Celebration of Eid Milad un Nabi – An Act Permissible in Its Essence
By
Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam
21 October
2021
Celebrating
the Prophet's Birthday Is Permissible In Islam; Hence No Fatwas Declaring
Impermissibility Should Be Issued
Main
Points:
1. Answering
the objection that you commemorate the birth of the Holy Prophet on this day
but why don't you mourn his death on this day?
2. The
followers of Ibn Abdul Wahab and Deobandi scholars hold that celebrating Eid
Milad-un-Nabi on the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal is bid'at.
3. Previously,
the ulema of Deoband and Jamaat-e-Islami refused to participate in Eid
Milad-un-Nabi processions. They have now begun to take part in the Mildaun Nabi
parade.
4. According to
the Qur'an, Sunnah and legal theorists and jurists, the original rule for all acts
and things which are not mentioned by the text is permissibility.
5. Therefore,
holding meetings to narrate the virtues and biography of the Holy Prophet
(PBUH) and other celebrities of Islam and expressing happiness on their
birthdays are permissible.
-----
The day before Yesterday Eid Milad-un-Nabi was
celebrated with happiness all across the world. On the other hand, some
Wahhabi-minded social media users were seen objecting to the celebration of
Milad-un-Nabi and quoting fatwas against the Milad. They believe that
commemorating Miladun Nabi is one of the worst innovations [bidat-e-sayyeah].
It's quite surprising when someone says anything like that and this shows that
they don’t follow the divine command which urges the believers to ponder and
think.
The
objection is frequently raised that the Holy Prophet's birthday is on the 12th
of Rabi-ul-Awwal, and according to some traditions, it is also the day of his
death. You commemorate the birth of the Holy Prophet on this day. Why don't you
mourn his death on this day? The answer is that Islam commands us to rejoice
over and thank for a blessing and forbids us from mourning the loss of a
blessing. Then why should we sorrow and mourn? The second response is that the
Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) is still alive. He was once a resident of
Dar-ul-Taklif but currently resides in Dar-ul-Jaza and Paradise. The Ummah’s actions are presented to him.
When his Ummah commits good things, he thanks and praises Allah Almighty, and
when they do wrong, he requests pardon for his Ummah. He answers to visitors’
greetings and asks prayers for those seeking intercession, and he is engrossed
in the observation of God Almighty's characteristics, and his ranks and degrees
continue to rise every minute. What is the use of mourning when the beloved
Prophet himself has stated that both his life and death are beneficial to his
Ummah? (Al-Wafaa Bi Ahwaale Mustafa, p. 5)
Mufti
Muhammad Shafi Deobandi [d.1396 Hijri] writes:
“Christians celebrate Eid Milad on the birthday
of Jesus (peace be upon him). As a result, some Muslims commemorate the birth
of the Holy Prophet with Eid Milad-un-Nabi (peace be upon him). On that day,
they organize processions in the bazaars, practice various superstitions, and
light the lamp at night as a form of worship. This has no basis in the conduct
of Ummah’s companions, Sahaba and Salafs.” (Ma'arif-ul-Quran, Vol 3, p.35,
Idaratul Ma’arif, 1397)
In response
to a query during an interview, Syed Abul-A'la Maududi (d. 1399 AH) replied,
"First and foremost, you should have questioned if there is a concept of
Eid Milad-un-Nabi in Islam or not." This event, which is said to be
commemorating the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), is not truly Islamic.
In Islam, there is no proof of this. This day was not even commemorated by the
Companions. Alas! This is celebrated on the pattern of Diwali and Dussehra.
Millions of rupees are wasted on this day. (Weekly Qandil, Lahore, July 7,
2013)
As
evidenced by the above-mentioned quotation, followers of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abdul
Wahab and Deobandi scholars create the idea that commemorating Eid
Milad-un-Nabi on the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal is not the method of Ahl-e-Sunnat
but their invention [bid'at]. However, this is not an accurate viewpoint.
Muslims, on the other hand, have traditionally celebrated the Prophet's (peace
be upon him) birth in the month of Rabi al-Awwal.
Allama
Ahmad Qastalani (d. 911 AH) writes:
In the month of the Prophet's (peace be upon
him) birth, Muslims have traditionally hosted meetings and invitations, and on
the nights of this month, they offer various sorts of alms, express happiness,
and do additional good actions. They tell the story of the Prophet's birth
(peace be upon him). On that day, they receive blessings. It has been observed
that by celebrating Milad-e-Sharif, a person receives what he desires. May
Allah Almighty bestow His blessings on whoever made the Mubarak Eid on the
evenings of the month of the Prophet’s birthday. (Al-Mawaahib al-Ladunniyyah,
vol.1, p.78, Beirut 1416 AH)
Allama
Jalaluddin Suyuti has written that in the thirteenth century this sort of
celebration [on the day of Miladun Nabi) was not organized, but this is a
beautiful innovation. Allama Ibn al-Hajj al-Maliki has rejected the denials
that some worldly people have added to this process, stating that more good
deeds should be done in this month and that charity, alms, and other acts of
worship should be increased. And this is a praiseworthy deed as a celebration.
Allama Ibn Katheer has written in his history that the king of Erbil, Malik
Muzaffar Abu Saeed (d. 630 AH) was the first to hold a Milad-un-Nabi ceremony.
He was a very brave scholar, wise, virtuous, and pious king. He used to spend
three hundred dinars to arrange a great feast. (Al-Mawaahib al-Ladunniyyah,
vol.1, p.139, Beirut 1416 AH)
Previously,
the ulema of Deoband and Jamaat-e-Islami refused to participate in Eid
Milad-un-Nabi processions. They have now begun to take part in the Mildaun Nabi
parade, and the great scholars of Sipah-e-Sahaba have begun to commemorate the
birthdays of Hazrat Abu Bakr, Hazrat Umar, and Hazrat Uthman. On certain days,
they hold processions and demand that the government grants them a public
holiday.
According
to the Qur'an, Sunnah and legal theorists and jurists, the original rule for
all acts and things which are not mentioned by the text is permissibility. All
things are originally impermissible. That is the things or acts concerning
which there is no foundational text (nass), the original rule for them is its
impermissibility. The rule is that everything that did not exist in the time of
the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and the time of the
Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), but later came into existence out
of necessity would be examined to see as to whether or not that thing is in
consistence with the Qur'an and Sunnah. If it contradicts the Quran and Sunnah,
it will surely be declared unlawful, forbidden, and misguided. And if it does
not contradict any rules of the Quran and Sunnah, then it will be deemed lawful
and permissible. To consider it misguidance or forbidden will be tantamount to
contradicting the Islamic system of law and deviating from the Islamic system
of permissible (halal) and forbidden (haram).
Therefore,
holding meetings to narrate the virtues and biography of the Holy Prophet
(PBUH) and other celebrities of Islam and expressing happiness on their
birthdays, paying charity and alms, sending the reward of the acts of worship
to the Holy Prophet, sending peace and blessings individually and collectively,
reciting the complete Qur'an in the Taraweeh congregation, building large
mosques, establishing libraries, writing surah and verse numbers on the Quran,
constructing Mihrabs and Minbars in mosques, holding meetings for
preaching and admonition, taking out processions in the days of the Holy
Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions, and establishing meetings for
their remembrance, holding annual meetings of religious seminaries, teaching
hadith and completing Bukhari, and many additional religious things that convey
the religion's motto and glory are acceptable. These actions are permitted in
their core, notwithstanding the fact that Islamic Sharia has neither forbidden
nor mandated them. They should, however, be recognised neither as obligatory (Farz)
and compulsory (Wajib), nor as banned (haram) and condemned (Makruh).
When legal conduct is elevated to the position of an obligatory, the door to
bid’at is opened.
When God,
Almighty, sent peace on the prophet Yahya's birthday and death day, it was
especially significant permissibility of a birthday celebration. God the
Almighty declares:
"The
peace is on Him (the prophet, Yahya) the day when he was born and the day when
he will die and the day when he will be raised alive." (Sura Al-Maryam, Verse 15)
God
Almighty opened the road for Yahya's Mawlid (PBUH) by providing him peace. It's
the same approach that today's majority of Muslims use to Mawlid celebrations.
According to the Quran, the prophet Jesus (PBUH) celebrated his own birthday in
the same way:
"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." (Sura Al Maryam, Verse 33)
Milad
al-Nabi is
commemorated in many ways around the world. Sweets are distributed, stages are
set up, and young people dress up and take out rallies reciting songs of peace
and blessing upon the Prophet (PBUH). The celebration is celebrated with
fanfare. There is a friendly environment, with individuals exchanging gifts and
offering food to the poor and needy. Thousands of people pray in mosques decked
with lights to commemorate the day. Though celebrations are held differently in
different parts of the world, the main goal is to reflect on the prophet's life
and his teachings.
The Qur'an
mentions the prophet's birthday in a higher level, closer to the heavenly
realm, where God Almighty remarked, "Indeed, there has come to you
Light and a clear Book from Allah." [5:15]
According
to widely accepted Quranic exegetes, the "Light" described here is
the beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), whose birth is thought to mark the
beginning of a new cycle in human history and the source of the Divine message
of Islam and the Noble Qur'an.
Allah says
in the Quran, “Isa, the son of Maryam (Jesus, the son of Mary) said: ‘O
Allah, our Lord, send down to us from heaven the table spread (with bounties)
so that (the day of its descent) becomes (‘Id) a festival day for us, and for
our predecessors (as well as) successors, and that (spread table) comes as a
sign from You, and provide us with sustenance, and You are the Best Sustainer.’
(Surah Maidah: 114)
For
individuals living in the age of the prophet Jesus (pbuh), his predecessors,
and successors, the day the celestial table dropped is celebrated as Eid. The
exegetes of the Quran have commented on this, noting that the Eid for his
successors means for all humans who will arrive till the end of time. An Eid
was held to celebrate a divine feast. So, what about the arrival or birthday
celebration of someone who will be a blessing to all mankind?
The
following verses also demonstrate that the Mawlid celebration is permissible:
“But call to mind the blessing of Allah upon
you when you were enemies (one to another). Then He created the bond of love
amongst your hearts, and by His blessing, you became brothers” (3:103)
God
Almighty said:
“O Children of Ya‘qub (Jacob)! Recall those
favours that I bestowed upon you, and that I exalted you above all the people
(of your age)”.
(2:47)
God
Almighty said:
“Say: ‘(All this) is due to the bounty and
mercy of Allah (bestowed upon you through raising Muhammad [blessings and peace
be upon him] as the exalted Messenger). So the Muslims should rejoice over it.
This is far better than (all that affluence and wealth) that they amass.’ (Surah Yunus: 58)
God
Almighty commands us to enjoy his grace and mercy in the passages above. God
means the prophet Muhammad by grace, bounty, mercy, and favour (pbuh). We
understand that each of Allah Almighty's favours is huge compassion for us. Our
very being is a gift from Allah Almighty. The coming of the prophet is God
Almighty's greatest mercy and favour to us, thus we should rejoice in the
Mawlid observance.
When asked
why fasting on Monday, Allah's Messenger stated in a Hadith reported by Abu
Qatada Ansari, "It is (the day) when I was born and revelation was given
down to me." (Muslim, Book 6, No. 2606) The Prophet fasted on the day of
his birth out of gratitude, according to this Hadith. Fasting is a type of
worship; therefore one can fast or hold meetings, and feed the destitute in
obedience to God Almighty.
How can it
be impressible to commemorate the birth of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him)
when there is no wrong in commemorating the birth of a normal man? Despite
this, fatwas of shirk and bid'ah are issued quickly whenever the Prophet's
birthday is observed. This is very wrong and therefore this should come to an
end.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-ideology/eid-milad-nabi-celebration/d/125620
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