What is Eid-e-Milad Sharif?  Traditional celebrations and significance in South India

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ccording to the Islamic tradition, milad sherif is the birthday of the last Prophet Muhammed (PBUH). The meaning of Arabic terms Milad and Mawlid is birthday and it is known as various names such as miladun nabi, eid e milad and so on.

The Prophet (PBUH) was born on April 21, AD 571 at the time of fajr. He demised on this same day in his age of sixty three. In hijri calendar, it was on 12 of Rabi ul awwal. Some muslims believe that the celebration of prophetic birthday was forbidden , as no such practices took place during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammed or his companions. But traditional muslims consider these to be sacred. In this article, I would like to write about traditional celebrations of mila de sherif and the significance and history of those solemnizations.

Traditional customs of milad sherif

In Kerala, where is blessed with Islam at the very commencement of it in Arabia, the birthday of the Prophet (PBUH) is known as nabidhinam. Celebrations bengin when Rabiul Awwal, the birth month of the Prophet Muhammed, begins. Celebrations will be held in a variety of ways, including recitation of the Qur’an, prayers, Islamic art gatherings, narration of the holy history of the Prophet, praises, religious sermons, alms giving, helping the poor and sick, distribution of clothes to the poor, distribution of food, charity and processions. The most important of these is ‘maulidunnabi’ (poetic songs about the Prophet) it is customary to organize such gatherings in mosques or houses, in special gatherings, individually or in groups , and to distribute the food after that.

All Muslim countries except Saudi Arabia are on holiday on this day. Traditional Muslim organisations in Kerala organise rallies for this blessed day and in these rallies they would distribute sweets and drinks to the  unbelievers who are watching it and art and literature competitions in madrassa (religious educational institutions)

Rabiul Awwal 12 is a public holiday in many parts of the world, including India.

Moulid is celebrated in almost all Islamic countries, as well as in other Muslim mejority countries , such as India, the UK, Turkey, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, France, Germany, Italy , Russia and Canada. The only countries that are more supportive of the Salafi ideology are Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which do not officially celebrate or observe public holidays..Muslims around the world have been celebrating this day for ages.Food and gifts are being given to the participants of such gatherings as part of the mila de sherif program today. In addition to benefiting the poor, there is also an expression of love for the Prophet (PBUH) in the hearts of those who do so, and thanks be to Allah who has blessed his world by sending the Prophet. Ibn Abdu Wahab (the founder of Wahhabism) and his propagandists and similiar fundamentalists have been strongly opposed the last decade of the 20th century.

Critiques on the celebration:

Some people say that such practices are bid’ah ( a new thing that neither the Prophet nor his followers did) and unethical. Their argument is that in the early days there was no  mila de celebration and therefore it was wrong.

But this is not factual. Bid’ah can be classified as two types, hasana( good ) and sayyi’a ( bad).The great scholar Ibn Hajar al-Haytami (may Allah be pleased with him) said: ‘The scholars are consensus on the opinion that bid’ah al hasana is sunnah(good deed to be rewarded ). The conducting of Maulids and gatherings of the people for it are all good deeds of this kind’. Imam Abu Shama(r), the teacher of Imam Nawawi, writes in his book:’One of the best innovations in our time is to give alms on the day of the birth of the Prophet (PBUH) every year’.

The Qur’an says that remembering the history of the Prophets will strengthen the mind and the faith.”And all that we relate to you (Oh Muhammad ( PBUH ) of the news of the Messengers is in order that We may make strong and firm your heart thereby.”(sura al hood -120). This verse makes it clear that Allah’s explanation of the history of the Prophets through the Qur’an will strengthen the mind of the Prophet (PBUH)So it is certain that the teachings and histories of the Prophet (PBUH) will strengthen the minds of the Muslims. Even though, some claim that the birthdays of the prophets have  no any special.The Prophet (PBUH) encouraged fasting on this day, emphasizing the day on which they were born. Abu Qatadah (r) said: The Prophet (PBUH) was asked about fasting on mondays. Then he said: ‘That was the day I was born, on which I received my prophethood and the revelation of the Qur’aan’ (Muslim).

It is the duty of the believer to rejoice in the arrival of the Prophet. ”Oh Muhammad, say, “In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy – (it denotes the Prophet(PBUH)  in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate”(Sura Yunus-58).When the Prophet (PBUH) did hijra from Makkah and came to Madinah, his companions in Madinah welcomed them in a festive manner giving the respect the the Prophet.

Mawlid was approved by many first century scholars such as Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Imam Ibn Kathir, Imam Suyuti, Imam Saqawi and Imam Ibn al Jawzi.

The early leaders of the anti-Mawlid reformists also acknowledged the celebration of Milad. Abul Hassan Ali Nadavi, Dr. Yusuf Qaradhavi, Founding Leaders of Kerala ‘Mujahid’ KM Moulavi and EK Moulavi are among those who have encouraged the mila de sheriff programs.Ibn Taymiyyah, an eminent scholar of wahhabism has wholeheartedly praised and encouraged the celebration of the Prophet’s birthday. He writes: ‘His intention is that those who honor the birthday of the Prophet (PBUH) and make it a day of celebration will receive a great reward’.E.K. Moulavi wrote: ‘When the month of Rabiul Awwal comes, there is an indescribable joy and happiness in our minds as Muslims. There is no need to look for the reason for this. And it is the reason that  Muhammad Mustafa (PBUH) was born in this month’.(Al murshid, volume 5).

Behind the critique of Mawlid is the call that came later to those who once embraced the celebration of Maulid. But not the authenticity of the documents.Those who propagate that the celebration of the Prophetic birthday is not Islamic should answer the question whether their early leaders were Mubtadis and Mushriks.It goes without saying that such people are trying to destroy and weaken the beliefs of the Muslim community. May Allah the exalted give them the insight to the right path of religion.

By Muhammad Sinan Kolayad