Issue No:185
17th January 2014
15th Rabiul Awwal 1435 A.H.
Salamun alaykum,
Meeladun Nabi:
Mawleed in Arabic means birth, birthday, nativity. At the sighting of the crescent of month of Rabi’ ul Awwal, Muslims all over the world celebrate with intense felicitations the occasion ofMeeladun Nabi –the birth of our Noble Prophet Muhammad SAWW which occurred on the 17th Rabi’ ul Awwal in the year of the Elephant (Aamul Feel) corresponding to 570 C.E. Some historians also record the birthdate to be 12th Rabi’ ul Awwal.
For more than three decades, taking into account this historical difference in dates, the ummah has been observing the period from 12th to 17th Rabi’ ul Awwal as the Unity week. The occasion of Meeladun Nabi is one such day on the Islamic calendar when the sectarian lines blur, and Muslims across the world, cutting across political, ideological and cultural differences, join the celebrations together. Around the world numerous events are organized at different levels to celebrate and express the joy of this auspicious event of Meeladun Nabi. Through these diverse activities muslims of all ages come together for the celebration of Meeladun Nabi.
Such great is the excitement and happiness of this occasion that the whole month of Rabi’ ul Awwal is dedicated towards this lofty personality.
Why celebrate Meeladun Nabi?
Muslims indulge in these celebrations for several reasons. The birth of Nabi Muhammad Mustafa, the chosen messenger of Allah is a great boon bestowed upon believers and mankind. For which we are obliged to express our deep gratitude and appreciation in all forms including Meeladun Nabi. All this grand celebration is done with great vigour and fervour so as to honour the birth anniversary of the Prophet, that great personality who is the best among all creations and who leads us out of darkness /ignorance into light/enlightenment. This also is a form of expressing gratitude to Allah SWT for this great endowment. Lessons/ moral from teaching and lifestyle of the Prophet is gained. Further such gatherings are a blessed assembly where the recitation of Quran, dhikr of Allah, salawat is performed. Thus attendees derive thawab.
Not all celebrate Meeladun Nabi:
However some segments of the muslim community do not favour the celebrations of Meeladun Nabi considering it to bebid’a–an innovation; which was not practiced by the Noble Prophet. This group is very vocal in condemning people who arrange or participate in Meeladun Nabi to an extent of considering them to be misguided,disbelievers and destined for hell.Is it not ironic that a section of the community by opposing Meeladun Nabi celebrations cause disunity in the muslim ummah whereas the birth of this elevated personality is a blessing to all mankind and the universe?
Has the Meeladun Nabi lost its essence?
At the 18th joint Muslim /Christian celebrations held at the Portsmouth Cathedral, our host, The Very Revd David Brindley mentioned in his address that the essential message of Christmas, the birth of Jesus, needs to be unpacked. The commercialization of celebrating this event has overshadowed the true meaning of Christmas. For some people the celebrations of Christmas is related to the festivities for the 25th December and the exchange of gifts for this occasion.
In the light of the above comment the question I ask during these days of celebrating Meeladun Nabi is that:
Is the true purpose for celebrating this auspicious occasion being eclipsed by the various festivities?
Would not the muslim ummah be in a state different than we find it today?
Likewise we as a community who observe the days dedicated to the wiladat and wafat of our beloved Prophet and the Ahlul Bayt a.s. such as the days of khushalis and azadari; is this our practice the ultimate end for attaining closeness to Ahlul Bayt and the Divine Pleasure?
Is there more to be unpacked in the commemoration of the wiladat and wafat of the Ahlul Bayt? If your response is positive, then what else is expected from a mu’min?
Khushali Mubarak.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat