Pearls of Wisdom by Shaykh Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu)

..:: GOLDEN WORDS OF WISDOM ::..
— by —
Sayyiduna Ghawth al-Aa'zam
Shaykh Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu)

• Though I be in the west and my disciple in the East, if a world goes to attack him, I know. I will save him.
  
• Look towards that person who looks towards you. Love that person that loves you, listen to that person that listens to you and give your hands in his hands that are prepared to grasp it.
• A mans position in life is such that though he is mortal he is reborn with pleasure in the winds of afflictions. It is that very same life whose consequence is not death. It is that very same comfort which has no extreme anguish.
• That person who has enmity against a well to do companion, he totally rejects the wisdom and foresight of the sustainers.
• Many wealthy people because of greed are poor and needy, in reality the brave person is he who wrestles and defeats the devil of greed and thereafter becomes independent and without want of need from this material World.
• The person who backbites and speaks ill of us are actually our success because they pay homage to us by writing their good deeds into our deed books.
• Look carefully at the previous graves lying in ruin. How the sands of beautiful people are turning bad.
• If you do not find the sweetness of doing a good deed then be aware that you have not done that deed.
• Disrespect earns the displeasure of the creator and the creation.
• To please the enemies of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala is beyond comprehension and wisdom.
• O! Gifts do not imprison me so that I become unmindful to the benefactor.
• O! Doers of good deeds giving birth to sincerity in your deeds can never be a wasted effort.
• Among the creation, silence is not bravery but rather impatience.
• The person who cannot educate his own soul, then how is he going to educate others.
• The love of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam is intertwined in poverty and starvation.
• The love of the World generally blinded the eyes, those eyes which should have been used to identify the specialties of the Almighty Creator.
• The person who becomes aware of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala then he becomes hospitable towards the creation.
• Preach only in accordance to religion otherwise remaining dumb is better.
• To adopt anonymity and unwholesomeness relative to it is peaceful.
• As long as there remains on this earth one person in your heart whom you fear or have high expectations of, then until then your Faith is not complete.
• Until you still possess arrogance and anger you cannot classify yourself amongst the learned.
• That sustenance whose extent is expansive but no thanks is given for it and that means of livelihood which is difficult but no patience is shown for it become a source of revolt and mischief.
• Always hold the best opinions about others and think ill of yourself.
• O! ‘Alim do not soil your knowledge by sitting in the company of Worldly people.
• Your speech will tell what is in your heart.
• An oppressor destroys the World of the oppressed, and his own in the hereafter.
• To start something good is your job and to see it completed is the work of your creator.
• A wise person first question his heart thereafter speaks with his mouth.
• To remain alone is protection and safety and to every sin there is a period of execution.
• Except for the needs of your children and family do not leave the house unnecessarily.
• Endeavor not to start a conversation and your speaking becomes necessary only to answer a question.
• Keep your mouth closed from answering unnecessary questions so that you can remain safe from unnecessary talk.
• That person who is never distressed, has no virtue.
• Material people chase the World while the World chases the friends of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala .
• This World is a World of exertion for a Mo’min while the hereafter is a World of relaxation.
• Suspicion closes all the benefits to be accrued.
• An understanding person finds no joy in anything, for it has accountability, for being lawful or a punishment for it being unlawful.
• To make the soul receive the truth is its existence while making it receive failures, errors, falsehood and wrongdoings is its annihilation.
• Those who belong to Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala carry out his commands and even their hearts are reinforced by it. You carry on committing sin then to you have no fear. This is obvious evidence of betrayal. Beware; safeguard yourself for you may be caught out unawares when your allotted time is up.
• A disrespectful becomes the object of displeasure and wrath of both the creator and the creation.
• Iman (Faith) is the root while deeds and actions are its branches. Therefore stay away from associating with your Iman and sin with your actions.
• First there is ignorance, thereafter knowledge, then follows practice upon your knowledge, thereafter sincerity upon that action and finally comes understanding and wisdom in the heart.
  
  
  
  
  
• If you do not have patience then poverty and sicknesses become a misfortune and if you adopt patience then it becomes nobility and graciousness.
• To gain the happiness of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala is impossible if you cannot make a poor person happy. The treatment for afflictions upon oneself is to gain the happiness and pleasure of the poor.
• Whosoever asks of the creation is blind to the doors of the creator.
• You are busy in fulfilling the desires and wishes of the soul (nafs) while the nafs is busy in destroying you.
• That person is close to Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala who is kind and affectionate towards the creation.
• Rejection (kufr) of the divine blessings and providence is contrary to achieving closeness to the truth.
• Hundreds of thousands of people just like you have been fattened and then swallowed by this World.
• Do not be fooled by your youthful appearance for very soon it would be taken away from you.
• Poverty saves one from sin and wealth is a trap for sins regard poverty as your protector.
• To make a poor person happy makes one the inheritor of and undisclosed amount of reward.
• What are you going to do by taking the bounties? Take the merciful and compassionate one. Every pious person is from the progeny and following of Muhammad SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam.
• He whose fate is ultimately death then what is the need for happiness.
• People do not regard you with respect because you are proud and vain but rather they look up to you when you are polite and hospitable.
• Keep your hearts open only for Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and to busy yourself in earning a means of livelihood for your family is also following the commands.
• To remember death is the best treatment for all ailments.
• Worship and prayers breaks unwanted habits and should not be but a habit only.
• The person who wishes to tame his soul should bridle it with silence and good etiquettes.
• Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala asks a loan of his servants and the messengers of this are the beggars.
• For the whole period I spent in the companionship of my shaykh (spiritual guide) I have never seen the whiteness of his teeth.
• Whenever it is possible reform each morsel for the foundations of good deeds lies in it.
• The creation are like children in relation to the saints of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala .
• It is a lie if one says by sitting in the company of those women with whom relationships are lawful and young boys; one has absolutely no inclination towards them. Islamic principles (Shari‘ah) is neither definitely not in agreement nor does a sound mind allow for such conformities and this is total rejection of Shariat for Shari‘ah has never given anyone exemption from this.
• When the angels do not enter a house in which there are images pictures then how do you expect Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala to enter your heart which is full of thousands of statues and idols. Anything else besides Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala presence in the heart is images and idols.
• A visit to the pious person communicates the condition of the person.
• The key to the closeness to the truth is in private consultations and journeys.
• Do not become subservient to the gifts in such a manner that you forget the bestowal of the gifts.
• The provisions and luggage undoubtedly is modesty, such that, because of it, the doors of sovereignty and reality seem closed.
• It is not becoming of a mo’min to sleep until he has kept his will and testimony ready.
• The obedience of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala is by asking and not by desiring.
• You are busy in building mansions and palaces for others to stay in while; its accountability rests entirely on you.
• O! Children of Adam Alaihis Salaam be modest towards Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala as you would be modest towards your religious neighbor.
• When a person commits a sin, he closes the doors, draws the veils and hides from the creation and goes against the commands of the creator in private, and then the creator says, O! Son of Adam Alaihis Salaam you have regarded me the least amongst those that can see you because you found it necessary to hide yourself from the creation yet you have not shown modesty and shame even equivalent to that of the creation towards me.
• It is not beneficial to be a master at speech when you are immature at heart.
• Be obedient with a direction; don’t become obedient to the masses.
• Do not become a polytheist by regarding your wealth as absolute and total power of assistance.
• O! You who make fun of others very soon you will know the answer to your own fate.
• O! Munafiqa (Hypocrites) very soon you will see the punishment of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala descending upon you in this World and the hereafter. The times are pregnant and very soon you will see what it gives birth to.
• Your actions are proof of your belief and your exterior appearance is a sign of your interior condition.
• To turn your face towards the creation is to turn your back towards Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala .
• Empty desires are the jungle of stupidity and folly and only the foolish hustle and bustle aimlessly within it.
• Make silence your habit, anonymity you clothing, escape from the creation your aim and if it is possible then dig the hole and sit down in it. This habit should stay with you until such time that you Iman (Faith) has reached an age of maturity and is unquestionable.
• Those that wish the approval of the creation should show patience of the oppression of the created.
• Do not turn away from the creator because of some misfortune, because he may be testing you with it.
  
  
  
  
  
• Moderation is half of one’s sustenance (livelihood) and good manners is half of religion (Deen).
• O Doers of good deeds! Adopt sincerity otherwise it is wasted effort.
• If you are afraid of your destination then whichever way or wherever you look at, you will find that you are surrounded by ferocious beasts.
• Good deeds are done in privacy and not in public except that which is Fard (compulsory) which is performed in exposure.
• Everything that you rely on, every person you afraid of or you keep that trust in, becomes your God.
• 1. Special testimony 2. Making the commands of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala compulsory upon yourself 3. Not to fear or trust anyone 4. To make all your needs aware only to Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and put your Faith in him, To ask of him alone and never put your trust in anyone except Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala .
• A seeker is not truthful until he places the needs of sustenance of his companions over and above the sustenance of his soul and desires.
• Remain honourable among the people, for by revealing your poverty you will fall in status in their eyes.
• Meet the wealthy and rich with dignity ad prevalence and the poor with humility and humbleness.
• Your keeping the company of careless and negligent people is a sigh of your carelessness and negligence.
• To love of the creations is in its well wishing.
• To give is better than to receive.
• That person who is generous with the creation then he is close to Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala .
• A residence that is fit to be called a house, clothes that cover the body, a stomach full of sustenance and a wife is not regarded as Worldly but to face towards the Worldly while showing your back to your creator is Worldly.
• Even if you have said Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala aloud, then even then you would be interrogated whether it was said in sincerity or in show.
• When the remembrance of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala finds a place in the heart then for servant to remember Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala continuously becomes continuous and everlasting even though the lips are closed.
• Carry out the rights that the ruler has upon you and do not question that which is obligatory upon you.
• There is greater dignity in the remembrance of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala than in death; at the time of cutting someone short by razing them to the ground and thereafter realising it was fruitless to sow the seeds of hate.
• Hide your troubles and you will receive closeness to Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala .
• A mo’min leaves his family in the care of the creator while a munaafiq leaves his family in the care of his dirham and dinaars (wealth).
• There are 3 types of creation 1. Angels 2. The Devil 3. Man. The Angels are entirely good and the devil is entirely bad. Man is a mixture of good and bad. Whoever is overcome with good he can be likened to an Angel and whoever is overcome with evil he can be likened to the devil.
• Do not laugh with those that are laughing but cry with those that are crying.
• If your thoughts are with the creator then you are subservient to the creator. If your thoughts are with the creation then you are subservient to the creation.
• Give priority to the hereafter over the World and you will benefit in both, but priority is given to the World over the hereafter then you would suffer losses in both.
• Do not spend even one night in the hate and malice of anybody.
• The sign of your sincerity is that you praise the creation and you do not turn your attention towards derogatory remarks nor do you show greed and avarice towards their wealth but you give your lord his right and your deeds are for your benefactor and not for the gifts, for the king and not for the kingdom and for the truth and not for falsehood.
• As long as the doors of good health are open to you then regard it as a blessing for very soon it will be closed upon you. So as long as you have the strength and power to do good deeds regard it as a blessing.
• It is wrong to claim respect towards your creator as long as you have no respect whatsoever for his creation.
• When an ‘Alim is not an ascetic then, he is a punishment upon those that follow him.
• A Mu’min, as he grows older Faith becomes stronger.
• To search for good fortune is an unnecessary trouble and to search for that which is not your destiny is to anger Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and disgraceful.
• You do not concern yourself in making the creator angry by pleasing the creation. In exchange for Worldly mansions and building you destroy your hereafter. Very soon you will be caught. He will definitely catch you whose imprisonment is very, very fearful.
• What, you do not become ashamed ordering him to change your fate? Are your more commanding, more just and merciful than him? You and the entire creation are his servants. It becomes compulsory upon you to adopt, peace, solitude and silence.
• Saying without deeds and deeds without sincerity are not worthy of acceptance.
• A person once came to the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam and said that he loves him (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam) very much. The Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said to him “lay down a cloth or spread a cloth for Poverty.” Another person said that he loves Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala , The Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said “spread a cloth for misfortune, for the love of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam is intertwined with poverty and misfortunes.”
• You are busy accumulating that which you would not be able to eat. You desire for that which you cannot attain. Construct those buildings in which you will not stay. All this makes you blind to the status of your creator.
• Be happy in the changes and choices that the creator made for you. If you stay in this manner with him then he will definitely change your fears and horrors.
• Adopt patience for this World is an assembly of troubles and calamities.
• When somebody approaches carrying tales or gossiping or informing you about what another has said to him about you then admonish him and tell him that he is worst than that person that was gossiping about you for that person spoke behind your back while he is telling it straight to your face. That person has not made you listen yet he made you listen to it.
• What an unfortunate person is he who had not been given the habit of being merciful in his heart for all living things?
• Your biggest enemies are those that are your biggest supporters.
• The sum total of all the essence of good is to seek knowledge, practice upon it and teaching it to somebody.
  
  

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Compiled by
Imam Ahmad Raza Academy

 

History of Mawlid an-Nabi (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) Celebrations

Another cheap trick (Irony) the insolent opposition attain is a lame accusation towards the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah that, some ignorants from India and Pakistan of the last few decades have innovated the celebrations of Mawlid an-Nabi Sharif being influenced by the Hindu Celebration culture and that it was never ever celebrated before and there is no history of Mawlid Celebrations (Curse of Allah upon the liars). Let them have some glimpses of enthusiastic and joyous Mawlid celebrations from the very true and evident history.

An old photograph of Bayt al-Mawlid (The place where the blessed birth took place) in Makkah.

..:: History of Mawlid Celebrations ::..

1. Allama Mulla Ali Qari narrating the routine of the people of Madina Munawwarah writes,

"The people of Madina Munawwarah (May Allah have Mercy on them) used to arrange and attend Mawlid gatherings with great enthusiasm and sincerity on the occasion of Mawlid Sharif." [Mawrid ar-Rawi Fi Mawlid an-Nabawi, Page 29]

2. Ibn al-Jawzi says:

"People of Haramain Sharifayn (Makkah Mukarramah and Madinah Munawwarah) and Egypt and Yemen and Syria and of the eastern and western cities of Arabia hold functions in celebration of the birth of the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam), they rejoice at the sighting of the moon of Rabi al-Awwal, bathe and put on their best dresses adorn themselves in various ways, put on scent, and give alms with great joy, and exert themselves in listening to the Mawlid of the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam). By doing so, they themselves attain to success, as it has been proved that by celebrating the Mawlid of the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) much good accrues the whole year round, security and comfort, greater means of livelihood, increase in children and in wealth, peace in cities and contentment and peace in homes."

References:

1. Tafsir Ruh al-Bayan by Allama Ismail Hiqqi, Vol. 9, Page 56
2. Milad al-Uroos – Urdu "Bayan-e-Milad-un-Nabi", Page 34/35, Published in Lahore.
3. Ad-Durr al-Munazzam, Page 100/101
4. Al-Milad an-Nabawi, Page 58

Prophet's (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) Birthday procession at Citadel Square (Cairo, Egypt) in 1915.
 

3. Gatherings of Mawlid an-Nabi SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam was switched to Prose in 3rd/4th Hijri then 700 years back from today, A pious and virtuous person named Umer bin Mullah Muhammad Mousli (Alayhir Rahmah) established it on regular basis. Following him the great commander Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi's dearly loved Sultan Arbal Malik Abu Saeed Muzaffar al-Din celebrated Mawlid an-Nabi officially. Ibn-e-Khalqaan Arabali Sha'fai was eyewitness of that festival.

4. According to "Tarikh Mir'at az-Zaman" billions of rupees were used to spend on those festivities. In the beginning of 7th Century of Hijri Calendar; Great Scholar named Abul Khattab Umer Bin Hasan dahiyya Qalbi Andalusi Balansi wrote a book on the topic Milad an-Nabi SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam named "At-Tanveer fi Mawlid as-Siraj al-Muneer". In 1207, He went to Sultan Arbal's castle and presented his book on Mawlid to him, for which he was awarded thousand Gold Coins from Sultan. This was the status and respect of Mawlid Sharif in hearts of earlier leaders of Islam.

Mawlid Celebrations in the ottoman empire for the birth of Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam)
 

5. Not only Sultan Arbal, King of Egypt celebrated the Mawlid Shareef; Allama Ibn Jazari (Alayhir Rahmah) is one the eyewitnesses. For the celebration of this festival 1000 Mithqal of Gold was spent on it. Sultan Abu Hamu Musa Talamsani and earlier rulers of Aqsa and Andalus used to Celebrate Mawlid an-Nabi SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam. Abdullah Tunisi Talamsani has written the details of these festivals in his book "Raah al-Arwah".

References:

1. Subl al-Huda wa ar-Rishaad Fi Seerah Khair al-Ibaad by Muhammad Bin Ali Yusuf Damishqi
2. Ad-Durr al-Munazzam Fee Hukmi Mawlidin Nabi Sallalahu Alaihi wa Sallam
3. Wafyat al-Da'yaan Anba'a Abna az-Zaman, Published in Cairo
4. Allama Muhammad Raza Misri's, Muhammadur Rasoolullah, Published in Lahore, Page 33
5. Imam Jalal al-Din Suyuti, Husn al-Maqsad Fi Amal al-Mawlid
6. Anwar as-Sati'aa (1307 H), Page 261, Published from Muradabad.

Mawlid an-Nabi (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) procession at Boulac Avenue (Cairo, Egypt) in 1904.

6. It is stated in Seerah al-Halabiya that:

Muslims have been celebrating gatherings of Mawlid Sharif in major cities for long. [Seerah al-Halabiyah, Page 80]

7. Shaykh Yusuf bin Ismail an-Nabhani states:

Dwellers of Makkah visits Birthplace of Prophet (Peace be Upon him) on the eve of Mawlid an-Nabawi every year and arrange enormous gatherings. [Jawahir al-BiHar, Page 122]

8. In "Fuyudh al-Haramain", Shah Waliullah has pointed out,

"The birth of the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) was celebrated by the people of Makkah who received blessings on account of it."

Mawlid an-Nabi (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) procession at Mogador (Essaouira, Morocco) in 1912.
 

9. The Al-Qibla Newspaper of Makkah al-Mukarrama witnesses:

On the eve of Mawlid an-Nabi SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam celebrations are observed in Makkah and dwellers of Makkah named this day as Youm al-Eid Mawlid ar-Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam. People cook delicious food. The governor of Makkah and Commander of Hijaz with their army visit birthplace of Prophet Peace be Upon Him and recites Qasa'id (praises) there. Rows of shining candles are positioned from Haram al-Makki to Birthplace and Shops and Houses on the way are also decorated. People recite Qasaid whole day at Birthplace. On the night of 11th Rabi al-Awwal after Isha, Mawlid Gathering is organized. From Maghrib prayer of 11th Rabi al Awwal to Asar Prayer of 12th Rabi al Awwal, after every prayer Salutations of 21 tanks is presented.

References:

1. Al-Qibla Paper – Makkah Mukarramah
2. Monthly Tariqat – Lahore, January 1917, Pages 2-3

The Invitation of Celebrating the Birth of Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam)
in Urdu and Gujrati Languages at Durban, South Africa (with Ottoman Tughra) on 16th May 1906.

10. Encyclopedia of Islam verifies:

On the Eve of Mawlid an-Nabi; whole Islamic world is observed to be rejoicing and celebrating it. And it is celebrated till now with utmost enthusiasm and integrity. [Encyclopedia of Islam, Vol. 21, Page 824, Published By: Punjab University, Lahore]

11. Ibn al-Jawzi in his book on Mawlid, says:

In Haramayn (i.e. Makkah Mukarrama and Madina Munawwarah), in Egypt, Yemen rather all of Arab world have been celebrating Mawlid for long. Upon sight of the moon in Rabi ul Awwal their happiness touches the limits and hence they make specific gatherings for Dhikr of Mawlid due to which they earn immense reward and Success. [Bayan al-Mawlid an-Nabwi, Page 58]

Mawlid an-Nabi (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) procession in Cairo, Egypt in 1911.
A deputation of one of the Muhammadan Orders on its way from Saluting the Shaykh el-Bekri.
 

12. Shah Waliullah Dhelvi mentions one of his all time wonderful experiences as:

I took part in a gathering of Mawlid inside Makkah where people were sending Darood and Salam upon Prophet (Peace be upon him) and commemorating the incidents which took place during the time of the blessed birth (before and after) and those which were witnessed before He was appointed as a Nabi (such as Noor eliminating from Bibi Amina Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha, she seeing Noor, woman proposing to Sayyiduna Abdullah Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho on sighting the Noor on his forehead etc...) suddenly I saw Noor to have enveloped one group of people, I don't claim that I saw this with my bodily eyes, nor do I claim that it was spiritual and Allah knows the best regarding these two, however upon concentration on these Anwaar a reality opened upon me that these Anwaar are of those Angels who take part in such gatherings, I also saw Mercy to be descending along with Anwaar of Angels. [Fuyudh al-Haramayn, Pages 80-81]

13. Shaykh al-Islam Imam Ibn Hajr al-Haytami (Alayhir Rahmah) writes:

The gatherings of Mawlid and Adhkaar which take place during our time, they are mostly confined to good deeds, for example in them, Sadaqat are given, Dhikr is done, Durood and Salam is sent upon the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and he is praised. [Fatawa al-Hadithiyyah, Page 202]

Prophet's (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) Birthday procession at Citadel Square (Cairo, Egypt) in 1915.

 

14. The 7th-century historians Shaykh Abu al-Abbas al-Azafi and his son Abu al-Qasim al-Azafi wrote in their Kitab al-Durr al-Munazzam:

Pious pilgrims and prominent travelers testified that, on the day of the Mawlid Sharif in Makkah al-Mukarrama, no activities are undertaken, and nothing is sold or bought, except by the people who are busy visiting the noble birthplace, and rush to it. On this day the Holy Ka'abah is opened and visited.

15. The famous eighth-century historian, Ibn Battuta relates in his Rihla that:

On every Jum'uah after the Salah and also on the birthday of the Beloved Prophet Alaihis Salat wa as-Salam, the door of the Holy Ka'abah is opened by the head of the Banu Shayba the doorkeepers of the Holy Ka'abah while on the Mawlid Shareef, the Shafi'i head judge of Makkah al-Mukarrama, Najm al-Din Muhammad ibn al-Imam Muhyi al-Din al-Tabari, distributed food to the descendants of the Beloved Prophet Alaihis Salat wa as-Salam and to the people of Makkah al-Mukarrama.

The Feast of the Mawlid at the pavilions of the Khedie's Ministers (Cairo, Egypt) in 1911.
 

16. The historian Shaykh Ibn Zahira from his Jami al-Latif fi Fadli Makkata wa-Ahliha; Shaykh al-Haytami from his book al-Mawlid al-Sharif al-Muazzam; and the historian Shaykh al-Nahrawali from al-Ilmam bi-Alam Bayt Allah al-Haram says:

Each year on the twelfth of Rabi al-Awwal Shareef, after Maghrib Salah, the four Qadhis of Makkah al-Mukarrama (representing the Four Sunni Schools) and large groups of people including the jurists and notables of Makkah al-Mukarrama, Shaykhayn, Zawiya teachers and students, magistrates and scholars, leave the Mosque and set out collectively for a visit to the Noble Birthplace of the Beloved Prophet Alaihes Salato Salaam, shouting out Dhikr and Tahlil.

The houses on the route are illuminated with numerous lanterns and large candles, and a great many people are out and about. They all wear special clothes and they take their children with them.

Inside the Noble Birthplace, a special sermon for the occasion of the birthday of the Beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam is delivered. Hereafter the Dua' for the (Ottoman) Sultan, the Ameer of Makkah al-Mukarramah, and the Shafi'i Qadhi is performed and all pray humbly.

Shortly before the 'Isha prayer, the whole party returns to the Great Mosque, which is almost overcrowded, and sit down in rows at Maqam Sayyiduna Ibrahim (Alayhis Salam).

A similar description is given by Shaykh al-Diyar Bakri (d/960) in his Great Sirah entitled Ta'rikh al-Khamis fi Akhbari Anfasi Nafis.

The Ottoman flag is raised during Mawlid an-Nabi Celebrations in Benghazi - Libiya in 1896.

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May we be sacrificed at this Merriment O blessed month of Rabi' al-Awwal!!
Your joys surpass thousands of 'Eids; All in the world are rejoicing, except Shaytan

 

Substantiation that the blessed birth was on the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal

Some deviant and ignorant people claim that the exact date of birth of the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) is not known and hence there is little room for the celebration of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) on 12th of Rabi' al-Awwal Sharif.

12 Rabi' al-Awwal is not only accepted as Milad Day from the classical and ancient scholars, it is also confirmed by the governments of the whole Islamic world. Almost every Islamic country celebrate it and have public holiday on 12th of Rabi' al-Awwal Sharif.

Opinion of Renowned Historians for Authentic Date of Mawlid

1. Ibn Ishaq (85-151 H):

Messenger of Allah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) was born on 12 Rabi' al-Awwal in 'Aam al-Feel. [Ibn Jawzi in al-Wafa, Page 87]

2. Ibn Hisham (213 H):

Messenger of Allah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) was born on Monday 12 Rabi' al-Awwal in 'Aam al-Feel. [Ibn Hisham in As-Sirat-un-Nabawiya, Vol. 1, Page 158]

3. Ibn Jarir Tabari (224-310 H):

Messenger of Allah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) was born on Monday 12 Rabi' al-Awwal in 'Aam al-Feel. [Tarikh al-Umam wa al-Muluk, Vol. 2, Page 125]

4. Abu al-Hasan Ali bin Muhammad Al-Mawaridi (370-480 H):

Messenger of Allah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) was born 50 days after the event of Ashab-ul-Feel and after the death of His father on Monday 12 Rabi' al-Awwal. [Ailam-un-Nabuwwa, Page 192]

5. Al-Hafiz Abu-ul-Fatah Al-Undalasi (671-734 H):

Our leader and our Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam), the Messenger of Allah, was born on Monday 12 Rabi' al-Awwal in 'Aam al-Feel. [Aayun al-Asr, Vol. 1, Page 33]

6. Ibn Khaldun (732-808 H):

Messenger of Allah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) was born on 12 Rabi' al-Awwal in 'Aam al-Feel. It was the 40th year of Emperor Kasra Noshairwan. [Ibn Khaldun in At-Tarikh Vol. 2, Page 394]

7. Imam Shihab  al-Din Qastallani (851-923 H) :

Rasoolullah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam) was born on 12th Rabi ul Awwal and People of Makkah follow it, on this same day they visit (your place of birth).. It is famous that you were born on 12th Rabi ul Awwal, the day was of Monday, Ibn Ishaq and others have narrated this too. [Al Muwahib al Laduniya, Vol. 1, Page 88]

8. Shaykh Abdul-Haq Muhadath Dehlvi (950-1052 H):

Know it well, that over-whelming majority of the experts of sayar and tarikh (i.e. biographers and historians) hold the opinion that the Beloved (i.e. the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) was born in 'Aam al-Feel … It is well known that the month was of Rabi' al-Awwal and its date was 12. Various scholars have shown their agreement with this (date). [Madarij-un-Nabuwwah, Vol. 2, Page 14]

9. Muhammad As-Sadiq Ibrahim Arjoon (1321-1401 H):

From various turaq (chains) it has been established as true that the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) was born on Monday 12 Rabi' al-Awwal in 'Aam al-Feel in the reign of Kisra Noshayrwan. [Muhammad Rasoolullah, Vol. 1, Page 102]

 

Now we will prove from scholars whom even opponents consider the top most scholar in Tafsir and Tarikh and they not only say 12th is the mainstream opinion but also rely with exact hadith for it:

10. Ibn Kathir writes in his Seerat un-Nabi:

ورواه ابن أبى شيبة في مصنفه عن عفان ، عن سعيد بن ميناء ، عن جابر وابن عباس أنهما قالا : ولد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عام الفيل يوم الاثنين الثانى عشر من شهر ربيع الاول
Ibn Abi Shaybah in his Musannaf narrates from Affan, Sa'id, Jabir and Ibn Abbas (Ridwanullahi Ta'ala Alaihim Ajma'een) who said: Rasoolullah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam) was born in the year of elephant on Monday, the 12th Rabi al-Awwal [Seerat un-Nabi, Volume 1, Page No. 199]

Then he said:

وهذا هو المشهور عند الجمهور والله أعلم
This is what is famous amongst Majority and Allah knows the best

11. Nawab Muhammad Sadiq Hasan Khan Bohapali:

The birth (of the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) was happened in Mecca at the time of Fajar on Monday 12 Rabi' al-Awwal in 'Aam al-Feel. Majority of scholars holds this opinion. Ibn-e-Jawzi has narrated a consensus (of scholars) on it. [Ash-Shumamat al-Anbariya fi Mawlid Khair al-Bariyyah, Page 7]

You can see that the historians / scholars from the first / second century of Hijri, as well as the scholars of later times, had been authenticating it. The list also includes the well known leader of Salafis, i.e. Nawab Sadiq Hasan Bohapalvi.

This Date is Officially Recognized by Islamic World

Milad-un-Nabi (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) is celebrated throughout the Islamic world, with the exception of a few countries. Interestingly, most of the Muslim countries and few non-Muslim countries celebrate it on 12th of Rabi' al-Awwal.

Here is a list of few countries who hold an official holiday on 12th of Rabi' al-Awwal (the actual list is longer than this):

• Afghanistan
• Algeria
• Bahrain
• Bangladesh
• Benin
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Brunei
• Burkina faso
• Cameroon
• Chad
• Comoros
• Darus Salam
• Djibouti
• Egypt
• Eritrea
• Ethiopia
• Fiji
• Gambia
• Guinea
• Guyana
• India
• Indonesia
• Iraq
• Ivory Coast
• Jordan
• Kenya
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Libya
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Mayotte
• Morocco
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Palestine
• Philippines
• Senegal
• Sierra leone
• Somalia
• Sri Lanka
• Sudan
• Syria
• Tanzania
• Togo
• Tunisia
• U.A.E.
• Uzbekistan
• Yemen

The most authentic date of Milad-un-Nabi (i.e. Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam's birth), as agreed upon by the classical and later scholars and historians, and as officially recognized by Islamic countries, is Monday 12 Rabi' al-Awwal.

Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and His Beloved Messenger Knows the Best!!

— — —
May we be sacrificed at this Merriment O blessed month of Rabi' al-Awwal!!
Your joys surpass thousands of 'Eids; All in the world are rejoicing, except Shaytan

The Noble Companions Commemorating the Blessed Birth

Dear Readers, in the previous email, we provided the proofs from Quran and Hadith over the legitimacy of Celebrating the Blessed Birth (Mawlid Sharif) of Beloved and Blessed Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam). Now let us examine the Aqidah (belief) of the Glorious AsHaab al-Kiraam (Noble Companions) in this concern, who are the guiding beacons for us.

 

What Does the Glorious Companions Believe?

هاجرت إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقدمت عليه منصرفه من تبوك، فأسلمت، فسمعت العباس بن عبد المطلب يقول: يا رسول الله إنى أريد أن أمتدحك، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: قل، لا يفضض الله فاك
When the Noble Messenger (Allah give him peace and blessings) returned from the expedition of Tabuk in Madina, his uncle Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) sought permission to recite some lines of poetry in his praise. He replied saying: "Recite, may your mouth remain fresh".

Thereafter Sayyiduna Abbas began to recite his poetry, inside the Masjid, before the Beloved Messenger and gathering of companions in which he mentioned the transition of our Prophet Muhammad (Allah give him peace and blessings) in the loins of the previous Prophets and how he blessed them all, thereafter he said:

وأنت لما ولدت أشرقت الارض ونارت بنورك الافق
فنحن في ذلك الضياء وفى النور وسبل الرشاد نخترق
"...The day you were born the sun rose over the earth and the horizon was illumined with your noor.
So we – in that radiance and that light and paths of guidance – can pierce through"

References:

1. Kitaab al-Wafa, Vol. 1, Page 35
2. Khasais al-Kubra, Vol. 1, Page 97
3. Insaan al-Uyoon, Vol. 1, Page 96
4. Jawahir al-Bihaar, Page 40
5. Anwaar al-Muhammadiyah, Page 62-84
6. Hujjatulahi Ala al-Alameen, Page 222
7. Muwahib al-Laduniyah, Page 23
8. Al Isti'aab Mustadrak, Vol. 3, Page 327
9. al-Bidaya wa an-Nihaya, Vol. 2, Page 258
10. Kitaab al Mallal wan Nahal, Vol. 2, Page 240
11. Majma' al-Zawaid, Vol. 8, Page 217
12. Talkhees al-Mustadrik, Vol. 3, Page 327
13. Subl al Huda war-Rishaad, Vol. 5, Page 469
14. Sharh al-Shifa (Mulla Ali Qari), Vol. 1, Page 364
15. Ibn Kathir's Mawlad al-Mustafa, Page 29-30, Published in Lahore 1958

This has been stated in distinguished works of great Muhaditheen such as Mulla Ali Qari, Imam Jalal al-Din as-Suyuti, Allamah Ibn Hajr, Allamah Halabi, Allamah Dahlaan Makki, Allamah Nabhani, Allamah ibn Abdul Birr, Allamah Haakim, and Allamah Sharistaani. Also, Ibn Jawzi, Ibn Kathir and Ibn al-Qayyim have recorded it in their works.

 

Flags in happiness of the blessed birth of the Beloved Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam):

Sayyidatuna Aamina Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha said,

ورأيت ثلاثة أعلام مضروبات علما في المشرق وعلما في المغرب وعلما على ظهر الكعبة فأخذني المخاض فولدت محمدا صلى الله عليه وسلم
"When the Holy Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was born, I saw that three flags were hoisted: one in the east, one in the west and one on the roof of the Ka'bah." [Khasais al-Kubra, Vol. 1, Page 82, Published from Dar al-Kutub Ilmia, Berut – Lebanon]

Beloved Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and His Companions entered Madinah Munawwarah carrying flags:

While migrating to Madinah, when the Beloved and Blessed Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) reached a place near Madinah, known as Mauda-e-Ghamim, Buraydah Aslami along with seventy horsemen from the tribe of Bani Sahm chased the caravan with the intention of capturing the Holy Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) but he himself got captivated in the love of the Holy Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and embraced Islam. He said,

لا تدخل المدینة الا ومعك لواء، فحل عمامة ثم شدھا في رمح ثم مشی بین یدیه صلی الله علیه وسلم
Ya RasoolAllah! We will welcome you in Madinah with flags. Therefore, the horsemen took off their turbans, placed them on the top of their spears and moved to Madinah. [Wafa al-Wafa, Vol. 1, Page 243, Published by Dar Ihya at-Turath al-Arabi, Beirut – Lebanon]

 

Noble Companion of Beloved Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) recites his Mawlid and Praises Him:

Hadrat Sayyiduna Hassan Ibn Thaabit (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) said:

وأحسن منك لم تر قط عيني
Wa Ah'sanu Minka Lum taraqattu Aienee
I haven't seen the lovely personality like you

وأجمل منك لم تلد النساء
Wa Ajmalu Minka Lum Talidin Nisa'u
And no mother have given birth to such a wonderful personality

خُلِقْتَ مبرءاً من كل عيب
Khuliqta Mubarra'am Min Kulli Aie'bin
You are created free from every fault

كأنك قد خُلِقْتَ كما تشاء
Ka'Annaka Qud Khuliqta Kama Tasha'u
You were created, as you wanted to be

References:

1. Tafseer al-Aaloosi, Chapter 2, Vol. 7, Page 422
2. Tafseer Rooh al-Ma'ani, Vol. 2, Page 34

 

And witness how the Beloved Prophet of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala rewarded him? Hadrat Aaisha (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha) narrates that Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) built a pulpit for Hadrat Hassan (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) in Masjid al-Nabawi Sharif, and Hadrat Hassan use to Recite his praise standing on that pulpit giving answers to mushriks on behalf of Sayyiduna Muhammadur Rasoolullah (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam). For this act of Hadrat Hassan, Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) said

إن روح القدس لا يزال يؤيدك ما نافحت عن الله ورسوله
"Verily Ruh-ul- Qudus would continue to help you so long as you put up a defense on behalf of Allah and His Messenger (Peace and Blessings be upon Him)."

References:

1. Sahih Muslim, Kitab Fada'il as-Sahaba, Hadith 6550
2. Sunan al-Kubra lil Bayhaqi, Vol. 10, Page 237, Hadith 19442
3. Mau'jam al-Kabir lil Tabarani, Vol. 4, Page 35, Hadith 3504
4. Musannaf Abi Shayba, Vol. 6, Page 173
5. Dalail al-Nabuwwah, Vol. 5, Page 75
6. Sunan Abi Dawood, Vol. 14, Page 357

Mawlid Gathering at the Time of the Noble Companions (Radi Allahu Anhum Ajma'een):

Imam al-Nasa'i narrated that Hadrat Sayyiduna Ameer al-Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with them) said,

إن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم خرج على حلقة يعني من أصحابه ، فقال: ما أجلسكم؟, قالوا: جلسنا ندعو الله, ونحمده على ما هدانا لدينه ومن علينا بك، قال: آلله ما أجلسكم إلا ذلك، قالوا: آلله ما أجلسنا إلا ذلك، قال: أما إني لم أستحلفكم تهمة لكم، وإنما أتاني جبريل عليه السلام, فأخبرني أن الله عز وجل يباهي بكم الملائكة
The Messenger of Allah came to a circle – meaning of his Companions – and said, "What has made you sit together?" They said, "We sat to pray to Allah and to praise Him for guiding us to His religion, and for blessing us with you." He said, "By Allah, nothing else made you sit together?" They said, "By Allah nothing else made us sit together!" He said, "Know that I did not make you swear on this because I doubted you, but because Gabriel came to me and informed me that Allah (Azza wa Jall) is proudly showing you off to the angels!"

References:

1. Sunan an-Nasa'i, Vol. 6, Book 49, Hadith 5428
2. Sahih Muslim, Book 40, Hadith 2701
3. Jaami' Tirmidhi, Hadith 3326
4. Musnad Imam Ahmad, Hadith 16488
5. Sahih Ibn Hibban, Hadith 820
6. Musnad Abi Ya'la, Hadith 7331
7. Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba, Hadith 28894
8. Tabarani, Mu'jam al-Kabeer, Hadith 16079
9. Riyad as-Salihin, Book 16, Hadith 1450

The above hadith is one of the clearest evidences for the permissibility of the Mawlid, and clearly shows the companions gathering together to thank Allah (Most High) and give thanks for blessing them with the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). Are the Mawlid gatherings not what is being described in the hadith?

 

— — —
In Aminah's home, the King of Prophets has come;
Rejoice, O the grief-stricken, your comforter has come!!

Is saying "Jumu'ah Mubarak" a Bid'ah?

Allah – beginning with the name of – the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise is to Him who guided the believers to the truth. And may His blessings and salutations be upon our master Muhammad, the seal of the Prophets and the coolness of our eyes.

A message is being widely circulated these days that it is impermissible to greet Jumu'ah Mubarak and that it is a bid'ah (May Allah Forbid). First and foremost, one should understand that the salaf of this ummah have explained bid'ah (innovation) as being of two fundamental types:

In the Sahih of al-Imam al-Bukhari, it is mentioned that Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) stated concerning the 20 rak'ats of tarawih prayer, in congregation, behind one imam:

"What a good bid'ah it is!"

Al-Hafidh al-Imam al-Bayhaqi (Alayhir Rahmah) narrates through a sahih isnad (authentic chain of transmission) in Manaqib al-Imam al-Shafi'i, that Muhammad ibn Musa ibn al-Fadl narrated to us that Abu al-'Abbas al-Assam narrated to him that Rabi' ibn Sulayman narrated to him that al-Imam ash-Shafi'i informed him:

"The newly-invented matters from the affairs are of two kinds: One of them is whatever is innovated contravening the Book, or the Sunnah, or a narration, or a consensus, then this is an innovation of misguidance (al-bid'atu al-dalalatu). The second is whatever is innovated of the good which does not contravene any of these, then this is an innovation which is not blameworthy (Ghayru Mazmumatin)."

Regarding congratulating one another on the day of 'Eid, al-Sayyid ibn 'Aabideen al-Shami (Alayhir Rahma) relates from al-Muhaqqiq ibn 'Aamir Haaj (Alayhir Rahmah) that he considered it: 'Ja'iz' (permissible) and 'Mustahabb' (commendable) in general. He also considered the wording popular in his time: 'Eidun Mubarakun Alayka' (a blessed Eid upon you) to take the same rule. He has mentioned:

"Supplication for barakah (blessing) in many affairs has reached us, thus the commendability of supplication for it here (on the day of 'Eid) can be taken from that." [Radd al-Muhtar, Vol. 2, Page 169]

The barakah of Jumu'ah and its being a day of eid is clear in the Prophetic Ahadith such as in the hadith of the Sahih of Ibn Hibban where it is mentioned that the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said regarding the day of Jumu'ah:

"Verily it is a day of Eid." [Sahih Ibn Hibban, Hadith 3610]

In a further hadith of the Sunan of Ibn Majah it is mentioned that the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

"Verily the day of Jumu'ah is the master of days." [Sunan ibn Majah, Hadith 1084]

The barakah of Jumu'ah is such that al-Hafidh Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti (Alayhir Rahmah) has gathered 100 special qualities related to it with supporting evidences in his work al-Lumu'ah fi Khasa'is al-Jumu'ah.

If one greets his brother with salam and then supplicates for him on the day of Jumu'ah saying "Jumu'ah Mubarak", then there is nothing in that which goes against the principles of the shari'ah which would make it a reprehensible bid'ah. In fact it is established that from the blessings of Jumu'ah is a hidden time in which the du'a of a slave is answered as in the hadith of the Sahih of al-Imam Muslim:

"Verily there is a time in the day of Jumu'ah, that no Muslim coincides with it supplicating to Allah for good except that Allah bestows it upon him." [Sahih Muslim, Hadith 852]

The opinion of those who are not upon the Aqidah of the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah is of no value in matters of Deen.

And Allah knows the best and His beloved Messenger knows the best.

— — —
Answered by
Mawlana Ibrar Shafi