Maulidur Rasul

"Actually, celebrating the Prophet's birthday means celebrating the birth of Islam..." 

  Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qardawi

Salam to all my brothers and sisters in Islam,
As most of you may already know, we are approaching the day of Maulid or Maulidur Rasul which is the Birthday of our beloved Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. The Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him (pbuh) was born on Monday during subuh, 9th Rabee`Al-Awwal (Rabiulawal), the year of the Elephant (the year in which the invasion of the Elephants took place against the Ka`bah). This year 2011, it will fall on 15th February 2011. Already I've noticed the banner and buntings everywhere calling all the believers to join in the celebration of Maulidur Rasul as if it is a festival.

What I would like discuss here is the argument that have been around for quite some time between our bothers and sisters in Islam about whether we are to celebrate Maulidur Rasul or not. I have asked the opinions of several Ustaz and have been doing some research about it as to clarify the situation and also for my peace mind.

Therefore I would like to share my findings here and hope that we will be guided by Allah to the right path and not stray from it. Amin.

But first I would like to state my stand, from my perspective the celebration of Maulidur Rasul should not be called a celebration, it should be called the Commemoration of Maulidur Rasul which means "Memperingati hari Kelahiran Rasul". This is because celebration only express happiness, it does not grasp the whole meaning of Maulidur Rasul. Commemorate which is to remember and honor can express both rememberence and joy. We are blessed and happy for the birth of our Prophet pbuh, but we also have to remember in order to appreciate all the hardship that he and the sahabah have been through in order to spread and defend Islam.

Therefore we have to find the best way to Honor this day. As the prophet once said "The best of all dealings is the one which is moderate". And the best way is to be moderate. I personally do not agree in the processions and parade that has been taking place in Malaysia during Maulidur Rasul, for me it does not deliver the message well and it is a waste of time. To me there are better ways of commemorating this day like reciting and understanding the Holy Quran, listening to religious talks, reading about the life of the Prophet pbuh and also by giving Salawat. And in my opinion, this should not only been done on that one day, but throughout the year, and this IS the BEST way to honor him.

Allah Almighty knows best.

Here I would also like to share what Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi who is likely the most renowned Salafi scholar of the 20th century opinion:

"We all know that the Companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did not celebrate the Prophet's birthday, Hijrah or the Battle of Badr, because they witnessed such events during the lifetime of the Prophet who always remained in their hearts and minds.

Sa`d Ibn Abi Waqqaas said that they were keen on telling their children the stories of the Prophet's battles just as they were keen on teaching them the Qur'an. Therefore, they used to remind their children of what happened during the Prophet's lifetime so they did not need to hold such celebrations.

However, the following generations began to forget such a glorious history and its significance. So such celebrations were held as a means of reviving great events and the values that we can learn from them.

Unfortunately, such celebrations include some innovations when they should actually be made to remind people of the Prophet's life and his call. Actually, celebrating the Prophet's birthday means celebrating the birth of Islam. Such an occasion is meant to remind people of how the Prophet lived.

Allah Almighty says: "Verily in the Messenger of Allah ye have a good example for him who looketh unto Allah and the last Day, and remembereth Allah much." (Al-Ahzab: 21)

By celebrating the Prophet's Hijrah, we should teach them values such as sacrifice, the sacrifice of the Companions, the sacrifice of `Ali who slept in the Prophet's place on the night of the Hijrah, the sacrifice of Asmaa' as she ascended the Mountain of Thawr. We should teach them to plan the way the Prophet planned for his Hijrah, and how to trust in Allah as the Prophet did when Abu Bakr told him: "We could be seen so easily, the Prophet replied saying: "O Abu Bakr! What do you think of two when Allah is their third?" "Have no fear, for Allah is with us." (At-Tawbah: 40)

We need all these lessons and such celebrations are a revival of these lessons and values. I think that these celebrations, if done in the proper way, will serve a great purpose, getting Muslims closer to the teachings of Islam and to the Prophet's Sunnah and life.

Allah Almighty knows best.

[Source: Mufti Islam Online Fatwa Committee Date: Date 19/Apr/2001: Fatwa ID: 34150]