Issue No:150
1st February 2013
20th Rabi ul Awwal 1434 A.H.
Salamun alaykum,
Meeladun Nabi:
Mawleed in Arabic means birth, birthday, nativity.
At the sighting of the crescent of month of Rabi' al Awwal, Muslims all over the world celebrate with intense felicitations the occasion of Meeladun Nabi -the date of the birth of our Noble Prophet Muhammad SAWW which occurred on the 17th Rabi' al Awwal in the year of the Elephant (Aamul Feel) corresponding to 570 C.E. Some historians record the birth date as 12th Rabi' al 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.
Such great is the excitement and happiness of this occasion that the whole month of Rabi' al Awwal is dedicated towards this lofty personality.
Celebration events:
Around the world numerous public meetings, processions will be held, while faithfuls would actively participate in the programmes organised by different local, religious and social organisations to celebrate and express the joy of this auspicious event of Meeladun Nabi. Newspapers and magazines publish special supplements, while television channels and radio stations arrange special 'Naat / Qasidas, lectures and quiz programmes on the history of the beloved Prophet. In addition other events such as fund raising for charity, volunteering services, presenting donations, competitions in various skills /arts and sporting events are arranged. Through these diverse activities muslims of all ages come together for the celebration of Meeladun Nabi.
All this grand celebration is done with great vigor and fervor 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. This also is a form of expressing gratitude to Allah SWT for this great endowment.
Has the Meeladun Nabi lost its essence?
During the 18th joint Muslim /Christian celebrations held at the Portsmouth Cathedral, our host, The Very Revd David Brindley mentioned in his address that the message of Christmas – the birth of Jesus – needs to be unpacked. The commercialization of celebrating this event has overshadowed the true meaning of Christmas. For some people the celebrations of Christmas is related to the festivities for the 25th December and the exchange of gifts for this occasion.
In the light of the above comment the question I ask during these days of celebrating Meeladun Nabi is that:
Is the true purpose for celebrating this auspicious occasion being eclipsed by the various festivities?
Would not the muslim ummah be in a state different than we find it today?
Likewise we as a community who observe the days dedicated to the wiladat and wafat of our beloved Prophet and the Ahlul Bayt a.s.; is this our practice the ultimate end for attaining closeness to Ahlul Bayt and the divine Pleasure?
Is there more to be unpacked in the commemoration of the wiladat and wafat? 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