Rabi’ul Awwal
Rabi’ul Awwal: Is the third Islamic Month.
The month of Rabi’ul Awwal is the most significant month in the Islamic history, because humanity has been blessed in this month by the birth of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him). Thus the birth of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) was the most significant and the most remarkable event in human history. Had there been room in Islamic teachings for the celebration of birthdays and anniversaries, the birth of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) would have undoubtedly deserved it more than the birthday of any other person.
ISLAM DOES NOT HOLD THE CONCEPT OF OBSERVING ANNIVERSARIES
But the nature of Islamic teachings is such, that, their main stress is directed towards practicalism instead of formalism. That is why, unlike Judaism, Christianity and Hinduism, there are very few festivals in Islam, which provides for only two Eids, (Eidul Fitr and Eidul Adha) during the whole year. The dates of these two Eids do not correspond to the birthday of any of the outstanding persons of Islamic History, nor can their origin be attributed to any particular event of history, which had happened in these dates.
Hence, Islam has not prescribed any festival for the birthday of any person or the observing of any death however great or significant they may be. The Prophets of Allah (Peace be upon them) are the persons of the highest status amongst all human beings. But the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) or his noble companions (R.A.) never observed birthdays, deaths or their anniversaries. Many of the companions (R.A.) of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) passed away during his lifetime. His blessed wife Sayyidina Khadija (R.A.A.) passed away in Makka, his beloved uncle Sayyidina Hamza (R.A.) was brutally slaughtered during the battle of Uhud. But their birthdays and anniversaries were never observed, nor did he ever advise his followers to celebrate his own birthday in Rabiul-Awwal. Hence, the birthday of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) which was the most happy day for the whole mankind was never celebrated by the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him), nor by his blessed companions (R.A.).
DEATH
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) was not only born in this month but also departed eternally from this world. Hence, there are some people who practice sorrow in this month because the Prophet (Peace be upon him) passed away in this month. This is also incorrect. This innovative custom cannot be found anywhere in Islam.
AN INNOVATION?
The Holy Qur’an has clearly pronounced on the occasion of the last Haj of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him): Translation: Today I have completed (the teachings of) your religion.
It means that all the teachings of Islam were communicated to the Muslims through the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him). No one is allowed to add any thing to them as part of religion. What was never part of religion during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) can never be part of it at any following occasion. Such additions are termed by the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) as Bid’ah or innovation.
HISTORY OF THE CELEBRATIONS…
It was after centuries that some monarchs started observing the 12th of Rabi’ul Awwal as the birthday of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) without a sound religious basis. The congregations in the name of Maulood or Milad were held where the history of the birth of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) used to be narrated. The observance of the 12th of Rabi’ul Awwal as the birthday of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) is not only an innovation having no basis in Islamic teachings, but the accuracy of this date as the real birthday of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) is also very much doubted. There are different dates suggested in different traditions, and the majority of the authentic scholars are inclined to hold that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was born on the 9th of Rabi’ul Awwal. This difference of opinion is another evidence to prove that the observance of the birthday is not part of religion, otherwise its exact date would have been observed with accuracy.
THE IMPORTANT THING IS …
What is really important with regards to the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) is;
· To follow his teachings. · To make his pious Seerah (Life style) available to every Muslim. · To preserve it in the hearts of the Muslims from the very childhood.
· To educate the family members in order to run their lives according to it. · To hold it as the most glorious example of the Human conduct the universe has ever witnessed.
All this with utmost love and reverence not manifested by some formal activities only, but also through actual behavior of following the Sunnah. This cannot be accomplished by merely holding processions and illuminating the walls. This requires constant and consistent efforts and a meaningful programme of education and training.
(Islamic Months. M. Taqi Uthmani Sahib. Pages 27-38) (The Islamic Calendar. Siraj bin Yoosuf Lambat. Pages 20-22)