Rabīʿ al-Awwal
The month of Rabīʿ al-Awwal is one of the most significant months in the Islāmic calendar. It was during this month that the blessed birth of the greatest human being to have ever set foot on this earth took place – the birth of none other than our beloved Prophet, Muḥammad ﷺ. This month is also the month in which our Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ passed away.
The nature and teachings of Islām direct us towards ʿamal (practice), as opposed to formalities. Hence, Islām has not instructed us to celebrate the birth date of anyone, no matter how great the personality. Islām has prescribed only two occasions in a year that are to be marked as religious celebrations, which may only be celebrated in a manner that does not exceed the boundaries of the Sharīʿah: 1. ʿĪd al-Fiṭr, 2. ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā.
The generation of the illustrious companions (Ṣaḥābah), may Allāh be well-pleased with them, remained for approximately a century after the demise of the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ. However, there are no reports of them celebrating the day of the year in which his blessed birth ﷺ took place. Similarly, there are no reports of the Tābiʿīn (the students of the Ṣaḥābah) and the Atbāʿ al-Tābiʿīn (the students of the Tābiʿīn) celebrating the birth date of our beloved Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ.
As Muslims, we should take inspiration from this blessed month to embark on a journey of studying the life and teachings of our beloved Prophet ﷺ and to instil and embed love for him into our hearts, rather than observing mere celebration and formalities. True love for the Prophet ﷺ entails that it be reflected in our actions and in emulating him ﷺ by adherence to the Sunnah.
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