Issue N
o: 221
10th January 2015
17th Rabiul Awwal 1436 A.H.
Salamun alaykum
Meeladun Nabi:
Mawleed in Arabic means birth, birthday, nativity. At the sighting of the crescent of month of Rabi’ ul Awwal, Muslims all over the world celebrate with intense felicitations the occasion of Meeladun Nabi –the birth of our Noble Prophet Muhammad SAWW which occurred on the 17th Rabi’ ul Awwal in the year of the Elephant (Aamul Feel) corresponding to 570 C.E. Some historians also record the birthdate to be 12th Rabi’ ul Awwal. For more than three decades, taking into account this historical difference in dates, the ummah has been observing the period from 12th to 17th Rabi’ ul Awwal as the Unity week.
The occasion of Meeladun Nabi is one such day on the Islamic calendar when the sectarian lines blur, and Muslims across the world, cutting across political, ideological and cultural differences, join the celebrations together. Around the world numerous events such as the recitation of Quran, dhikr of Allah, salawat, dramas, sporting events, competitions, charity distribution and other functions are organized at different levels to celebrate and express the joy of this auspicious event of Meeladun Nabi. Through these diverse activities muslims of all ages come together for the Meeladun Nabi celebrations. All this grand celebration is done with great vigour and fervour so as to honour the birth anniversary of the Prophet, that great personality who is the best among all creations and who leads us out of darkness /ignorance into light/enlightenment. Such great is the excitement and happiness of this occasion that the whole month of Rabi’ ul Awwal is dedicated towards this lofty personality.
Unpacking the true meaning:
At one of the previous joint Muslim /Christian celebrations held annually at the Portsmouth Cathedral, our host, The Very Revd David Brindley mentioned in his address that the essential message of Christmas, the birth of Jesus, needs to be unpacked. The commercialization of celebrating this event has eclipsed the true meaning of Christmas. For some people the celebrations of Christmas is related only to the festivities for the 25th December and the exchange of gifts for this occasion.
Has the Meeladun Nabi lost its essence?
Whilst the celebrations need to continue with greater vigour, however in light of the above comment the questions I ask during these days of celebrating Meeladun Nabi are:
- Is the true purpose for celebrating Meeladun Nabi being realised?
- Is the message of Rasullallah who was Divinely sent as a mercy for the universe being unpacked for emulation?
- Would not the muslim ummah be in a state different than we find it today?
Likewise we as a community who passionately observe the days dedicated to the wiladat and wafat of our beloved Prophet and the Ahlul Bayt a.s.; need to search for answers to the following questions:
- Is this our practice the ultimate end for attaining closeness to Ahlul Bayt and the Divine Pleasure?
- Is it not that there is more to be unpacked in the commemoration of the wiladat and wafat of the Ahlul Bayt?
If your response is positive, then what else is expected from a mu’min?
Khushali Mubarak
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat