The birth of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)
.jpg "The birth of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam")
Author: Mufti Hafidh Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Qadri,
Professor, Islamic Law, Jamia Nizamia
The birth of the Beloved Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)
The birth of the Beloved Holy Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him)
There is a verse in the Holy Quran:
I swear by this city (Mecca). Surah Balad (90:01)
In this verse of the Holy Quran, Almighty Allah swears by Makkah.
Now, somebody might think that Almighty Allah did so because Makkah is one of the greatest centers of spirituality. It is such a city that great signs of Allah’s power are present there. The Ka’aba is in that city, the heavenly black stone Hajr Aswad, is there, the Hateem and Meezaab-e-Rahmat are in that city, the Maqam Ibraheem is there. Indeed, Makkah has all these distinctions. But Almighty Allah doesn’t swear by Makkah for these reasons and distinctions. When the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was born and He made Makkah His residence, then Almighty Allah swears by Makkah for this reason. Thus, Almighty Allah says:
I swear by this city (Mecca),
(O My Esteemed Beloved,) because you are residing in it. Surah Balad (90:1, 2)
Let us see what wonderful signs were revealed by Allah on this birth which the Lord swears by.
There is a Hadith in Jame’ Tirmidhi:
Translation: Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be well pleased with him) narrates that the Companions entreated the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam): O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)! When did Prophethood become compulsory for you? The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: (I was a Prophet) when Adam (May peace be upon him) was yet between soul and body. (Jame’ Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 3968)
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) came last among all the Prophets (May peace be upon them), but His radiance (Noor) was created before the universe itself.
As the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
Translation: The first thing that Allah created was my radiance.
The great scholar of Islam, Hadhrat Shah Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlwi (May Allah shower His mercy on him) had declared this Hadith rigorously-authenticated (Sahih) in Madarij Un Nubuwwa, Vol. 2, Pg. No. 2
There is a Hadith in Musannad Abdur Razzaq, Mawahib Ladunniya and Seerat Halabiyya:
Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Jabir bin ‘Abdullah Ansari (May Allah be well pleased with him), he says: I asked the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam): O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)! May my mother and father be sacrificed for you! Tell me what did Allah Most High create first of all? The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: O Jabir! Verily Allah Most High created the radiance of your Prophet before anything else. Then by the will of Allah, that radiance would travel wherever it wanted. At that time, there was neither the Protected Tablet (Lauh) nor hell; neither the heavens nor the earth; neither the moon nor the sun neither genies. (Al Mawahib Al Ladunniya Ma’a Haashiya Zurqani, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 89; As Seeratul Halabiyya, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 31)
Almighty Allah created the radiance of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) before everything else and graced that radiance in many ways. When that radiance stayed in the back of Hadhrat Adam (May peace be upon him), it made the angels prostrate to him. In the same way, this radiance was transferred to Hadhrat Nooh, Hadhrat Ibraheem and Hadhrat Ismail (May peace be upon them) and honored them all.
Translation: The truth is that the angels were ordered to prostrate to Hadhrat Adam (May peace be upon him) because the radiance of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was in the forehead of Hadhrat Adam (May peace be upon him). (Al Tafseer Al Kabeer, Surah Baqarah – 253)
That radiance reached Hadhrat Abdul Muttalib (May Allah be well pleased with him) passing through pure backs and pure wombs. Thus, it is given in Mawahib Ladunniya:
Translation: When the Quraish would be assailed by a famine, then would take Hadhrat Abdul Muttalib (May Allah be well pleased with him) by the hand and go atop the mountain of Thabeer and supplicate Allah through him and pray for rains of mercy. Through the blessings of the radiance of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), Almighty Allah would send rain and satiate them. (Al Mawahib Al Ladunniya, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 155)
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The radiance of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) in Hadhrat Amina (May Allah be well pleased with her)
Then that radiance was transferred to Hadhrat ‘Abdullah from Hadhrat ‘Abdul Muttalib (May Allah be well pleased with them). At the age of 24, Hadhrat ‘Abdullah (May Allah be well pleased with him) was wedded to Hadhrat Amina bint Wahb (May Allah be well pleased with her). In the month of Rajab, in a Friday night, Hadhrat Amina bint Wahb (May Allah be well pleased with her) was entrusted with this radiance. As given in Mawahib Ladunniya on the authority of Khateeb Baghdadi:
Translation: Imam Sahl bin ‘Abdullah Tustri has related that Tradition, which Khateeb Baghdadi narrated: When Almighty Allah deemed it fit, the radiance of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) should enter the womb of Hadhrat Amina (May Allah be well pleased with him). It was the month of Rajab and was a Friday night. This night, Almighty Allah ordered the keeper of paradise “Ridhwan” that all the gates of paradise should be opened. A caller called out in the heavens and in the earth: Listen! The radiance that was held in the treasures of nature through which the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is to come has taken its seat in the sacred womb of His mother. He will grace the earthly world as the Giver of glad tidings (Basheer) and as the Admonisher (Nadheer). (Al Mawahib Al Ladunniya Ma’a Haashiya Zurqani, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 197)
The happiness and delight of that night has been described in Khasaais-e-Kubra and Mawahib Ladunniya:
Translation: Imam Abu Nu’aim narrates on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with them), he said: Among the signs of the Holy Prophet’s (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) coming in His mother’s womb was that that night all the animals of Quraish spoke up: By the Lord of the Ka’aba! Tonight the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has arrived in the womb of His mother. He is the Imam of the whole world and is a beacon for all the people.
That night the thrones of all the kings of the world turned turtle. The animals of the east congratulated the animals of the west. Similarly, the creatures of the oceans gave glad tidings to each other.
After the conception, each month a call would be given in the heavens and the earth: Greetings! The arrival of the epitome of good and the embodiment of blessings Hadhrat Abul Qasim (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is at hand. (Al Mawahib Al Ladunniya Ma’a Haashiya Zurqani, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 202, 203; Khasaais-e-Kubra Vol. 1, Pg. No. 81)
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The birth of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)
Just see, what happiness and delight had Almighty Allah spread before the coming of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)! A feeling of joy and gladness permeated everything. The sun was further brightened. The stars had come nearer the earth. Everywhere radiance was seen. The angels were present for welcome. Hadhrat Maryam and Hadhrat Aasiya (May peace be upon them) had come with the damsels of paradise to have the honor of serving Him. In the honor of the arrival of the Absolute Radiance, the sky was illuminated. In the honor of the coming of Absolute Beauty, the earth and the heavens were beautified. Flowers were blooming. Cool breezes were warming the heart and the soul. Not only the senses but even the faith was made fragrant by them. In yearning of the Beloved, the waves of the sea rose sky high. The mountains drew themselves up proudly.
Thus, the whole creation was waiting for His arrival for whom the universe was set up, for whose sake creation was brought into existence.
Now the wait was over. The powerful, authoritative Prophet, the Emperor of the Prophets, the sympathizer of the poor, the Beloved of the Lord Almighty is coming. He is the one for whose arrival Hadhrat Ibraheem (May peace be upon him) had prayed. He is the one of whose coming glad tidings were given by Hadhrat ‘Isa (May peace be upon him). He is the one whose status and excellence was written in all the heavenly books.
55 days after the incident of the People of Elephants, on 12th Rab’ee Al Awwal, on Monday, which corresponds to April 20, 571 AD, at the crack of dawn, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) illuminated the earthly worlds with His presence. There was surge of happiness in the whole world.
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Selecting the month of Rab’ee Al Awwal for His arrival
The month of the birth of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is Rab’ee Al Awwal. The reason this month is selected for His birth is that the word “Rab’ee” means spring. When spring comes, dead land again comes back to life. Greenery again adorns the earth. The dried up trees again wear the cloak of leaves. Gardens and orchards regain their lost bloom. Thus, Almighty Allah is giving us a sign that the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) who has come in this month will revive dead hearts. He will succor the people who have oppressed. He will adorn the hearts with love and grant them the sweetness of faith. He will fortify heedless hearts with the remembrance of Almighty Allah.
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The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was born pure
To clean the world of all disbelief, polytheism, misguidance and blind beliefs, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) arrived in this world pure in every conceivable way. Hadhrat Amina (May Allah be well pleased with her) says about Him: When He arrived, it was in such a state that there was not even smudge on Him nor any other flaw of any kind. (Al Mawahib Al Ladunniya, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 220)
His blessed body was giving off a wonderful fragrance. He had come with kohl in His eyes and with His umbilical cord cut. (As Seeratul Halabiyya, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 53)
The poet of the Prophet’s court, Hadhrat Hassaan bin Thabit (May Allah be well pleased with him) says the same thing in his famous couplet:
O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)! My eyes have not seen anybody more beautiful than you. No woman has ever given birth to anyone more beautiful than you.
You have been born free of every defect and flaw as if you have been sent the way you wanted to be.
(Deewaan-e-Hassaan bin Thabit Raziallahu Anhu, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 2)
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Divine signs at the time of His birth – The Ka’aba sways for 3 days
Even the Ka’aba was expressing happiness on the coming of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam):
Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Amr bin Qutaibah says: I heard my father say and he was a great reservoir of knowledge that when the time of the birth of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) came near, Almighty Allah ordered His angels to open all the doors of all the heavens and to open the doors of paradise as well. Then they should present themselves on earth and start congratulating each other. The mountains raised themselves further. The waves of the sea grew even higher. The creation of the oceans and seas started congratulating each other. All the angels had come. Satan was chained with 70 chains and he was cast face-down in the ocean. Devils and rebellious genie were chained. That day the sun was adorned with great radiance and 70,000 damsels were stood above it. They waited for the birth of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). Almighty Allah decreed for all women that year that they would be all blessed with a son. All the trees were laded with fruits and every fear was replaced with solace. When the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was born, the whole world became radiant and the angels started congratulating each other. On each heaven, a pillar of precious stones was raised, due to which the sky became radiant. That pillar is well known in the highest heavens (Mala-e-A’ala) which the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) saw during the heavenly journey of Meraj. He was told that this is the pillar which was raised in honor of your birth. On the night of His birth, Almighty Allah planted 1000 fragrant trees on the side of Houz-e-Kauthar. Their fruit was made fragrance for the dwellers of paradise. The dwellers of all the spiritual realms started supplicating for safety. All idols prostrated. Laat and ‘Uzza came out of their places and were saying: ……The Trustworthy Prophet has come. The True One has come to them. The Quraish doesn’t realize what distinction has it been granted. For days after it, people heard a voice from the Ka’aba. It was saying: Now my radiance will be returned to me. Now those who circumambulate (perform Tawaf) will come to me. Now, I will be cleaned of the filth of the days of ignorance. O ‘Uzza! You are finished. The Ka’aba swayed for 3 days and 3 nights. This was the first sign that the Quraish saw on the occasion of the birth of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). (Khasaais-e-Kubra, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 80)
Hadhrat ‘Abdul Muttalib says: I heard a voice from the walls of the Ka’aba: The Master of the Universe has been born. His very presence will dispel the darkness of disbelief. He will purify the world and will invite people towards the One Lord Almighty. (As Seeratul Halabiyya, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 86)
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What Hadhrat Amina (May Allah be well pleased with her) saw
There is a Tradition in Musnad Imam Ahmed bin Hambal:
Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Irbaadh bin Saariya (May Allah be well pleased with him), he says: The mother of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) saw that at the time of the birth of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) such a radiance issued forth that the palaces of Syria could be sen. (Musnad Imam Ahmed bin Hambal, Hadith No. 17615)
Why all these preparations? Because that Master is coming for whom everyone was waiting. He is the One, the glad tidings of whose arrival were given by the Prophets. He is the One, to be in whose Ummah was the wish of Hadhrat Moosa (May peace be upon him).
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In the celebration of His birth, 3 flags were placed
The great Hadith-expert Imam Jalaluddin ‘Abdur Rahmaan bin Abu Bakr Suyuti (May Allah shower His mercy on him) has written in Khasaais-e-Kubra and Imam Ahmed bin Muhammad Qustullani (May Allah shower His mercy on him) has written in Mawahib Ladunniya:
Translation: Syeda Amina (May Allah be well pleased with her) says: I saw that 3 flags were placed at the time of His birth, one in the east, one in the west and one on the Ka’aba. (Khasaais-e-Kubra, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 82; Al Mawahib Al Ladunniya, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 125)
A flag was placed on the Ka’aba to show to the world that until now 360 idols were placed in and around the Ka’aba. Falsehood was worshipped there, but now that Great Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has come who will clear the Ka’aba of all filth and will make it the direction in which all people will turn to pray.
By placing flags in the east and the west, it is being suggested that this is the birth of that Prophet whose rule and authority will encompass the whole world and that He will be sent as a Prophet to all the creation. The Hadith also support this. Thus, there is a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari:
Translation: Hadhrat ‘Uqba bin A’amir (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Indeed, I have been granted the keys to all the treasures of the earth. (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 3596)
There is a Hadith in Sahih Muslim:
Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: I have been sent as a Prophet towards all creation and Prophethood has been culminated with me. (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 1195)
Hadhrat Amina (May Allah be well pleased with her) says:
Translation: When the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was born, a call was given: Tour Him through all the earth. Somebody said: Be glad! Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has occupied the whole world. All the creation of the world has wholeheartedly entered His rule. (Khasaais-e-Kubra, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 82)
Imam Baihaqui and Imam Abu Nu’aim (May Allah shower His mercy on them) have related:
Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Hassaan bin Thabit (May Allah be well pleased with him), he says: I was an intelligent child of 7, 8 years of age. I saw that at dawn a Jew of Yathrib stood on the roof of his fort and started calling out: O Jews! The surrounding Jews gathered around him. People said: Woe on you! Why do you shout? He said: The star of Ahmed has risen, who was going to be born this night. (Khasaais-e-Kubra, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 77)
Imam Baihaqui, Imam Tabarani, Imam Abu Nu’aim, Imam Ibn Asaker (May Allah shower His mercy on them) relate:
Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Uthman bin Abul A’as (May Allah be well pleased with him), he says: My mother told me: I was with Hadhrat Amina (May Allah be well pleased with her) that night when the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was born. Whatever I would see in the house, it would appear radiant. I saw that the stars were coming closer and closer so much so that I though they would fall on me. Then when Hadhrat Amina (May Allah be well pleased with her) delivered. Such a radiance issued forth from her that all the rooms and the whole house became radiant and I couldn’t see anything apart from the radiance. (Khasaais-e-Kubra, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 78)
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The mention of His birth – From His own tongue
Imam Ahmed bin Hambal, Imam Bazzaar, Imam Tabarani, Imam Hakim, Imam Baihaqui and Imam Abu Nu’aim (May Allah shower His mercy on them) relate:
Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Irbaadh bin Saariya (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: I was the bondsman of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets when Adam (May peace be upon him) was yet in the throes of creation. I make it clear to you that I am the supplication of Hadhrat Ibrahim (May peace be upon him), the glad tidings of Hadhrat ‘Isa (May peace be upon him) and the vision of my mother which she saw and similarly the mothers of the Prophets used to have visions and indeed the mother of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) saw such a radiance that the mansions of Syria were illuminated. (Khasaais-e-Kubra, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 78)
As per another Hadith, the gathering of the people on the Day of Judgment will be held in Syria. The mansions being illuminated is a sign that the blessings of this Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) will not only be in this world but also in the hereafter. His benevolence is in this world and on the Day of Judgment as well.
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Celebrating the birth of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is but natural
It is human nature that when a person is hurt or in some sorrow or hears about somebody’s sorrow, then even that person’s face shows his/her gloomy emotions. In the same way, when a person sees a beautiful scene or is granted a bounty, that person’s face showcases his/her joy.
That person mentions it to everybody. There is no pressure on that person to do so, nor does anyone consider it unreasonable. When the gain of a small worldly bounty elicits such natural joy, even though this world and everything in it is transitory and temporary, then the arrival of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is the greatest possible bounty. All other bounties, whether they are of this world or of the hereafter are only through the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). How much should we express our happiness and joy on this occasion?
Thus, celebrating the birth of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and expressing happiness on it is not only human nature but the intent of Almighty Allah as well. Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran:
Say: (All this) is due to the bounty and mercy of Allah (bestowed upon you through raising Muhammad [blessings and peace be upon him] as the exalted Messenger). So the Muslims should rejoice over it. This is far better than (all that affluence and wealth) that they amass. Surah Younus (10:58)
The person who celebrates the birth of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and expresses happiness on it is granted great reward by Almighty Allah. There is a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari and in various other books of Hadith with some slight change of wording. Some are brief versions and some are more detailed. The following is the Hadith from Sahih Bukhari:
Translation: Hadhrat ‘Urwah says: Thuwayba was the slave of Abu Lahab. Abu Lahab had set her free to nurse the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). After Abu Lahab died, some of his family members saw him in a dream in the worst possible state. He was asked: What did you get? Abu Lahab said: After separating from you, I never got any peace, but only because of setting Thuwayba free, I am refreshed through this (his finger). (Sahih Bukhari, Kitab Un Nikah, Vol. 2, Pg No. 764, Hadith No. 5101)
In the explanation/commentary of this Hadith, the Imams, Hadhrat Allama Badruddin 'Aini and Imam Ibn Hajr 'Asqalani, narrate other lengthy versions of this Hadith on the authority of other books. Here we present what our Hadhrat Badruddin 'Aini Hanafi (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) writes in his famous commentary on Sahih Bukhari, ‘Umdatul Qari, Vol. 14, Pg No. 45:
Translation: Hadhrat Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with him) says: I saw Abu Lahab in a dream 1 year after his death. I saw him in the worst possible state. He said: I didn’t get any relief after I separated from you. However every Monday my punishment is lightened. Hadhrat Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with him) says: That is because the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was born on this day and Thuwayba had given this good news to Abu Lahab and he had set her free. (‘Umdatul Qari, Vol. 14, Pg No. 45)
With a slight change in wording, this Hadith is present in the following books of Hadith:
Sunan Kubra, Hadith No: 14297
Musannaf Abdur Razzaq, Vol. 7, Hadith No: 13456
Jame’ Ul Ahadith Wal Maraseel, Hadith No: 43545
Kanz Ul ‘Ummal, Hadith No: 15725
As soon as the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) came, Hadhrat Thuwayba (May Allah be well pleased with her) was set free. This is a sign that the Prophet who has come will free humanity from the shackles of slavery.
May Almighty Allah grant us the blessings of the Milad of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). May the Lord Almighty guide us to love the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) with all our heart. May He guide us to act upon His life and teachings in our lives.
Aameen Bijaahil Sayyidil Mursaleen
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