COMMEMORATING
THE NOBLE BIRTH OF THE HOLY PROPHET MOHAMMED 
(peace
and blessings be upon him)
by M. Aqib Farid Qadri – June 2003
ALLAH – IN THE NAME OF – THE MOST BENEFICENT, THE MOST MERCIFUL.
Peace And Abundant
Blessings Be Upon Our Master Mohammed - The Leader Of The Creation – And Upon
His Progeny, His Companions, And All His Followers.
The issue of the celebrations of the noble birth
of our Holy Prophet Mohammed 
sparks much debate and questions are raised as
to whether it is correct or otherwise to observe it. Indeed a lot has been
argued on this subject, hence the need to clarify why Muslims from all over the
world celebrate this occasion as an “Eid” (literally meaning happy occasion or
festival).
Those who oppose the
commemoration claim the following:-
- The
Holy Prophet never celebrated it.
- The
Sahaba never celebrated it.
- There
are only 2 Eids in Islam (Eid-ul-Adha & Eid-ul-Fitr).
- It
copies the celebration of Christmas.
- It
is mixed with forbidden (Haraam) acts.
- It
is therefore a blameworthy innovation, that leads to misguidance.
The above “conclusion” made by the opponents is
extremely crude and unjust – for they base their opinion on just one type of
Ahadeeth, while purposely ignoring the other Ahadeeth that support introduction
of new ways (Sunnahs) in religion (that are in line with Islamic law), and
which do not negate an established Sunnah. It is firmly established from
various Qur’anic Verses, Prophetic Ahadeeth, Sunnah of the Companions,
historical facts, and by consensus of the Ulema, that innovations could either be
blameworthy or meritorious.
This article is not an attempt to define the
categories of “Bidat” – (what is a Good Innovation or a Blameworthy Innovation
etc) – for that is an entirely different subject. What this article shall
prove, with Allah’s help, is that this commemoration is not an innovation (Bidat) at all!! So the question of
whether such a commemoration is good or blameworthy, simply does not arise!
May Allah guide them not to
purposely hide the truth for it is feared they could then deserve the
punishment promised in the Holy Qur’an – “Indeed those who
hide the clear proofs and the guidance which We sent down, after We made it
clear to mankind in the Book - upon them is the curse of Allah and the curse of
those who curse. Except those who repent and do reform and disclose (the truth) - so I will accept their
repentance; and I only am the Most Acceptor of Repentance, the Most Merciful.”
[Surah Baqarah 2:159-160]
The other issue of whether this should be
called an “Eid” or not, is very simple. The two Eids mentioned in the Ahadeeth
are the COMPULSORY Eids – and on which specific types of worship must be
undertaken (Eid Prayers, Sacrifice etc.), and on which Fasting is prohibited.
The other type of Eid is NOT COMPULSORY – for
example any day on which a great favour was bestowed by Allah (every Friday of
every week, the day of Ashura celebrated by the Holy Prophet , the day of descent of the Holy Qur’an, the
day of the last Qur’anic revelation, the day the table-spread “al Maidah” was
sent down, etc.). Muslims all over the world commemorate this Eid, as the
latter type.
As to the issue of copying Christmas, it is a
fact that Christians celebrate this as the birth of Jesus (Prophet Eisa – peace
be upon him) – whom they believe to be the son of God, and therefore one of
their three assumed Gods. (May Allah protect us from such blasphemy - Aameen). Whereas,
we know that there is only ONE God, ALLAH – Who is neither born, nor does He
beget. Our commemoration marks the
birth of a Noble Prophet, a human being – thus upholding our firm belief of
Tawheed. The commemoration is thus a refutation of the incorrect Christian
belief – and this refutation is what we are commanded to do, in the Holy Qur’an
as well as in the Ahadeeth. A lot of other religions have forms of worship
and rituals that resemble Islamic forms of worship and rituals - for example we
read the Holy Qur’an and others read Bible, Torah, Ramayan, Geeta etc; we
prostate in our Prayers and others prostrate to idols; we fast, and others also
fast; we pay Zakaat and others give charity; we perform Hajj and others
assemble for Mass, Kumbh Mela etc; we are commanded to obey parents, speak the
truth, be good to neighbours – and so do most other religions command their
followers; but that does not mean we have to leave our duties. Outward
similarities are one thing - actual beliefs are another.
The issue of mixing these commemorations with
forbidden (Haraam) acts is one that applies not only this, but universally to all
forms of worship. Needless to say, forbidden acts must be abstained from at all
times, not only during these commemorations. We cannot, obviously, leave any
sort of worship because some people might mix it with forbidden acts. For
example – offering Salaat is compulsory, but if the Niyah (intention) is for
showing off (display), then this act of display is forbidden – but not the
Salaat. So if the person indulging in these acts (in our example display) is to
be advised, he should be advised to abstain from display – but not advised to
forego Salaat altogether. Another example is that if a person steals something
from a mosque, should we try to prevent the theft or should we just stupidly
demolish the mosque?
THE FOLLOWING PAGES WILL MAKE IT AMPLY CLEAR THAT :-
- Allah, the Almighty, has Himself
commemorated Mawlid of the Holy Prophet, and that of various other Prophets.
- Allah has gifted mankind with
innumerable favours due to the Mawlid of the Holy Prophet, and that these
favours shall continue. So this commemoration by Allah is still ongoing.
- The earlier Prophets
commemorated the Mawlid of the Holy Prophet, their own Mawlid, and that of
their sons.
- The Holy Prophet has
commemorated his own Mawlid.
- The Sahaba commemorated the Mawlid
of the Holy Prophet.
So when such radiant and undisputable proofs
are available from the Holy Qur’an and Ahadeeth, what is the need to search for “historical” evidence as to when and
where it was actually done by the Ummah?
CHAPTER 1. (A)
ALLAH COMMEMORATES THE MAWLID
OF VARIOUS
PROPHETS
THE BIRTH OF SYEDNA ADAM (peace be upon him)
Proofs From The Holy Qur’an.
Proof # 1
And it is He Who has created you from a
single soul - then you have to stop over in one place and stay entrusted in
another; indeed We have explained Our verses in detail for people of
understanding. [Surah Ana`am 6:98]
Proof # 2
“So when I have perfected him and breathed
into him a spirit from Myself, (you all) fall down before him in
prostration.” [Surah Saad 38:72]
Proof From Ahadeeth
Narrated Syedna Aws ibn Aws 
:
The Holy Prophet said: Among the most excellent of your days
is Friday; on it Adam was created, on it he died, on it the last trumpet
will be blown, and on it the shout will be made, so invoke more blessings on me
that day, for your blessings will be submitted to me. The people asked: O Apostle
of Allah, how can it be that our blessings will be submitted to you while your
body is decayed? He replied: Allah, the Exalted, has prohibited the earth from
consuming the bodies of Prophets. (Sunan Abu Daud)
THE BIRTH OF SYEDNA YAHYA (peace be upon him)
Proofs From The Holy Qur’an.
Proof # 1
This is the remembrance of the mercy of your
Lord upon His bondman Zakaria. When he softly prayed to his Lord. [Surah Maryam 19:2-3]
Note that Allah has called the birth of Syedna
Yahya a “mercy”, and its mentioning in the Holy Qur’an as a “remembrance”. What
greater evidence would be required for the remembrance of the Holy Prophet’s birth?
Proof # 2
“O Zakaria! We give you the glad tidings of
a son whose name is Yahya (John) - before him, We have not created anyone
of this name.” He submitted, “My Lord - how can I have a son whereas my wife is
barren and I have reached infirmity due to old age?” He (the angel) said, “So
it is; your Lord says, ‘This is easy for Me - in fact I created you before
this, at a time when you did not exist.’ ” [Surah Maryam 19:7-9]
Proof # 3
And peace is upon him the day he was born, and the day he will taste death,
and the day he will be raised alive. [Surah Maryam 19:15]
Proof # 4
And remember Zakaria, when he prayed to his
Lord, “O my Lord - do not leave me alone, and You are the Best Inheritor. We
therefore heard his prayer; and bestowed him Yahya, and cured his wife for
him; indeed they used to hasten to perform good deeds, and pray to Us with hope
and fear; and used to weep before Us. [Surah Ambiya 21:89-90]
THE BIRTH OF SYEDNA MOOSA (peace be upon him)
Proofs From The Holy Qur’an.
Proof # 1
And We inspired the mother of Moosa that, “Suckle
him; then when you fear for him, cast him into the river and do not fear nor
grieve; We shall indeed return him back to you and make him one of the
Noble Messengers.” [Surah Qasas 28:7]
THE BIRTH OF SYEDNA EISA (peace be upon him)
Proofs From The Holy Qur’an.
Proof # 1
So she conceived him, and she went away with
him to a far place. Then the pangs of childbirth brought her to the base of the
palm-tree; she
said, “Oh, if only had I died before this and had become forgotten,
unremembered.” [Surah Maryam 19:22-23]
Proof # 2
“And peace is upon me the day I was born,
and on the day I shall taste death, and on the day I will be raised alive.”
This is Eisa (Jesus), the son of Maryam; a true statement, in which they doubt.
[Surah Maryam 19:33-34]
THE BIRTHS OF SYEDNA ISMAIL & ISHAAQ (peace be upon them)
Proofs From The Holy Qur’an.
Proof # 1.
They said, “Do not fear - we convey to you
the glad tidings of a knowledgeable boy.” [Surah Hijr 15:53]
Proof # 2.
“All praise is to Allah Who gave me Ismail
and Ishaaq, in my old age; indeed my Lord is the Listener of Prayer.” [Surah
Ibrahim 14:39]
THE BIRTHS OF SEVERAL
PROPHETS (peace be upon them)
Proofs From The Holy Qur’an.
Proof # 1
And when Moosa said to his people, “O my
people! Remember Allah’s favour upon you, that He created Prophets among you,
and made you kings, and has now given you what He has not given to any one else
in this world.” [Surah Maidah 5:20]
Note that Allah has mentioned the creation of
Prophets among the Bani Israel, separately from other favours, in order to
especially highlight this.
OTHER PERSONS WHOSE
BIRTHS WERE SPECIFICALLY REMEMBERED IN THE HOLY QUR’AN
THE BIRTH OF SYEDA MARYAM 
Proof # 1
So when she gave birth to it, she said, “My Lord! I have indeed
given birth to a girl!” And Allah well knows what she gave birth to; and the
boy she had prayed for is not like this girl; “And I have named her Maryam and
I give her and her offspring in Your protection, against Satan the outcast.” So
her Lord fully accepted her (Maryam), and gave her an excellent development;
and gave her in Zakaria’s guardianship; whenever Zakaria visited her at her
place of prayer, he found new food with her; he said, “O Maryam! From where did
this come to you?” She answered, “It is from Allah; indeed Allah gives to whomever
He wills, without account.” [Surah Aale I`mran
THE BIRTH OF SYEDNA SIDDIQ AKBAR
Proof # 1
And We have commanded man to be good towards
parents; his mother bore him with hardship, and delivered him with hardship;
and carrying him and weaning him is for thirty months; until when he reached
maturity and became forty years of age, he said, “My Lord! Inspire me to be
thankful for the favours you bestowed upon me and my parents, and that I may
perform the deeds pleasing to You, and keep merit among my offspring; I have
inclined towards you and I am a Muslim.” [Surah Ahqaf 46:15] (This verse was
revealed concerning Syedna Abu Bakr, the first caliph – Tafseer Ibn Abbas)
From the above it is amply clear that Allah has
commemorated Mawlid of many of His noble Prophets, and others who are worthy of
His proximity.
CHAPTER 1. (B)
ALLAH COMMEMORATES MAWLID
OF
THE HOLY PROPHET
Proofs From The Holy Qur’an.
Proof # 1
And remember when Allah took a covenant from
the Prophets; “If I give you the Book and knowledge and the (promised) Noble Messenger comes to you, confirming the Books you
possess, you shall positively, definitely believe in him and you shall
positively, definitely help him”; He said, “Do you agree, and accept My binding
responsibility in this matter?” They all answered, “We agree”; He said, “Then
bear witness amongst yourselves, and I Myself am a witness with you.” [Surah Aale
I`mran 3:81]
"Allah has never sent a
prophet, from Adam onward, unless he took from Him the covenant regarding Mohammed : if
Mohammed is sent in that prophet’s lifetime, he was to
believe in him and support him, and that prophet was to take this covenant to
his people as well. (Syedna Ibn Abbas )
Proof # 2
And remember when Eisa the son of Maryam said,
“O Descendants of Israel! Indeed I am Allah’s Noble Messenger towards you,
confirming the Book Torah which was before me, and heralding glad tidings of
the Noble Messenger who will come after me – his name is Ahmed (the Praised One)”; so when Ahmed came
to them with clear proofs, they said, “This is an obvious magic.” [Surah Saff
61:6]
Proof # 3
O dear Prophet, did you not see how did your
Lord deal with the People of the Elephant? [Surah Feel 105:1]
It is well known that Allah protected the
Meccans from the attack of Abraha, and that this took place in the year of the
Holy Prophet’s birth. This event is an indication of the prestige of the Holy
Prophet , and a
clear proof of Allah’s great favour in the year of the Holy Prophet’s birth.
Proof # 4
And when the Book from Allah came to them,
which confirms the Book in their possession
- and before that they used to seek victory through the medium of this
very Prophet (Mohammed ) over the disbelievers; so when the
one whom they fully recognised came to them, they turned disbelievers -
therefore Allah’s curse is upon the disbelievers. [Surah Baqarah 2:89]
Proof # 5
By your
life O dear Prophet (Mohammed ) - they are indeed
straying in their intoxication. [Surah Hijr 15:72]
Note here that Allah has sworn upon the entire
life of His Holy Prophet – this includes the time of his noble birth!
Proof # 6
By oath
of this era of yours (O dear Prophet
Mohammed ). [Surah A`sr 103:1]
For further proofs, see CHAPTER 1 (C)
and (D).
How did Allah celebrate this on the DAY of the Prophet’s birth?
1) He made the Ka’aba lean in
prostration towards the place of the noble birth.
2) Allah caused the idols to fall down.
3) He extinguished the fires of
4) Only male children were born on that
day.
5) The skies were illuminated.
6)
7) Allah removed drought from
8) Allah stopped sending down torments.
9) He sent down the maidens of .
10) He sent down Angel Gibreel to carry
the Holy Prophet, and announce his birth all over the world.
CHAPTER 1. (C )
ALLAH’S
GIFTS TO MANKIND DUE TO THE COMING OF THE HOLY PROPHET
Proofs From The Holy Qur’an
Proof # 1
The way We have sent to you a Noble Messenger
from among you, who recites to you Our verses and purifies you, and teaches
you the Book and sound wisdom, and teaches you what you did not know.
[Surah Baqarah 2:151]
Proof # 2
Allah has indeed bestowed a great favour upon
the Muslims, in that He sent to them a Noble Messenger from among them, who
recites to them His verses, and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and
wisdom; and before it, they were definitely in open error. [Surah Aale
I`mran 3:164]
Note that Allah has called the Holy
Prophet – as one of His greatest favours to Muslims.
Proof # 3
“Those
who will obey this Noble Messenger, the Herald of the Hidden who is untutored (except by Allah), whom they will find
mentioned in the Taurat and the Injeel with them; he will command them to do
good and forbid them from wrong, and he will make lawful for them the good
clean things and prohibit the foul for them, and he will unburden the loads and
the neck chains which were upon them; so those who believe in him, and
revere him, and help him, and follow the light which came down with him - it is
they who have succeeded." [Surah Aa`raf 7:157]
Note that to honour the Holy Prophet
is part of faith. To disrespect him is blasphemy.
Proof # 4
It is He Who has sent among the unlettered
people a Noble Messenger from themselves, who recites His verses to them and
purifies them, and bestows them the knowledge of the Book and wisdom; and
indeed before this, they were in open error. [Surah Juma`h 62:2]
Proof # 5
And it is not for Allah to punish them while
you (O dear Prophet) are amongst them; and Allah will not punish them as
long as they are seeking forgiveness. [Surah Anfal 8:33]
Proof # 6
And We
did not send you (O dear Prophet) except as a mercy for
the entire world. [Surah Ambiya 21:107]
Note that Allah has named the Holy Prophet “a
mercy unto mankind”.
How has Allah rewarded the Muslims after the day of the Prophet’s birth?
- He
sent down the Holy Qur’an.
- He
sent down the sound Wisdom (i.e. the Prophet’s Sunnah)
- He
made the Holy Prophet as a Mercy to all mankind.
- He
lessened the punishments of Muslims sins.
- He
increased the rewards tenfold for Muslims’ good deeds.
- He
lessened the burdens on the necks of Muslims.
- He
accepts forgiveness who seek it from him, and for whom the Holy Prophet
seeks forgiveness.
- He
has kept open the doors of forgiveness till the very end.
- He
has promised first entry in to
- This
list is endless.
From the above it is proven that Allah has gifted
mankind with innumerable favours due to the Mawlid of the Holy Prophet , and
that these favours shall continue. So this commemoration by Allah is still
ongoing. This also proves that any day can be chosen to commemorate this
auspicious occasion, because the gifts and commemoration from Allah are
continuous, every day, every hour, every moment. Muslims usually choose the 12th
day of Rabi-ul-Awwal, because that is the day the Holy Prophet was born, and is
the easiest to remember. Any other day can also been chosen. And we all know
that unless something is scheduled, it is human nature to keep postponing it or
to simply forget it.
CHAPTER 1. (D)
ALLAH
EXHORTS MUSLIMS TO REMEMBER THE ADVENT OF THE HOLY PROPHET 
.
Proofs From The Holy Qur’an
Proof # 1
It is He Who has sent His Noble Messenger
with guidance and the religion of truth, in order that He may make it prevail
over all other religions, even if the polytheists get annoyed. [Surah Saff
61:9]
Proof # 2
Indeed there has come to you a Noble Messenger from among you - your falling into
hardship aggrieves him, most concerned for your well being, for the Muslims
most compassionate, most merciful. [Surah Taubah 9:128]
Proof # 3
Allah has indeed bestowed a great favour upon
the Muslims, in that He sent to them a Noble Messenger from among them, who recites to
them His verses, and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and wisdom; and
before it, they were definitely in open error. [Surah Aale I`mran 3:164 ]
Note that the Holy Prophet is one of Allah’s greatest favours to mankind
Proof # 4
O mankind! Indeed the clear proof from your
Lord has come to you, and We have sent down to you a bright light. [Surah
Nisa 4:174]
Note here the Holy Prophet is a mentioned as a “Clear Proof” from
Allah.
Proof # 5
O mankind! This Noble Messenger has come to
you with the truth from your Lord, so accept faith for your own good; and
if you disbelieve, then undoubtedly to Allah only belongs all whatever is in
the heavens and the in earth; and Allah is All Knowing, Wise. [Surah Nisa
4:170]
Proof # 6
O People given the Book(s)! Indeed this
Noble Messenger of Ours has come to you, revealing to you a lot of the
things which you had hidden in the Book, and forgiving a lot of them; indeed
towards you has come a light from Allah, and a clear Book. [Surah Maidah 5:15]
Note here the Holy Prophet is a
mentioned as a “Light” from Allah.
Proof # 7
O People given the Book(s)! Indeed this
Noble Messenger of Ours has come to you, revealing to you Our commands,
after the Noble Messengers had stopped arriving for ages, for you might claim,
“Never did any Harbinger of Glad Tidings or Herald of Warning come to us” - so
this Herald of glad tidings and warning has come to you; and Allah is Able to
do all things. [Surah Maidah 5:19]
Proof # 8
O mankind! The advice has come to you from your
Lord and a cure for the hearts - and guidance and mercy for believers. Say, “Upon
Allah’s munificence and upon His mercy - upon these should the people rejoice”;
this is better than all the wealth they hoard. [Surah Yunus 10:57-58]
This verse clearly states that REJOICING upon
the favours and mercy from Allah is better that all worldly goods. And there is
no doubt that the Holy Prophet is (a) A great favour from Allah and (b) Allah’s
Mercy towards the entire world. This general permission from Allah applies to
all His favours.
CHAPTER 1. (E)
ALLAH
COMMANDS THE BELIEVERS TO REMEMBER ALL THE PROPHETS (peace be upon them)
Proofs From The Holy Qur’an
Proof # 1
And indeed We sent Moosa along with Our signs
that, “Bring your people from the realms of darkness into light - and remind
them of the days of Allah; indeed in them are signs for every greatly
enduring, grateful person.” [Surah Ibrahim 14:5]
Explaining the previous verse, An-Nasa`i and `Abdullah
Ibn Ahmad report in Zawayd Al-Musnad and Al-Bayhaqi in Shu'ab Al-Iman reports
on the authority of Ibn Ka`b that he said that the Holy Prophet said: "The days of Allah" are
Allah's Blessings and Signs, and the Prophet's birth is a great bliss. (Al-Aloosi's
Rooh Al-Ma`aani).
Proof # 2
Indeed following the Noble Messenger of Allah
is better for you –
for one who is confident of Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much.
[Surah Ahzab 33:21]
Proof # 3
Allah has indeed bestowed a great favour upon
the Muslims, in that He sent to them a Noble Messenger from among them, who recites to
them His verses, and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and wisdom; and
before it, they were definitely in open error. [Surah Aale I`mran 3:164]
Proof # 4
And when Moosa said to his people, “O my
people! Remember Allah’s favour upon you, that He created Prophets among
you, and made you kings, and has now given you what He has not given to any
one else in this world.” [Surah Maidah 5:20]
Proof # 5
And remember Ibrahim in the Book; he was very truthful, a Herald of
the Hidden (a Prophet). [Surah Maryam 19:41]
Proof # 6
And remember Moosa in the Book; he was indeed a chosen one, and he
was a Noble Messenger, a Herald of the Hidden. [Surah Maryam 19:51]
Proof # 7
And remember Ismail in the Book; he was indeed true to his promise
and was a Noble Messenger, a Prophet. [Surah Maryam 19:54]
Proof # 8
And remember Idrees in the Book; he was indeed very truthful, a
Prophet. [Surah Maryam 19:56]
Proof # 9
And remember Dawud and Sulaiman, when they were deciding the
dispute of a field, when some people’s sheep had strayed into it at night; and
We were Present at the time of their deciding. [Surah Ambiya 21:78]
Proof # 10
And remember Ayyub (Job), when he called his Lord that, “Hardship
has afflicted me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who have mercy.”
[Surah Ambiya 21:83]
Proof # 11
And remember Zakaria, when he prayed to his Lord, “O my
Lord - do not leave me alone, and You are the Best Inheritor. We therefore
heard his prayer; and bestowed him Yahya, and cured his wife for him; indeed
they used to hasten to perform good deeds, and pray to Us with hope and fear;
and used to weep before Us. [Surah Ambiya 21:89-90]
Proof # 12
In order that you, O people, may accept faith
in Allah and His Noble Messenger, and honour and revere the Noble Messenger;
and may say the Purity of Allah, morning and evening. [Surah Fath 48:9]
Note that we are ordered here to say the Purity
of Allah, along with honouring and revering the Holy Prophet ,
morning and evening – that is, without fail.
CHAPTER 1. (F)
ALLAH
SENDS SALAAM TO ALL HIS PROPHETS
Proofs From The Holy Qur’an
Proof # 1
Indeed Allah and His angels send blessings on
the Prophet; O
People who Believe! Send blessings and abundant salutations upon him. [Surah
Ahzab 33:56] (Everlasting peace and unlimited blessings be upon the Holy Prophet
Mohammed.)
Proof # 2
And peace is upon him the day he was born, and the day he will taste death,
and the day he will be raised alive. [Surah Maryam 19:15]
Proof # 3
Peace be upon Nooh, among the entire people. [Surah Saffat 37:79]
Proof # 4
Peace be upon Ibrahim! [Surah Saffat 37:109]
Proof # 5
Peace be upon Moosa and Haroon! [Surah Saffat 37:120]
Proof # 6
Peace be upon Ilyas! [Surah Saffat 37:130]