IIUM Journalism Club: The Birth of Islam

Monday, February 14, 2011

The Birth of Islam

"Actually, celebrating the Prophet's birthday means celebrating the birth of Islam..."

~ Shaykh Yusuf Al-Qardawi~

Rabi'ul-Awwal is the most significant month in the Islamic history, because humanity has been blessed in this month by the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, Sallallahu alaihi wasallam. Before the birth of the Holy Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi wasallam, not only the Arabian peninsula, but also the so-called civilized nations of Rome and Persia were drowned in the darkness of ignorance, superstitions, oppression and unrest.

The Holy Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi wasallam, came with the eternal truth of Tawhid (Oneness of Allah), the only faith which provides a firm basis for the real concepts of knowledge, equity and peace. It was this faith which delivered humanity from ignorance and superstitions and spread the light of true knowledge all over the world.

Celebrating such a religious occasion is recommended especially nowadays for youth have become forgetful of these religious occasions and their significance because they have indulged in other celebrations.

Moreover, celebrating such a great event should be done through reading more about the Prophet's Sunnah and life, building mosques, religious institutes and doing other forms of charity work that remind people of the Prophet's life and his struggle.

SYEIKH YUSUF AL-QARADHAWI VIEWS ON MAULIDUR RASUL

We all know that the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not celebrate the Prophet's birthday, Hijrah or the Battle of Badr, because they witnessed such events during the lifetime of the Prophet who always remained in their hearts and minds.

Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas said that they were keen on telling their children the stories of the Prophet's battles just as they were keen on teaching them the Qur'an. Therefore, they used to remind their children of what happened during the Prophet's lifetime so they did not need to hold such celebrations. However, the following generations began to forget such a glorious history and its significance. So such celebrations were held as a means of reviving great events and the values that we can learn from them.

Unfortunately, such celebrations include some innovations when they should actually be made to remind people of the Prophet's life and his call. Actually, celebrating the Prophet's birthday means celebrating the birth of Islam. Such an occasion is meant to remind people of how the Prophet lived.

Allah Almighty says:

"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."

[Al-Ahzab 33: 21]

We need all these lessons and such celebrations are a revival of these lessons and values. I think that these celebrations, if done in the proper way, will serve a great purpose, getting Muslims closer to the teachings of Islam and to the Prophet's Sunnah and life.

THE IMPORTANCE OF LOVING THE PROPHET S.A.W

Narrated by Abu Hurairah, that Allah's Messenger says: "By the hands of Him, not complete your faith among you if you not love me more than your father and son" (Narrated by al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Iman, Chapter: Hub Messenger min al-al-Iman, no. 14)

The hadith clearly indicates the duty to love him and someone may not be perfect, except the ones he loved more than love to others. It also describes how the close relationship between faith and love to the Prophet. This is the essence of true faith.

Is explained in another hadith:

Anas that the Prophet said: "Three things that anyone would havegot the sweetness of faith: to make God and His Messenger is more loved than the others ..." (Narrated by al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Iman, Chapter: Halawat & Muslim al-Iman , Kitab al-Iman,Chapter: Bayan Khisal man ittasafa bihinna wajada halawatal-iman).

HOW TO INCREASE OUR LOVE TO THE PROPHET S.A.W.

1-Knowing and recognize him through history. There are books regarding to the life of the prophet such as Raheeq Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar) by Syeikh Saifurrahman al-Mubarakpuri. An interesting reading material.

2-Practice and read his Sunnah. If could not do all the sunnah then do not leave everything.

3-Know the grace of God bestowed upon us by sending Messenger. Through Prophet Muhammad S.A.W, Muslims received the guidance of Islam. It guide us to distinguish between truth and falsehood, and at once to saveour world and the hereafter.

"O people of the Book! There hath come to you our Messenger, revealing to you much that ye used to hide in the Book, and passing over much (that is now unnecessary). There hath come to you from Allah a (new) light and a perspicuous Book. Wherewith Allah guideth all who seek His good pleasure to ways of peace and safety, and leadeth them out of darkness, by His will, unto the light,- guideth them to a path that is straight."

[al-Maidah:15-16]

4-Do Salawat to the Prophet frequently.

"Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O ye that believe! Send ye blessings on him, and salute him with all respect."

[al-Ahzab:56]

Salawat is encouraged by the hadith of the Prophet:

With the authority of Abu Hurairah that the Prophet said: "Those who blessing me for one salawat, then God will bless him ten times too" (Narrated by Muslim, Book al-prayer,Chapter: al-salat 'ala al-Nabiy ba'da al-tasyahud).