Category Archives: Holidays

Celebrating Eid-e-Milad

When we celebrate Milad, we gather, in order to send salutations (Esal-e-Swaab) to the Prophet [May Allah bless him and grant Him peace], give charity to the poor (Sadaqah Khairat) and remember wilaadah(Birth) and virtues of the Prophet [May Allah bless him and grant Him peace]. The Ahl as-Sunnah does not say that one must celebrate “Milad” only on 12 Rabee’-ul-Awwal, in fact it can be celebrated at anytime of the year. Generally Milad-un-Nabi is celebrated, on the 12th of Rabee’ul-Awwal, by Muslims all over the world. In every Muslim country, there is a public holiday for “Milaad-un-Nabee”, except one country, but even in that country, the people celebrate “Milaad” individually. The birth of the Anbiyaa’ has been mentioned in the Qur’an. For example, Adam, Musaa, Eesaa, and Yahyaa (May Allah bless them and grant them peace). If it is wrong to talk about the birth of the Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), then why has Allah TA’ALA mentioned it in the Qur’an?

Evidence of Milaad-un-Nabi from the Qur’an

Allah Ta’ala says in the Holy Qur’an:

Say: “In the bounty of Allah, and his mercy;- Therein let them rejoice.” That is better then what they Amass.

(Yunus, 58)

In this verse, Allah Almighty tells us that we should be happy when we receive blessings and mercy from Him. Without doubt, the Prophet [May Allah bless Him and grant Him peace] is the greateset mercy and blessing of Allah Almighty

Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an:

“And we sent not to you but a mercy for all the worlds” (Al’Anbiyaa’, 107)

AllahAlmighty says in the Qur’an:

Oh Prophet! The communicator of unseen news. We have sent you as a present beholder and bearer of glad tidings and a warner.

And an inviter towards Allah by His command and a brightening sun.

And give glad tidings to the believers that for them is great bounty of Allah.

(Al-aHzaab, 44-47)

AllahAlmighty says in the Qur’an:

…remind them of the day of Allah…

(Ibraaheem, 5)

Hafidhh Ibn Kathir and Qadi Shawkani writes that:

“the day of Allah” refers to the day on which AllahAlmighty has done a favour on mankind. For example, the freedom of Bani Isra’il from the slavery of Fir’awn.

[Tafsir Ibn Kathir, and Fath-ul-qadeer, by Hafidhh Ibn Kather and Qaadee Shawkaanee]

Allah’s graetest favour on mankind was the birth of the Prophet [May Allah bless him and grant Him peace]. This means that the Milaad of the Prophet [May Allah bless him and grant Him peace] is a “day of Allah”, therefore we should remember it.

Hafidh Ibn Rajab writes that:

It is recommended to fast on those days on which Allah Almighty has sent blessings on us. The greatest favour which AllahAlmighty has bestowed us with, is the sending down of the Prophet [May Allah bless him and grant Him peace]. Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an:

“I have favoured among nations and sent to you a Prophet from among you”(ltaa’if-ul-ma’rif, page 111, by Hafidh Ibn Rajab)

Some other evidences of Milaad

Our Prophet [May Allah bless him and grant Him peace] celebrated the birth of his son Ibraaheem by freeing a slave. (Tareekh Ibn Kathir, “Birth of Ibraaheem”).

Imam Muslim writes that the Prophet [May Allah bless Him and grant Him peace] was asked about the fast on Mondays, which he used to keep, the Prophet replied “This is the day of my birth”.

(Muslim, “Kitaab-us-Sawm”)

This proves that the Prophet [May Allah bless Him and grant Him peace] kept fast on Mondays to show gratitude for his birth.

Imam Bukhari writes that:

when Abu Lahab died, someone from his household saw him in a dream, they asked him what happened in the grave he said “I am being punished severely, but on Mondays, I get water from my finger with which I am freed Thuwayba,

(Bukhari, “Kitaab-un-Nikaah”)

Friday is a special day for Muslims because this is the day that Allah created Aadam[May Allah bless him and grant him peace]

(The Muslim book of Jum’ah, also Tareekh Ibn Kathir, vol.1, “Story of Aadam (May Allah bless him and grant him peace])

Hafidhh Ibn Kathir writes that Abu Lahab freed Thuwayba on the day that the Prophet [May Allah bless Him and grant Him peace] was born.

(Sirat-un-Nabee, “Birth of Prophet May Allah bless him and grant Him peace]”, by Hafidh Ibn Kathir)

This proves that a kaafir, Abu Lahab, was happy on the day of the birth of the Prophet [May Allah bless Him and grant Him peace] and was rewarded by having his punishment reduced. If this is true, then indeed Allah will bless a Muslim who rejoices the birth of the Prophet [May Allah bless Him and grant Him peace]. This Hadith has been used by many ‘Ulamaa’, to justify the celebration of Milad.

Allama Ibn Hajr Asqalani writes that Sohaily said that Abbaas Radi-Allahu-unhu, who was the uncle of the Prophet [May Allah bless Him and grant Him peace], had the above dream. Apart from this, other Muhadditheen have also attributed this dream to Abbaas Radi-Allahu-unhu. (Fath-ul-baari, “Nikaah”, by Hafidh Ibn Hajar Asqalaanee)

A person may ask, “When did Abbaas Radi-Allahu-unhu have this dream? Was it before or after he embraced Islam?” The answer to this is that he had this dream after coming into the fold of Islam (Seerah-Ibn-Hashaam) Abu Lahab died after the battle of Badr before which Abbaas Radi-Allahu-unhu embraced Islam.

Fatwa of Scholars for Milad

Hafidhh Ibn Taymiyyah writes:

“Those people who celebrate Milaad through the love and respect of the Prophet [May Allah bless Him and grant Him peace], will be rewarded by Allah.

[Iqtidaa’ us-siraat-il-Mustaqeem, page 294]

He also writes that:

If someone celebrates Milaad with the love and respect of Prophet [May Allah bless him and grant Him peace], he will have a “big reward”. He says that in Muslim communities, Milaad-un-Nabi gatherings are only done with the respect and love of the Muslims for the Prophet [May Allah bless him and grant Him peace]

[Iqtidaa’ as-siraat-il-Mustaqeem, page 297, by Hafidhh Ibn Taymiyyah]

Hafidhh Ibn Kathir wrote that:

There was once a King, Abu Sa’eed Malik Muzaffar – a man of good deeds. In his kingdom, wherever he saw a lack of water, he would build a well. He also established many Islamic study centers. Every year, he would spend half a million dinars on hosting a gathering of his people to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet [May Allah bless Him and grant Him peace]

[Tareekh Ibn Kathir, see story of King Abu Sa’eed, Volume 13]

Ibn Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Najdi, in his book, writes:

“Thuwaiba, who was the freed slave of Abu Lahab fed Rasolallah Sallalalhu ‘alaihi wa sallam milk. Abu Lahab freed Suwaiba at the time when she informed him that a son has been born at your brother’s house. After the death of Abu Lahab he was seen in a dream, in which he said ‘I am in severe punishment but this is lessened on Mondays, he showed his forefinger, and said that he would suck from it. This is so because it was with this finger that I freed Suwaiba when she informed of the birth of the Prophet, and she also fed the Prophet Sallalalhu ‘alaihi wa sallam milk”. Ibn Jawzi states: Abu Lahab is that kaafir who has been specially referred to, in the Qur’an. If such a person can be rewarded for celebrating the Milaad of the Prophet Sallalalhu ‘alaihi wa Sallam, then imagine how great the reward would be for a Muslim when he celebrates it.

[Mukhtassar Sirat-ur-rasool, “Milaad-un-nabi”, by Ibn Muhammad bin Abdul wahhaab Najdi].

The above is evidence that celebrating the birthday of the Prophet [May Allah bless Him and grant Him peace] in the form of a gathering is permissible. Otherwise Hafidhh Ibn Kathir would not have referred to it as a good deed and Hafidhh Ibn Taymiyyah would not have said that there would be a “big reward” for doing so.

Some people have the opinion that King Abu Sa’eed introduced the celebrating of this occasion. This is not true because Hafidh Ibn Kathir states that in the 5th Century hijree, a King named Malik Shah celebrated it also with a gathering

[Tareekh Ibn Katheer biography of Malik Shah]

Some people even argue that the Holy Prophet was not even born on the 12th Rabbi Awwal. This argument is baseless, as Hafidh Ibn Kathir has discussed this in Sirat-un-nabi. He states that the majority of the scholars agree that the Prophet was born on the 12th of Rabee’ul-Aawal. The evidence of the people who do not accept this is weak.

(As-Sirat-un-nabi, vol.1, “Birth of the Prophet [May Allah bless him and grant Him peace]”)

Muhammad Ibn Is-haaq states that the Prophet was born on the 12th of Rabee’ul-Awwal.

(Seerah Ibn Hashaam, “Chapter Birth of the Prophet [May Allah bless him and grant Him peace]”)

Ibn Is-haaq was a Taabi’ and was born in 75 Hijrah. His book is the oldest book available of seerah in Islamic history. The first book of Seerah was written by Musa bin Uqba. This book is no longer avaiable for reference.

The Ahl as-Sunnah celebrate the Milaad of the Prophet [May Allah bless Him and grant Him peace] with love and respect. If someone does not celebrate it, we do not call them a kaafir because the matter of Milaad does not affect the ‘Aqeedah of a person. The celebrating of this should not cause any divisions among Muslims.

Hafidhh Salaahuddeen Yoosuf [A great follower of Hafidhh Ibn Taymiyyah and Shaikh Najdee] writes:

On the birth date of the Prophet [May Allah bless him and grant him peace], to give charity to the poor or to build a Masjid. We agree in this type of celebration of Milaad.

(Milaad-un-nabi, by Hafidhh.Yoosuf, page 92)

Hafidh Ibn Kathir writes: “On the day of the birth of Prophet[May Allah bless Him and grant Him peace], Shaytaan cried a lot.”

(Sirat-un-nabi, “Birth of the Prophet [May Allah bless him and grant Him peace]”, by Hafidh Ibn Kathir)

From Ibn Kathirs narration we can see that to feel unhappy on the Birthday of the Prophet [May Allah bless him and grant him peace] is the way of shaytaan not the way of a Muslim!

Some questions raised concerning the Milaad

Although the Prophet was born on the 12th of Rabee’ul-awwal he also died on the same date. How then can the 12th of Rabee’ul-awwal be a happy day?

Mourning for someone’s death should not be more than three days, except for a woman, who has lost her husband. The Prophet’s [May Allah bless him and grant Him peace] death was over 1400 years ago, so the period of mourning has passed. But, after someone dies, his death is remembered by reciting the Qur’an, remembering his merits, giving alms, and making du’a for him. Even if the period of mourning for the Prophet’s [May Allah bless him and grant Him peace] death exists, all the actions mentioned above are included when people gather for Milaad-un-nabee. For this reason, there is not need to separate the celebration of the Prophet’s [May Allah bless him and grant Him peace] birth, and the mourning of his death.

How can there be an Eid Milaad-un-nabi when there are only two Eids (Al-Fitr and Al-AdhHaa)?

Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an:

Prophet Isa [May Allah bless him and grant Him peace] prayed to Allah Almighty “Oh Allah, our Lord, send down to us a tray of food from the Heavens so that it may be an occasion of Eid for us for the first and the last of us.” (Al-Maa’idah, 114)

Imam Hakim writes that the Prophet [May Allah bless him and grant Him peace] said “Friday is also an Eid day”. Once, in the Prophet’s time Eid came on Friday and the Prophet [May Allah bless him and grant Him peace] said “Allah has given you two Eids today”.

(Mustadrak, “Jum’ah” by Imam Haakim and summary by Imam Dhahabi).

Imam Tirmidhee writes

“Abdullah-bin-Abbaas was reciting verse 3 of surah maa’ida, from the Qur’an. A Jew, sitting close-by heard it and said to Abdullah “If that verse which you recited, was revealed to us, we would make that day an Eid day”. Abdullah-bin-Abbas replied “When this verse was revealed, there were two Eids on that day. One of them was the Hajj day and the other Friday”.

[Tirmidhee , “Tafsir”, and also Tafsir Ibn Kathir, surah 5, verse 3]

From the references above, it is proved that the term “Eid day” does not specifically apply to the two Eid days (Al-fitr and al-adhHaa), but instead, it could be used for any Islamic holy day. This means that we can refer to “Milaad-un-Nabi” as “Eid-Milaad-un-nabi”

Books on Milaad-un-Nabi (SallahoAleheWasalam)

Imam Tirmidhi, in his book even gives the title of one of this chapters, the name “Milaad-un-Nabee”. (Tirmidhi, shamaa’il)

Imam Waaqdi (A second century Scholar) also wrote a book entitled “Milaad-un-Nabi”. The original copy can be found in Cairo.

Allama Ibn Al-Jawzi, wrote a book called “Milaad-un-Nabi” in which he gives very strong proofs permitting the celebration of Milaad

–Md Nazeer

Eid ul-Fitr as Explained by Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (1077-1166)

The Festival of Breaking Fast after Ramadan came to be called Eid for the simple reason that Allah  Almighty restores joy and happiness to His servants on their day of festive celebration. The Arabic noun “Eid” or “Id” is derived from a three consonant root which conveys the basic notion of “returning”.

Many other explanations have been suggested, including the following sayings:

“It came to be called Eid for the simple reason that it contains the benefits of goodness bestowed by Allah Almighty, and the favors of generous grace conferred by Him upon His servant.”

“The explanation is that the servant returns at that time to humble entreaty and weeping, and the Lord (Almighty and Glorious is He) returns at that time to the giving of presents and the granting of gifts.”

“When people celebrate the Eid, it means that they have returned to their previous condition from the state of purity experienced while keeping the fast.”

“It signifies that they have returned from obeying Allah Almighty directly to obeying the Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him) (this Arabic calligraphy means ‘May Allah bless the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and grant Him peace’), from the religious practice that is strictly obligatory to that which is customary but not compulsory and from the Fast of Ramadan to the fast of six days in the month of Shawwal.”

“It came to be called Eid for the simple reason that the believers are told at that time: ‘Return to your dwelling places, knowing that you have been granted forgiveness!’”

“It came to be called Eid because it is an occasion for remembering the promise and the threat, the Day of requital and superabundance, the Day of emancipation for the bondmaids and the male slaves, the approach of the Lord of Truth to His creatures near and far, and the reality of contrition and repentance from the feeble servant to the One who is All-Forgiving and Ever-Loving.”

It was Wahb ibn Munabbih (may Allah have mercy on him) who said:

“Allah created the Garden of Paradise on the Day of Breaking the Fast; He planted the Tree of Bliss (Tooba) on the Day of Breaking the Fast; He chose Angel Gabriel (peace be upon him) as the conveyer of inspiration on the Day of Breaking the Fast; and the sorcerers found forgiveness on the Day of Breaking the Fast.”

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) is reported as having said:

“When the Day of Breaking the Fast comes around, and the people emerge from their homes to pray in the open space near the burial ground, Allah Exalted in He, will take notice of them, and He will say: ‘My servants, for My sake you have kept the fast, and for My sake you have performed the prayers. Now take your leave, knowing that you have been granted forgiveness!’”

The following Hadeeth of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) is one of those reported on the authority of Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father):

“When the month of Ramadan is over, and the Night of Breaking the Fast has arrived, that night is called the Night of Prize. Then, in the early morning of the Day of Breaking the Fast, Allah Most Exalted is He, will send His angels forth to visit all the towns and cities on the earth below. Once they have made their descent, they will position themselves at the entrances to all the streets and alleys. There, in a voice that is audible to every being created by Allah Most Exalted is He, apart from the jinn and humankind, they will issue a proclamation, saying: ‘O Community of Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), come forth into the presence of a Noble and Generous Lord, who will grant you gifts in abundance, and forgive your terrible sin!’

Then, when the believers have emerged and presented themselves at their place of prayer, Allah Most Exalted is He, will say to His angels: ‘O My angels!’ They will respond to His call by saying: ‘We wait intent upon Your service, time and time again, and upon aiding Your cause, time and time again (labbaika wa sa’daik)!’ Then He will say to them: ‘What is the recompense of the hired laborer, once he has done his job?’ The angels will reply: ‘Our God and our Master and our Lord, You will pay him his wages in full!’ So the All-Majestic One will say: ‘I now call upon you to bear witness, O My angels, that I have conferred My acceptance and My forgiveness, as the reward for their fasting and the night vigil during the month of Ramadan.’ Then He will say: ‘O My human servants, put your requests to Me now, for this I swear, by My Might and My Majesty: You will not ask me this day, in this gathering of yours, for anything connected with your life hereafter, without My granting it to you; nor for anything connected with your life in this lower world, without my attending to your need. By My Might and My Majesty, I will surely condone the false steps you make, as long as you are consciously alert in the effort to avoid incurring My displeasure. By My Might and My Majesty, I will not put you to shame, nor will I expose you to disgrace amongst those who are faithfully committed to observing the statutes (hudood). Now you may depart, knowing that you have been forgiven. You have won My approval, and I am well pleased with you.’

The angels will then be very happy, as they welcome the good news of all that Allah Almighty and Glorious is He, will bestow upon this Community, when its members break the fast they have kept through the month of Ramadan.”

The above excerpt was taken from Al-Ghunya li-Taalibi Tareeq al-Haqq by Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah be pleased with him) translated from the Arabic by Haaji Muhtar Holland into Sufficient Provision for Seekers of the Path of Truth. (Al-Baz Publishing, Inc., Florida, 1997)

Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah be pleased with him) is one of the greatest scholars and Saints of the Islamic tradition, and fountainhead of the Qadri Spiritual Order. He was born in the Iranian district of Gilan, south of the Caspian Sea, in 470 Hijri (1077 CE). Having lived a life of extreme piety, sacrifice, service, and devotion to Allah Almighty and His Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him), he passed onto the Realm of Divine Beatitude on the 11th of Rabi-uth-Thani, 561 Hijri (1166 CE). He rests in the city of Baghdad, Iraq. His blessed mausoleum is a place of pious visitation from devotees around the world.

Sighting the New Moon – The Crescent

It is a Sunnah (practice of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, prayers and peace of Allah  be upon Him) to sight  the new moon crescent for every lunar month. The crescent is usually sighted  a few minutes  after sunset in the Western horizon. Once sighted, the following prayer should be recited:

Allah is Greater. O Allah may the crescent come upon us in safety and faith and peace and Islam and in agreement with all that You love and pleases You. Our Lord and your Lord [O Crescent] is Allah.