Allah (SWT) said in the Qur’an:” O Prophet! Truly, We have sent three as a witness, a bearer of glad tidings, and a warner. And as one who invites to God’s grace by His leave, and as a lamp spreading light. Then give the glad tidings to the believers, that they shall have from God a very great bounty. And obey not the unbelievers and the hypocrites, and heed not their annoyances.” (33: 45-48)
Muslims worldwide commemorate the month of Rabi’ul Awwal as the month of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). They commemorate the sirah of the beloved Messenger of Allah to mankind on the 12th of Rabi’ul Awwal.
This sirah is commemorated but not to be celebrated. We do not celebrate the birthday of the Prophet, but we do commemorate his sirah. When commemorating the sirah, we are reminded of the teachings of the Prophet, his lifestyle, the code of ethics he laid down for us, his attitude, behavior, and character. When Muslims commemorate the sirah of the Prophet, they study his life history to adopt, imitate, and emulate his personality. In this respect, Allah (SWT) said in the Qur’an:” Ye have indeed, in the apostle of God a beautiful pattern of conduct for anyone whose hope is in God and the final day, and who engages much in the praise of God.” (33: 21)
Allah (SWT) sent Muhammad (SAW) as a mercy to all mankind. He was sent for every human being and for non-human beings as well, including the Jinn and others. In this respect, Allah (SWT) said in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Anbiya’:” We sent thee not, but as a Mercy for all creatures.” (21: 107)
The name of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is associated with the name of Allah (SWT). The kalimah tauhid (the proclamation of faith) is La ilaaha illa Allah Muhammad Rasulullah. To be a Muslim, one has to believe in this kalimah. The kalimah is to be pronounced vocally in the following fashion: Ash-hadu Alla ilaha illa Allah. Wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluhu. In the adhan (call for prayer), one says the same kalimah.
The pillars of Islam are five, one of which is the belief in the creed of Islam. In this respect, the Prophet (SAW) said:” Islam is built on five pillars: Bearing witness that there is no one worthy to be worshipped except Allah; and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger; performing the regular prayers, paying zakat, performing pilgrimage, and fasting the month of Ramadhan.” (Agreed)
Whoever believes in Allah (SWT) has to believe in Muhammad (SAW), as a Prophet, as a Messenger, and as the final Prophet of Allah to mankind. Allah informed us that Muhammad (SAW) was the last and final Prophet of Allah to mankind. The Qur’an states in Surah Al-Ahzab:” Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the apostle of God, and the seal of the prophets; and God has full knowledge of all things.”
Let us listen to what Allah says about Muhammad in the Qur’an. Allah (SWT) asked Muhammad (SAW) to declare his mission to the people that he was the Messenger of Allah. Allah then asked us to believe in Him and His Messenger. In Surah Al-A’raf, Allah (SWT) says:” Say, O men! I am sent unto you all, as the apostle of God, to whom belonged the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no god but He. It is He that giveth both life and death. So believe in God and His apostle, the unlettered Prophet, who believeth in God and His words: Follow him that so ye may be guided.” (7: 158)
Let us listen to Allah (SWT) informing us to pronounce our prayers and our greetings to Prophet Muhammad (SAW). In Surah Al-Ahzab, Allah (SWT) says:” God and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O ye that believe! Send ye blessings on him, and salute him with all respect.”
Remember that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) encouraged us to say our greetings and du’a to him. He said:” Whoever says prayer unto me once, Allah will say His blessings on him ten times.” (Muslim)
Remember that we do say our prayers five times a day, and in every tashahhud we say al-tahiyyat, which includes the following:” O Prophet, the peace, the mercy, and the blessings of Allah are upon you.”
Let us listen to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) saying to us about our prayers unto him. Narrated by Aws ibn Aws that the Prophet (SAW) said:” The best day is Friday, increase your prayers unto me because your prayers will be brought to me.” The companions asked Muhammad (SA):” How could this happen when you will be dead?” He replied by saying:” Allah forbade the earth to eat up the flesh of the Prophets.” (Abu Dawud)
Let us hear the Prophet saying to us that we should be generous and not miser in saying our prayers unto him:” The real miser (stingy) is that person who, when my name is mentioned to him, does not say a prayer unto me.” The Prophet (SAW) also said:” Don’t make my grave a place of festivity. And say your prayers unto me. Your prayers will reach me from wherever you are.” (Abu Dawud). And the Prophet (SAW) said:” Whenever anyone says a greeting of salam unto me, Allah brings back my soul to my body to answer his salam.” (Abu Dawud)
Let us make sure that we teach our children the love for Allah and the love for Muhammad (SAW), let us ask Allah Almighty for forgiveness. Ameen.
Ahmad H, Sakr
