Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi in the light of Quran & Ahadith.

Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi in the light of Quran & Ahadith.
Question: Please give me the evidence about Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi in the light
of Quran & Ahadith.
Ans.
Before writing the arguments of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (Allah’s Grace & Peace be
upon Him), I want to clear the meaning of Milad according to literature and
Shariah.The word Milad has been derived from “viladut” which means birth.
Therefore, according to Arabic language, Milad is word which signifies the place
and time of birth. In the light of Shariah, we means, Milad is to remember the
events which took place at the birth time of the Holy Prophet (Allah’s Grace &
Peace be upon Him) and we get the opportunity of narrating the Seerat of the
Prophet (Allah’s Grace & Peace be upon Him) on this occasion, we also
presents the Holy Prophet (Allah’s Grace & Peace be upon Him) gifts of Durood
-o- salam. We mention before the people attributes and praises of the Prophet
(Allah’s Grace & Peace be upon Him). We do not believe that Milad is specified
with same night but, we believe that the remembrance of the Holy Prophet
(Allah’s Grace & Peace be upon Him) is incumbent in each minute and second
of time and every Muslim should act it sunnahs in the whole life time. Milad un
Nabi (Allah’s Grace & Peace be upon Him) is a great source of preaching. It is
incumbent for scholars to teach Muslims nations on this Holy occasion, moral
behavior of the Holy Prophet, (Allah’s Grace & Peace be upon Him) his
antiquates, His affairs, His Seerat, His dealings and His worships.Now I write
the proofs of Milad from the Holy Quran, the hadith of the Prophet (Allah’s
Grace & Peace be upon Him) and consensus of Ulemas
.
Evidence of the Holy Quran
The Qur’anic verses proves that to celebrate Milad is not only a proper deed
but it is also a praiseworthy.1) 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 AlMaryam, 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. 2) 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.3) Allah Almighty says:”And remind them of the days of the Allah.”
(Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Ibrahim, Verse5)
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)4) 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 other 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 this Qur’anic purpose.4) Allah
Almighty orders us:
“Say you only 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 Almighty6)
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).
Evidence of Hadith (Narrations of the Holy Prophet (Allah’s Grace and
Peace be upon him)
There are many narrations, which proves the Milad Sharif but I write a few. 1)
The Prophet of Allah (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) himself stated his
own birth from very beginning He says: “I had been transferred, continuously,
from purified offspring to purified wombs. I had been given birth by a lawful
marriage not by adultery. When Allah Almighty sent Adam Alaihis Salam on
earth so He put me in his spine and then transferred in Nuh Alaihis salam in his
boat, and then in Ibrahim Alaihis salam Allah Almighty transferred me
continuously from noble offspring to the purified wombs up to that He brought
me in my parents who never committed adultery.”
(Tafseer Ruhul Bayan, Vol. 3, Page 54)
As I have written in the beginning that Milad means the time of birth or place of
birth. So the Holy Prophet (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) himself
celebrated his own Milad. In the same way Ahle Sunnat following the Holy
Prophet (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him)narrate the events of the birth
of the Holy Prophet (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) .This hadith is the
clear proof Milad un Nabi (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) and as well
as tell us that to celebrate Milad un Nabi (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon
him) is not innovation (bidat) but it is a sunnah (tradition) of Prophet (Allah’s
Grace and Peace be upon him).
There are many other narrations which narrate that the Prophet of Allah (Allah’s
Grace and Peace be upon him) celebrate his own Milad several times, some of
those narrations have been written in Mishkat Sharif.2) “The one who rejoices
on the birth day of the Holy Prophet would not be severely punished and it is
hopped that a Muslim who celebrate the Milad un Nabi (Allah’s Grace and
Peace be upon him), will not be punished in hell. Imam Bukhari Rahmatullah
Alaih narrates that Abu Lahab would be punished lightly in the hell on Monday.
Because he rejoiced and freed his handmaid indicating by his finger, when the
Prophet of Allah Almighty (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) took birth. So
as a reward of happiness on Milad un Nabi (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon
him) he would be given water by his finger. (Saheehul Bukhari Vol. 2, Page
764) Imam Shams ud din Naseer Al Damaishqi narrates this hadith in poetry.
Here is its translation.If such kafir was denounced (in the Quran)
And perished are his hands, and in the flame is his eternal abode.
It is narrated every Monday.
His torment is made easy for his joy at the birth of Ahmad. (Allah’s Grace and
Peace be upon him)
What is the expectation then of a servant who spent all his life.
Happy with the arrival of Ahmad (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) and
died on the one ness of Allah Almighty. (Haul-ul-Ahtifal Bil Mawlid Al-Nabvi Al
Sharif, Page 11) 2) The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Allah’s Grace and Peace be
upon him) celebrated his own Milad by having fast. Imam Wali ud din write this
narration with reference to the Saheeh Muslim. When the Prophet of Allah
(Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) was asked about the fast of Monday.
He (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) said: “I took birth and the Quran
was revealed upon me in this day.”
(Mishkat Sharif, Page 179)
This narration proves that to celebrate Milad un Nabi is a tradition of the Holy
Prophet (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) on every Monday. Secondly it
is lawful to fix a particular day for Milad un Nabi (Allah’s Grace and Peace be
upon him). Thirdly it is an act of sunnah to worship in the pleasure of the Milad
un Nabi (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him)
Evidence of general consensus of Muslim ummah and scholars (Ulema)1)
Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Suyuti in his famous book “Al-Hawii Lil-Fatawii” allocated a
special chapter on that topic and named it “The Excellence of Objective in
Celebrating the Mawlid” where he said: The question under consideration is
what the verdict of the Shari’ah on celebrating the Holy Birthday of the Noble
Prophet (Allah’s Grace & Peace be upon Him) during the month of Rabbi-ulAwwal. From the point of view of Shari’ah is this a praiseworthy action or a
blameworthy one? And do those who arrange such celebration Receive
blessings or not? He said:”The reply to this question is that in my view the Milad
Shareef (Celebration of the Birthday of the Noble Prophet Allah’s Grace &
Peace be upon Him) is in fact such an occasion of happiness on which people
assemble and recite the Holy Qu’ran to the extent that is easy. Then they relate
the prophecies concerning the appearance of the Noble Prophet (Allah’s Grace
& Peace be upon Him) that have been transmitted in Ahadith and Author, and
the miraculous events and signs that took place on his birth. Then food is set
before them and according to their desire they partake thereof to satisfaction.
This festival of celebrating the birthday of the Noble Prophet (Allah’s Grace &
Peace be upon Him) is a Bid’ah Hasanah (good Innovation) and those
arranging it will get blessing, since in such a celebration is found the expression
of joy and happiness at the greatness and eminence of the Noble Prophet
(Allah’s Grace & Peace be upon Him) and his birth”.Even Ibn Tay’miah said in
his book “Necessity of the Right Path”, p. 266, 5th line from the bottom of that
page, published by Dar Al-Hadith, the following:”As far as what people do
during the Milad, either as a rival celebration to that which the Christian do
during the time of Christ’s birthday or as an expression of their love and
admiration and a sign of praise for the Noble Prophet (Allah’s Grace & Peace
be upon Him), Allah Almighty will surely reward them for such Ijtihad”. He then
said: “Although Milad was not practiced by (Salaf), they should have done so
since there was no objection against it from the Shari’ah point of view”.
And we certainly only celebrate Milad out of love and admiration to the Prophet
of all Mankind. 2. Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Qastalani, who gave commentary on Sahih
Bukhari, said: “May Allah Almighty shower his Mercy upon a person who takes
the days of the month of Rabbi-ul-Awwal, in which the Noble Prophet (Allah’s
Grace & Peace be upon Him) was born, as days of feast and celebration for
doing so is the best cure for the heart of an ailing person.” 3. Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar
was asked, same reference of Imam Suyuti, about Milad Shareef. His reply
was:”Milad Shareef is, in fact, and innovation, which was not transmitted from
any pious predecessor in the first three centuries. Nevertheless, both acts of
virtue as well as acts of abomination are found in it (i.e. Sometimes acts of
virtue are found therein and sometimes acts of abomination). If in the Milad
Shareef only acts of virtue are done and acts of abomination are abstained
from, then the Milad Shareef is a Bid’ah Hasanah (good innovation), otherwise
not.”
He then added ”
“To do any virtuous act and to observe it annually as means of recollection for
any special day on which Allah Almighty has bestowed any favor or removed
any calamity is a form of showing gratitude to Allah Almighty. Gratitude to Allah
Almighty is expressed through different kinds of Ibaadah (worship) -prostration
and standing in prayer, charity and recitation of the Holy Qu’ran. And what is a
greater favor from Allah Almighty can there be than the appearance of the
Prophet of Mercy (Allah’s Grace & Peace be upon Him) on this day (i.e. 12th of
Rabbi-ul-Awwal)?” Some people do not limit it and celebrate the Milad Shareef
on any day of Rabbi-ul-Awwal. Nay, some people have extended it even more
and increased the period to the whole year. According to the latter, the Milad
Shareef can be celebrated on any day of the year. The objective here is the
same, i.e. to rejoice at and celebrate the Holy Birth of the Noble Prophet
(Allah’s Grace & Peace be upon Him).4. Imam Abu-Bakr Abdullah Al-Dimashqi
compiled a number of books on the subject and called them “Collection of
Traditions on the Birth of the Chosen Prophet”, “The Pure Expression on the
Birthday of the Best of Creations” and “The Spring for the Thirsty One on the
Birth of the Rightly Guided”.5. Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Iraqi wrote a book and called it
“The Pure Spring on the Sublime Birth”.6. Imam Ibn Dahyah wrote a book and
called it “Enlightenment on the Birthday of the Bearer of Good News, The
Warner”.7. Imam Mulla Ali Qari wrote a book and called it “The Quenching
Spring on the Birthday of the Prophet”. (Allah’s Grace & Peace be upon Him)8.
Imam Shams ul-Din bin Naseer Al-Dimashqi, said in his book: “The Spring for
the Thirsty One on the Birth of the Rightly Guided” about the story of Abu
Lahab that he will receive a light punishment every Monday for expressing joy
at the birth of the Noble Prophet (Allah’s Grace & Peace be upon him) on that
day. The Imam said the following verse of poetry, the translation is: If such Kafir
was denounced in the (Qur’an) and perished are his hands, and in the Flames
is his eternal abode It is narrated that every Monday.
His torment is made easy for his Joy at the Birth of Ahmad What is the
expectation then of a servant who spent all his life Happy with the Arrival of
Ahmad (Allah’s Grace & Peace be upon Him) and died on the Oneness of
Allah.9. Imam Shams Ul-Din Ibn aL-Jazri, the Imam of reciters, wrote a book
and named it “The Scent of Notification on the Blessed Birthday”.10. Imam AlHafiz Ibn Al-Jawzi said in the description of Milad: “Peace and Tranquility takes
over during that year and a good glad tiding to obtain your wish and
inspiration”.11. Imam Abu-Shamah, The Sheikh of Al Hafiz Al Nawawi,
said:”The best of the innovations of our times is what is carried out on the day
of corresponding to the birthday of our Beloved Prophet (Allah’s Grace & Peace
be upon Him), where people give out donations, practice what is right, express
their joy and happiness, in doing so is surely a sign of love and admiration for
the Prophet (Allah’s Grace & Peace be upon him)”.