CHAPTER EIGHT

CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF
THE PROPHET (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) (MEELAD)

PROOF OF MEELAD SHARIF

Firstly, we should know what Meelad Sharif actually is and what is the rule concerning it. Thereafter will its proofs be presented.

Meelad Sharif is essentially narrating the occasion of the Holy Prophet’sصلی اللہ علیہ وسلم blessed birth, incidents concerning him being in the womb of his respected mother, the miracle of the Noor-e-Muhammadصلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, his genealogy, family heritage and infancy, narrating incidents of when he was in the care of Sayyidah Halima and praising him in either poetry (i.e, Naath Sharif) or prose. Now, whether the above is done in seclusion on in a gathering of people, in poetry or prose, sitting or standing - in short, any permissible manner - it will contribute it to being known as Mcclad Sharif. Holding gatherings of Meelad Sharif, expressing happiness on his birth, applying perfume (itr) or rosewater at the time of his remembrance, distributing sweetmeats and generally expressing happiness in whichever permissible method is Mustahab (preferred), a means of barkat being attained and the reason for Allah’sعزوجل mercy to descend.

Hadrat Esaعلیہ السلام supplicated to Allahعزوجل, “ربناانزل علینا مآئدۃمن السماء تکون لنا عیدا لا ولنا و اخرنا” Surah Maida. Verse 114

We see that Hadrat Esa علیہ السلام made the day in which the Heavenly Table-Spread (Maa'ida) descended to be a day of Eid (something Christians commemorate on Sunday as well). Surely the coming of the Holy Prophetصلی اللہ علیہ وسلم is a greater blessing than this. For this reason, the day of his birth is also the day of Eid.

Yes, to do Haraam in such a pure gathering is a severe offense and sin, e.g. women reciting Naath in such a loud voice that a foreign (ajnabee) man can hear them. It is impermissible for ajnabee men to hear the voice of ajnabee women. While performing namaaz, if a man wants to stop someone from passing before him, he should audibly say, "SubhanAllahعزوجل." However, if a woman wishes to do so, she shouldn't say this but hit the back of her left hand with her right hand instead. This explains that in namaaz, even in a situation of need, a woman should not make her voice audible. Similarly, reciting Naath Sharif with music and the loud voice of women in Meelad gatherings is a big sin. Music itself is Haraam as it is utterly vain.

Using it with Naath recitation, which is an act of worship {ibaadat), is an even greater sin. If any gathering of Meelad has these incorrect practices, they should be done away with. However, the Meelad Sharif itself shouldn't be abandoned. If a woman recites the Holy Quran in a loud voice or if recitation is made with music, these vices should be stopped, not the recitation (because reading the Quran Sharif is an act of worship).

Meelad Sharif is proven from the Quran, Ahadith, and opinions and practices of the Ularna, Angels and Prophets. The Holy Quran states,

1. " و اذکر نعمۃ اللہ علیکم"-Surah Maida, Verse?

The coming of Sayyiduna Rasoolullahصلی اللہ علیہ وسلم is the greatest blessing of Allahعزوجل. Meelad Sharif remembers this. Therefore, holding gatherings of Meelad is acting upon this ayat.

2. "Publicize well the favours of your Lord."8.2 - Surah Duhaa, Verse 11

Indeed, the Holy Prophet’sصلی اللہ علیہ وسلم coming to this world is the greatest of all Divine favours. Allahعزوجل has reminded us of this. Thus, to publicize it is practicing upon the instruction of this verse. Today, people commemorate the birthdays of their children every year. Marches (juloos) are held annually by leaders and kings to demonstrate happiness on the day when governance was obtained. So, how can display joy on the day in which the greatest blessing of Allahعزوجل was received be prohibited? The Quran itself speaks of the Prophet's صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم Meelad in various places. Allahعزوجل states, "O Muslims! The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم of Greatness came to you (speaking of the Holy Prophet’sصلی اللہ علیہ وسلم birth)." The ayat continues, 'Min anfusikum' -explaining his genealogy (i.e. that he is from amongst you or from the most celebrated group amongst you). From 'Hareesun alaikum' until the end of the ayat, the Holy Prophetsصلی اللہ علیہ وسلم Naath is recited. Today, Meelad gatherings are comprised of these three things.

3. "Allahعزوجل has done a mor favour upon Muslims by sending His Beloved Messengerصلی اللہ علیہ وسلم to them." 8.3 - Surah Aale-Imran, Verse 164

"It is He (Allahعزوجل) who has sent His Messenger صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم with salvation and the Deen of Truth (lslam)." 8.4 - Surah Tauba, Verse 33

In short, there are various ayats which speak of Rasoolullah’sصلی اللہ علیہ وسلم blessed birth. We see from these that remembering the Meelad is the practice of Allahعزوجل, Now, if an Imam reads these ayats of Meelad in namaaz, our Beloved Nabi's صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم Meelad Sharif is made! Pay attention to this - the Imam and those standing behind him make up a congregation, and at that moment the pure birth (wilaadat) is remembered.

Even the Kalima Tayyiba contains Meelad Sharif, as it says, "Muhammadصلی اللہ علیہ وسلم" is the Rasool of Allahعزوجل " Rasool means the one who is sent, and 'coming' is necessary in being sent. Thus, the Holy Prophetصلی اللہ علیہ وسلم's" coming has been spoken of and the actual Meelad Sharif is made by it.

... expressing joy on the blessings of Allahعزوجل is a Divine instruction.

The Holy Quran has spoken of the Meelad of other Prophets as well. In Surah Maryam, it records the entire incident of Sayyidah Maryam’s رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہا pregnancy with Hadrat Esaعلیہ السلام his birth, what she said while giving birth, how she was consoled by the angels, what she ate at the time and how Hadrat Esa علیہ السلام communicated to his nation. In short, the process and what occurred afterwards was spoken of. This is what reciters of Meelad Sharif also do. They mention the -miracles Sayyidah Amina رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہا experienced at the time of our Beloved Prophet's صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم birth, i.e. the coming of the Hoors from Iannat, the Kaaba prostrating towards her home, etc. As a result, the Sunnah of the Holy Quran may be found in these actions.

The Quran Sharif also chronicles the birth, infancy, nurturing, etc. of Hadrat Musa علیہ السلام. Whatever it mentions about the other prophets are the very things remembered in gatherings of Meelad Sharif.

Madaarijun-Nubuwwah and other books state that all prophets informed their respective peoples and tribes of the Holy Prophet’sصلی اللہ علیہ وسلم advent to this world. Even the Holy Quran records the informing of Hadrat Esaعلیہ السلام, "I give glad tidings of a prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم named Ahmad to come after me.,”' - Surah SajJ. Verse 6

Subhanallah! The names of children are kept by their parents on the seventh day of their births, but 570 year. Before the birth of our Beloved Rasool صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, Hadrat Esaعلیہ السلام stated that Ahmed will be the name of the coming prophet. From this, we come to know that Allahعزوجل named His Beloved Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. When? Only He who has kept the name knows.

This too is Meelad Sharif. The only difference is that, amongst their respective nations, the prophets said, "He will come." We say, "He has come." There is a difference of tenses but the matter is the same. It is proven from this that Meelad is the practice of the prophets.

Allahعزوجل states, "Express much happiness and joy on the mercy and blessings of Allahعزوجل." 8.4b - Surah Yousaf, Verse 58

This means that expressing joy on the blessings of Allahعزوجل is a Divine instruction. Rasoolullahصلی اللہ علیہ وسلم is both the Mercy and Favour of Allahعزوجل. Thus, demonstrating happiness on his birth is acting in accordance to this ayat, as happiness here is absolute (mutlaq). Every permissible happiness is included in it. Therefore, holding Meclad Sharif, decorating the area where it will occur, etc. are all means of reward.