The Glorious Companions Commemorating the Blessed Birth [Mawlid an-Nabawi Sharif]

Dear Readers! In the previous note, we provided the proofs from the Holy Qur'an and the Noble Ahadith on the legitimacy of celebrating the Blessed Birth (Mawlid ash-Sharif) of the Beloved Habeeb al-Kareem Alaihi afdal as-Salati wa at-Tasleem. Now, let us examine the Aqeeda (belief) of the Glorious AsHaab al-Kiraam in this concern, who are the guiding beacons for us. [Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhum Ajma'een]

Sayings of the Exalted Khulafa ar-Rashideen

Shaykh al-Islam Imam Shihab al-Din Ahmad Ibn Hajar al-Haytami al-Makki al-Shafi’i (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) [d. 974H/1566] in his distinguished book “an-Ni’mat al-Kubra ala al-Aalam fi Mawlidi Sayyidi Waladi Aadam” quoted the following blessed sayings of the Khulafa al-Rashideen (The four rightly guided caliphs) concerning commemorating and celebrating the Mawlid an-Nabawi Sharif:

Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Bakr as-Siddique (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) says,

من أنفق درهما على قراءة مولد النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان رفيقي في الجنة

“Whosoever spends one dirham on the birthday of the Holy Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam), will be with me in Jannah.”

Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar al-Farooq (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) says, 

من عظم مولد النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقد أحيا الإسلام

“Whosoever has respected the Mawlid Sharif of the Holy Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihi Wa Sallam), it is as though he has revived the Deen.”

Hadrat Sayyiduna Uthman al-Ghani (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) says,

من أنفق درهما على قراءة مولد النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فكأنما شهد غزوة بدر وحنين 
“Whosoever has spent one dirham on the Birthday of the Holy Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam), it is as though he was present in Battle of Badr and Hunayn.”

Hadrat Sayyiduna Mawla Ali al-Murtuda (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) says that, 

من عظم مولد النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وكان سببا لقراءته لا يخرج من الدنيا إلا بالإيمان ويدخل الجنة بغير حساب

“Whosoever respects the Mawlid Sharif and is a means of motivating a Milad function will take from this world the gift of Imaan and He will enter Jannah without any questioning.” [An-Ne’matul Kubra, Pages 7/8, Published by Hakikat Kitabevi, Istanbul, Turkey]

What did the other Noble Companions Believe?

هاجرت إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقدمت عليه منصرفه من تبوك، فأسلمت، فسمعت العباس بن عبد المطلب يقول: يا رسول الله إنى أريد أن أمتدحك، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: قل، لا يفضض الله فاك

After gaining victory and success in Ghazwa Tabook, when Rasoolullah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) arrived in Madinatul Munawwara, Hadrat Sayyiduna Abbas (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) sought permission from the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) to recite a few stanzas of poetry in his praise. The Mercy to Mankind (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) said, "My dear Uncle! Go ahead. May Almighty Allah keep your mouth well."

This is what Sayyiduna al-`Abbas ibn `Abd al-Muttalib said:

من قبلها طبت في الظلال وفى مستودع حيث يخصف الورق
ثم هبطت البلاد لا بشر أنت ولا مضغة ولا علق
بل نطفة تركب السفين وقد ألجم نسرا وأهله الغرق
تنقل من صلب إلى رحم إذا مضى عالم بدا طبق
وردت نارا لخليل مستترا في صلبه أنت كيف يحترق
ثم احتوى بيتك المهيمن خندف علياء تحتها النطق
وأنت لما ولدت أشرقت الارض ونارت بنورك الافق
فنحن في ذلك الضياء وفى النور وسبل الرشاد نخترق
... Before you came to this world,
you were excellent in the shadows and in the repository (i.e. loins)
in the time when they (Adam and Eve) covered themselves with leaves.
Then you descended through the ages...
When you were born, the earth shone
and your light illuminated the horizon.
We travel in that illumination and in the light and in the paths of right guidance.”

References:


1. Kitaab al-Wafa, Page 35, Vol. 1
2. Khasais al-Kubra, Page 97, Vol. 1
3. Insaan al-Uyoon page 96, Vol. 1

4. Seerat an-Nabawiya, Page 37

5. Jawahir al-Bihaar, Page 40
6. Anwaar al-Muhammadiyah, Page 62-84
7. Hujjatulahi Ala al-Alameen, Page 222
8. Muwahib al-Laduniyah, Page 23
9. Al Isti’aab Mustadrik, Page 327, Vol. 3
10. al-Bidaya wa an-Nihaya, Page 258, Vol. 2

11. Kitaab al Milal wan Nihal, Page 240, Vol. 2
12. Majma'i Zawa'id, Page 217, Vol. 8

13. Talkhees al-Mustadrik, Page 327, Vol. 3

14. Subul al Huda war-Rashaad, Vol. 5, Page 469
15. Ibn Kathir’s Mawlad al-Mustafa, Page 29-30, Published in Lahore 1958.Mullah Ali al-Qari in his ‘Sharh ash-Shifa’ (1:364) says it is related by Abu Bakr ash-Shafi`i and Tabarani, and cited by Ibn `Abd al-Barr and Ibn al-Qayyim respectively in ‘al-Isti`ab’ and ‘Huda Nabiyy Allah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam)’.

This has been stated in distinguished works of great Muhaditheen such as Imam Jalal al-Din as-Suyuti, Muhadith ibn Jauzi, Allamah Ibn Hajr, Allamah Halbi, Allamah Dahlaan Makki, Allamah Nabhaani, Allamah ibn Abdul Barr, Allamah Haakim, Ibn Kathir and Allamah Sharastaani (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhum al-Ajma’een). 

Those who object on praising the Beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam in poetry and reciting his praise on his mawlid must take a serious note to it!!

Flags on the Birth of Beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam:

Sayyidatuna Aamina Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha states,

ورأيت ثلاثة أعلام مضروبات علما في المشرق وعلما في المغرب وعلما على ظهر الكعبة فأخذني المخاض فولدت محمدا صلى الله عليه وسلم

“I saw three flags posted. One in the east, one in west and the third one over the roof of the Ka’ba and Muhammad's (beloved Prophet’s Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) blessed birth took place.” [Khasais al-Kubra, Vol. 1, Page 82, Published from Dar al-Kutub Ilmia, Beirut – Lebanon]

Beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam and His Companions Entered Madina Munawwarah Carrying a Flag:

When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) migrated to Madinah Munawwarah, on reaching MoDa-e-Gameem near Madina, Burayda Aslami along with 70 Horse riders of Bani Saham Tribe came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to arrest him (Ma’aadh Allah) but being inspired of the Prophet’s blessed and wonderful personality, he  was impressed and accepted Islam along with his tribe. Then he asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

لا تدخل المدینة الا ومعك لواء، فحل عمامة ثم شدھا في رمح ثم مشی بین یدیه صلی الله علیه وسلم
Please do not enter Madinah Munawwarah until we have a flag. So, he tied his turban on his arc and entered in Madinah Munawwarah with Prophet Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam carrying that FLAG. [Wafa al-Wafa, Vol. 1, Page 243, published from Dar aHya at-Turath al-Arabi, Berut – Lebanon]

The Noble Companion of Beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam recite his Mawlid and Praise Him

Hadrat Hassan Ibn Thaabit (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) said:

وأحسن منك لم تر قط عيني
Wa aH'sanu Minka Lum taraqattu 'Aienee

I haven’t seen a lovely personality like you

وأجمل منك لم تلد النساء
Wa Ajmalu Minka Lum Talidin Nisa'u

And no mother has given birth to such a beautiful personality

خُلِقْتَ مبرءاً من كل عيب
Khuliqta Mubarra'am Min Kulli 'Aiebin
You are created free from every fault
كأنك قد خُلِقْتَ كما تشاء
Ka'Annaka Qud Khuliqta Kama Tasha'u
You were created, as you wanted to be

References:1. Tafseer al-Aalusi, Chapter 2, Vol. 7, Page 422
2. Tafseer Rooh al-Ma'ani, Vol. 2, Page 34

And witness how the Beloved Prophet of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala rewarded him. Hadrat Aaisha (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anha) narrates that Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) built a pulpit for Hadrat Hassan (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) in the Masjid al-Nabawi Sharif, and Hadrat Hassan use to eulogise the Prophet (Salallaho alaihi wa sallam) standing on that pulpit giving answers to the polytheists on behalf of Sayyiduna Muhammadur Rasoolullah (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam). For this act of Hadrat Hassan, the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) said

إن روح القدس لا يزال يؤيدك ما نافحت عن الله ورسوله صلى الله عليه وسلم

"Jibril al-Ameen (RooH al-Quds) assists Hassan while he recites and refutes mushrikeen on their accusations upon Allah and His Prophet Peace and Blessings be upon Him"

References:

1. Sunan al-Kubra lil Bayhaqi, Vol. 10, Page 238
2. Mau'jam al-Kabir lil Tibrani, Vol. 4, Page 35

3. Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba, Vol. 6, Page 173

4. Dalail al-Nabuwwah, Vol. 5, Page 75
5. Sahih Muslim, Vol. 16, Page 226
6. Sunan Abi Dawood, Vol. 14, Page 357

Spending on the Celebrations of Mawlid Sharif

Hadrat Sayyiduna Hasan Basri (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) said,

قال حسن البصري رضي الله تعالی عنه وددت لو کان لی مثل جبل احد ذھبا فانفقته علی قراءة مولد النبي صلی الله علیه وسلم

"I would like to have gold equivalent to the Mountain of Uhud so that I should be able to spend it on the Mawlid Sharif of the Holy Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam)." [An-Ne'mat al-Kubra, Page 6, Published by Hakikat Kitabevi, Istanbul, Turkey]

— — —
May we be sacrificed at this Merriment O blessed month of Rabi' al-Awwal!!
Your joys surpass thousands of 'Eids; All in the world are rejoicing, except Shaytan