What is the evidence for Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi in the light of Quran & Ahadith...
Before writing the arguments of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (Allah's Grace
& Peace be upon Him), I want to clear the meaning of Milad according
to literature and Shariah.
The word Milad has been derived from
"viladut" which means birth. Therefore, according to Arabic language,
Milad is word which signifies the place and time of birth. In the light
of Shariah, we means, Milad is to remember the events which took place
at the birth time of the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon
Him) and we get the opportunity of narrating the Seerat of the Prophet
(Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) on this occasion, we also
presents the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) gifts
of Durood -o- salam. We mention before the people attributes and praises
of the Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him). We do not
believe that Milad is specified with same night but, we believe that the
remembrance of the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him)
is incumbent in each minute and second of time and every Muslim should
act it sunnahs in the whole life time. Milad un Nabi (Allah's Grace
& Peace be upon Him) is a great source of preaching. It is incumbent
for scholars to teach Muslims nations on this Holy occasion, moral
behavior of the Holy Prophet, (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him)
his antiquates, His affairs, His Seerat, His dealings and His worships.
Now
I write the proofs of Milad from the Holy Quran, the hadith of the
Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) and consensus of Ulemas.
Evidence of the Holy QuranThe Qur’anic verses proves that to celebrate Milad is not only a proper deed but it is also a praiseworthy.
1) Allah Almighty says in Quran:
"The
peace is on Him the day when he was born and the day when he will die
and the day when he will be raised alive." (Kanzul Iman the translation
of Holy Quran, Sura Al-Maryam, Verse 15)
In the above verse Allah
Almighty has mentioned the complete Milad of Hazrat Yahya (Alaihis
Salam). And before this Allah Almighty has mentioned the events which
took place before the birth. It is the same way of celebrating birth day
as Ahle Sunnat adopts for the Milad of the last Prophet (Allah's Grace
& Peace be upon Him) of Allah Almighty. In other words the Prophet
of Allah Almighty Hazrat Isa (Alaihis Salam) celebrates his own Milad.
2) As Allah Almighty says:
"And the same peace on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I would be raised alive."
(Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Al Maryam, Verse 33)
Before
this verse Allah Almighty has stated the whole story of Maryam (Allah
may pleased with him) that who she got pregnant and gave birth her great
son, the Prophet of Allah Isa (Alaihi Salam). Allah Almighty also
mentioned the words of Isa (Alaihis Salam) by which Isa (Alaihis Salam)
praised himself. This style of narrating story is nothing but
celebration of Milad of Isa Alaihis Salam. Ahle Sunnat also narrate the
story of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him)
in the same style. We too narrate the events which took place before the
birth and after it as Allah Almighty narrated about Yahya and Isa
(Alaihimus Salam). Therefore, a person who has eyes of justice will
obviously accept that to celebrate Milad is an important deed which
Allah Almighty has done. So it proves that the basis of Milad is found
in the Holy Quran.
3) Allah Almighty says:
"And remind them of the days of the Allah."
(Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Ibrahim, Verse5)
In
this verse Allah Almighty orders his prophet Musa Alaihis Salam to
remind his nation the days of Allah Almighty. "The days of Allah" are
those days in which great events took place or Allah Almighty bestowed
his great rewards to his creature. As the Holy Quran testifies this
explanation of the days of Allah Almighty. In the Holy Quran Musa
Alaihis Salam says:
"And when Musa said it his people remember
Allah's favor upon you, when he delivered you from Firawn's people who
used to afflict you worstly, and slaughter your sons and let your
daughters live and in it there was shown great mercy of your lord."
(Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Ibrahim, Verse 6)
According
to the Qur’anic verse emancipation of the nation of Musa Alaihis Salam
from Firawn is a day of Allah, so the birth day of the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) is, with any doubt,
also a day of Allah, because the Prophet Muhammad (Allah's Grace &
Peace be upon Him) emancipated whole world from the darkness of
ignorance and brought them to the light of guidance. Therefore, the
birthday (Milad) of the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon
Him) deserves to be celebrated then the celebration of any other event.
In case we would not be grateful to Allah Almighty for his favor, which
is Muhammad (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him). He will punish us
severely. As Allah Almighty says:
"And remember when your lord
proclaimed, if you will be great full then I shall give you more and if
you’re thankless then my treatment is severe."
(Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Ibrahim, and Verse 7)
4) Allah Almighty says:
"Then remember the bounties of Allah and wander not in the earth spreading mischief."
(Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Araf, Verse 74)
In
the above verse Allah Almighty orders us to remember his bounties and
rewards. The last Prophet of Allah Almighty Muhammad (Allah's Grace
& Peace be upon Him) is, undoubtedly, great blessing of Allah
Almighty for whole mankind. Allah Almighty himself considers the Prophet
(Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) his great favor for mankind as He
says:
"Undoubtedly, Allah did a great favor to the Muslims that
in them from among themselves sent a messenger who recites unto them
His signs and purifies them and teaches them the book and wisdom and
necessarily before that they were certainly apparent error.
(Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Ale Imran, Verse 164)
Therefore,
according to the Qur’anic commandments we must remember the beloved
Prophet of Allah Muhammad (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) and
Milad-un-Nabi is a best way of remembrance of the greatest Prophet
(Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him).
In another words Allah Almighty says:
"And publicize well the favor of your lord"
(Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Al Duha, Verse 11)
The
companion of the Holy Prophet (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him)
Hazrat Abdullah Ibne Abbas (Allah is well pleased with Him) explained
the word favors. He says here, In this verse favor signifies the prophet
hood and Islam.
(Tafseer Ibne Abbas, Sure Al Duha, Page 651).
So
in the light of the given explanation by the cousin of the Holy Prophet
(Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him), we can say that Allah Almighty
orders us to remember Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him)
in our gatherings between the people, in our mosque between the
worshiper and in our houses between our families and Milad un Nabi
(Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him), as I have written is a best way
for this Qur’anic purpose.
4) Allah Almighty orders us:
"Say you oly Allah's grace and his mercy, on it therefore let them rejoice. That is better then all their wealth."
In
this verse Allah Almighty orders us to enjoy on his grace and mercy. If
we see around us we find that each favor of Allah Almighty is great
mercy for us. Even our existence is also a mercy of Allah Almighty. But
the greatest of Allah is the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be
upon him). As Allah Almighty says:
"And we sent not you but mercy for all worlds."
(Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran, Sura Al Ambiyaa, Verse 107)
So
according the Qur’anic teachings it is necessary for us that ewe must
be happy and pleased on the birthday of the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace
and Peace be upon him). The one who pleases with the Holy Prophet
(Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) is really a true follower of the
Quran. And it is obvious that, in whole world Muslims celebrates Milad
un Nabi (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him). Specially for enjoying
the mercy of Allah Almighty that is the beloved prophet of Allah
Almighty (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him)Therefore the Holy Quran
itself confirms the Milad un Nabi (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him)
5)
The gathering of Milad un Nabi (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him)
incite Muslims on saying Durood and Salam ( to pray for prophet (Allah's
Grace and Peace be upon him) of blessing and peace) Allah Almighty
says:
"Oh you who I believe send upon Him blessing and salute Him
fully well in abundance. (Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Quran,
Sura Al Ahzab, Verse 56)
According to the law of Shariah, a thing
which is desired by Shariah, is exactly a like an aim of Shariah. And
the benefits of Durood -o- salam are so much in numbers that can not be
counted. Durood -o- salam causes for the help of Allah Almighty in this
world and here after. So Milad un Nabi (Allah's Grace & Peace be
upon Him) is a source of fulfilling the commandments of Allah Almighty
6) Allah Almighty says:
"And
all that we narrate to you of the tidings of the messengers is for the
purpose of strengthening your heart therewith." (Kanzul Iman the
translation of Holy Quran, Sura Hood, Verse 121)
This Qur’anic
verse reveals that the wisdom of mentioning the stories and events of
Prophets (Alaihis salam) was to stand fast the heart of the last prophet
(Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him). And it is obvious that we are,
also today, in need of being stand fast. We must know that how; the
prophet of Allah (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) faced the
problems of his time so that we may face the problems of our times
according to the Sunnah. Therefore Milad un Nabi (Allah's Grace and
Peace be upon him) provides us an opportunity to know about the affair
of the Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him).
Evidence of Hadith (Narrations of the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him)
There are many narrations, which proves the Milad Sharif but I write a few.
1)
The Prophet of Allah (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) himself
stated his own birth from very beginning He says: "I had been
transferred, continuously, from purified offspring to purified wombs. I
had been given birth by a lawful marriage not by adultery. When Allah
Almighty sent Adam Alaihis Salam on earth so He put me in his spine and
then transferred in Nuh Alaihis salam in his boat, and then in Ibrahim
Alaihis salam Allah Almighty transferred me continuously from noble
offspring to the purified wombs up to that He brought me in my parents
who never committed adultery."
(Tafseer Ruhul Bayan, Vol. 3, Page 54)
As
I have written in the beginning that Milad means the time of birth or
place of birth. So the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon
him) himself celebrated his own Milad. In the same way Ahle Sunnat
following the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him)narrate
the events of the birth of the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be
upon him) .This hadith is the clear proof Milad un Nabi (Allah’s Grace
and Peace be upon him) and as well as tell us that to celebrate Milad un
Nabi (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) is not innovation (bidat)
but it is a sunnah (tradition) of Prophet (Allah’s Grace and Peace be
upon him).
There are many other narrations which narrate
that the Prophet of Allah (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him)
celebrate his own Milad several times, some of those narrations have
been written in Mishkat Sharif.
2) "The one who rejoices on the
birth day of the Holy Prophet would not be severely punished and it is
hopped that a Muslim who celebrate the Milad un Nabi (Allah's Grace and
Peace be upon him), will not be punished in hell. Imam Bukhari
Rahmatullah Alaih narrates that Abu Lahab would be punished lightly in
the hell on Monday. Because he rejoiced and freed his handmaid
indicating by his finger, when the Prophet of Allah Almighty (Allah's
Grace and Peace be upon him) took birth. So as a reward of happiness on
Milad un Nabi (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) he would be given
water by his finger. (Saheehul Bukhari Vol. 2, Page 764)
Imam Shams ud din Naseer Al Damaishqi narrates this hadith in poetry. Here is its translation.
If such kafir was denounced (in the Quran)
And perished are his hands, and in the flame is his eternal abode.
It is narrated every Monday.
His torment is made easy for his joy at the birth of Ahmad. (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him)
What is the expectation then of a servant who spent all his life.
Happy
with the arrival of Ahmad (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) and
died on the one ness of Allah Almighty. (Haul-ul-Ahtifal Bil Mawlid
Al-Nabvi Al Sharif, Page 11)
2) The Holy Prophet Muhammad
(Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him) celebrated his own Milad by having
fast. Imam Wali ud din write this narration with reference to the
Saheeh Muslim. When the Prophet of Allah (Allah's Grace and Peace be
upon him) was asked about the fast of Monday. He (Allah's Grace and
Peace be upon him) said:
"I took birth and the Quran was revealed upon me in this day."
(Mishkat Sharif, Page 179)
This
narration proves that to celebrate Milad un Nabi is a tradition of the
Holy Prophet (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) on every Monday.
Secondly it is lawful to fix a particular day for Milad un Nabi (Allah's
Grace and Peace be upon him). Thirdly it is an act of sunnah to worship
in the pleasure of the Milad un Nabi (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon
him)
Evidence of general consensus of Muslim ummah and scholars (Ulema)
1)
Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Suyuti in his famous book "Al-Hawii Lil-Fatawii"
allocated a special chapter on that topic and named it "The Excellence
of Objective in Celebrating the Mawlid" where he said: The question
under consideration is what the verdict of the Shari'ah on celebrating
the Holy Birthday of the Noble Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be
upon Him) during the month of Rabbi-ul-Awwal. From the point of view of
Shari'ah is this a praiseworthy action or a blameworthy one? And do
those who arrange such celebration Receive blessings or not? He said:
"The
reply to this question is that in my view the Milad Shareef
(Celebration of the Birthday of the Noble Prophet Allah's Grace &
Peace be upon Him) is in fact such an occasion of happiness on which
people assemble and recite the Holy Qu'ran to the extent that is easy.
Then they relate the prophecies concerning the appearance of the Noble
Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) that have been
transmitted in Ahadith and Author, and the miraculous events and signs
that took place on his birth. Then food is set before them and according
to their desire they partake thereof to satisfaction. This festival of
celebrating the birthday of the Noble Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace
be upon Him) is a Bid'ah Hasanah (good Innovation) and those arranging
it will get blessing, since in such a celebration is found the
expression of joy and happiness at the greatness and eminence of the
Noble Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) and his birth".
Even
Ibn Tay'miah said in his book "Necessity of the Right Path", p. 266,
5th line from the bottom of that page, published by Dar Al-Hadith, the
following:
"As far as what people do during the Milad, either as a
rival celebration to that which the Christian do during the time of
Christ's birthday or as an expression of their love and admiration and a
sign of praise for the Noble Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon
Him), Allah Almighty will surely reward them for such Ijtihad". He then
said: "Although Milad was not practiced by (Salaf), they should have
done so since there was no objection against it from the Shari'ah point
of view".
And we certainly only celebrate Milad out of love and admiration to the Prophet of all Mankind.
2.
Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Qastalani, who gave commentary on Sahih Bukhari, said:
"May Allah Almighty shower his Mercy upon a person who takes the days
of the month of Rabbi-ul-Awwal, in which the Noble Prophet (Allah's
Grace & Peace be upon Him) was born, as days of feast and
celebration for doing so is the best cure for the heart of an ailing
person."
3. Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar was asked, same reference of Imam Suyuti, about Milad Shareef. His reply was:
"Milad
Shareef is, in fact, and innovation, which was not transmitted from any
pious predecessor in the first three centuries. Nevertheless, both acts
of virtue as well as acts of abomination are found in it (i.e.
Sometimes acts of virtue are found therein and sometimes acts of
abomination). If in the Milad Shareef only acts of virtue are done and
acts of abomination are abstained from, then the Milad Shareef is a
Bid'ah Hasanah (good innovation), otherwise not."
He then added "
"To
do any virtuous act and to observe it annually as means of recollection
for any special day on which Allah Almighty has bestowed any favor or
removed any calamity is a form of showing gratitude to Allah Almighty.
Gratitude to Allah Almighty is expressed through different kinds of
Ibaadah (worship) -prostration and standing in prayer, charity and
recitation of the Holy Qu'ran. And what is a greater favor from Allah
Almighty can there be than the appearance of the Prophet of Mercy
(Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him) on this day (i.e. 12th of
Rabbi-ul-Awwal)?" Some people do not limit it and celebrate the Milad
Shareef on any day of Rabbi-ul-Awwal. Nay, some people have extended it
even more and increased the period to the whole year. According to the
latter, the Milad Shareef can be celebrated on any day of the year. The
objective here is the same, i.e. to rejoice at and celebrate the Holy
Birth of the Noble Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him).
4.
Imam Abu-Bakr Abdullah Al-Dimashqi compiled a number of books on the
subject and called them "Collection of Traditions on the Birth of the
Chosen Prophet", "The Pure Expression on the Birthday of the Best of
Creations" and "The Spring for the Thirsty One on the Birth of the
Rightly Guided".
5. Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Iraqi wrote a book and called it "The Pure Spring on the Sublime Birth".
6. Imam Ibn Dahyah wrote a book and called it "Enlightenment on the Birthday of the Bearer of Good News, The Warner".
7.
Imam Mulla Ali Qari wrote a book and called it "The Quenching Spring on
the Birthday of the Prophet". (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him)
8.
Imam Shams ul-Din bin Naseer Al-Dimashqi, said in his book: "The Spring
for the Thirsty One on the Birth of the Rightly Guided" about the story
of Abu Lahab that he will receive a light punishment every Monday for
expressing joy at the birth of the Noble Prophet (Allah's Grace &
Peace be upon him) on that day. The Imam said the following verse of
poetry, the translation is: If such Kafir was denounced in the (Qur'an)
and perished are his hands, and in the Flames is his eternal abode It is
narrated that every Monday.
His torment is made easy for his Joy at
the Birth of Ahmad What is the expectation then of a servant who spent
all his life Happy with the Arrival of Ahmad (Allah's Grace & Peace
be upon Him) and died on the Oneness of Allah.
9. Imam Shams
Ul-Din Ibn aL-Jazri, the Imam of reciters, wrote a book and named it
"The Scent of Notification on the Blessed Birthday".
10. Imam
Al-Hafiz Ibn Al-Jawzi said in the description of Milad: "Peace and
Tranquility takes over during that year and a good glad tiding to obtain
your wish and inspiration".
11. Imam Abu-Shamah, The Sheikh of Al Hafiz Al Nawawi, said:
"The
best of the innovations of our times is what is carried out on the day
of corresponding to the birthday of our Beloved Prophet (Allah's Grace
& Peace be upon Him), where people give out donations, practice what
is right, express their joy and happiness, in doing so is surely a sign
of love and admiration for the Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be
upon him)".
14 
On
the other hand, the presence of some characters is too short for the
audience to develop an emotional connection. Tamalika Karmakar's role as
Zahir's mother, suffers from this setback. Her grief could have been
made more believable especially in the farewell scene between her and
Zahir. The depiction of Zahir's day to day interaction with his mother
could have made the bond between the characters stronger.
