MEELAD CELEBRATION IS COMMENDABLE!

By Moulana Abdun Nabi Hamidi

With Praise to Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala and Salaat-o-Salaam upon the Saviour of sinners, Ahmad-e Mujtaba, Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), the Mercy unto mankind, we are witnessing a milestone in the achievement of a well-researched reply to the opponents of Meelad celebrations.

The latter part of this Century saw the ever escalating opposition to the globally accepted celebration, which was always the opportunity for Muslims to flaunt their Islamic ideology and identify to the other religions on this sacred and respectable occasion. Furthermore, it caused people from family-level to community level to attend an Islamic gathering in their own locality which fostered love and neighbourly ties. Overall, it was a platform for Muslim unity and an opportunity to entrench teachings from the Holy Qur'an and the authentic Traditions. The spiritual perspectives and values are inestimable. Moulana Abdun Nabi Hamidi has done service to a great cause. Despite his linguistic handicap (the writer is Urdu speaking), this article deals with the subject in a clear and systematic way. May Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala always inspire him and bless him with increased resources and the ability to be of service to Islam.

The Celebration of Meelad

With reference to the Meelad celebration, only those celebrations or acts are recognised which discusses the Seerat-un-Nabi or noble life of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). In such a celebration a session of Naat (Poems in praise of Rasoolullah - sallal laalhu alaihi wasallam) recitals take place, people are fed, and a sincere effort is made to fill the hearts of Muslims with the love of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

For the permissibility of Meelad celebrations, we have never meant that one should fix a particular day or night for the Meelad and believe that Meelad is not Ja’iz (permissible) on any other date. It is our view that whosoever does such an act does so out of ignorance because the love and the relation to the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) demands that one should always mention him continuously. Yes, we do say that to mention him in the month of his birth should be increased so that the people could arrange gatherings and congregations to refresh the memories of the Nabawi period .By doing so, the message of the Deen could reach the audience in a strong way through these gatherings.

Thus, the gatherings of Meelad-un-Nabi are indeed a great means for calling people towards Almighty Allah. This is a golden opportunity, which should not be wasted at any cost. It is, therefore, compulsory on the lecturers that they should teach people about the virtues, excellences, character, Adab, life, dealings and worship of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). The masses should be invited towards good deeds, success and the fear of Shirk (polytheism), evil; Bid’at and Fitna (mischief) should be instilled in them. With the blessings of Allah Ta'ala this had always been the tradition or way of our life. We wish to say in no uncertain terms that the purpose of these gatherings are not to merely gather the masses and demonstrate our collectivity. Rather, these functions are the means of achieving great and virtuous objectives.

We believe that the Meelad celebration is Mustahab (recommended). Allama Ismail Haqi (radi Allahu anhu) quotes in “Tafseer Ruhul Bayaan”: “Imam Jalaaluddin Suyuti has said that it is Mustahab for us to celebrate Meelad of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) as to thank Allah”. (Ruhul Bayaan, Vol. 9,pg. 56). Majlisul Ulema claims that Meelad is not even Mustahab (pg. 12).

It is true that in the time of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), the period of the Sahabah and in the period of the Tabi’in, Meelad was not celebrated as it is done in the present form. But the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), Sahabah or Tabi’in did not prohibit it as well. This is an accepted principle of Shari’ah that the performance of something is proof of Jawaaz (permissibility), and not doing it is NOT the proof of it’s prohibition. The same principle has been explained by Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi in “Nashrut-Teeb”, pg.87, published by World Islamic Publishers, Delhi.

Haazir o Naazir

Imam Ahle Sunnat, Hazrat Sayed Ahmed Sa’eed Qazmi (radi Allahu anhu) states: “When the word Haazir-o-Naazir is used for Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), it does not mean that the physical body of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is everywhere and that he is present in front of everybody. This in fact means that as the soul exists in every part of the body similarly the light filled reality of the Soul of both the worlds (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) exist in every atom of the worlds. Based on that Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) arrives with his spirituality and lightfulness in many places at one time. Many times, the Pious observe the beauty of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) in a state of wakefulness with their physical eyes”. (Taskeenul Khawatir fi Mas’alatil Haazir wan Naazir,pg.13, Maktabah-e-Haamdya,Lahore).

Serving Langar at Meelad

Shah Abdul Aziz Muhaddis Delwi (radi Allahu anhu) writes: “Imam Bihqi reports in ‘Sha’bul Iman’ that Ibn Umar narrated that when Hazrat Umar (radi Allahu anhuma) completed the study of Surah Baqarah with all its secrets and hints in twelve years, he slaughtered a camel, prepared lots of food and fed the Sahabah”. (Tafseer Fathul Aziz, pg. 86)

Thus, it is proven that one may feed the people after an important virtuous deed. Meelad is also an important virtuous deed in the eyes of the Believers. Therefore, the distribution of food and sweatmeats is not Israaf (waste).

We wish to remind you of the famous saying of Hazrat Ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhuma). Somebody told Hazrat Ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhuma) that there is goodness in waste. He immediately replied that to spend in goodness is not waste.

The Blessings of Meelad

It is Sunnah to commemorate happiness. In order to explain this, I would like to quote a Hadith: “Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was asked about fasting on a Monday. He replied, ‘I was born on that day and Wahi (Revelation) began upon me on that day’.” (Mishkat, Kitabus Sawm, Baab Sawmut Tatawwo)

It is now proven that to keep fast on a Monday is Sunnah because Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was born on that day. Two issues are proven from the above Hadith:

1. To commemorate important things is Sunnah.

2. It is Sunnah to do virtuous deeds and express happiness on the birth of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). These virtuous deeds can be in the form of Badni Ibaadat (bodily worship), such as fasting and Nafil Salaah, or it can be in the form of Maali Ibaadat (worship by utilising one’s wealth for Deen), like charity, feeding and distributing sweatmeats, etc.

Some scholars have written that Meelad was invented in the 7th century by the king of Arbal, Abu Sa’eed Muzaffar. Those scholars have explained this with the reference of Haafiz Ibn Katheer. But this not correct. Haafiz Ibn Katheer has mentioned Abu Sa’eed Muzaffar in detail in “Al Bidaya Wan Nihaya”. He wrote that King Abu Muzaffar used to celebrate Meelad-un-Nabi with pomp and glory, but nowhere has he mentioned that the King was an inventor of Meelad.

We present a complete quotation of Haafiz Ibn Katheer for a clear understanding. Ibn Katheer writes regarding the events of the year 630 A.H.: “Amongst pious, generous and great Kings, there was a King, Abu Sa’eed Muzaffar. He used to celebrate Meelad in Rabi-ul-Awwal. His assembly of Meelad used to be one of its kind. He was brave, a thinker, pious, just and an Aalim of Deen. Shaykh Abul Khitaab Ibn Dahya wrote a book on the topic of Meelad titled ‘At Tanweer fi Moulidil Basheerin Nazeer’. On this, the King rewarded the Shaykh with one thousand Dinars. His government remained for a long time. He died while besieging Aka. His government and his character was excellent. Those people who attended the Meelad function arranged by King Muzaffar say that in his Meelad function there used to be 5 000 roasted sheep heads, 10 000 chickens, 100 000 pieces of cheese and 30 000 pieces of sweatmeats. Great Ulama and Sufis of that period participated in his Meelad assembly. His food table was open for people of all walks of life and from all areas. He used to give charity in all types of Ibaadah. He used to spend a lot on the Ibaadah of Makkah and Madina. He used to spend 30 000 Dinars in arranging water for Makkah and Madina. Charities which he gave secretly are hidden from us. May Allah send His Mercy upon King Muzaffar. He died in the year 630 A.H. in the fort of Arbal. He made a Wasiyat to be buried in Makkah but it was not carried out. He is buried in the neighbourhood of Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu)”. (Al Bidaya Wan Ni haya, Vol. 13,pg. 136-137,Darul Fikr, Beirut)

Standing during Meelad

Hazrat Haji Imdadullah Muhaajir Makki writes: “The way of life of this Faqeer (Muhaajir Makki) is that I participate in the assembly of Moulood, and I celebrate this function every year and regard this assembly as a source for blessings and I find enjoyment in Qiyaam (standing)”. (Faisala HaftMas'ala, pg. 5, printed by Madani Qutub Khana, Multan, Pakistan).

Aa'la Hazrat, Imam Ahle Sunnat, Moulana Ahmed Raza Khan (radi Allahu anhu) writes: “Qiyaam is consistently practiced by famous Imams. None of them refuted or denied this. Therefore, it is Mustahab (recommended)”.(Iqaamatul Qiyaamah, pg. 19, Noori Qutub Khana).

Moulana Mohammed Zakaria, explains the Hadith of Hazrat Anas (radi Allahu anhu)in “Sharah Shama’ile Tirmizi”: “This Hadith indicates towards the high degree of humbleness of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) did not like (that people should stand for him), although he is possessor of high glory and is Master of both the worlds. Therefore, the Sahabah sometimes did not stand due to the love because Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) disliked it as it is the requirement of this narration (of Hazrat Anas) and sometimes they used to stand due to the demand of love”.

It is stated in “Abu Dawood” that, “Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) used to talk to us in the masjid. When Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) used to stand, we used to stand up and we used to remain standing till Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) used to get into the home”. (Sharah Shamaa’ile Tirmizi,pg. 342, Maktaba Rahmania , Lahore).

Moulana Zakaria explains the reason for not standing, “Qazi Ayaz (radi Allahu anhu) says that, ‘Qiyaam is prohibited whereby somebody well known is sitting and rest of the people are standing. Therefore, in the Hadith of prohibition (from Qiyaam), it is also said, ‘ do not stand as the Ajmees (non- Arabs) stand for their chiefs’”. (Sharah Shamaa’ile Tirmizi,pg. 342)

Moulana Zakaria writes further: “Imam Nowvi says that it is Mustahab to stand for Ulema, respectful and noble people”. (Sharah Shamaa’ile Tirmizi,pg.342).

Meelad and Bidah Hasana

 Khaatamul Mohaddeseen, Imam Zurqani (radi Allahu anhu) quotes a narration from Sha'bi in “Sharah Mawaahib”: “I have heard Ibn Umar saying, ‘Muslims have not invented anything better than Salaatud Dhuhaa (Chaasht)’. Ibn Shaiba reports from Hakam Bin Abdullah Bin Ishaaq Bin Al A'raj, who said, ‘I asked Ibn Umar about Salaatud Dhuhaa. He replied, ‘It is Bid’at and what a good Bid’at it is’.” (Sharah Mawaahib Le Zurqaani, pg. 13, with the reference of Anwaare Saate’ah, pg. 84)

The Ulama of Islam said that this was not the denial on Salaatud Dhuhaa itself because this is Bid’ate Hasanah according to Hazrat Ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhuma) as well. In fact, people were reading this Salaat with the proper arrangement in the Masjid like Fardh Salaat, and this was against the Hadith.

Imam Tirmizi reported a Hadith from Hazrat Umar, Jabir, Abu Sa’eed, Abu Hurairah, Ibn Umar, Hazrat Aisha, Abdullah Ibn Mas’ ood and Zaid Bin Khalid (radi Allahu anhum) that Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said, “O people, read your Nafil Salaat at home”. Hazrat Ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhuma), through his Ijtihaad (authoritative interpretation), found this practice of some people against the Hadith, and for this reason he declared it as Bid’at. We also say that if anything is being invented against the Quraan and the Hadith (Sunnah) it is an evil Bid’at. Therefore, this argument cannot be used against Meelad celebration, because Meelad celebration is not against any commandment of the Quraan or the Hadith.