Celebrating 'eid Meeladun Nabi

[ummtaalib]

 

 

Question

 

I would like to know the ruling on celebrating our Nabies birthday. since a Muslim friend of mine told me that we are not suppose to celebrate the Nabies birthday, we are suppose to only remember it since we are not suppose to celebrate birthdays.

 

Answer

 

Many people repeatedly ask what is the Sharée status of "Éid-e-Meelad-un-Nabee'. Moreover, What is the ruling of the Shariáh with regard to standing up in reverence and reciting Salaat and salaam during the customary Meelad proceedings?

 

Answer: The establishment of ceremonial gatherings under the banner of "Éid-un-Nabee" is prohibited according to the Shariáh. Attaching importance and significance to such functions is purely Bidáh and an innovation in Deen, because neither did Rasulullah himself indulge in it, nor did the illustrious Khulafaa-e-Raashideen (Radhiyallaahu-Ánhum) organise such functions. Similarly, neither did any of the other Sahaaba-e-Kiraam (Radhiyallaahu-Ánhum) participate in such gatherings, nor is there any incident on record during the blessed era of the taabi'een or tab'e taabi'een (Rahmatullaahi Álayhim) that can, in any way, substantiate this innovation. No proof whatsoever can be found, in spite of the fact that these were people who were best acquainted with the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam) and had total love for him. They were staunch followers of the Shariáh.

 

Rasulullah (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam) has in no unclear terms, said: - "whoever introduces anything that is not part of Deen, into this Deen of ours, it shall be rejected." (Bukhari/Muslim)

 

In another Hadith he says: - "Hold steadfast onto my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly-guided Khulafaa, after me. Hold steadfast onto it firmly, and beware of newly-introduced practices, for every new practice is an innovation and every innovation leads one astray." (Abu Dawood/Tirmizi)

 

Severe warnings have been sounded in the above-mentioned Ahaadith with regard to introducing and implementing innovations in Deen. The holy Qur'an enjoins: - "And whatsoever the messenger giveth you, take it. And whatsoever he forbiddeth, abstain (from it). And keep your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is stern in reprisal." (59:7)

"Verily in the messenger of Allah, ye have a good example for him who looketh unto Allah and the last day, and remembereth Allah much." (33:21)

 

"This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed my favour unto you, and have chosen for you a religion, al-Islam." (5:3)

 

There are numerous other Aayaat and Ahaadith that can be quoted. But from no Aayat or Ahaadith can the current form of "Eid-e-Meelad-un-Nabee (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam)', be proved. In spite of this, the people that revel in establishing and participating in such functions, and regard the same as a form of reward, insist on forging ahead with their carnal ideals. This attitude of theirs causes some serious questions to be posed: -

 

Did Allah Ta'ala not perfect Deen-e-Islam for this Ummah?

 

Did Rasulullah (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam) not disclose to us all the facets and aspects of Islam that required being put into practice?

 

The bitter truth for the exponents of Bid'a is that it was only many centuries after the righteous and golden era of Islam that people began to fabricate innovations under the h00d of "Éid-e-Meelad-un-Nabee (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam)" and "Mahfeel-e-Meelad", which were, practices not ordained by Allah Taãla to any of His Ambiyaa Álayhimus salaam.

Will such innovations grant proximity to Allah Taãla? Never! On the contrary, these innovations should be a cause of great concern and alarm for the Ummat-e-Muslimah! Na-oothu-billahi-min-thalika! We seek Allah Taãla's refuge from innovations that tantamount to levelling mind-boggling accusations against the pure and venerable personality of Rasulullah (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam) by innovating such practices, one is indirectly suggesting that Rasulullah (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam) concealed from the Ummah, aspects of Deen that were of immense benefit t0 it. How can this be possible when Allah Ta'ala himself categorically declares that he perfected this religion for us and completed his favour upon us, which means that Rasulullah (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam) conveyed every single aspect of Deen to the Ummah and that he left no stone unturned in showing us every road leads t0 Jannah and every road that takes one to Jahannam so that we may adopt the former and avoid the latter.

 

Hence, it is mentioned in one Hadith: - "It was the incumbent duty of every Nabee Álayhis-salaam to guide his Ummah towards that which was beneficial for it and warn it against that which was detrimental for it." (Muslim)

 

It is a known fact that Rasulullah is the most superior of all the Ambiyaa Álaihimus-salaam and also that he is the seal of all the prophets Álayhimus-salaam. He left no stone unturned in conveying Deen to us and rendering precious advice to us. If the "Éid-e-Meelad-un-Nabee (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam)" was a divinely inspired act, then surely Rasulullah would have commanded the Muslimeen to it, or at least, either he or his beloved Sahaaba (Radhiyallahu-Ánhum) would have practised it. When it cannot be substantiated by any of their actions, then it is a crystal clear fact "Éid-e-Meelad-un-Nabee (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam)" or "Mahfeel-e-Meelad" (call it what you may), has absolutely no relationship with Islam instead, it is Bidáh (innovation) against which we have been soundly warned by Rasulullah (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam) as was noted from the tw0 Ahaadith mentioned at the beginning of this discussion and, apart from them, many more can be quoted to prove the fallacy of innovation in Islam. That is why, in the light of these unambiguous proofs, the Úlama-e-Haqq have always refuted and rejected the customary form of "Éid-e-Meelad-un-Nabee.(Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam)" and Mahfeel-e-Meelad and have also always discouraged people from participating in such gatherings.

 

If a careful and proper dissection of this "Éid-e-Meelad-un-Nabee (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam)" is made, it will be found that, apart from it being a manifestation of Bid'at, it also encompasses 0ther evils such as the intermingling of sexes, usage of musical instruments and many other such evils which wildly flaunted under the banner of "Éid-e-Meelad-un-Nabee (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam)" and under the deception that reward is being accrued. The most abhorring and shocking evils in these functions are the acts of shirk that take place. With hollow claims of "Hubbe-Rasul (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam)" (love for Rasulullah (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam)), entreaties and supplications are made to beings other than Allah, namely to Ambiyaa Álaihimus-salaam and Auliaa-e-Kiraam Rahmatullaahi-Álaaihum. The exponents of "Éid-e-Meelad-un-Nabee (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam)" also blindly acknowledge and believe that Rasulullah (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam) comes to this function and due to this belief, they stand up in respect and veneration to welcome him. This belief is a blatant fabrication and a sign of compound ignorance. The true and down t0 earth fact is that Rasulullah (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam) does not arrive at any "Éid-e-Meelad-un Nabee (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam)" function and that he is in his Rawdha-e-Mubarak (grave) at Madinah Munawwarah and will emerge from it at the onset of Yawmul-Qiyaamah.

 

The following Aayaat and Hadith testify to this fact: -

The Qur'an, addressing Rasulullah (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam), announces explicitly: - "Lo! Thou wilt die, and Lo! They will die. Then Lo! On the day of resurrecti0n, before your sustainer, you will dispute." (39:30,31)

 

At another juncture, Rasulullah (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam) is addressed together with the rest of mankind: - "Then Lo! After that ye surely die, then Lo! On the day of resurrection ye are raised (again)" (23:16)

 

Rasulullah (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam) himself has said in a Hadith: - "My grave will be the first to be opened on the day of Qiyaamah and I shall be the first person to intercede and the first person whose intercession shall be accepted."

The above mentioned Aayaat and Hadith as well as other similar Aayaat and Ahaadith prove that all of mankind will be raised from their graves on the day of Qiyaamah, with Rasulullah (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam) being no excepti0n. This is a belief that revolves around the consensus of opinion of the entire Ummat-e-Muslimah, hence the need for all Muslims to believe that Rasulullah (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam) is in his Rawdha-e-Mubarak and does not frequent any "Éid-e-Meelad-un-Nabee (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam)" programme. All Muslims must be made aware of this so that unsuspecting ones do not fall prey to the Bid'at and innovations introduced into Deen by ignoramuses of this Ummah.

 

We make Duáa to Allah Ta'ala that he keeps us on the correct Deen-ul-Islam and that he gives guidance to those that goes astray. May Allah Ta'ala's Durood and salaam descend upon Rasulullah (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam).

The Importance of Durood and Salaam

 

Instead of squandering our money and time on futile acts 0f Bidáh let us rather utilise our precious time, as much as possible on the recitation of Durood and salaam upon our beloved Rasulullah, which is indeed, a highly meritorious and virtuous act. The Qur'an enjoins: - "Lo! Allah and his Malaaikah shower blessings on the Nabee 0 ye who believe ask for the descent of blessings on him and salute him with a worthy salutation." (34:56)

 

Rasulullah (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam) has said: - "Whosoever sends one Durood upon me, Allah Ta'ala will shower ten mercies upon him." (Muslim)

 

Particularly on the day of Jumuáh one should increase the recitation of Durood and salaam. May Allah Taãla give us the guidance to recite Durood abundantly and grant us 'Hubbe-Rasul (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam)" in the true sense of the word.

 

Warning to Úlama

Hadhrat Muádh bin Jabal (Radhiyallaahu Ánhu) narrates the following Hadith, 'Rasulullah (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, 'whenever a Bidáh originates in my Ummah and the Úlama do not prevent it, the laánat of Allah, of his angels and of mankind descend upon them (the Úlama who refrain from prohibiting the innovation).' (Mishkãt).

 

Published by: Jamiatul Ulama (Transvaal) - Azaadville branch

http://askimam.org/public/question_detail/13182.html

[ummtaalib]

Fatwa of Shaykh Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him);

 

“As I explained in my article on celebration of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (Mawlid), holding a meeting to discuss different aspects of the life of the Holy Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) is a very meritorious act for which the Muslims should strive to the best of their ability. But confining this discussion to the events of the birth of the Holy Prophet and restricting it to a particular date and holding attendance at such meetings as necessary or obligatory for every Muslim renders this practice as bid’ah or innovation. Mostly the meetings of Mawlid today are of this type. Therefore, contemporary Ulema of Deoband have declared it a bid’ah.

 

If the life of the Holy Prophet is made subject of a meeting, and the meeting is free of the above mentioned defects, nobody can call it a bid’ah. It is in this context that some scholars of the past have allowed the practice.” (Taken from the Al-Balagh website)

[ummtaalib]

The Religion is Complete

The Holy Qur'an has clearly pronounced on the occasion of the last Hajj of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam: "Today, I have completed the teachings of your religion." [Al-Maida 5:3]

 

It means that all the teachings of Islam were communicated to the Muslims through the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. No one is allowed after it to add any thing to them as a part of religion. What was not a part of religion during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, can never become part of it. Such additions are termed by the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, as Bid'ah or innovation.

 

Thus, the observance of the 12th of Rabi'ul-Awwal as a religious feast is not warranted by any verse of the Holy Qur'an or by any teaching of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. Had it been a part of the religion it would have been clearly ordered or practiced by the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and his blessed companions or, at least, by their immediate pupils. But no example of the celebration of the occasion can be traced out in the early centuries of the Islamic history. It was after many centuries [Albalagh Note: According to Maulana Yusuf Ludhinavi it was in the year 604 A.H.] that some monarchs started observing the 12th of Rabi'ul-Awwal as the birthday of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, without a sound religious basis, and the congregations in the name of Maulood or Milad were held where the history of the birth of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, used to be narrated.

by Shaykh Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmani

[ummtaalib]

Loving the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam

 

Loving the Prophet, our Master, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam is amongst the most integral factors of our Imaan (faith).Indeed Rasulullah Sallallahu
Alayhi Wa Sallam has clearly stated, “None of you has Imaan until I am more beloved to him than his parents, his children and Mankind in its entirety.”
Bukhari

We find, Alhamdulillah, this love brimming in the hearts of Believers, more so in the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal. This love makes a demand of us and expects us to produce evidence of its veracity.

This is established by the statement of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, “Whoever lives his life according to my Sunnah, then indeed he loves me. And whoever loves me will be with me in Jannah.”
Tirmizi

Let this Hadith be our focal point this Rabi-ul-Awwal. Let us be of those whose lives revolves around the Sunnah and thus earn the companionship of our beloved Master Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam in Jannah, Ameen.

Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)

Council of Muslim Theologians

[ummtaalib]

During the monthly Tazkiyah Majlis last nigh Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat touched on the subject of Bid'at practices (Innovations)

as being a ploy used by Shaytaan to lead people astray (May Allah ta'ala protect us).

 

When a person is involved in open or hidden sins  he is aware that he is doing something which is wrong and sinful and he feels Haya (shame) which one day leads to repentance which ruins the work of Shaytaan. A person involved in Bid'at  practices thinks he is doing something good and is rewarded for it. Therefore he is highly unlikely to repent (except through the sheer grace and mercy of Allah ta'ala).