This act of the Prophet clearly distinguishes that in our religion, when it comes to expressing our joy, happiness and thanks (to Allah), we should show it through our deeds rather than throwing parties.
The Messenger of Allah told us to fast on the day of Ashura when Musa (AS) and his community were saved. Once again we have examples of ‘how to express happiness and thanks to Allah’.
True expression of love is by ‘following one’s beloved’
Allah has very clearly explained how to express happiness and this concept is common within the entire humanity: ‘you follow and imitate your beloved’.
“Say if you love Allah, then follow me, as a result Allah will love you” (Aal-Imran). This verse tells us that if we want to express our love for Allah then we have to follow him. Since Allah will not physically be present in front of us to be ‘imitated’, he has ordered us to follow His Prophet.
Islam is a pragmatic religion where our actions have to speak louder than our words, which means that we have to do more than just say we love the prophet, but also our actions and deeds have to back this up.
What about holding events for educational and inspirational purposes?
There are two extremes to this; the first is that to throw a big party with no regard to the Sunnah and Islamic values, where men and women mix freely without due Hijab, unlawful music and songs are played aloud etc. This is all done under the excuse that ‘we love the prophet’. Any sound minded scholar will regard this as Haram.
It is evident through the texts and early practices in Islam that having a birthday-like celebration is baseless, in fact most scholars even disagree with celebrating birthdays by throwing a party etc. for normal Muslims let alone the Prophet.
The other extreme is to completely avoid the mention of the Prophet during this month and to regard any event, although free from any Haram activities, purely for the remembrance of the Prophet, his sunnah, biography etc. as bid’ah (innovation in Islam).
This view is unsubstantiated as there is no textual evidence that any gathering held in Rabi ul Awwal or any other month to mark the Prophet’s life, is prohibited in Islam.
Yes, if people see events like this to be compulsory, sunnah or regard others who do not formally mark Rabi ul Awwal with an event, to be sinning and acting wrongly, then in that case it will become ‘bid’ah’- an innovation in Islam which goes against Islam because nowhere in Islamic sources does it mention that we shouldcommemorate his birthday with an event.
The birth and death of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him) makes Rabi ul Awwal as a month of joy and sadness.
Conclusion
All Muslims must sense happiness over the birth of the Messenger of Allah in Rabi ul Awwal. The best way to express that is to live his legacy. Those who wish to seize this opportunity to hold events or exhibitions on his life and Sunnah, will be rewarded for it with the condition that they avoid organising any birthday parties and abstaining from any Haram in the event.
There is no specific worship for this month. The readers are encouraged to send salat (peace and blessings) upon the Prophet abundantly, particularly when his name is mentioned.
- By Mawlana Muhammad Rayhan
Bibliography
‘Muhammad, The Last Prophet’ by Shaykh Abul Hasan Nadwi,
‘The sealed Nectar’ by Shaykh Saifur Rahman, Lataaiful-Ma’arif by Ibn Rajab Hanbali