Rabi-ul-Awwal: Celebrating the Greatest Mercy
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| Rabi-ul-Awwal: Why We Celebrate the Birth of Prophet Muhammad |
The third month in the Islamic calendar is Rabi-ul-Awwal. This month is very special and blessed. Why? Because the greatest person ever born came to the world in this month!
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born on the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal, on a Monday, in the Holy city of Makkah. He is the reason the universe was created.
Why Is This Night So Special?
Some great Islamic scholars say the Prophet's birth night is even better than Layla-tul-Qadr (The Night of Power).
On Layla-tul-Qadr, Angels come down from the sky.
But on the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal, Allah's greatest mercy came down to the world!
Allah sent the Prophet as a mercy to everyone. The Quran says:
“And We did not send you (O dear Prophet Muhammad) except as a mercy for the entire world.” (Ambiya 21:107)
The Quran Tells Us to Rejoice!
When Allah gives us a great mercy, we should be happy! The Holy Quran commands us to rejoice:
“Say, ‘Upon Allah’s munificence and upon His mercy - upon these should the people rejoice’...” (Yunus 10:58)
The Prophet Muhammad is Allah’s greatest mercy to us. So, celebrating his arrival is exactly what the Quran asks us to do—rejoice over Allah's mercy!
A Story of Reward for Rejoicing
Even an unbeliever was rewarded for celebrating the birth!
Abu Lahab was the Prophet's uncle and a great enemy of Islam.
When the Prophet was born, Abu Lahab's slave girl, Suwaybah, told him the good news.
Out of joy, Abu Lahab freed the slave girl!
Later, a relative saw Abu Lahab in a dream suffering in Hell. But he was given a little water from his thumb. This small relief was because he had rejoiced and freed his slave girl on the day the Prophet was born!
Scholars say: If a non-believer like Abu Lahab got a reward for being happy, imagine how much reward a Muslim gets for celebrating the Prophet's birth with a pure heart! Spending money to celebrate this day is a sign of strong faith (Iman).
What Happens in a Meelad Gathering?
A Meelad (or Mawlid) is a gathering to celebrate the Prophet's birth. These meetings are full of blessings.
In a Meelad gathering, people usually do three things:
Read the Birth Story: A scholar tells the true stories of the Prophet’s birth, his great qualities, and his miracles.
Send Blessings: People stand up and send Salutations (Durood-o-Salam) to the Holy Prophet with deep respect.
Share and Pray: Sweets or food are often given out. Then, everyone makes a prayer (Dua) asking Allah for good things in this life and the next.
These acts are all proven and based on the Quran and Sunnah.
Why Did the Prophet Fast on Monday?
The Prophet Muhammad himself honored the day of his birth. When asked why he fasted every Monday, he replied:
“I was born on this day and the revelation descended upon me on the same day.” (Sahih Muslim)
This shows the importance of the day he arrived!
May Allah help us celebrate the blessed birth of the Holy Prophet correctly. May we receive immense reward and be granted his neighborhood in Paradise!
