Feedback on The Life of Prophet Musa*
In the conclusion
of the life of Musa* we asked the children to highlight their favourite stories
from the life of Musa*, and possibly explain why they like these stories.
Some of
the responses included (multiple responses in brackets):
- The sign
of Blood for the Egyptians
- Musa*
and al-Khidr (x2)
- Conflict
between Pharaoh and Bani Israel and parallels with today
- Musa*
and the Magicians (x4)
- Musa*
and slapping the Angel of Death (x3)
- Musa*
as a baby in the Nile River
- Musa*
chasing the rock that stole his clothes (x2)
- The
Signs given to the people of Egypt
- The
prominence of Pharaoh’s wife Aasiya
- The
story of the hairdresser’s child speaking
HISC Film Trip
We also talked about the upcoming Harborne
Islamic Study Circle trip to the cinema to watch ‘Exodus – Gods and Kings’
Main Topic: Rabi’ul-Awwal and ‘Celebrating’
the Birth of the Prophet*
The
month of Rabiul Awwal is for many Muslims a time of celebration. Although the
exact date of the last and final Prophet’s* birth is debated among the ulema,
Ibn Kathir mentions that the most common opinion on the matter is 12th
Rabi’ul-Awwal. Regardless of the exact date, Muslims cannot help to notice
discussions about the qualities of the Prophet* increase, as well as much
mention of aspects of his* life.
Love
for Prophet Muhammed*
The love
and affection that Muslims have for our Prophet* is only natural, as Allah says
in Surah al-Ahzab, “The Prophet is closer to the believers than their own
selves” [TMQ 33: 6]
The
scholar Az-Zajjaaj said: “Man’s love for Allah and His Messenger is to obey
them and to accept what Allah has commanded and the Messenger of Allah* has
brought.”
The love
of Allah and His Messenger is the type Allah has linked to a shariah concept
thereby making it obligatory. The evidence for this is the Book of Allah:
He said:
“Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the
wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the
dwellings in which you have delight in are dearer to you than Allah and His
Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His Cause, then wait until Allah
brings about His Decision (torment). And Allah guides not the people who are
Al-Fasiqun (the rebellious, disobedient to Allah).” [TMQ 9:24]
Anas narrated
that the Prophet* said:“There
are three things whoever obtains them he will experience the sweetness of
belief (Iman) – that Allah and His Messenger are more beloved to him than
anything else; that he loves a man only for the sake of Allah; and that he
dislikes the thought of reverting to disbelief as much as he would dislike
being cast into the Fire.”
Anas also
narrated that the Messenger of Allah* said: “None of you would be considered a
believer until I become more beloved to him than his family, wealth and all the
people.”
The
companions of the Messenger of Allah* were very much concerned about the
application of this duty. They used to compete in attaining this honour hoping
that they would be the ones that Allah and His Messenger love. Anas narrated
that on the day of the battle of Uhud: That the people ran away, leaving the
Prophet*, but Abu- Talha was shielding the Prophet with his shield in front of
him. Abu Talha was a strong, experienced archer who used to keep his arrow bow
strong and well stretched. On that day he broke two or three arrow bows. If any
man passed by carrying a quiver full of arrows, the Prophet would say to him,
“Empty it in front of Abu Talha.” When the Prophet started looking at the enemy
by raising his head, Abu Talha said, “O Allah’s Prophet! Let my parents be
sacrificed for your sake! Please don’t raise your head and make it visible,
lest an arrow of the enemy should hit you. Let my neck and chest be wounded
instead of yours.”
Ibn
Hibban reported in his Sahih: “…When Urwah went back to the Quraysh, he said, I
have been to the courts of the kings and have seen the splendour of the Caesar,
Chosroes and the Negus. But never have I seen any king being so revered as
Muhammad* by his companions. By Allah, had he spat out mucus and it just fell
on the hands of one of his companions he would have rubbed it on his face and
skin. When he ordered them with something they rushed to carry it out and if he
made ablution they would fight for the used water. When he spoke they lowered
their voices and they did not look sharp at him, as sign of reverence to him …”
An-Nawawi
reported in his commentary of Sahih Muslim the meaning of loving the Messenger*
on the authority of Sulayman al-Khattabi which states: “You will not be true in
your love for me until you exhaust yourself in my obedience, until you prefer
my pleasure over your whims even if it may lead to your death.”
Believers
have no better way of expressing their love for our Prophet* than to love all that
He* loved and to dislike all that he disliked. Believers know that what was
most beloved to the Messenger of Allah* is also what is most beloved to Allah,
so they strive to make that the most beloved to themselves.
The
Prophet* as truly honoured among the Prophets, as he was singled out to be the
last and final messenger to all of mankind. Ahmad recorded that `Ali bin Abi
Talib said that the Messenger of Allah* said, “I was given what no other
Prophet before me was given.” We said, “O Messenger of Allah! What is it” He
said, “I was given victory by fear, I was given the keys of the earth, I was
called Ahmad, the earth was made a clean place for me (to pray and perform
tayammum with it) and my Ummah was made the best Ummah.” The reason we were
made the best ummah is stated in the ayah: “You are the best ummah singled out
for mankind: you enjoin what is right (ma’roof), forbid what is wrong (munkar),
and believe in Allah.” [TMQ 3:110]
If a
believer finds any aspect of the sunnah of the Messenger of Allah is not
beloved to them, they are quick to change that within themselves. Abu Hurayrah narrated
that Thumamah b. Uthal said: “O Muhammad. By Allah There was not a face more
hated to me than your face but your face has become the most beloved. By Allah!
There was no Deen more hated to me than your Deen but your Deen has become the
most beloved to me. By Allah! There was no country more hated to me than your
country but your country has become the most beloved to me…”
Discussion
around the excellent qualities of the Prophet* should be encouraged among young
and old, as they will only increase love for this noble Messenger that Allah*
sent to us, but in that we must not be selective only focusing on some parts of
his* Sunnah, whilst neglecting the rest. We must not forget what it was that
the Prophet* sent for? What was his mission? What did he bring to us? These are
questions which sometimes are lost in the discussion.
Other
significance of Rabi’ul-Awwal
It
should not be forgotten that Rabi’ul-Awwal is also the month of the hijrah of
the Prophet*. From the very first day he* established the authority for Islam.
The Establishment of Islam in Madina was the first day of joy for the Muslims.
Often when the hijrah is discussed, we can limit ourselves to the details
describing how the Prophet* hid in a cave or who slept in his* bed. This
inevitably diverts us from discussing the true significance of the event. Umer is
reported to have said: “The Hijrah has separated truth from falsehood, so
calculate dates from it.”
Rabi’ul-Awwal
has further significance for Muslims, as on twelfth day, ten years after hijrah
He* passed away. The news of the Prophet’s death was so hard upon close
companions and Muslims that some of them refused to believe that he had passed
away. Upon hearing this, Abu Bakr went to the mosque and delivered one of the
noblest speeches: “O People! If it was Muhammad whom you worshipped, then know
that he is dead. But if it is Allah whom you worshiped, then know that He does
not die.” He then recited the following verse, which was revealed after the
Battle of Uhud: “Muhammad is no more than an Apostle: many were the Apostles
that passed away before him. If he died or were slain, will you then turn back
on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels, not the least harm will he do
to Allah; but Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve
Him) with gratitude.” [TMQ 3:144]
Linking
the message / mission of the Prophet* to today
There is
oppression around the whole world which is being left un-challenged, at home
and overseas. The Prophet* did not rest while Islam was criticised by the
Quraysh, and we should not rest while it is criticised today. He* was accused
of being too extreme and changing the Arab way of life, and Muslims who
practice Islam today are accused of the same thing.
Right in
front of us what the Prophet stood for, practiced and conveyed about
Implementing Islam to create that just, balanced and harmonious society for all
is being attacked by secular fundamentalists within Muslim Countries whose
Qibla has changed from Mecca to Washington and London. How can we remain silent
in Rabi’ul-Awwal? The Holy Prophet* said: “A day under a just leader is better
than sixty years of worship, while the hadd (proscribed punishment) established
on the earth according to its right is better than forty days of rain”
(Bayhaqi/ Tabarani)
Do we
have just leaders who rule by Islam exclusively today? Are we following the
Prophet’s* orders on Ruling and politics as prescribed in the hadith above?
In front
of us, Muslim Countries are allowing belligerent foreign powers to harm Muslims
right under the noses of these rulers under the guise of War on Terror yet they
remain silent as do the so-called ‘scholars’. Aren’t those who are being
slaughtered the followers of the Prophet?
There is
corruption around us in the Muslim World which is being left un-challenged.
There is social decay directed by the government who believe that Western
Social values are better than Islam (which they state is old and backward) and
have created a society where Free-mixing, sleeping around and consuming alcohol
are seen as ‘lifestyle choices’
We must
find the answers for these questions. We need to learn about the Holy Prophet’s*
life, educate ourselves with the rules of Islam that the Prophet* bought us and
we must work for that change which the Holy Prophet* sacrificed and Struggled
for in his life.
Discussion
and unity
Many
will use this month as a month of seeking knowledge about the Prophets life.
Many have raised objections to singling out this month as a special occasion of
worship. In this process, heated arguments and debates may surface on the
validity of commemorating the day the Prophet was born. None of these are new
issues and in fact have been tackled by scholars of various persuasions who
lived under an Islamic System and resolved jurisprudential issues like these
based on Daleel (evidence) presented.
The
spirit of discussion did not fracture the Unity of Muslims on core issues.
Neither did they busy themselves condemning each other. The key focus still
remained that Islam be the reference point for all actions, both personal and
societal.
Scholarly
Approaches
Imam
Al-Hafiz Al-Suyuti said: “In my view the Milad is in fact such an occasion of
happiness on which people assemble and recite the Holy Qu’ran to the extent
that is easy. Then they relate the prophecies concerning the appearance of the
Noble Prophet* that have been transmitted in Ahadith and Author, and the
miraculous events and signs that took place on his birth. Then food is set
before them and according to their desire they partake thereof to satisfaction.
This festival of celebrating the birthday of the Noble Prophet* is a Bid’ah
Hasanah (good Innovation) and those arranging it will get blessing, since in
such a celebration is found the expression of joy and happiness at the
greatness and eminence of the Noble Prophet* and his birth”.
Ibn
Tay’miah said: “As far as what people do during the Milad, either as a rival
celebration to that which the Christian do during the time of Christ’s birthday
or as an expression of their love and admiration and a sign of praise for the
Noble Prophet*, Allah Almighty will surely reward them for such Ijtihad”
Al-Hafiz
Ibn Hajar stated: “Milad Shareef is, in fact, and innovation, which was not
transmitted from any pious predecessor in the first three centuries.
Nevertheless, both acts of virtue as well as acts of abomination are found in
it (i.e. Sometimes acts of virtue are found therein and sometimes acts of
abomination). If in the Milad Shareef only acts of virtue are done and acts of
abomination are abstained from, then the Milad Shareef is a Bid’ah Hasanah
(good innovation), otherwise not.”
Imam
Al-Hafiz Al-Qastalani said: “May Allah Almighty shower his Mercy upon a person
who takes the days of the month of Rabbi-ul-Awwal, in which the Noble Prophet*
was born, as days of feast and celebration for doing so is the best cure for
the heart of an ailing person.”
The
debates will continue on this topic. The Ulama respected each other’s opinions
as any ijtihad (extracted ruling) which has a semblance of daleel is still
considered an ijtihad based upon the Knowledge and abilities of the scholar who
issued the ruling.
There is
great remembrance in this month about the Prophet and his character, the
various miraculous incidents where even the animals came to the Holy Prophet*
and the love people had for him.
Summary
- The Prophet* was born and died in the month of Rabi’ul-Awwal. This was also the month of Hijrah. Muslims like to commemorate the Prophet’s* birth and grow to love him*.
- It is obligatory for Muslims to love the Prophet* and also to obey him* is a way of manifesting this love.
- Every action is judged according to the intention and if we celebrate his birth to compete with the Christians that is forbidden.
- The Prophet’s* birth was not celebrated for the first few centuries but was introduced later as a ‘Bidaa Hasana’ (good innovation) – and is allowed as long as the celebration does not go against the Shariah.
- If we do ‘celebrate’ the birth of the Prophet we must recognise that it is not a religious act (Sunnah or fard) but something permissible (Mubah) especially if we want to remember his* good qualities and get closer to Allah.
- Previous scholars debated this issue but respected each other’s opinions. There is enough going on in the World to concern the Muslims and sincere scholars and Muslims should remember the message of our Prophet* and follow his call sincerely.
