Mawlid al-Nabi al-Sharif – A Day of Remembrance and Reflection: The Auspicious Birth and August Life of the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH)

On the twelfth day of the third month, Rabi’ al-Awwal, Muslims all over the world commemorate the birth of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) - Mawlid al-Nabi al-Sharif.

While some Muslims mark this occasion with special festivities; most Muslims refrain from any outward celebration, as it distracts from the true divine purpose of revelation. Rather they choose to observe Mawlid al-Nabi al-Sharif with simplicity and remember the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) legacy of mercy and kindness by reciting the Holy Quran.
  

The Holy Prophet (PBUH), the last of the divine prophets, did not ask anyone to celebrate his birth, either during his lifetime or after his death; and his companions followed the command.

Al-Bukhaari narrated that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) made the day of his birth a day of worship. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was asked about fasting on Mondays, and he said: “That is the day on which I was born and the day on which I was entrusted with the Mission or when I was first given Revelation.” ~ Reported by Muslim, Al-Nisaa’i and Abu Dawood.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was the epitome of mercy, peace and tolerance; today is an opportunity for the world to reflect on those values!

Parables from the Holy Prophet (PBUH) Life – A Mercy to Mankind

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was kind in correcting mistakes of people. Once a Bedouin entered the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) mosque for the first time. He raised his voice in supplication and said, “O Allah (SWT), forgive me and Muhammad, but don’t forgive anyone else.”

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) smiled at him and remarked gently, “You are limiting something that is vast.” Later, the man urinated on the masjid floor in his presence. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) calmed down the furious onlookers, and asked them to leave the man alone. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) asked the Bedouin to come and sit next to him and explained to him that the mosque was the House of Allah (SWT) and should not be dirtied. Later, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) called for a pitcher of water to be poured on the ground. ~ Ibn Majah and authenticated by Al-Albani.

“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.” ~ Quran 21:107

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was not just a religious leader, or a statesman but a family man too who was extremely compassionate towards children. Anas ibn Malik (SA), narrated, “I never saw anyone who was more compassionate towards children than Allah’s Messenger (PBUH). His son Ibrahim was in the care of a wet nurse in the hills around Madinah. He would go there, and we would go with him, and he would enter the house, pick up his son and kiss him, then come back.” ~ Muslim

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was always concerned about people’s feelings. The following hadith narrated by Anas ibn Malik (SA) proves his thoughtful character:

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “(It happens that) I start the prayer intending to prolong it, but on hearing the cries of a child, I shorten the prayer because I know that the cries of the child will incite its mother’s passions.” ~ Al-Bukhari

"Verily in the messenger of Allah (Muhammad SAW) you have a good example for him who looks unto Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much." ~ Quran 33:21

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was and shall always be an exemplary role model for humankind at all times.

The Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) noble character is not only for Muslims to try and emulate. Sincere seekers and non-Muslims who learnt about him, could not help but praise him.

Goethe, a famous German writer, poet, statesman and scientist of the early nineteenth century, said about the Holy Prophet (PBUH): “We Europeans with all our concepts and ideas have not yet attained that which Muhammad attained, and no one will ever surpass him. I searched in history for the loftiest example for man to follow, and I found it in the Prophet Muhammad. Thus the truth must prevail and become supreme, because Muhammad succeeded in subjugating the whole world by means of the message of Divine Oneness.”

Mawlid al-Nabi al-Sharif is an opportunity for Muslims to invite the rest of the world to the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) teachings and to the religion of Islam besides spreading the message of peace and tolerance amongst the Ummah.