Celebration of Birthday of Prophet Mohamed
16 February, 2012
Khartoum- (sudanow.info.sd) -In most parts of the Islamic and Arab world Muslims celebrate al-Mulid Al-Nabaway (the Birthday of the Prophet Mohammad, Peace Be Upon Him (P.B.U.H), the messenger of Allah, the God Almighty). Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H) was likely born on a Monday, 571 AD.
According to the Sirah (biography) of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H), the year in which the prophet (P.B.U.H) was born was named A’m Al-Fil (the Year of Elephant), the year in which Abraham, an Ethiopian Emperor-king, who was intending to destroy the Kaba in Mecca, had perished as stated in the Quranic surat (verse) of al-Fil (the elephant) .
Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H) was born in Mecca and his grandfather Abdul-Mutalib named him Mohamed, meaning the blessed one by God almighty, the God Almighty for when his grandfather was asked why he named his grandson Mohamed, he said so that he would be blessed on earth and in heavens.
Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H) was known for his distinguished characteristics which were mentioned in most of the books of the Sirah, among those outstanding characteristics was that he was searching and realizing with his mind that there was but one and only one God. He was pure and had never touched an idol or approached wine. He used to speculate in the existence and search for guidance, just like his grandfather Ibrahim, God’s blessings may be on him, who thought about the kingdom of heavens and the earth.
Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H) had never attended any of the festivals of Pre-Islamic era where he used to put his fingers in his ears when he heard someone swearing in the name of one of Al-laatii or Al-yiza, idols which used be worshiped by the people during Pre-Islamic era.
Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H) was brave, gracious and generous and modest. Allah, the God Almighty, Has honored him with the message, guidance, richness of the soul and good manners of conduct to be a mercy for all people.
Sudan, like many Muslim countries, celebrates the birthday of Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H) where the celebrations begin on the 1st day of the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal (the First Spring Season) of the Islamic Calendar and lasts until the 12th of the month where most of the Muslims gather as several squares in the Sudanese towns.
They recite the Holy Quran, listen to lectures on the Sirah of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) and praise the Prophet (P.B.U.H). These activities last till the 12th day of the month, which is known as Qaflat Al-Mulid (the closing day of the prophet’s birthday celebrations). Children toys, sweets, books and gifts are also sold at the Mulid squares.
Sudanow toured several Mulid squares and interviewed some of the participants during the celebrations of the birthday of Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H).
Below Sudanow publishes some of these interviews:
Sheikh Hamadnalla Ukasha, a member of Al-Aliya Al-Qadriya Al-Kanzaniya Suffi Sect, asked by Sudanow about legitimacy of celebrating the birthday of Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H), he said the event tends to celebrate the honor which Allah, the God Almighty’ Has bestowed on his messenger Mohamed (P.B.U.H). The legitimacy of the celebration is found in the Quran and Sunna. In the Holly Quran, Allah, the God Almighty, says “Say, "In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy - in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate."”, Surat Yunus, verse (58).
He added that in Sunna, Abu Qatada al-Ansari narrates in Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-siyam (The Book of Fasting), that the Prophet (P.B.U.H) was asked about the fast of Monday, and he answered: "That is the day that I was born and that is the day I received the prophecy.”
The celebration of the prophet’s birthday dates back to ancient times when it started during the rule of the Ayoubi State and then the Osmani State. However, Al-Mulid in its present shape dates back to the era of the Fatimite State in Egypt when people gathered in squares to celebrate the birthday of Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H).
In Sudan, the celebration of the birthday of Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H) started with the entry of the Suffi sects where it dates back to the era of the Sinnari State. The celebration then started to take more popular form. However, the nature and shape of the celebration differs from a country to another. In Sudan, the prophet’s birthday used to be celebrated particularly in Omdurman city where it started during the Mahadist era and then developed to its current shape.
The setting of the celebration site and the many lectures on the Sirah of the prophet (P.B.U.H) reflect to the visitor the way of the celebration. The celebration constitutes a major event for the Suffi sects in particular as it reflects the concepts of these sects and their members who have greatly contributed to the dissemination of Islam in many parts of the world.
Sheikh Khalid Ahmed Al-Tayeb, a member of a Suffi sect, for his part, said the Sudanese people, who are known for adoring Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H), celebrate Al-Mulid Al-Nabawi. "We celebrate Al-Mulid and regard it as a feast. The Sufis celebrate Al-Mulid and we have been celebrating it since we were children. In the past the celebration was limited and all the present decorations did not exist. However, presently the celebration developed in terms of how and means where it has become a huge Islamic heritage in most of the Arab and Islamic countries."
In Sudan, the celebration starts with a huge Zaffa (march), called Al-Mulid Zaffa or march. It is a huge gathering of Muslims, religious figures and Suffi Sheikhs in addition to community personalities and representatives of some community institutions and authorities. Some of them ride on horse backs and some on walk foot where they beat tambourines and carry flags joyous with the beginning of the celebrations of the birthday of Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H). The Zaffa is usually organized on the first day of the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal (the First Spring Season) of the Islamic Calendar, where the participants march through all areas and markets until they arrive at the celebration square. However, for us here in Omdurman, the Zaffa ends at Al-Khalifa square where people recite the Holly Quran and review the Sirah of the prophet (P.B.U.H). We, as Sufis, believe that the celebration has many great advantages including teaching the people to love the prophet (P.B.U.H)."
Sheikh Mohamed Shahta Abdalla, an Egyptian Islamic Scholar, was lecturing on the Sirah of the Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H) inside a tent at Al-Mulid Square. Sudanow asked him about the celebrations of the birthday of Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H) in the Arab and Islamic countries and the benefits of these celebrations.
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He said Muslims’ celebrations of the prophet’s birthday differ from a country to another, "but based on my tours and visits to the Islamic countries, I believe the number one country in celebrating the birthday of the prophet (P.B.U.H) is Sudan, an evidence of the Sudanese people’s love of Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H). People in most of the Arab and Islamic countries such as Egypt, Libya and Syria also celebrate the prophet’s birthday."
In Egypt, he said, the people celebrate the event from day one of the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal until day twelve, where they recite the Quran and praise the prophet (P.B.U.H).
He further said the benefits of the celebration "include teaching the people of the Sirah of the prophet (P.B.U.H), his manners and the way he treated the people and most importantly the teachings of Islam, i.e. the message with which he was sent to the people."
He added that al-Sahaba, the companions of the prophet (P.B.U.H), also praised him including Hassan ibn Thabit, Abdullah ibn Rawah, Sayidna Al-Abbas, uncle of the prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H) and Sayidna Ali ibn Abi Talib in addition to the wives of the prophet.
Sudanow also interviewed Sheikh Ismail Ali Kafi, Imam of a mosque in Omdurman, who gave a different view regarding the legitimacy of celebrating the birthday of the prophet (P.B.U.H).
He said in the Sirah (biography) of the Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H), nobody could trace with precision and surety the tradition of Al-Mulid (the Prophet’s birthday) celebration, adding that neither the Prophet nor his close companions or people who followed him encouraged people to celebrate his birthday.
He said the whole matter is a bida'a (an innovation) that has never been mentioned in the Quran or Sunna or Hadith (saying of Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H)), referring to the prophetic hadith, narrated by by Aisha Ummul Mu'minin (Wife of Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H)), which states: “If somebody innovates something which is NOT in harmony with the principles of our religion, that thing is rejected”.
He further said there is no evidence in the Quran, explaining that Allah, the God Almighty, says: And they say, "None will enter Paradise except one who is a Jew or a Christian." That is [merely] their wishful thinking, Say, "Produce your proof, if you should be truthful.", Surat al-Baqara, verse (111).
He went on saying that Prophet Mohamed has taught us everything and left nothing for hazard or speculations, hence Allah, the God Almighty, says: “This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion”, Surat Al-Maida, verse (3), reiterating that there is no evidence for the legitimacy of Al-Mulid.
END
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