holiday for “Milaad-un-Nabee”, except one country, but even in that country, the people celebrate “Milaad” individually. The birth of the Anbiyaa’ has been mentioned in the Qur’an. For example, Adam, Musaa, Eesaa, and Yahyaa (May Allah bless them and grant them peace). If it is wrong to talk about the birth of the Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), then why has Allah TA’ALA mentioned it in the Qur’an?
Evidence of Milaad-un-Nabi from the Qur’an
The Qur’anic verses proves that to celebrate Milad is not only a proper deed but it is also a praiseworthy.
(1) Allah Ta’ala says in the Holy Qur’an:
Say: “In the bounty of Allah, and his mercy;- Therein let them rejoice.” That is better then what they Amass.
(Yunus, 58)
2) Allah Almighty says in Quran:
"The peace is on Him the day when he was born and the day when he will die and the day when he will be raised alive." (Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Al-Maryam, Verse 15)
In the above verse Allah Almighty has mentioned the complete Milad of Hazrat Yahya (Alaihis Salam). And before this Allah Almighty has mentioned the events which took place before the birth. It is the same way of celebrating birth day as Ahle Sunnat adopts for the Milad of the last Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) of Allah Almighty. In other words the Prophet of Allah Almighty Hazrat Isa (Alaihis Salam) celebrates his own Milad.
3) As Allah Almighty says:
"And the same peace on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I would be raised alive."
(Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Al Maryam, Verse 33)
Before this verse Allah Almighty has stated the whole story of Maryam (Allah may pleased with him) that who she got pregnant and gave birth her great son, the Prophet of Allah Isa (Alaihi Salam). Allah Almighty also mentioned the words of Isa (Alaihis Salam) by which Isa (Alaihis Salam) praised himself. This style of narrating story is nothing but celebration of Milad of Isa Alaihis Salam. Ahle Sunnat also narrate the story of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) in the same style. We too narrate the events which took place before the birth and after it as Allah Almighty narrated about Yahya and Isa (Alaihimus Salam). Therefore, a person who has eyes of justice will obviously accept that to celebrate Milad is an important deed which Allah Almighty has done. So it proves that the basis of Milad is found in the Holy Quran.
4) Allah Almighty says:
"And remind them of the days of the Allah."
(Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Ibrahim, Verse5)
Hafidhh Ibn Kathir and Qadi Shawkani write that:
“the day of Allah” refers to the day on which AllahAlmighty has done a favour on mankind. For example, the freedom of Bani Isra’il from the slavery of Fir’awn.
[Tafsir Ibn Kathir, and Fath-ul-qadeer, by Hafidhh Ibn Kather and Qaadee Shawkaanee]
Allah’s graetest favour on mankind was the birth of the Prophet [May Allah bless him and grant Him peace]. This means that the Milaad of the Prophet [May Allah bless him and grant Him peace] is a “day of Allah”, therefore we should remember it.
Hafidh Ibn Rajab writes that:
It is recommended to fast on those days on which Allah Almighty has sent blessings on us. The greatest favour which AllahAlmighty has bestowed us with, is the sending down of the Prophet [May Allah bless him and grant Him peace]. Allah Almighty says in the Qur'an:
“I have favoured among nations and sent to you a Prophet from among you”(ltaa’if-ul-ma’rif, page 111, by Hafidh Ibn Rajab)
In this verse Allah Almighty orders his prophet Musa Alaihis Salam to remind his nation the days of Allah Almighty. "The days of Allah" are those days in which great events took place or Allah Almighty bestowed his great rewards to his creature. As the Holy Quran testifies this explanation of the days of Allah Almighty. In the Holy Quran Musa Alaihis Salam says:
"And when Musa said it his people remember Allah's favor upon you, when he delivered you from Firawn's people who used to afflict you worstly, and slaughter your sons and let your daughters live and in it there was shown great mercy of your lord." (Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Ibrahim, Verse 6)
According to the Qur’anic verse emancipation of the nation of Musa Alaihis Salam from Firawn is a day of Allah, so the birth day of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) is, with any doubt, also a day of Allah, because the Prophet Muhammad (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) emancipated whole world from the darkness of ignorance and brought them to the light of guidance. Therefore, the birthday (Milad) of the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) deserves to be celebrated then the celebration of any other event. In case we would not be grateful to Allah Almighty for his favor, which is Muhammad (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him). He will punish us severely. As Allah Almighty says:
"And remember when your lord proclaimed, if you will be great full then I shall give you more and if you’re thankless then my treatment is severe."
(Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Ibrahim, and Verse 7)
5) Allah Almighty says:
"Then remember the bounties of Allah and wander not in the earth spreading mischief."
(Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Araf, Verse 74)
In the above verse Allah Almighty orders us to remember his bounties and rewards. The last Prophet of Allah Almighty Muhammad (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) is, undoubtedly, great blessing of Allah Almighty for whole mankind. Allah Almighty himself considers the Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) his great favor for mankind as He says:
"Undoubtedly, Allah did a great favor to the Muslims that in them from among themselves sent a messenger who recites unto them His signs and purifies them and teaches them the book and wisdom and necessarily before that they were certainly apparent error.
(Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Ale Imran, Verse 164)
Therefore, according to the Qur’anic commandments we must remember the beloved Prophet of Allah Muhammad (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) and Milad-un-Nabi is a best way of remembrance of the greatest Prophet (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him).
In another words Allah Almighty says:
"And publicize well the favor of your lord"
(Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Al Duha, Verse 11)
The companion of the Holy Prophet (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) Hazrat Abdullah Ibne Abbas (Allah is well pleased with Him) explained the word favors. He says here, In this verse favor signifies the prophet hood and Islam.
(Tafseer Ibne Abbas, Sure Al Duha, Page 651).
So in the light of the given explanation by the cousin of the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him), we can say that Allah Almighty orders us to remember Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) in our gatherings between the people, in our mosque between the worshiper and in our houses between our families and Milad un Nabi (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him), as I have written is a best way for thisQur’anic purpose.
6) Allah Almighty orders us:
"Say you oly Allah's grace and his mercy, on it therefore let them rejoice. That is better then all their wealth."
In this verse Allah Almighty orders us to enjoy on his grace and mercy. If we see around us we find that each favor of Allah Almighty is great mercy for us. Even our existence is also a mercy of Allah Almighty. But the greatest of Allah is the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him). As Allah Almighty says:
"And we sent not you but mercy for all worlds."
(Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Al Ambiyaa, Verse 107)
So according the Qur’anic teachings it is necessary for us that ewe must be happy and pleased on the birthday of the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him). The one who pleases with the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) is really a true follower of the Quran. And it is obvious that, in whole world Muslims celebrates Milad un Nabi (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him). Specially for enjoying the mercy of Allah Almighty that is the beloved prophet of Allah Almighty (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him)Therefore the Holy Quran itself confirms the Milad un Nabi (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him)
5) The gathering of Milad un Nabi (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) incite Muslims on saying Durood and Salam ( to pray for prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) of blessing and peace) Allah Almighty says:
"Oh you who I believe send upon Him blessing and salute Him fully well in abundance. (Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Al Ahzab, Verse 56)
According to the law of Shariah, a thing which is desired by Shariah, is exactly a like an aim of Shariah. And the benefits of Durood -o- salam are so much in numbers that can not be counted. Durood -o- salam causes for the help of Allah Almighty in this world and here after. So Milad un Nabi (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) is a source of fulfilling the commandments of Allah Almighty
7) Allah Almighty says:
"And all that we narrate to you of the tidings of the messengers is for the purpose of strengthening your heart therewith." (Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Hood, Verse 121)
This Qur’anic verse reveals that the wisdom of mentioning the stories and events of Prophets (Alaihis salam) was to stand fast the heart of the last prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him). And it is obvious that we are, also today, in need of being stand fast. We must know that how; the prophet of Allah (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) faced the problems of his time so that we may face the problems of our times according to the Sunnah. Therefore Milad un Nabi (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) provides us an opportunity to know about the affair of the Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him).
Posted in: Objections
