Mawlid an Nabi – The greatest bounty of Allah Most High
The birth of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is an incredible abundance of Allah Most High for the entire world. Before His arrival, the world was rife with barbarism and terrorism. People were seeped in polytheism and oppression (mistreatment) was the norm. The society was stuck in an abyss. In such times, Almighty Allah sent the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) as the guide for the worlds. He guided humanity along the right path, dispelled the darkness of polytheism and illuminated them with the light of faith.
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) arrived last of all, but was the first to be created.
Almighty Allah created the radiance of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) before creating anything else. There is a Hadith in Musannad Abdur Razzaq of Imam Abdur Razzaq who was the teacher of Imam Bukhari’s (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) teacher that Hadhrat Jabir (May Allah be well pleased with him) asked the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam): O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)! My mother and father are for you! Tell me what Allah Most High created first of all. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: O Jabir! Indeed, Almighty Allah created the radiance of your Prophet from His own Radiance before anything else. That radiance, with the will of Allah, would go wherever it wanted to. Then, there was no Tablet (Lauh) nor any Pen (Qalam), neither paradise nor hell, neither the skies nor the earth, neither the moon nor the sun and neither humans nor genies.
Almighty Allah says in Surah Dhuha:
And proclaim (well) the bounties of your Lord. Surah Dhuha (93:11)
The Holy Quran orders us to proclaim and describe the bounties of the Lord Almighty. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is not only the greatest bounty of Allah on the universe, He is also the fount of all other bounties. Describing His arrival is nothing but the command of the Holy Quran.
There is another verse in such manner in Surah Younus:
Say: ‘(All this) is because of the abundance and mercy of Allah (bestowed upon you through raising Muhammad [blessings and peace be upon him] as the lifted up Messenger). So the Muslims ought to rejoice over it. This is far superior than (all that abundance and wealth) that they gather.’ Surah Younus (10:58)
When we are ordered to celebrate the general mercy, then how much should we celebrate the arrival of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) who is the greatest favor of Allah Most High and is mercy personified?
We shouldn’t celebrate the joys of the Mawlid ourselves alone but should also include the poor and the needy folk as well.
There are various ways of happiness and thankfulness and said that on this occasion, one should recite the Holy Quran, send salutations (Durood) on the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). We should ourselves read the blessed life and accomplishments of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and read and convey them to our family members as well. We should distribute and convey the life and the message of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) in various languages to the non-Muslims as well. One may call upon the sick folk and provide medicines, fruits, etc. for them. We should help the orphans and the widows as well. We should engage in charity and feed others as well.
If one can fulfill a person’s need individually, then one should try to fulfill it collectively.
There is a Hadith:
Translation: The whole creation is the family of Allah Most High and the most beloved to Allah among all is the one who treats them the most kindly. (Kanz Ul ‘Ummaal, Hadith No. 16171)
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) also said:
Translation: The best among people is the one who benefits others the most. (Kanz Ul ‘Ummaal, Hadith No. 44154)
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is the very embodiment of high morals. There was no harshness in His nature. He would not raise His voice in the markets. Thus the processions of Mawlid should be carried out in the most dignified and graceful manner. Those in the procession should be mindful of congregational Salaat as well. Nothing impermissible or against the Shariah should be done. Noise and clamor should be strictly avoided. No one should be hurt in the procession or by it. All the participants should behave in a cultured and refined manner. The foolishness of some people spoils the image of Islam before others. It is our responsibility to follow the Shariah, follow the law of the land and uphold and propagate the message of peace.
