Rabiul Awwal is that bountiful month of Islam in which the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) graced the universe. On the 12th of Rabiul Awwal an inextinguishable light known as Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was born, triumphing over darkness which had prevailed till then. Allah Subhaanahu Wata’ala in His Infinite Mercy endowed mankind with a gift, immeasurable in worth. Celebrating, remembering and showing gratitude for that auspicious day on which we received this precious gift is known as Jashne Eid-Milad-un-Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Indeed, it is a day of great and splendorous celebration, for in it we thank Allah Ta’ala for His gift, whose appreciation is beyond the power of mortal man. It is with this Meelad-un-Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) that we avail ourselves the opportunity of rejuvenating our souls and strengthening our belief in Allah Subhaanahu Wata’ala and His Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
Allah Ta’ala exclaims in the Holy Qur’an, “And remind them of the days of Allah.” [Surah 14, Verse 5] Indeed all the days and nights, every fraction of a second of existence are among His creations and belong to Him, so of which days does Allah Ta’ala remind His servants? The days are those wherein Allah Ta’ala has sent His Bounties unto His servants. And which is the Bounty of Bounties? Those who believe know that above all the gifts from Allah Ta’ala none is more apparent in greatness than the very person of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Allah Ta’ala further says in the Holy Qur’an, “Say (Oh Muhammad), with the receival of Allah’s Bounty and Mercy the believers should be happy.” Therefore, the Holy Qur’an clearly sanctions the fact that the believers should remember and express joy at the receival of the gifts of Allah Ta’ala. Almighty Allah then says, “Proclaim and publicise the Bounty of thy Lord.” [Surah 93, Verse 11] Imam Bukhari (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) says that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is the greatest Bounty of Almighty Allah. Therefore in accordance with the Aayat and narration above, our Beloved Aaqa (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) should become the object of most publicity.
The intention of celebrating Milad Shareef is to show joy and gratitude to Allah Ta’ala on the auspicious birth of the Noble Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and there is no doubt from the above Aayaat that this is a virtuous and commendable act. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) came into this mundane world on a Monday and as a mark of gratitude to Allah Ta’ala for this day, he would fast every Monday. When asked about his fasting on Mondays he replied, “I was born on a Monday and revelation also began on this day.” Therefore even the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) himself celebrated the day of his birth and showed gratitude to Allah Ta’ala, which is the essence of Milad-un-Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) celebrations.
When the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was born, Abu Lahab’s slave-girl Thuwaibah brought the news of a child (Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) born to his brother Hazrat Abdullah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh). In his frenzy of happiness Abu Lahab freed Thuwaibah from her chains of servitude. All Muslims know that Abu Lahab was a kaafir and that Surah Lahab is Almighty Allah’s Wrath upon him, yet Oh Muslims listen:
It is stated in Bukhari Shareef that when Abu Lahab died he was seen in a dream by Hazrat Abbas (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) in a very bad state. Hazrat Abbas (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) asked him, “What has come to pass?” Abu Lahab replied, “I have known no peace since my separation from all of you but yes, from this forefinger of mine I receive water because with this finger I freed Thuwaibah.”
In another narration Imam Hafiz Ibn Asqalaani (Rahmatullah Alaih) writes that Hazrat Abbas (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) said that, “One year after Abu Lahab died I saw him in a very bad state in a dream saying to me that, “I have known no peace since I departed from you all but yes every Monday my punishment is lessened.” This was because Abu Lahab freed Thuwaibah on a Monday after hearing the good news of the birth of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
Shah Abdul Haq Muhaddis Dehlvi (Rahmatullah Alaih) commenting on this narration writes, “In this incident there is clear proof for the celebration of Milad Shareef and that those who are happy and spend in the celebration of Milad Shareef then indeed they will be in a laudable position, because if a kaafir such as Abu Lahab received a gift for showing happiness at the birth of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) then greater by immeasurable extent will be the reward for Muslims who do likewise.”
Allamah Ibn Hajar Makki (Rahmatullah Alaih) writes in his great book Ne’matul Kubra the sayings of the first four Caliphs of Islam: