THE YEAR OF HIS
NOBLE BIRTH According to the most correct opinion of the Scholars,
the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam was born in the city of
Makkah in the year of the Elephant (in the year 570 or 571CE), in the
month of Rabee'ul-Awwal.1
THE DAY OF HIS NOBLE BIRTH There is
an agreement amongst the Scholars that the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi
wa sallam was born on a Monday, since he sallallaahu 'alayhi wa
sallam was asked about fasting on a Monday, and he said: "On that
day I was born and on that day Revelation descended upon me."2
However, as regards the exact date of his birth, then the Scholars have
differed about this, although the majority of Scholars say that he
sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam was born on the 12th of
Rabee'ul-Awwal.
Imaam an-Nawawee (d.676H) -
rahimahullaah- said: "There is on agreement that he was born on
Monday in the month of Rabee'ul-Awwal. There is a difference of opinion
whether this day was the 2nd, 8th, 10th or 12th day of the month - and
these ore the four most well-known opinions concerning this."3
EVENTS AT THE TIME OF HIS
BIRTH Certain miraculous events are reported to have occurred at
the time that the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam was born.
However, most of them are not authentically related, rather they are
da'eef (week) or mawdoo' (fabricated) and therefore cannot
be relied upon as decisive proof; such as the narration which relates that
some of the galleries of Kisraa's palace broke-up and collapsed, that the
sacred-fire of the Magians died-out and that some of the churches on Lake
Saawah collapsed and sank down.4 However, it is authentically related that
the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayi wa sallam said. "I am a result of
the supplication of my father Ibraaheem and the glad-tidings brought by
'Eesaa 'alayhimus salaam. And my mother - when she bore me - saw
that a light shone out from her, which lit up the palaces in Syria ...
"5
CELEBRATING THE DAY OF HIS NOBLE
BIRTH Imaam al-Faakihaanee (d.734H) - rahimahullaah
-said:6 "Celebrating his birthday has no basis in the Book nor the
Sunnah, nor is this action recorded from any one of the Scholars of this
Ummah; those who are taken as examples to be followed and who cling to the
narrations. Rather it is a bid'ah (innovotion), which was introduced by
the (deviated) Battaaloon sect.7"
As regards to the origins of this
newly-invented celebration, then some of the research Scholars have stated
that the first person to innovate this practice was 'Umar ibn Muhammad
al-Mulaa in the city of Mawsil in Iraaq,
during the fourth century, as is mentioned by the Imaam Abu Shaamah
(d.665H).8 He was followed in this by the likes of Abul-Khattaab 'Umar ibn
Dihyaa: "who was employed in the west, then travelled to Syria, then he
travelled to the city of Irbil in 'Iraaq, during the fourth century, where
he found its king Mudhaffarud-Deen ibn Zaynud-Deen showing a keen interest
in the milaad (birthday) of the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa
sallam. So he composed a book for him called at-Tanweer fi
Mawlidis-Siraajil-Muneer; so he recited this to the king who then
rewarded him with one thousand deenaars."9
Imaam Maalik (d.179H)
- rahimahullaah - said: 'Whosoever introduces into Islaam an
innovation, and holds it to be something good, has indeed alleged that
Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam has betrayed his message.
Read the saying of Allaah - the Most Blessed, the Most High:
"This day I have perfected your religion
for you, completed My favour upon you and I have chosen for you Islaam
as your religion." [Soorah al-Maa'idah 5:3].
So that which was not part of the religion at
that time, cannot be part of the religion today. And the last part of this
Ummah cannot be rectified, except by that which rectified its first
part."10
Thus, had the practice of celebrating
milaadun-Nabee (the birthday of the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi
wa sallam) been something praiseworthy then: "the Salaf (the
Pious Predecessors) - may Allaah be pleased with them all - would have
instituted it. For they were the ones having a greater love and honour for
Allaah's Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam and a greater zeal
for doing good. Indeed, the most perfect expression of love and honour for
him is by following him, obeying him, carrying out his commands, upholding
and reviving his Sunnah (guidance and example) - both inwardly and
outwardly - and in spreading his message and striving in this, with the
heart, the hand and the tongue. Such was the path of the Companions and
those who followed them in goodness (i.e. beliefs and
actions)."11
1. Refer to Taareekh (p.53) of
Khaleefah ibn Khayaat, as-Seerah (1/167) of Ibn Hishaam and also
Tabaqaatul-Kubraa (1/62) of Ibn Sa'd. 2. Related by Muslim
(2/820) and Ahmad (5/297). 3. Tahdheeb Seeratun-Nabawiyyah
(p.20) of Imaam an-Nawawee. 4. Munkar: Related by Imaam adh-Dhahabee in
as-Seeratun-Nabawiyyah (pp. 11-14), who said: "This narration is
munkar ghareeb (rejected)." 5. Related by al-Haakim in
al-Mustadrak (2/600) and Ibn Katheer in al-Bidaayah
wan-Nihaayah (1/229) who said: "Its isnaad is good and strong." Refer
to as-Saheehah (no.1545) of Shaykh al-Albaanee for a detailed
discussion concerning its authenticity. 6. Al-Mawrid fi
'Amalil-Mawlid (pp.21-22). 7. The Battaaloon: they are one of the
deviated Baatiniyyah sects from the Faatimids - as al-Maqreezee says in
al-Khatat (1/490). 8. In al-Baa'ith 'alaa Inkaaril-Bida'
wal-Hawaadith (pp.23-24). Ibn al-Jawzee stated something similar in
Miraatuz-Zamaan (8/310). 9. Al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah
(13/144-145) of al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer. 10. Related by al-Qaadee
'lyaadh in ash-Shifaa fee Huqooqil-Mustafaa (2/676). 11.
Iqtidaa'us-Siraatul-Mustaqeem (p.295) of Ibn Taymiyyah.
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