The celebrations of Eid Milad-un-Nabi are a cultural manifestation of the love, which the Muslims have for Prophet Muhammad (S). It is not a religious injunction that could be labelled as Farz or Wajib nor was this tradition of expressing joy on 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal initiated during the times of the Holy Prophet (S) or his companions.
As holding events to commemorate a particular event on its birth anniversary has become a norm worldwide, Muslims observe 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal to introduce the personality of the Holy Prophet (S) to the world and spread his teachings.
This was stated during the 131st educational podcast on Off The School’s Youtube channel, in which scholar and founder of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada Allama Syed Badiuddin Soharwardy, also known as Imam Syed Soharwardy, spoke with journalist Najam Soharwardi.
Responding to a question about criticism on celebrating 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal on the ground that it was a Bid’ah as the day was not observed during the life of the Holy Prophet (S), Syed Sahab explained that the day was being observed for centuries and never before the colonial era, labels such as Bid’ah were imposed on it.
He said the tradition to celebrate Eid Milad-un-Nabi started during the times of Salahuddin Ayubi when the Muslims observed other nations of the world celebrating their heroes and prominent personalities. At this time, the Muslims felt the need for observing the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet (S) as they realised that among all the personalities of the world, the one who deserved the most commemoration was the personality of the Holy Prophet (S).
The scholar went on to explain that it is not a Bid’ah as those celebrating it do not interpret the celebrations as an Islamic injunction. He added that even Imam Ibn Taymiyya, who is considered a stern jurist, approved of 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal celebrations.
Milad events are essentially for propagating the teachings of the Holy Prophet (S), he said.
Regarding the impact of Milad events in the Western world, Syed Sahab said such celebrations had caused many people to embrace Islam. He explained that such celebrations arose curiosity among the non-Muslims, which paved the way for having a dialogue with them and introducing the message of Islam to them.
It was the colonial powers, the scholars said, that attempted to sow the seed of discord among the Muslims by enabling criticism of Eid Milad-un-Nabi.
Syed Sahab, however, cautioned that the day must be observed under Islamic principles. Chants and dances are not the right way to celebrate Milad and religious scholars always disapprove of such manners, he said.
Najam Sahab lamented that excessive noise and showing off had diluted the spiritual element of the Milad events and asked the scholar how such celebrations took place when he was a child.
To this, Syed Sahab explained that his family celebrated the birth of Prophet Muhammad (S) every month, not just on 12th Rabiul Awwal. He added that Milad events in his childhood days used to be sober and respectful.
He said people at that time realised that Milad events were held to commemorate the Holy Prophet (S) therefore they should demonstrate utmost respect. You would hear no noise from the audience side in those events when a religious scholar spoke on the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet (SC), he recalled.
Syed Sahab said white sheets were spread as a sitting arrangement in such events and keora and Itr (scent) were used to create pleasant odour.
He added that using exorbitant stages with pictures of religious leaders went against the spirit of holding Milad. Milad is for remembering the Holy Prophet (S); it is not for publicity of religious leaders, he said.