Nahmadahu Wa Nusalli Ala Rasoolihil Kareem Wa Ala Aalihi Wa Ashabihi Wa Awliya'i Wa Ulama'i Wa Fuqaha'i Wa Urafaa'i Was Saaliheen Ridwanullahi Ta'ala Alaihim Ajma'in. Sallal Laahu Alan Nabiyil Ummi'yi Wa Aalihi Sallal Laahu Alaika Wa Sallam Salaataw Wa Salaaman Alaika Ya Rasoolallah!
Whenever people want to promote and advance their ways and beliefs, they pave their way to spread falsehood amongst the Muslim masses, especially to those who have limited knowledge of the Deen. They misquote and fabricate facts to confuse the lay-man and change his way of thinking.
Those who disagree with the Mouloodun-Nabi SAW celebration claim that Imam Ibne Katheer, in his book “Al-Bidaya wan Nihaya”, said that it was the Fatmi Government which ruled Egypt from 357 to 367 who was responsible for the introduction of the Moulood Celebrations. They also declare that the Moulood Celebration is an evil act introduced by an evil ruler of Irbal, Sultan Muzaffar.
After consulting their references, we discover that is a sheer fabrication of the real quotation found in the same Kitaab. Regarding the celebration of Moulood-un-Nabi, Imam Ibne Katheer (d. 774 A.H.) says in the very same book “Al-Bidaya-wan-Nihayah”, Vol, 13, pg. 136: “Sultan Muzaffar used to arrange the celebration of Meelad Shareef with honour, glory, dignity and grandeur. In this connection he used to organize a magnificent commemoration.” Then the Imam praised the Sultan in the following words: “He was a pure hearted, brave and wise Aalim and a just ruler. May Allah SWT shower His Mercy upon him and grant him exalted status.”
I would strongly recommend that the objecters also consult another great Imam and scholar of the same era, Imam Haafiz Allama Shamsudeen Muhammad bin Ahmad Az-Zahbi SAW (d. 747 A.H.). He was a very close companion of Imam Ibne Katheer. In his book, “Biography of the Elite,” Vol. 22, pg. 336, he attributes this to the Sultan: “Sultan Muzaffar was a humble, generous, follower of the Prophet's SAW way and he liked the scholars and narrators of Hadith.”
Imamul-Muhadditheen, Haafiz Allama Imam Jamaludeen Abdur-Rahmaan Ibne Jouzi Baghdadi SAW (511/ 597 A.H.) in his “Bayaanul Meelad-un Nabi”, pg.57-58, states: “It is an old practice of the Muslims of Haramain Shareefain, Egypt, Syria and all Arab countries and the Muslims of the east and west to celebrate with happiness the Meelad Shareef after they sight the new moon of Rabi-ul-Awwal. They make Ghusal adorn new clothes, apply attar and decorate their homes. They express great joy on these days. Everyone according to his or her capacity spends and invites people to their homes. They take great pride to arrange the functions (Majlis) of Meelad Shareef and reap great Thawaab and enormous success from these functions. Amongst the visible and acknowledged facts of expressing happiness in celebrating Meelad Shareef is the manifestation of abundance of Khair and Barakaat, increase in wealth, Rizq and Awlaad experienced by the people in that year. The Barkaat of the Majlis of Meelad Shareef brings peace, harmony and serenity in the city and homes of the Muslims.”
Imam Muhaddith Jozi states in his “Meelaadul-Oroos” (Beruit print), pg. 9: “If any person rejoices on the Moulood Shareef of the Beloved Habeeb SAW then his happiness will become a barrier (wall) between him and the fire of Hell. And one who spends a Dirham (coin) on celebrating Meelad Shareef, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SAW will intercede (Shafa’at) for him on the Day of Qiyamah and his Shafa’at will be accepted”.
Imam Jozi records in “Al-Meelaadun-Nabawi”, pg. 35, a very famous and amazing incident that took place in Baghdad. He writes: It is a famous narration that there was a Muslim in Baghdad who held Meelad celebrations every year. Her neighbour was a Jewish woman who hated Islam and the Muslim. One day, this lady said to her husband, “I cannot understand what is wrong with our neighbour. Each year, in this month, they spend excessive wealth to prepare numerous dishes and feed the destitute and poor.” Her husband replied, “I think that these Muslim believe that their Prophet SAW was born in this month, and therefore, they are expressing joy in this manner to celebrate his birth. Maybe they think that their rejoicing and celebrations will please their Prophet SAW.” The lady did not digest this and turned a deaf ear to the explanation of her husband.
However, she slept that night and had an amazing dream. She dreamt of a very striking and radiant personality accompanied by a huge group of companions. She was astonished and was immensely attracted to this impressive personality. She asked one of the companions as to who this stunning person was that seemed to be their leader. He replied, “He is Muhammadur-Rasoolullah SAW”. She inquired if he would talk to her because she would like to ask him a question. He said, "Why not". She trembled forward towards the glorious Nabi SAW, made Salaam to him and said, “Ya Rasoolullah SAW!” The Habeeb SAW replied to her Salaam and said, “Labbaik! O servant lady of Allah!” The lady heard this reply and cried saying, “Why did you reply to my Salaam and say Labbaik when I am not a follower of your religionSAW” The compassionate Nabi SAW replied, “I replied to you in this manner because I am aware that my Lord will shortly bless you with Hidayah.” The lady said, “Please hold out your sacred hands and I hereby testify that there is no deity of worship besides Allah and verily, you Muhammad SAW, are the Prophet of Allah.”
After uttering this declaration, she got up from her sleep in a great joy that she made the Ziyarah of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SAW and pledged her allegiance of Emaan of his sacred hands. She had also vowed in her dream that when she gets up she would sacrifice all her wealth to celebrate the Majlis of Mouloodun-Nabi SAW. However, she got up and began the preparation to fulfill her vow. To add to her amazement she saw that her husband too was in a very happy mood and also ready to spend his entire wealth in the same manner. She went up to him and inquired, “Why is it that I see you in a very happy mood and ready to spend all your wealthSAW” He replied, “This sacrifice is for that personality on whose sacred hands you have accepted Emaan last night.” The wife heard this and said, “May Allah SAW have mercy on you! But who informed you of my secretSAW” He said, “The same glorious personality on whose sacred hands I accepted Islam after you.” The lady glorified Allah SAW and thanked Him for saving them from the evil of Shirk and mis-guidance and accepting them both in the Ummah of His Beloved Habeeb SAW.
Since the main day of Eid-e-Meelaad-un Nabi SAW is celebrated around the world on the 12th of Rabbi-ul-Awwal Shareef, hence I will mention 12 important points that we can learn from the above incident.
1. Almighty Allah SAW has Divinely blessed Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SAW with the knowledge of Ghaib (I’lme-Ghaib).
2. Almighty Allah SAW has blessed Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SAW with the power of being present at more than one place at any given time.
3. By the grace and sacred company of the Master of the Universe, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SAW, his Sahaba SAW also possesses the power of being at more than one place at any given time.
4. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SAW very well recognizes and knows all the people on this earth.
5. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SAW is Hayaatun-Nabi and not dead and turned to dust.
6. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SAW is not an ordinary human being like everyone else.
7. The celebration of the sacred Mouloodun-Nabi SAW is not an evil act but a virtuous act that invites the Noor of Emaan and generates the light of guidance.
8. Objecting to the Moulood Shareef, regarding it as evil and expressing unhappiness on its celebration, is the belief and habit of the Mushrikeen and Kuffaar.
9. One of the most distinguished factors to differentiate between the guided and mis-guided, is the celebration of Mouloodun-Nabi SAW. Only the guided Sunni Muslims of the world celebrates Moulood Shareef. All rejecters of Moulood Shareef are misguided people and a cult outside the mainstream Ahle-Sunnah-wa-Jamaat.
10. Only the mainstream Ahle-Sunnah wa Jamaat loves Allah SAW and His Beloved Rasool SAW and are blessed with the wealth of correct beliefs and practices.
11. Happiness and serenity is an exclusive gift of the Sunni Muslim who celebrates Mouloodun-Nabi SAW.
12. That the celebration of Mouloodun-Nabi SAW pleases Allah SAW and His Rasool SAW and hence, all those who celebrate and observe it are on the correct and rightly-guided path of the pristine Deen of Islam. They are called the Ahle-Sunnah-wa-Jamaat. They are also known as Sunni Muslims.
Approximately 650 years ago, the great Imam and Wali of Allah, Arife-Billah Imam Taqiudeen Subki SAW (756 A.H./1355) was celebrating the Moulood Shareef Majlis in the presence of a massive crowd. This Majlis was arranged and officiated by the renowned Aarif and Imam. A Naat Shareef of Imam Muhaddith Yah'ya bin Yusuf Sar'sari SAW (656 A.H./1258) was being recited by a Devotee. When he reached this couplet: “When the most beautiful discussion of the excellent and honorable Prophet SAW is heard, everyone stands up in respect of his honour.” When Imam Taqiudeen Subki SAW heard this, he immediately stood up. What what do you think happenedSAW Every single person in that Majlis Shareef stood in conformity to this great Aarif of Allah. This entire incident is recorded by Allama Imam Muhammad bin Sa'ad Ma'neeh Az-Zahri SAW in his “Tabqaatul-Kubra”, Vol. 1, pg. 208 (Cairo print) The Ulama state that the great Imam experienced the Hodoor (presence) of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SAW in the sacred Majlis.
Haafiz wa Mujtahid, Imam Mulla Ali Qaari bin Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Hirwi Makki SAW (d. 1014 A.H.) on pg. 28 of his Kitaab on Moulood Shareef, “Al-Mooridur-Radi fi Moulidin-Nabi”, (Makkah edition) states: “The people of Makkah Mukkarrama celebrated Meelad Shareef with greater happiness than the day of Eid.”
Imam Mujaddid Haafiz Abul-Fadl Jalaluddin Abu-Bakr bin Abdur-Rahman al-Haytami al-Suyuti SAW, (849/911 A.H.) was an illustrious Muhaddith, an unrivalled Mufassir, an eminent historian and a famous Jurist. It is stated that this great Imam made Ziyarah and met Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SAW seventy times while awake.
However, the great Imam and Mufassir Allama Jalaaludeen As-Suyuti SAW in his masterpiece “Al-Haawi lil Fatawa” allocated a special chapter on the topic of Moulood Shareef and named it “The Excellence and Objective of Celebrating the Mawlid”. Some questions were posed to him in this regard and they were as follows: From the veiwpoint of the Sharee'ah, is the celebration of Mawlid functions a praiseworthy action or a blameworthy oneSAW Do people who arrange such celebrations receive blessings or notSAW
He recorded a detailed 17 page reply to this question which is found in his "Al-Haawi lil-Fatawa." He replies as follows: “In my view the Meelaad Shareef of the Noble Prophet SAW is an occasion of happiness in which people assemble and recite the Holy Qur’an. Then they relate the prophecies concerning the appearance of the Noble Prophet SAW that was transmitted in the Ahadith and A'thaar of the miraculous events and signs that took place on his birth. Food is then set before them to take part thereof. This practice of celebrating the Moulood Shareef of the Noble Prophet SAW is a Bid'at-e-Hasana (good innovation). Those who arrange such functions will get blessings because it is a way of expressing joy and happiness at the greatness and eminence of the Noble Prophet SAW and his miraculous birth.”
Imam Haafiz Muhaddith Ahmad Shahaabud'deen Ibne Hajr Haytami Makki t (909/974 A.H.) was asked about the above Fatwa of Imam Suyuti SAW and he replied: “Meelad Shareef is in fact an innovation, which was not transmitted from any pious predecessor in the first three centuries. Nevertheless, both the acts of virtue and abomination are found in these functions. If only acts of virtues without any acts of abomination are found in Meelad Shareef celebrations then it will be a Bidat-e-Hasana (good innovation). It will be a virtuous practice to observe Moulood Shareef annually to show gratitude to Allah for His Divine favours. Gratitude to Allah is expressed through different kinds of acts and what can be a greater favour of Almighty Allah than the appearance of the Prophet of Mercy on the day of 12th Rabbi-ul-AwwalSAW”
It is unanimous concensus amongst the high-ranking illustrious Ulama and A’imma of Deen that the 12th of Rabbi-ul-Awwal is the day of Meelad Shareef. It is an ancestral practice of the people of Makkah Mukarrama that on this day they go to the house where Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SAW was born and celebrate the Majlis of Mouloodun-Nabi SAW.
The above fact is recorded in the following authentic Kitaabs
1. Zarqaani alal Mawahib, Vol. 1, page 132
2. Seerat-e-Halabiyya, Vol. 1, page 93
3. Al-Mowridir-Radi fil Mowlidin-Nabawi, page 95
4. Ma-Tabata minas-Sunnah
5. Madarijun-Nabuwwah Shareef, Vol. 2, page 14
And too many more other quotations to mention.
Muhaqqiq alal Itlaaq Sheikh Abul-Majd Shah Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlawi SAW, a more senior authority on Hadith Shareef and a predecessor of Shah Waliullah SAW, was born in (958/1056 A.H./1642) and spent his entire life in the service of Deen. He has authored 116 Kitaabs on various subjects and each one is a masterpiece. In his famous Kitaab, “Akhbaarul-Akhyaar fi Ahwaalil-Abraar”, he pleads in the Divine Court of Almighty Allah in these words: “Oh Allah! I have no action worthy of virtue to present before Your Divine Court. All my actions are not worthy. However, this inferior beggar (referring to himself) by Your Divine Grace, has one action that is certainly virtuous and excellent. And that is, on the occasion of the Majlis of Meelaadun-Nabi SAW, I stand up and recite Salaatu-Salaam and with great humility, submissiveness, love and sincerity, I send Darood and Salaam on Your August Habeeb SAW.
“Oh Allah! Is there any place where Your Divine Mercy descends more than on the Majlis where Mouloodun-Nabi SAW is celebratedSAW Therefore, Oh Most Compassionate Allah! I have absolute certainty that this action of mine will not be rejected; in fact You will certainly accept this in Your Noble Court. And those who recite Darood and Salaam and make it a medium of Du’a, it will never be rejected.”
The Great Scholar and Muhaddith Hadrat Shah Waliullah Muhaddith Dehlawi SAW narrates his experiences in his travels to the Holy Cities of Haramain Shareefain in his Kitaab, “Fuyoodul-Haramain”, pages 80-81: “One day in Makkah Mukarrama I was present on the day of Moulood Shareef at the Home where Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SAW was born. An Aalim was addressing the people assembled about the amazing incidents that took place prior to His Sacred birth and before the announcement of Nubuwwah. Suddenly, I witnessed brilliant rays of light raining on the Majlis of the Moulood Shareef. After careful inspection and thought, I reached a conclusion that the Noor of the Angel who are commissioned to such functions. I also saw that the Noor of the Angels and the Noor of Rahmah were combined together”.
The great scholar, ‘Alim and Sufi, Shaykh Dr. Sayyid Muhammad al-Maliki SAW said in his Fatwa Hawl al-Ihtifal bi Dhikra al-Mawlid al-Nabawi al-Sharif (p.8-9):
“How many times did we say that the day of the Mawlid of our Master Muhammad – Sallal laahu alaihi Wasallam - is not a Eid, nor do we consider it a Eid, because it is bigger and greater than the Eid and greater and nobler. A Eid only comes once a year, as for the celebration of his Mawlid and the consideration of his remembrance and Seerah, they must be permanent and not restricted to a particular time nor place!”
“We do NOT claim that it is Sunnah to do celebrate the Mawlid on a specific night and whoever claims this has committed innovation in the Religion, because we should remember him – Sallal laahu alaihi Wasallam - at all times... although the reason to do so becomes stronger in the month of his birth due to the turning of people to that event and their gatherings and their feelings (at that time).” Al-Sayyid Muhammad al-Maliki, Mafahim (10th ed. p. 317).
Similarly, the Maliki Hadith Master and Imam, al-Sayyid al-Sharif Muhammad ibn Ja’far al-Kattani stated in his book Al-Yumn wa al-Is’ad bi Mawlid Khayr al-‘Ibad (p. 21):
“The two nights of the distinguished noble birth and the magnificent Prophetic Ascension appear to be the very best of the nights of the world without hesitation nor doubt... and if this is the case then such as these two nights [MAWLID and MI’RAJ] deserve to be taken henceforth each as a recurring festival among other recurring festivals (‘Eid min al-A’yad) and as a seasonal celebration (mawsim) among other seasonal celebrations devoted to good deeds and striving. Therefore those dates should be respected and venerated, the Book of Allah should be recited in them, and in their honour deeds should be performed that indicate joy and happiness at their immense merit as well as thankfulness to Allah Most High for His blessings and favours in them. This, the Law in no waywardness, nor condemns, and no reprimand nor prohibition can be directed at those who perform this whatsoever.”
I would like to conclude with giving the names of some of the illustrious A'imma, Ulama and Awliya of Islam t who celebrated the Moulood Shareef and also wrote Kitaabs on its legality and excellence. They are:
1. Haafizul-Hadith Imam Muhammad bin Abu-Bakr bin Abdullah Al-Qais Ash-Shafa'ee commonly known as Ibne Naasir or Ibne Damishqi (b. 777/ d. 842 A.H.) “Mooridus-Saari fi Moulidil-Haadi”
2. Imam Haafiz Abdur-Rahim bin Husain bin Abdur-Rahmaan Al-Misri commonly known as Haafiz Iraaqi (724/808 A.H.) “Al-Mooridun-Nahi fi Moulidis Sani”
3. Imam Muhaddith Muhammad bin Abdur-Rahmaan bin Muhammad al-Qaahir commonly known as Haafiz Sakhawi (831/902 A.H.)
4. Imam Haafiz Imaadudeen Isma'eel bin Omar bin Katheer Damishqi commonly known as Ibne Katheer (d. 777 A.H.)
5. Haafiz wa Mujtahid Imam Mulla Ali Qaari ibne Sultaan ibne Muhammad Al-Hirwi Makki (d. 1014) “Al-Mooridir-Radi fi Moulidin-Nabi”
6. Imam Haafiz Wajuhudeen Abdur-Rahmaan bin Ali bin Muhammad Ash-Shaybaani Al-Yamani Az-Zubaidi Shafa'ee
7. Imamul-Muhadditheen Haafiz Allama Imam Jamaludeen Abdur-Rahmaan Ibne Jouzi Baghdadi (511/ 597) A.H. “Bayaan Al-Meelaadun-Nabi and Mouloodul-Oroos”
8. Arife-Billah Imam Taqiudeen Subki (756 A.H./1355)
9. Imam Muhaddith Yah'ya bin Yusuf Sar'sari (656 A.H./1258)
10. Faadil-e-Ajal Sayyidi Imam Jaafar bin Isma'eel Zainul-Abideen Alawi Al-Madani “Sharhe Al-Koukabul-Azhar ala Aqdil-Jouhar”
11. Aarife-Billah Allama Imam Sheikh Abu-Yazeed “Risaal Meelaad”
12. Imame-Ajal Aarife-Billah Allama Imam Abu-Bakr Ahmad bin Husain Bayhaqi “Al-Dalaa'ilun-Nubuwwah wa Maarifate-Ahwaale Saahibush-Sharee'ah”
13. Imam Mujaddid Haafiz Abul-Fadl Jalaluddin Abu-Bakr bin Abdur-Rahman al-Haytami al-Suyuti, (849/911 A.H.) “Al-Haawi lil Fata”
14. Imamul-Qurra Allama Imam Abul-Khair Shamsudeen Muhammad bin Muhammad Al-Jazri “Arfut-Tareef bi Moulidish-Shareef”
15. Khatimul-Muhadditheen Sheikhul-Ulama Allama Imam Haafiz Ahmad Qastalaani - “Mawaahibul-Ladunniya Shareef”
16. Muhaqqiq alal Itlaaq Sheikh Abdul-Haq Muhaddith Dehlawi “Akhbaarul-Akhyaar,” “Madaarijun-Nubuwwah”, “Ma-Thabata minas-Sunnah” and “Jazbul-Qoloob ila-Diyaaril-Mehboob”
17. Sheikhul Islam wal Muslimeen Allama Imam Haafiz Ahmad Shahaabudeen ibne Hajar Haytami Makki “Fatawa-Hadithiyya”, “An-Ne'matul-Kubra alal Aalam fi Moulidi Sayyidi Walade Aadam”
18. Allama Jaleelush-Shaan Imam Ali bin Burhaanudeen Halabi “Insaanil-Oyoon”
19. Taajul-Faqaha Imame Ajal Sayyid Muhammad ibne Aabideen Shaami “Fatawa-Shaami”
20. Allama Imam Muhaddith Muhammad Taahir Fatni “Majmaol-Bihaar”
21. Sayyiduna Imam Muhammad Jaafar bin Husain Barzanji Madani “Aqdul-Jowhar fi Moulidin-Nabiyyil-Azhar”
22. Sayyidul Muhadditheen Imamul-A'imma Imam Muhammad Isma'eel Al-Bukhari “Sahih Al-Bukhari”
23. Imam Ibne-Atheer “Usdul-Ghaba fi Maarifatis-Sahaba”
24. Imam Aarife-Billah Sheikh Muhammad Sharfudeen Boseeri “Qaseeda Burda”
25. Allama Imam Abu-Abdullah ibnul-Haaj “Al-Mudkhal”
26. Allama Imam Haafizul-Hadith Abdur-Rahmaan bin Omar Owzaa'ee (156 A.H.). It is said that he was the Aalim to write a book on the subject of Mouloodun-Nabi Celebrations.
27. Aarife-Billah Imam Abdur-Rahmaan Safoori Shafa'ee “Nuzhatul-Majaalis”
28. Qutbe-Kabeer Imam Sayyid Muhammad bin Sulaiman Jazooli “Ad-Dalaa'ilul-Khayraat”
29. Khaatimul-Muhadditheen Moulana Sheikh Sayyid Ahmad Zaini Dahlaan Makki Shafa'ee - “Ad-Durrus-Saniyyah fi Radde alal Wahabiyyah”
30. Imame Ahle Sunnah Aarife-Billah Mujaddid Ala'Hadrat Imam Ahmad Rida Al-Qaadiri Muhaddith Bareillwi “Al-Atayan-Nabawiyya fi Fatawar-Radawiyyah”, “Al-Iqamatl-Qiyaamah”, and others.
These are only a few names of the giants of Islam who not only celebrated the Moulood Shareef but also wrote books and promoted it in the Ummah. How unfortunate are those people who read the Kalima of the Beloved Nabi SAW but do not observe this important and virtuous occasion. May Almighty Allah SAW give guidance to all and bless them with Toufeeq to revive this great identity of Islam and shower the blessings of His Beloved Nabi SAW on all. Aameen. Walhamduilllahi Rabbil Aalameen wa Sallal laahu ta'ala alahi Khairi Khalqi Sayyidina wa Maulana Muhammad wa aalihi wa Ashaabihi ajma'in.
Moulana Abdul Hadi Razvi
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