SINCE the first day of the month of Rabiul Awwal — the third month of the Hijrah calendar — in which the anniversary of the birth of the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, falls, I have felt a joy filling my heart, lighting up vision and enveloping the universe. We exchange greetings to celebrate the month chosen by Most Merciful God for the birth of Prophet Muhammad, pbuh, the light of mankind, master of the pious, guide to the right path and the springtime of our hearts. All our noble sentiments are attached to this honored month which is first among all months. Every year we welcome the month like lovers who have been waiting the whole year for a reunion. The month brings us to the anniversary of the birth of the Holy Prophet, pbuh, the model for mankind and the seal of the messengers. We always say that though the study of his life and works are required at all times, they are particularly significant on his birth anniversary. While all countries celebrate their national days every year, the month and day on which the leader of mankind and best of God’s creations was born is entitled to be commemorated in a fitting manner. It should be done by mutually reminding ourselves of his deeds and being familiar with his qualities so that our love for him becomes deep-seated in our hearts. We should renew our allegiance to him, discuss his teachings and make sure that we follow in his footsteps. In the words of the Holy Qur’an, “All that We relate to you of the stories of the apostles — with it We make firm your heart, in them there comes to you the truth, as well as an exhortation and a message of remembrance to those who believe.” (Chapter: Hud, Verse: 120).
By following the Holy Prophet, pbuh, we will achieve God’s love and mercy. God says in His Book: “(Muhammad) says: If you love God follow me, God will love you and forgive your sins, because God is Oft-forgiving and Most Merciful.” (Chapter: Al Imran, Verse: 31).
Following the footsteps of the Holy Prophet, pbuh, and implicit obedience to him carries us to a point of perfection in which our love for him exceeds our love of self or our love of anyone else. He said: “None of you believe until you love me more than your wealth, your sons, yourself or any other people or things.” Then only will we be able to love for the sake of God, hate for the sake of God and sacrifice to win the love of God.
Every virtuous deed we do is with the hope of getting reward from God. By performing acts that bring us closer to God, we reach a stage where we can be in the company of the Prophet, pbuh, in Paradise and view God’s face which is the ultimate bliss. And that is the goal we yearn for. Of the Prophet, the best of all mankind, God described in the Holy Qur’an: “You have an exalted standard of character.” (Chapter: Pen, Verse: 4). It is also stated in the Holy Qur’an that he is the Messenger of God and the Seal of the Prophets: “Muhammad is not the father of any one of your men, but he is the Apostle of God, and the Seal of the Prophets. And God has full knowledge of all things.” (Chapter: Confederates, Verse: 40). “You are the first one on whom Almighty God and angels began sending His blessings and ordered the Muslims to do so. God and His angels send blessings on the Prophet. O ye that believe send your blessings on him and salute him with all respect.” (Chapter: Confederates, Verse: 56).
The recital of the prayers to send blessings on the Prophet, pbuh, is an act of boundless reward. Most Merciful God has been gracious enough to lead us out of darkness into light. This has been referred to in the Holy Qur’an: “He it is Who sends blessings on you, as do His angels, that He may bring you from the depths of darkness into Light, and He is full of mercy to the believers.” (Chapter: Confederates, Verse: 43).
O God, send your blessings and salutations to our master, Muhammad, his family, his companions and all those who will follow him until the Day of Judgment.
Though there is disagreement on the date on which the Prophet, pbuh, was born, there is no dispute over the fact that he was born on Monday. Therefore, Monday has a special significance.
We Muslims must thank Merciful God for guiding us to the true religion and including us in the community of Muhammad, pbuh. It is our duty to translate our thanks to God in virtuous deeds, and express our joy over God’s special mercy in sending the Prophet, pbuh, to us. Almighty God said in the Holy Qur’an “We sent you not but as a mercy for all creatures.” (Chapter: The Prophets, Verse: 107). Though we should always practice virtuous deeds to enable us to achieve closeness to God, it is most important to do so on special occasions. Does mankind know a more appropriate day than the day of his birth?
On this day we should practice more of his Sunnah such as fasting, caring for our kin, feeding the poor, making our spouses and children happy, organizing gatherings to discuss his life and exemplary qualities, seeking forgiveness from those we have wronged and, above all, increase glorification of God.
O Allah, send blessings and salutations upon our master, Muhammad, and his family and reward us in both this life and the life after death. O God, send blessings and salutations upon our lord, Muhammad, and illuminate our hearts and ennoble our minds both in this life and in the life after death.
