The root of this debate goes back to the original debate of Allah vs God (linguistically). The word Allah in arabic, the word means simply "the God". It is used primarily by Muslims, Arabic-speaking Catholic Christians, Orthodox Christians and Jews.It is related to Ĕlāhā in Aramaic. Which vividly outlines that Allah (linguistically) is not the Muslim hegemony. And also using any other synonym for Allah based upon its language and culture has same implicit meaning as it is expressed by word Allah, which is in fact the Al- Ilah. That is out of numerous Ilahs, there is one Al Ilah. Now English and Arabic have one grammatical commonality for articles (A, An and The) unlike Persian and Urdu. In Persian/Urdu when we do not have ‘The’ this does not mean that we cannot have Persian version of Al Ilah (linguistically). And the Persian version of Allah (i.e. Al Ilah) is Khuda or the Khuda. This has also been validated by Allama Iqbal in his work ( 1.“.Buton se hai tujhko ummeden aur Khuda se naummedi, yeh kafiri nahi to aur kya hai….” 2. “Khudi ko kar ke buland itna, Khuda bande se khud puchhe…” etc.)
One must make this clear in his/her mind that in the exact same manner the way we have in English so many gods and then one God, in Persian so many khudas and then our Islamic khuda is the one Khuda of all the khudas, In pre-Islamic Arabia, Allah was used by people of Mecca as a reference to the creator-god, but not considered the sole divinity; however, Allah was also considered the giver of rain. Allah was associated with companions, whom pre-Islamic Arabs considered as subordinate deities. People of Mecca held kind of kinship existed between Allah and the jinn (Astaghfirullah) . Allah was thought to have had sons and that the local deities of al-Uzzā, Manāt and al-Lāt were His daughters (Nauzubillah…). And the proof of this conclusion can be drawn from the fact that name of father of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)was Abdullah when there was no Islam in Arab at that time. Now this further clarifies that those who have started projecting word “Allah” as the only Islamic God are actually projecting their Arabic culture, names and grammars in the envelope of Islam.
It is never about the name and its dictionary meaning it’s always about the intention and its impacts. Same word with same meaning can be used with different intentions. Let us leave this issue right here in the light of first hadith of Sahi Al Bukhari (“1. 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said on the minbar, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'Actions are but judged according to intentions. Every man has what he intends. So whoever emigrates to gain something of this world or to marry a woman, his emigration is for that to which he emigrated.'")
After exfoliating the layers of misunderstandings intentionally propagated for the word Allah (Why, how and when for this, is itself a huge subject), let us now look at the cultural practices associated with naming in the arab peninsula which actually have nothing to do with Islam. Two most prevalent practices in Arab even today are
1. Easy and consequently multiple marriages for men and women
2. Professional Breast feeders for new born.
These two cultural practices resulted into the current naming practices of new borns in the manner where every other name of Arabians irrespective of muslims, Christian and jews etc. will always have connectors in their names such as “ibn”,”abu”, “bint” and one more that is “abd” We have thousands of name known to us using these connectors including Abdullah, Abdumittalib Abd Manaf etc.
Now again the same principle applies here that those for whom Islam is their monopoly, they planned to spread their pattern of naming in the packet of Islam. This was a known fact that nobody will accept their claim for nothing so they started spreading the absolutely misguided and misleading notion of Allah’s characteristic name (Isme Sifati) to be considered as absolute. It appears that in their grammar books, they have clubbed noun and adjectives in the same chapters. To them Allah and Rahman are the same in its literal and objective sense. This is nothing but shear foolishness. Not less than 113 times, have bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim (بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم ) and every, I repeat every translator of this world has always translated this as “In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the most Merciful." Now let us replace the word Allah with God for language consistency and read the whole line as “In the Name of God, the Most Beneficent, the most Merciful." What do you think the words God, Beneficent and Merciful can all these be put in the same category? If no, the how can we consider putting the Arabic words Allah, Al Rahman and Al Raheem in the same class?
Bismillah is just one example in this regard. Let us now take another example which is basically one of the most used phrase by Dr Zakir Naik which is in Surah Âl 'Imran (3:54) “Allah is the best of the planners” Here also, we can see that the act of planning is not only done by Allah but it is one of the characteristic of Allah, off course He is at its best, but Prophet of Allah did the planning during battles of Badr and Ohad. And also you and I as humans do plan. The quality of planning varies beyond doubt. The illustration is as same as The Allah is Al Rahman and Al Raheem, but Prophet of Allah has been declared by Allah himself as Rahemtullialemeen in Surah Anbiya (21:107). That again means being merciful is the characteristics of Allah and he is at its best. But Prophet of Allah has also been merciful as announced by Quran itself. Likewise let me tell that the extent of our muslimness depends upon how merciful we are. This can be seen in thousands of proves in Islam. Please find some evidences below in this regard
1."Then he became one of those who believed and recommended one another to perseverance and patience, and (also) recommended one another to pity and compassion. They are those on the Right Hand (i.e. the dwellers of Paradise)." [Al-Qur’ân 90:17-18]
2."Allâh is only merciful with those who show mercy to others." [Al-Bukhârî]
3. "Be merciful to those on the earth, so the One above the heavens will be merciful to you." [At-Tabarânî and al-Hâkim with a sahîh (authentic) chain]
4. "He who does not show mercy to others, will not be shown mercy." [Al-Bukhârî]
5. "Mercy is only removed from the miserable." [Abû Dâwûd and at-Tirmidhî]
Now when I have clearly proved you that 3(Al Rahman, Al Raheem, Al Khalique (meaningis taken in terms of Planner) out of 99 names of Allah are basically the characteristics of Allah and He himself has empowered some of his different attributes to his different creations. Nobody but it is only Allah how has this power, when he wants to make somebody Self-Sufficient and Independent, he makes him as Usman Ghani (RA) and when he wants to make somebody Highest and Exalted, he makes him as Ali ibn –e-Abu Talib(RA). Where both Hazrat Usman and Hazrat Ali beared the names of Allah (Al Ghani and Al Ali). Do you still think they did something wrong.
Let us move ahead, one of the names of Allah is Al Baqui. Now you tell me have you heard of Jannat ul Baqui. How will you explain this “apparent” fallacy where Jannat ul baqui is a graveyard?
Now before I move to Al Haq, I would like to give you two more examples in the same line.
Allah says in numerous places about his characteristic of being Creator. Open the Quran and keep verifying the following counts
1. Surah al-Mu'minun (23:14)
2. Surah as-Saffat (37:125)
3. Surah at-Tur (52:35)
4. Surah al-Fatir (35:3)
5. Surah ar-Ra`d (13:16)
Unquestionably he the Allah is the best of the best creators but the characteristic of being able to create is something which he the Allah himself has shared with his creations in various forms.
Last example in this regard would be another characteristic of Allah Jalla jalalhu that is Al Razaq.
If you read Quran you will definitely find that at one occasion Allah says that he is the Razaq. In Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51:58) and then also Allah says in Quran in Surah Taha as “…and the sustenance (provided) by your Lord is better and more abiding. (20:131)”. So the conclusion is again the exactly same that no doubt that he is the final ultimate sustainer or provider but he has also shared this of his characteristic with other creations in this world. If you read the Quran, you will see that none of the 99 names that we have in Quran claims that they are Allah’s name to the extent that nobody can bear same characteristics, though in its miniature forms. We have clear exception with those names of Allah which are Allah’s proper names or Isme zaati.
Now let us come to our common last name with the Isme sifati of Allah (JJ) that is Al Haqq.
References
1. Surah 6:62- “Then they His servants are returned to Allah , their true Lord. Unquestionably, His is the judgement, and He is the swiftest of accountants.
2. Surah 20:6-“ That is because Allah is the Truth and because He gives life to the dead and because He is over all things competent
3. Surah 23:116- “So exalted is Allah , the Sovereign, the Truth; there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Noble Throne.”
4. Surah 31:30-“That is because Allah is the Truth, and that what they call upon other than Him is falsehood, and because Allah is the Most High, the Grand.
Now you know all Muslims recite their first Kalmah as La Ilaha IllAllah… which starts saying there is no Ilah but Allah. And there is no ambiguity about it. Could you find any reference in Quran which says there is not truth but Allah. Let me tell you my dear brother what Allah says in Quran, Quran says Surah Al Baqrah( Verses 2 to 6), being muslim we have to believe in 1. Quran 2. Books 3. Last Day 4.Hearafter. Can anybody say that these are not truth? Again the degree of truthfulness will vary for sure. Allah further says mankind is the ‘Ashraful makhluqat’. Everybody prostrated except Satan. Is this not true then and today?
The question comes of degree. Allah has always been and will always be. But everything else me, you, cricket match, Computer, feelings, politics will have a period of truthfulness and then die but He the Al Mighty will remain forever so his truthfulness is forever. But truthfulness is a characteristic. In its mightiest form it rests with Allah. But we all are true in our existence. When Allah says in Quran he is truth, he stresses not only about the truthfulness of his existence but also of his promises, intentions and accomplishments. We can be true for all these features as we have to be merciful being part of being Muslim. See below what the word Haqq has its sense in Arabic
From the root h-q-q which has the following classical Arabic connotations (Sources not mine)
-to be suitable to the requirements of wisdom, justice, truth or fact
-to be in accord with the needs of the situation
-to be true, right, correct, just, proper
-to be genuine, authentic, real, sound, substantial
-to be established, confirmed as fact
-to be necessary, requisite, justified
-to be unavoidable, inevitable, due
-to be binding, obligatory, incumbent upon
-to happen without doubt or uncertainty
Now tell me do we have any authentic or week references where we are prohibited from being striving to align ourselves with any of the above connotations of Haqq?
Then 1.why not we can be on the path of haq? 2. Why not we can be the light of haq
3. Why not we can be propagator of haq? 4. Why not we can be supporter of haq?
5. Why not we can be pupil of haq.
In all of its superlative form the haq will transform into Al Haqq. But your and my parents are haq. Our grandparents are haq.Then where is this wrong? Rather let me remind you of one more saying from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) where he says a muslim should practice the sunnah of Allah. Now please do not take it in otherwise, here also Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) intended to say that these entire good and pious characteristic for Allah is what Muslims and momins should try to practice.
Till here, I did not use the references of past generations as you outlined in our talk that if there is something wrong done by our past generation should be fixed. You are very correct but the actual intention should not be to be automatically critical to everything that has been so far in practice. The intention should be based upon the very first hadith of Sahi Al Bukhari, where Hazrat Umar says, that Prohet Muhammad (PBUH) said that it is your intention which matters.
Now I want to give you the list of people/places from our past generations whose name does not make any valid meanings however they hold highest positions in our faith from very early days and hold true even today.
1. Abu al-Dardaa (Sahabi RA)
2. Abu Hurairah (Sahabi RA)
3. Al-Ala'a Al-Hadrami (Sahabi RA)
4. Qatadah (Sahabi RA)
5. Salim Mawla Abu Hudhayfah (Sahabi RA)
6. Suhayb ar-Rumi (Sahabi RA)
7. Abul Qasim (Muhaddis AR)
8. Noorul Haque (Muhaddis AR)
9. Noorul Islam (Muhaddis AR)
10. Salman Al Farsi (Ahle Suffah)
11. Maulana Fazle haq Khairabaadi (Islamic scholar AR)
----Places----
1. Saudi Arab
2. Jannatul Baqi
3. Abu Dhabi
4. Muzdalifah
5. Majarr Al Kabsh
6. King Faisal bridge
7. King Fahd road
8. King Abdulaziz road
What I want to make you understand that name of an individual gradually takes its own place. There are people with name of mighty king who have been poverty driven throughout their lives and there are people with name of a poor person and been very rich. So your name is your name. I want to tell you now what has been my pain which compelled me to write down all these. There are two most important reasons which actually made me crying when I heard you changing your last name.
1. Do you know that it was Prophet Muhammad who gave the name to sons of his only daughter? I mean to say are you aware of the two facts that (1) name of Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain were given by Allah’s rasool and (2) Allah’s messenger has declared that Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain are his sons and His (Prophet Muhammad) generation will continue from them. And just to tell you both these information are available in Sunni books of hadiths in thousands. Do not think that I am speaking from any Shia’s book. Now see the lessons for us from this information. One, giving and approving the grandchildren’s name by grandparents has been Prophet’s sunnah. Two. Sahaba(RA) gave preference to the name given by prophet Muhammad not as prophet but as grandfather too. And third, you were telling me that day the people for first three generation never had the name like “FirstName Ul Haque”. As I have already explained you the right and wrong of this misconception above, let me ask you one more thing forget about first three generations, do we have any single account of first six(3+3) generations of Sahaba, tabyeen, tabetabayeen and others who advocated or changed their name from whatever they had since their birth. Let me add here that changing the name was only conditionally in practice when the new arrivals in Islam had their names same as the deities of their past faith. Otherwise if you read back you will see that the biblical names are continued, Torah’s name were in practice, Persian and Hindi names were even unaltered. You might be aware of the name of the first Indian/hindu with name of baba Rathan from Kerala coast who became Muslim but continued with same name. Objection to this practice for the first time innovated when a self proclaimed wealthy Islamic theologian proposed his version of Islam. I am talking about Ibn-e –Taymiyah (Born 1263 CE) . So if out of ignorance or out of some willingness anyone of us try to change our name, which had been chosen by our grandparents, we are basically going against preference of Prophet Muhammad and the practice of sahaba. It means you or I are putting ourselves before the first choices of rasool or Ahle baith or the sahaba.
2. The second reason of my dismay when I heard about you changing your name is that your and my first name is where we play our roles, but altering the last name means we are disassociating ourselves from our past generation, which has been yours and mine identities. I have my hindu and muslim friend who changed their first names for so many reasons, but if you change your last, your coming generations will find hard time in tracing back their lineage. Your own cousins will have different name and your will be different. Let me remind you two important points here. One, when Allah says in Surah AL Hujurat (49:13) “O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! The noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware”. Read the above verses again. It is the will of Allah that the two nobles would be known among themselves based upon their nations and tribes and this is another truth. If we are damaging this link, we are actually doing something which Allah never preferred. Second, when Allah’s messenger says that my generation will continue from Hasan and Hussain, it manifests that basic principle that our generations and its pedigree is a reality, a truth. And none of us have right to jeopardize this.
With this I will conclude all that I had to say. I would again request you, if you can come back to your original name with which you had your dada (AR) preferred you and with which you had Aquiqa and your maktab.
You still hold legal and religious rights to change your first and last names. If you want to continue or if you cannot come back then go ahead without any feeling of guilt but please clean your mind in the light of all above justifications I gave you that your original complete name is the perfectly valid and absolutely correct name with no need of modification.
Wassalam
-Sharey
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
References of Sahaba (keep counting)
1. Sahih Muslim (Book 006, Number 2606) Abu Qatada Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah's Messenger (PBUH) was asked about fasting on Monday, whereupon he said: It is (the day) when I was born and revelation was sent down to me.
2. This Hadith is also reported in by Imam al-Bahayqi in his “Sunnan ul Kubra” (Vol. 4, pg. 300 Hadith no 8182, 8259), in the “Sunan” of Imam Nisai and the “Musnad” of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal.It is clear from this Hadith that the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) was very happy about the day of his birth and so fasted out of gratitude. Fasting is a form of worship, so one can celebrate this day by any form of ibada. One can fast or hold gatherings or provide food to the poor, all being acts of worship.
3. Sahih Bukhari (Volume 7, Book 62, Number 38: )Narrated 'Ursa; Thuwaiba was the freed slave girl of Abu Lahb whom he had manumitted, and then she suckled the Prophet. When Abu Lahb died, one of his relatives saw him in a dream in a very bad state and asked him, "What have you encountered?" Abu Lahb said, "I have not found any rest since I left you, except that I have been given water to drink in this (the space between his thumb and other fingers) and that is because of my manumitting Thuwaiba."
4. This hadith is mentioned in Bukhari in the book of Nikah, and Ibn Kathir mentions it in his books Sirat al-Nabi Vol.1, p. 124, Mawlid al-Nabi p. 21, and al-Bidaya p. 272-273.
5. Sahih Muslim, Dar ul Kutab al ILmiyyah (Volume 2, Page No. 147, Hadith No. 1130 )Ibn Abbas (RA) reported: The Prophet “Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him” came to Madina and saw the Jews fasting on the tenth day of Muharram. They were asked about that. They replied: “This is the day, on which Allah made Moses and the children of Israel emerge victorious over Pharoah. So, we fast on it “OUT OF GLORIFICATION TO IT”. The Prophet “Allah’s blessing and peace be upin him” said: “We have more claim over Moses than you.” So, he ordered Muslims to fast on it.
6. Sunnan an Nasai’i (Volume 1, Page No. 241, Hadith No. 448 )Hadrat Anas bin Malik (ra) narrates that Prophet (saw) while mentioning his journey of Miraaj said: Jibril (a.s) asked me to get off from Buraak at Bethlehem and told me to say the prayer there, after which he said: Do you know where you have prayed (O Messenger of Allah)? You prayed at Bethlehem where Isa (a.s) "was born".
7. Speaking of the greatness of the day of Jum`ah (Friday), the Prophet said in his hadith: "On that day [i.e. Jum`ah], Allah created Adam." This means that the day of Friday is emphasized because Allah created Adam on that day. That day is emphasized because it saw the creation of the prophet and father of all human beings. What about the day when the greatest of prophets and best of human beings was created? The Prophet said: "Truly Allah made me the Seal of prophets while Adam was between water and clay." This hadith is related by Ahmad in the Musnad, Bayhaqi in Dala'il al-Nubuwwa and others, and is sound and established as authentic.
8. Taareekh (Historians and Ulema)There are people who claim that the Milad is a new thing let us see what the history is.A) The 7th-century historians Abul `Abbas al-`Azafi and his son Abul Qasim al-`Azafi wrote in their Kitab ad-durr al-munazzam:"Pious pilgrims and prominent travelers testified that, on the day of the mawlid in Mecca, no activities are undertaken, and nothing is sold or bought, except by the people who are busy visiting his noble birthplace, and rush to it. On this day the Ka`ba is opened and visited."B.) Ibn Battuta's Account of the MawlidThe famous 8th-century historian Ibn Battuta relates in his Rihla, Vol. 1, p. 309 and 347, that on every Friday, after the salah, and on the birthday of the Prophet, the door of Ka`ba is opened by the head of the Banu Shayba, the doorkeepers of the Ka`ba, and that on the Mawlid, the Shafi`i qadi (head judge) of Mecca, Najmuddin Muhammad Ibn al-Imam Muhyiddin al-Tabari, distributes food to the shurafa' (descendants of the Prophet and to all the other people of Mecca.
9. Do not question about Imams of Fiqah. They never missed their Monday fasts. All 4 Imams were born and attained their wisal before Ibn Taymiya. See here what Ibn Taymiyya says in his book.
Ibn Taymiyya's Opinion on the Celebration of MawlidThis is Ibn Taymiyya's opinion about Mawlid from Majma` Fatawa Ibn Taymiyya, Vol. 23, p. 163 and his Iqtida' al-sirat al-mustaqim, p. 294-295, Section entitled: "The innovated festivities of time and place" (ma uhditha min al-a`yad al-zamaniyya wa al-makaniyya): And similarly what some people innovate by analogy with the Christians who celebrate the birth of Jesus, or out of love for the Prophet and to exalt him, and Allah may reward them for this love and effort, not on the fact that it is an innovation... To celebrate and to honor the birth of the Prophet and to take it as an honored season, as some of the people are doing, is good and in it there is a great reward, because of their good intentions in honoring the Prophet.
10. Imam Mutawalli Sha`rawi said in his book, Ma'idat al-Fikr al-Islamiyya (p. 295), "If living beings were happy for his coming (to this world) and every inanimate creation was happy at his birth and all plants were happy at his birth and all animals were happy at his birth and all angels were happy at his birth and all believing jinn were happy at his birth, why are you preventing us from being happy at his birth?"
Now, let us analyze this misguidance in another manner.
1. Do we have any ayat in holy Quran which says we should not celebrate/commemorate birthday of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH)?
2. Do we have any single hadiths or one references from any Imams(not the self proclaimed leaders) of entire world till today which says we should not celebrate/commemorate birthday of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH)?
Now let me tell you what all we do not have in Quran/hadiths but we still believe.
1. Marriage is a sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Having children is also his sunnah but who are my and your fathers is only part of believe. Believe of Iman that mine and your mother show of having in Allah and his rasool. We never go for any authentic proof. What do you think aren’t you and I are Bidah?
2. Do we have any Ayat in Quran or any authentic hadith if we should use facebook, created by a jew and profiting a jew to use for posting Quranic ayats and hadiths
3. Do we have any Ayat in Quran or any authentic hadith which says if we should use TV, Internet for learning Salat, listening Quarn, learning Haj etc.
4. Do we have any Ayat in Quran or any authentic hadith which allows Saudi government to ask for photo of our sisters and mothers in passport and visas?
5. Do we even have any Ayat in Quran or any authentic hadith which says we should memorize the Quran or hadiths
6. Do we have any Ayat in Quran or any authentic hadith which says we should complie hadiths books, Fiqah books.
You know what, but one thing which we have in abundance in Quarn is “Think”, “Learn”, “Verify”,”Look”, “Assess”. We are not living at the time of hazrat Nuh (PBUH) when Allah trained him even how to make a ship. We are ummat’s of Prophet Muhammad. ‘ijtehad’ under the guidance of basic principles of islam is part of our faith. And that is the only reason why we have answers to above 6 questions.
We who celebrate/commemorate birthday of Muhammad (PBUH) do not say anything to the people who do not do this, then why are these people doing this.
1. Sahih Muslim (Book 006, Number 2606) Abu Qatada Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah's Messenger (PBUH) was asked about fasting on Monday, whereupon he said: It is (the day) when I was born and revelation was sent down to me.
2. This Hadith is also reported in by Imam al-Bahayqi in his “Sunnan ul Kubra” (Vol. 4, pg. 300 Hadith no 8182, 8259), in the “Sunan” of Imam Nisai and the “Musnad” of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal.It is clear from this Hadith that the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) was very happy about the day of his birth and so fasted out of gratitude. Fasting is a form of worship, so one can celebrate this day by any form of ibada. One can fast or hold gatherings or provide food to the poor, all being acts of worship.
3. Sahih Bukhari (Volume 7, Book 62, Number 38: )Narrated 'Ursa; Thuwaiba was the freed slave girl of Abu Lahb whom he had manumitted, and then she suckled the Prophet. When Abu Lahb died, one of his relatives saw him in a dream in a very bad state and asked him, "What have you encountered?" Abu Lahb said, "I have not found any rest since I left you, except that I have been given water to drink in this (the space between his thumb and other fingers) and that is because of my manumitting Thuwaiba."
4. This hadith is mentioned in Bukhari in the book of Nikah, and Ibn Kathir mentions it in his books Sirat al-Nabi Vol.1, p. 124, Mawlid al-Nabi p. 21, and al-Bidaya p. 272-273.
5. Sahih Muslim, Dar ul Kutab al ILmiyyah (Volume 2, Page No. 147, Hadith No. 1130 )Ibn Abbas (RA) reported: The Prophet “Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him” came to Madina and saw the Jews fasting on the tenth day of Muharram. They were asked about that. They replied: “This is the day, on which Allah made Moses and the children of Israel emerge victorious over Pharoah. So, we fast on it “OUT OF GLORIFICATION TO IT”. The Prophet “Allah’s blessing and peace be upin him” said: “We have more claim over Moses than you.” So, he ordered Muslims to fast on it.
6. Sunnan an Nasai’i (Volume 1, Page No. 241, Hadith No. 448 )Hadrat Anas bin Malik (ra) narrates that Prophet (saw) while mentioning his journey of Miraaj said: Jibril (a.s) asked me to get off from Buraak at Bethlehem and told me to say the prayer there, after which he said: Do you know where you have prayed (O Messenger of Allah)? You prayed at Bethlehem where Isa (a.s) "was born".
7. Speaking of the greatness of the day of Jum`ah (Friday), the Prophet said in his hadith: "On that day [i.e. Jum`ah], Allah created Adam." This means that the day of Friday is emphasized because Allah created Adam on that day. That day is emphasized because it saw the creation of the prophet and father of all human beings. What about the day when the greatest of prophets and best of human beings was created? The Prophet said: "Truly Allah made me the Seal of prophets while Adam was between water and clay." This hadith is related by Ahmad in the Musnad, Bayhaqi in Dala'il al-Nubuwwa and others, and is sound and established as authentic.
8. Taareekh (Historians and Ulema)There are people who claim that the Milad is a new thing let us see what the history is.A) The 7th-century historians Abul `Abbas al-`Azafi and his son Abul Qasim al-`Azafi wrote in their Kitab ad-durr al-munazzam:"Pious pilgrims and prominent travelers testified that, on the day of the mawlid in Mecca, no activities are undertaken, and nothing is sold or bought, except by the people who are busy visiting his noble birthplace, and rush to it. On this day the Ka`ba is opened and visited."B.) Ibn Battuta's Account of the MawlidThe famous 8th-century historian Ibn Battuta relates in his Rihla, Vol. 1, p. 309 and 347, that on every Friday, after the salah, and on the birthday of the Prophet, the door of Ka`ba is opened by the head of the Banu Shayba, the doorkeepers of the Ka`ba, and that on the Mawlid, the Shafi`i qadi (head judge) of Mecca, Najmuddin Muhammad Ibn al-Imam Muhyiddin al-Tabari, distributes food to the shurafa' (descendants of the Prophet and to all the other people of Mecca.
9. Do not question about Imams of Fiqah. They never missed their Monday fasts. All 4 Imams were born and attained their wisal before Ibn Taymiya. See here what Ibn Taymiyya says in his book.
Ibn Taymiyya's Opinion on the Celebration of MawlidThis is Ibn Taymiyya's opinion about Mawlid from Majma` Fatawa Ibn Taymiyya, Vol. 23, p. 163 and his Iqtida' al-sirat al-mustaqim, p. 294-295, Section entitled: "The innovated festivities of time and place" (ma uhditha min al-a`yad al-zamaniyya wa al-makaniyya): And similarly what some people innovate by analogy with the Christians who celebrate the birth of Jesus, or out of love for the Prophet and to exalt him, and Allah may reward them for this love and effort, not on the fact that it is an innovation... To celebrate and to honor the birth of the Prophet and to take it as an honored season, as some of the people are doing, is good and in it there is a great reward, because of their good intentions in honoring the Prophet.
10. Imam Mutawalli Sha`rawi said in his book, Ma'idat al-Fikr al-Islamiyya (p. 295), "If living beings were happy for his coming (to this world) and every inanimate creation was happy at his birth and all plants were happy at his birth and all animals were happy at his birth and all angels were happy at his birth and all believing jinn were happy at his birth, why are you preventing us from being happy at his birth?"
Now, let us analyze this misguidance in another manner.
1. Do we have any ayat in holy Quran which says we should not celebrate/commemorate birthday of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH)?
2. Do we have any single hadiths or one references from any Imams(not the self proclaimed leaders) of entire world till today which says we should not celebrate/commemorate birthday of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH)?
Now let me tell you what all we do not have in Quran/hadiths but we still believe.
1. Marriage is a sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Having children is also his sunnah but who are my and your fathers is only part of believe. Believe of Iman that mine and your mother show of having in Allah and his rasool. We never go for any authentic proof. What do you think aren’t you and I are Bidah?
2. Do we have any Ayat in Quran or any authentic hadith if we should use facebook, created by a jew and profiting a jew to use for posting Quranic ayats and hadiths
3. Do we have any Ayat in Quran or any authentic hadith which says if we should use TV, Internet for learning Salat, listening Quarn, learning Haj etc.
4. Do we have any Ayat in Quran or any authentic hadith which allows Saudi government to ask for photo of our sisters and mothers in passport and visas?
5. Do we even have any Ayat in Quran or any authentic hadith which says we should memorize the Quran or hadiths
6. Do we have any Ayat in Quran or any authentic hadith which says we should complie hadiths books, Fiqah books.
You know what, but one thing which we have in abundance in Quarn is “Think”, “Learn”, “Verify”,”Look”, “Assess”. We are not living at the time of hazrat Nuh (PBUH) when Allah trained him even how to make a ship. We are ummat’s of Prophet Muhammad. ‘ijtehad’ under the guidance of basic principles of islam is part of our faith. And that is the only reason why we have answers to above 6 questions.
We who celebrate/commemorate birthday of Muhammad (PBUH) do not say anything to the people who do not do this, then why are these people doing this.
Please forgive me in case of any grammetical or typo errors.
Wasalm
-Sharey
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Milad- Celebrating Birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
This is in response to the Khutba that Brother Abdul hadi (Imam Masjid- Ebrahim, Delaware,US ) gave on November-11/2011. While speaking about Bidat, he said so many things. Most of his talk were positive and were part of advice what we all should do as part of human community and part of Muslim community. But while concluding he started pointing out some of our practices which we should not do. I was still in agreement with lot of things which he said but one point, which he clearly mentioned as a Bidat was celebrating the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). I am not sure what made him to conclude like this since when I read about him in IAD website, he is quoted as highly learned and educated Islamic scholar. Then how can he make such a remark.
What can be his response to the following justifications about Milad. (Celebrating Prophet Muhammad’s birthday) would actually guide my way as an individual. To start my viewpoints, I want to outline following stand very clearly.
Everything which can be categorized wrongful morally, lawfully or religiously is wrong no matter if it is part of Mildaunnabi or if it is EID Ul Azha or Eid Ul Fitr or if it is Muharram ul haram. And what is not wrong should definitely be discussed how good it is and what can be the best time to practice it.
1. What is Milad
Jashne-zikre-Miladunnabi is to express happiness for the Prophet coming to us. It is an obligation given by Allah through Qur'an, as Allah said in Qur'an: "Of the favor and mercy of Allah let them rejoice" (Yunus 58).
This order came because joy makes the heart grateful for the mercy of Allah. And what greater mercy did Allah give than the Prophet himself, of whom Allah says, "We did not send you except as a mercy to human beings" (Al-Anbiya' 107).
Because the Prophet was sent as a mercy to all mankind, it is incumbent not only upon Muslims, but upon all human beings to rejoice in his person.
Meaning of Milad ( Or Jashne-zikre-milad un nabi) is to feel, share and celebrate the happiness of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It never demands to wait for the establishment of a Muslim society and then only we will start. It also, never demands to show how much charity one can do on this day. But it is to feel a satisfaction and jubilation from our inside and we being thankful to Allah for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) sending as us blessings.
2. Milad –From Quran and Hadith
Qur'an states(Al-Jumah:4)
ذَلِكَ فَضْلُ اللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ
That is the bounty of Allah; which He giveth unto whom He will. Allah is of Infinite Bounty (وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ )
Hadrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas (Radhi Allah) explains “Allah is of infinite bounty” as:
(Allah is of infinite bounty) by bestowing Islam and prophet hood upon Muhammad (PBUH); by sending the Messenger and Scripture to His created beings. [Tanwir al Miqbas Min Tafsir Ibn Abbas]
Qur'an states(Maryam:15) regarding Yahya (a.s):
وَسَلَامٌ عَلَيْهِ يَوْمَ وُلِدَ وَيَوْمَ يَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ يُبْعَثُ حَيًّا
So Peace on him the day he was born, the day that he dies, and the day that he will be raised up to life (again)!
So the days when Anbiya are born are days of "Tranquility" in sight of Allah.
3. Sahih Muslim (Book 006, Number 2606 )
Abu Qatada Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah's Messenger (PBUH) was asked about fasting on Monday, whereupon he said: It is (the day) when I was born and revelation was sent down to me.
This Hadith is also reported in by Imam al-Bahayqi in his “Sunnan ul Kubra” (Vol. 4, pg. 300 Hadith no 8182, 8259), in the “Sunan” of Imam Nisai and the “Musnad” of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal.
It is clear from this Hadith that the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) was very happy about the day of his birth and so fasted out of gratitude. Fasting is a form of worship, so one can celebrate this day by any form of ibada. One can fast or hold gatherings or provide food to the poor, all being acts of worship.
4. Sahih Bukhari (Volume 7, Book 62, Number 38: )
Narrated 'Ursa; Thuwaiba was the freed slave girl of Abu Lahb whom he had manumitted, and then she suckled the Prophet. When Abu Lahb died, one of his relatives saw him in a dream in a very bad state and asked him, "What have you encountered?" Abu Lahb said, "I have not found any rest since I left you, except that I have been given water to drink in this (the space between his thumb and other fingers) and that is because of my manumitting Thuwaiba."
Abu Lahab freed Thuwaiba on joy at birth of Prophet (salallaho alaihi wasalam), even the worst of Kufaar and greatest of enemies is given relaxation in his Adhaab due to freeing Thawaiba by pointing with his finger, so Imagine the situation of a momin who rejoices on Mawlid, detailed explanation of this hadith shall be given in the last section of Verdicts from classical scholars.
This hadith is mentioned in Bukhari in the book of Nikah, and Ibn Kathir mentions it in his books Sirat al-Nabi Vol.1, p. 124, Mawlid al-Nabi p. 21, and al-Bidaya p. 272-273. The hafiz Shamsuddin Muhammad ibn Nasiruddin ad-Dimashqi wrote on this the following verses in his book Mawrid as-sadi fi Mawlid al-Hadi: "If this, a kafir who was condemned to hell eternally with "Perish his hands" [surat 111], is said to enjoy a respite every Monday because he rejoiced in Ahmad: what then do you think of the servant who, all his life, was happy with Ahmad, and died saying, "One"?"
5. Sahih Muslim, Dar ul Kutab al ILmiyyah (Volume 2, Page No. 147, Hadith No. 1130 )
Ibn Abbas (RA) reported: The Prophet “Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him” came to Madina and saw the Jews fasting on the tenth day of Muharram. They were asked about that. They replied: “This is the day, on which Allah made Moses and the children of Israel emerge victorious over Pharoah. So, we fast on it “OUT OF GLORIFICATION TO IT”. The Prophet “Allah’s blessing and peace be upin him” said: “We have more claim over Moses than you.” So, he ordered Muslims to fast on it
6. Sunnan an Nasai’i (Volume 1, Page No. 241, Hadith No. 448 )
Hadrat Anas bin Malik (ra) narrates that Prophet (saw) while mentioning his journey of Miraaj said: Jibril (a.s) asked me to get off from Buraak at Bethlehem and told me to say the prayer there, after which he said: Do you know where you have prayed (O Messenger of Allah)? You prayed at Bethlehem where Isa (a.s) "was born".
The Prophet Emphasized the Birthday/Birth place of Prophets
The Prophet emphasized in his hadith both the day and the place of birth of previous prophets. Speaking of the greatness of the day of Jum`ah (Friday), the Prophet said in his hadith: "On that day [i.e. Jum`ah], Allah created Adam." This means that the day of Friday is emphasized because Allah created Adam on that day. That day is emphasized because it saw the creation of the prophet and father of all human beings. What about the day when the greatest of prophets and best of human beings was created? The Prophet said: "Truly Allah made me the Seal of prophets while Adam was between water and clay." This hadith is related by Ahmad in the Musnad, Bayhaqi in Dala'il al-Nubuwwa and others, and is sound and established as authentic.
7. Why Imam Bukhari Emphasized Dying On Monday?
Imam Qastallani said in his commentary on Bukhari: "In his book on Jana'iz (Funerals), Bukhari named an entire chapter "Dying on Monday." In it there is the hadith of `A'isha relating her father's (Abu Bakr as-siddiq) question: "On which day did the Prophet die?" She replied: "Monday." He asked: "What day are we today?" She said, "O my father, this is Monday." Then he raised his hands and said: "I beg you, O Allah, to let me die on Monday in order to coincide with the Prophet's day of passing."
Imam Qastallani continues, "Why did Abu Bakr ask for his death to be on Monday? So that his death would coincide with the day of the Prophet's passing, in order to receive the baraka of that day... Does anyone object to Abu Bakr's asking to pass away on that day for the sake of baraka? Now, why are people objecting to celebrating or emphasizing the day of the Prophet’s birth in order to get baraka?"
8. Taareekh (Historians and Ulema)
There are people who claim that the Milad is a new thing let us see what the history is.
A) The 7th-century historians Abul `Abbas al-`Azafi and his son Abul Qasim al-`Azafi wrote in their Kitab ad-durr al-munazzam:
"Pious pilgrims and prominent travelers testified that, on the day of the mawlid in Mecca, no activities are undertaken, and nothing is sold or bought, except by the people who are busy visiting his noble birthplace, and rush to it. On this day the Ka`ba is opened and visited."
B.) Ibn Battuta's Account of the Mawlid
The famous 8th-century historian Ibn Battuta relates in his Rihla, Vol. 1, p. 309 and 347, that on every Friday, after the salah, and on the birthday of the Prophet, the door of Ka`ba is opened by the head of the Banu Shayba, the doorkeepers of the Ka`ba, and that on the Mawlid, the Shafi`i qadi (head judge) of Mecca, Najmuddin Muhammad Ibn al-Imam Muhyiddin al-Tabari, distributes food to the shurafa' (descendants of the Prophet and to all the other people of Mecca.
C) Ibn Taymiyya's Opinion on the Celebration of Mawlid
This is Ibn Taymiyya's opinion about Mawlid from Majma` Fatawa Ibn Taymiyya, Vol. 23, p. 163 and his Iqtida' al-sirat al-mustaqim, p. 294-295, Section entitled: "The innovated festivities of time and place" (ma uhditha min al-a`yad al-zamaniyya wa al-makaniyya): And similarly what some people innovate by analogy with the Christians who celebrate the birth of Jesus, or out of love for the Prophet and to exalt him, and Allah may reward them for this love and effort, not on the fact that it is an innovation... To celebrate and to honor the birth of the Prophet and to take it as an honored season, as some of the people are doing, is good and in it there is a great reward, because of their good intentions in honoring the Prophet.
D) Ibn Taymiyya's Opinion on the Meetings of Dhikr
The following is the opinion of Ibn Taymiyya on meetings of dhikr. It can be found in the King Khalid ibn `Abd al-`Aziz edition of the Majmu`at fatawa Ibn Taymiyya:
Ibn Taymiyya was asked about people that gather in a masjid making dhikr and reading Qur'an, praying to Allah and taking their turbans off their heads (leaving their heads bare) and crying, while their intention is not pride nor showing off but seeking to draw closer to Allah: is it acceptable or not? He answered: "Praise to Allah, it is good and recommended according to Shari`a (mustahabb) to come together for reading Qur'an, making dhikr, and making du`a'."
So we have seen with the evidences from Quran, Hadis and from Ulema about our faith, need and duty about Milad. Last point which I want to make here is about sending Salam to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in standing position.
One hadis from Tirmidhi which is hasan and sahih ( fair and sound)(Birr wa silat 4:322 #28) and in Imam Ahmad’s book (2:185)
From `Amr ibn Shu`ayb from his father from his grandfather: The Prophet said: "He is not of us who did not show mercy to our young ones and ignored the honor of our elders.
So giving honors to our elders is a must for us as muslim and then when the time comes to honor Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), should our legs feel pain?
9. Let us now think intelligently
Quran ( Al-Imran:31)
Allah asks the Prophet, Peace be upon him, to remind his Nation that it is essential for those who claim to love Allah, to love His Prophet: "Say to them: If you love Allah, follow (and love and honor) me, and Allah will love you" (3:31).
Quran ( Al –Qalam:4)
The Celebration of the Holy Prophet's birth is motivated by this obligation to love the Prophet, Peace be upon him, to obey him, to remember him, to follow his example, and to be proud of him as Allah is proud of him, since Allah has boasted about him in His Holy Book by saying, "Truly you are of a exalted (Standard) character" (Al-Qalam 4).
To celebrate the Prophet's birthday is to celebrate Islam, because the Prophet is the symbol of Islam. Imam Mutawalli Sha`rawi said in his book, Ma'idat al-Fikr al-Islamiyya (p. 295), "If living beings were happy for his coming (to this world) and every inanimate creation was happy at his birth and all plants were happy at his birth and all animals were happy at his birth and all angels were happy at his birth and all believing jinn were happy at his birth, why are you preventing us from being happy at his birth?"
Quran (Al-Ahzab:56)
Perfection of faith is dependent on love of the Prophet because Allah and His angels are constantly raising his honor, as is meant by the verse. “Allah sends His Salat (Graces, Honors, Blessings, Mercy) on the Prophet (Muhammad PBUH), and also His angels (ask Allah to bless and forgive him). O you who believe! Send your Salat on (ask Allah to bless) him (Muhammad PBUH), and (you should) greet (salute) him with Islamic way of greeting.”
Qur'an states( Yunus, 58):
قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهِ فَبِذَلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُوا هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ
Say: "In the bounty of God. And in His Mercy, in that "LET THEM REJOICE" : that is better than the (wealth) they hoard.
Some might think in their wildest of imaginations that birth and arrival of Prophet (PBUH) is not a mercy, some even falsely limit the Mercies of Allah by saying that mercy mentioned here does not refer to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) thus we should not rejoice, so in reply to such people the best answer is found in Tafsir of Qur'an through Qur'an itself.
Qur'an states at another place ( Al- Ambiya,107)
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِلْعَالَمِينَ
We have not sent you but as a “Mercy to the worlds”
Hence without any shadow of doubt arrival of Prophet (Peace & Blessings be upon him) is a mercy not only upon us but all worlds and creations of Allah azza Wajjal, thus we should rejoice as ordered in Qur'an
Sahih Bikhari and Sahih Muslim quotes
Love of the Prophet is what differentiates the believers in the perfection of their iman. In an authentic hadith related in Bukhari and Muslim, the Prophet said: "None of you believes until he loves me more than he loves his children, his parents, and all people." In another hadith in Bukhari he said: "None of you believes until he loves me more than he loves himself" and Sayyidina `Umar said: "O Prophet, I love you more than myself."
10. The legal and religious status of celebrating the birth of Holy Prophet (Peace & Blessings be upon him) in light of the Qur’an and Sunnah:
-And Indeed everyone rejoices except for Shaytan and his counterparts, because:
أن إبليس رن أربع رنات حين لعن وحين أهبط وحين ولد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وحين أنزلت الفاتحة
Translation: Iblis cried loudly four times, first when Allah declared him as cursed, second when he was thrown out, Third When Prophet (salallaho alaihi wasalam) was born and fourth when Surah Fatiha was revealed [Ibn Kathir in Al Bidayah wal Nihayah, Volume No. 2, Page No. 166]
So now the conclusive question arises that if we celebrate the arrival of Adam(PBUH) in terms of Jumah prayer, if we celebrate the arrival of our children in the terms of Aquiqua, if we celebrate their completion of their The Quran in terms of Aamin, if we celebrate the arrival of new member in our family in terms of walima (reception) if we celebrate our childern’s birthday (no matter how) , their graduation, their marriage we are expressing our happiness and we are inherently thanking Almighty Allah for granting us this happy moment. Is’nt the same thing we do when we go for Eid prayers after month of fasting or in haj? And also, all these events do not go unnoticed. For each of the above we select a particular day to commemorate and celebrate to make sure that people around us feel our happiness and gratitude. Then why we must not thank Allah (JJ) on the 12th of Rabi-awwal?
Let us think it other way, what would be our answer to Allah (JJ) if in case he asks us a question that who was more beloved to us our children or spouse or friends OR Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) . He is Allah he may not ask any questions and can find uncountable reasons to forgive us but in case he asks, then what would be our answer? If we say yes we loved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), then if He asks another question have we ever discussed/rejoiced with our family, friends, relatives, neighbors, countrymen about the arrival of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who is the slave of Allah as are we and who is the last messenger of Allah? Then what would be our answers.
Wasalam
-Sharey
What can be his response to the following justifications about Milad. (Celebrating Prophet Muhammad’s birthday) would actually guide my way as an individual. To start my viewpoints, I want to outline following stand very clearly.
Everything which can be categorized wrongful morally, lawfully or religiously is wrong no matter if it is part of Mildaunnabi or if it is EID Ul Azha or Eid Ul Fitr or if it is Muharram ul haram. And what is not wrong should definitely be discussed how good it is and what can be the best time to practice it.
1. What is Milad
Jashne-zikre-Miladunnabi is to express happiness for the Prophet coming to us. It is an obligation given by Allah through Qur'an, as Allah said in Qur'an: "Of the favor and mercy of Allah let them rejoice" (Yunus 58).
This order came because joy makes the heart grateful for the mercy of Allah. And what greater mercy did Allah give than the Prophet himself, of whom Allah says, "We did not send you except as a mercy to human beings" (Al-Anbiya' 107).
Because the Prophet was sent as a mercy to all mankind, it is incumbent not only upon Muslims, but upon all human beings to rejoice in his person.
Meaning of Milad ( Or Jashne-zikre-milad un nabi) is to feel, share and celebrate the happiness of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It never demands to wait for the establishment of a Muslim society and then only we will start. It also, never demands to show how much charity one can do on this day. But it is to feel a satisfaction and jubilation from our inside and we being thankful to Allah for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) sending as us blessings.
2. Milad –From Quran and Hadith
Qur'an states(Al-Jumah:4)
ذَلِكَ فَضْلُ اللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ
That is the bounty of Allah; which He giveth unto whom He will. Allah is of Infinite Bounty (وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ )
Hadrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas (Radhi Allah) explains “Allah is of infinite bounty” as:
(Allah is of infinite bounty) by bestowing Islam and prophet hood upon Muhammad (PBUH); by sending the Messenger and Scripture to His created beings. [Tanwir al Miqbas Min Tafsir Ibn Abbas]
Qur'an states(Maryam:15) regarding Yahya (a.s):
وَسَلَامٌ عَلَيْهِ يَوْمَ وُلِدَ وَيَوْمَ يَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ يُبْعَثُ حَيًّا
So Peace on him the day he was born, the day that he dies, and the day that he will be raised up to life (again)!
So the days when Anbiya are born are days of "Tranquility" in sight of Allah.
3. Sahih Muslim (Book 006, Number 2606 )
Abu Qatada Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah's Messenger (PBUH) was asked about fasting on Monday, whereupon he said: It is (the day) when I was born and revelation was sent down to me.
This Hadith is also reported in by Imam al-Bahayqi in his “Sunnan ul Kubra” (Vol. 4, pg. 300 Hadith no 8182, 8259), in the “Sunan” of Imam Nisai and the “Musnad” of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal.
It is clear from this Hadith that the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) was very happy about the day of his birth and so fasted out of gratitude. Fasting is a form of worship, so one can celebrate this day by any form of ibada. One can fast or hold gatherings or provide food to the poor, all being acts of worship.
4. Sahih Bukhari (Volume 7, Book 62, Number 38: )
Narrated 'Ursa; Thuwaiba was the freed slave girl of Abu Lahb whom he had manumitted, and then she suckled the Prophet. When Abu Lahb died, one of his relatives saw him in a dream in a very bad state and asked him, "What have you encountered?" Abu Lahb said, "I have not found any rest since I left you, except that I have been given water to drink in this (the space between his thumb and other fingers) and that is because of my manumitting Thuwaiba."
Abu Lahab freed Thuwaiba on joy at birth of Prophet (salallaho alaihi wasalam), even the worst of Kufaar and greatest of enemies is given relaxation in his Adhaab due to freeing Thawaiba by pointing with his finger, so Imagine the situation of a momin who rejoices on Mawlid, detailed explanation of this hadith shall be given in the last section of Verdicts from classical scholars.
This hadith is mentioned in Bukhari in the book of Nikah, and Ibn Kathir mentions it in his books Sirat al-Nabi Vol.1, p. 124, Mawlid al-Nabi p. 21, and al-Bidaya p. 272-273. The hafiz Shamsuddin Muhammad ibn Nasiruddin ad-Dimashqi wrote on this the following verses in his book Mawrid as-sadi fi Mawlid al-Hadi: "If this, a kafir who was condemned to hell eternally with "Perish his hands" [surat 111], is said to enjoy a respite every Monday because he rejoiced in Ahmad: what then do you think of the servant who, all his life, was happy with Ahmad, and died saying, "One"?"
5. Sahih Muslim, Dar ul Kutab al ILmiyyah (Volume 2, Page No. 147, Hadith No. 1130 )
Ibn Abbas (RA) reported: The Prophet “Allah’s blessing and peace be upon him” came to Madina and saw the Jews fasting on the tenth day of Muharram. They were asked about that. They replied: “This is the day, on which Allah made Moses and the children of Israel emerge victorious over Pharoah. So, we fast on it “OUT OF GLORIFICATION TO IT”. The Prophet “Allah’s blessing and peace be upin him” said: “We have more claim over Moses than you.” So, he ordered Muslims to fast on it
6. Sunnan an Nasai’i (Volume 1, Page No. 241, Hadith No. 448 )
Hadrat Anas bin Malik (ra) narrates that Prophet (saw) while mentioning his journey of Miraaj said: Jibril (a.s) asked me to get off from Buraak at Bethlehem and told me to say the prayer there, after which he said: Do you know where you have prayed (O Messenger of Allah)? You prayed at Bethlehem where Isa (a.s) "was born".
The Prophet Emphasized the Birthday/Birth place of Prophets
The Prophet emphasized in his hadith both the day and the place of birth of previous prophets. Speaking of the greatness of the day of Jum`ah (Friday), the Prophet said in his hadith: "On that day [i.e. Jum`ah], Allah created Adam." This means that the day of Friday is emphasized because Allah created Adam on that day. That day is emphasized because it saw the creation of the prophet and father of all human beings. What about the day when the greatest of prophets and best of human beings was created? The Prophet said: "Truly Allah made me the Seal of prophets while Adam was between water and clay." This hadith is related by Ahmad in the Musnad, Bayhaqi in Dala'il al-Nubuwwa and others, and is sound and established as authentic.
7. Why Imam Bukhari Emphasized Dying On Monday?
Imam Qastallani said in his commentary on Bukhari: "In his book on Jana'iz (Funerals), Bukhari named an entire chapter "Dying on Monday." In it there is the hadith of `A'isha relating her father's (Abu Bakr as-siddiq) question: "On which day did the Prophet die?" She replied: "Monday." He asked: "What day are we today?" She said, "O my father, this is Monday." Then he raised his hands and said: "I beg you, O Allah, to let me die on Monday in order to coincide with the Prophet's day of passing."
Imam Qastallani continues, "Why did Abu Bakr ask for his death to be on Monday? So that his death would coincide with the day of the Prophet's passing, in order to receive the baraka of that day... Does anyone object to Abu Bakr's asking to pass away on that day for the sake of baraka? Now, why are people objecting to celebrating or emphasizing the day of the Prophet’s birth in order to get baraka?"
8. Taareekh (Historians and Ulema)
There are people who claim that the Milad is a new thing let us see what the history is.
A) The 7th-century historians Abul `Abbas al-`Azafi and his son Abul Qasim al-`Azafi wrote in their Kitab ad-durr al-munazzam:
"Pious pilgrims and prominent travelers testified that, on the day of the mawlid in Mecca, no activities are undertaken, and nothing is sold or bought, except by the people who are busy visiting his noble birthplace, and rush to it. On this day the Ka`ba is opened and visited."
B.) Ibn Battuta's Account of the Mawlid
The famous 8th-century historian Ibn Battuta relates in his Rihla, Vol. 1, p. 309 and 347, that on every Friday, after the salah, and on the birthday of the Prophet, the door of Ka`ba is opened by the head of the Banu Shayba, the doorkeepers of the Ka`ba, and that on the Mawlid, the Shafi`i qadi (head judge) of Mecca, Najmuddin Muhammad Ibn al-Imam Muhyiddin al-Tabari, distributes food to the shurafa' (descendants of the Prophet and to all the other people of Mecca.
C) Ibn Taymiyya's Opinion on the Celebration of Mawlid
This is Ibn Taymiyya's opinion about Mawlid from Majma` Fatawa Ibn Taymiyya, Vol. 23, p. 163 and his Iqtida' al-sirat al-mustaqim, p. 294-295, Section entitled: "The innovated festivities of time and place" (ma uhditha min al-a`yad al-zamaniyya wa al-makaniyya): And similarly what some people innovate by analogy with the Christians who celebrate the birth of Jesus, or out of love for the Prophet and to exalt him, and Allah may reward them for this love and effort, not on the fact that it is an innovation... To celebrate and to honor the birth of the Prophet and to take it as an honored season, as some of the people are doing, is good and in it there is a great reward, because of their good intentions in honoring the Prophet.
D) Ibn Taymiyya's Opinion on the Meetings of Dhikr
The following is the opinion of Ibn Taymiyya on meetings of dhikr. It can be found in the King Khalid ibn `Abd al-`Aziz edition of the Majmu`at fatawa Ibn Taymiyya:
Ibn Taymiyya was asked about people that gather in a masjid making dhikr and reading Qur'an, praying to Allah and taking their turbans off their heads (leaving their heads bare) and crying, while their intention is not pride nor showing off but seeking to draw closer to Allah: is it acceptable or not? He answered: "Praise to Allah, it is good and recommended according to Shari`a (mustahabb) to come together for reading Qur'an, making dhikr, and making du`a'."
So we have seen with the evidences from Quran, Hadis and from Ulema about our faith, need and duty about Milad. Last point which I want to make here is about sending Salam to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in standing position.
One hadis from Tirmidhi which is hasan and sahih ( fair and sound)(Birr wa silat 4:322 #28) and in Imam Ahmad’s book (2:185)
From `Amr ibn Shu`ayb from his father from his grandfather: The Prophet said: "He is not of us who did not show mercy to our young ones and ignored the honor of our elders.
So giving honors to our elders is a must for us as muslim and then when the time comes to honor Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), should our legs feel pain?
9. Let us now think intelligently
Quran ( Al-Imran:31)
Allah asks the Prophet, Peace be upon him, to remind his Nation that it is essential for those who claim to love Allah, to love His Prophet: "Say to them: If you love Allah, follow (and love and honor) me, and Allah will love you" (3:31).
Quran ( Al –Qalam:4)
The Celebration of the Holy Prophet's birth is motivated by this obligation to love the Prophet, Peace be upon him, to obey him, to remember him, to follow his example, and to be proud of him as Allah is proud of him, since Allah has boasted about him in His Holy Book by saying, "Truly you are of a exalted (Standard) character" (Al-Qalam 4).
To celebrate the Prophet's birthday is to celebrate Islam, because the Prophet is the symbol of Islam. Imam Mutawalli Sha`rawi said in his book, Ma'idat al-Fikr al-Islamiyya (p. 295), "If living beings were happy for his coming (to this world) and every inanimate creation was happy at his birth and all plants were happy at his birth and all animals were happy at his birth and all angels were happy at his birth and all believing jinn were happy at his birth, why are you preventing us from being happy at his birth?"
Quran (Al-Ahzab:56)
Perfection of faith is dependent on love of the Prophet because Allah and His angels are constantly raising his honor, as is meant by the verse. “Allah sends His Salat (Graces, Honors, Blessings, Mercy) on the Prophet (Muhammad PBUH), and also His angels (ask Allah to bless and forgive him). O you who believe! Send your Salat on (ask Allah to bless) him (Muhammad PBUH), and (you should) greet (salute) him with Islamic way of greeting.”
Qur'an states( Yunus, 58):
قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهِ فَبِذَلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُوا هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ
Say: "In the bounty of God. And in His Mercy, in that "LET THEM REJOICE" : that is better than the (wealth) they hoard.
Some might think in their wildest of imaginations that birth and arrival of Prophet (PBUH) is not a mercy, some even falsely limit the Mercies of Allah by saying that mercy mentioned here does not refer to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) thus we should not rejoice, so in reply to such people the best answer is found in Tafsir of Qur'an through Qur'an itself.
Qur'an states at another place ( Al- Ambiya,107)
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِلْعَالَمِينَ
We have not sent you but as a “Mercy to the worlds”
Hence without any shadow of doubt arrival of Prophet (Peace & Blessings be upon him) is a mercy not only upon us but all worlds and creations of Allah azza Wajjal, thus we should rejoice as ordered in Qur'an
Sahih Bikhari and Sahih Muslim quotes
Love of the Prophet is what differentiates the believers in the perfection of their iman. In an authentic hadith related in Bukhari and Muslim, the Prophet said: "None of you believes until he loves me more than he loves his children, his parents, and all people." In another hadith in Bukhari he said: "None of you believes until he loves me more than he loves himself" and Sayyidina `Umar said: "O Prophet, I love you more than myself."
10. The legal and religious status of celebrating the birth of Holy Prophet (Peace & Blessings be upon him) in light of the Qur’an and Sunnah:
-And Indeed everyone rejoices except for Shaytan and his counterparts, because:
أن إبليس رن أربع رنات حين لعن وحين أهبط وحين ولد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وحين أنزلت الفاتحة
Translation: Iblis cried loudly four times, first when Allah declared him as cursed, second when he was thrown out, Third When Prophet (salallaho alaihi wasalam) was born and fourth when Surah Fatiha was revealed [Ibn Kathir in Al Bidayah wal Nihayah, Volume No. 2, Page No. 166]
So now the conclusive question arises that if we celebrate the arrival of Adam(PBUH) in terms of Jumah prayer, if we celebrate the arrival of our children in the terms of Aquiqua, if we celebrate their completion of their The Quran in terms of Aamin, if we celebrate the arrival of new member in our family in terms of walima (reception) if we celebrate our childern’s birthday (no matter how) , their graduation, their marriage we are expressing our happiness and we are inherently thanking Almighty Allah for granting us this happy moment. Is’nt the same thing we do when we go for Eid prayers after month of fasting or in haj? And also, all these events do not go unnoticed. For each of the above we select a particular day to commemorate and celebrate to make sure that people around us feel our happiness and gratitude. Then why we must not thank Allah (JJ) on the 12th of Rabi-awwal?
Let us think it other way, what would be our answer to Allah (JJ) if in case he asks us a question that who was more beloved to us our children or spouse or friends OR Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) . He is Allah he may not ask any questions and can find uncountable reasons to forgive us but in case he asks, then what would be our answer? If we say yes we loved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), then if He asks another question have we ever discussed/rejoiced with our family, friends, relatives, neighbors, countrymen about the arrival of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who is the slave of Allah as are we and who is the last messenger of Allah? Then what would be our answers.
Wasalam
-Sharey
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