Why Messenger Muhammad is the subject of the Muslim third month - Rabi'ul-Awwal

Dec 01, 2017

Belief in Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is an element of faith in Islam. It is also the second part of the first pillar of Islam.

OPINION | ISLAM

By Abdulhamid Mpoza

Thursday, November 30, 2017 corresponds to 12th Rabi'ul-Awwal in the Islamic callendar.  This day important to the Muslims, because it is when Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was born. Rabi'ul-Awwal is the third month in the Islamic calendar.

However, almost every month of the Islamic calendar, has a renowned subject. Sha'ban (the 8th), for instance, the greater part of it, is for nafl (optional) fasting. Ramadhan (9th) is for fasting. Shawwal (10th) is for six optional days. Still Shawwal, Dhul-Qa'dah (11th), and Dhul-Hajj (12th), are for performance of pilgrimage to Makkah. Yet Rabi'ul-Awwal (the 3rd), Muslims globally, remember the birth of their beloved Messenger Muhammad, peace be upon him (pbuh).

In Uganda, my first home country, some sections of Muslims celebrated the Messenger's birthday in varied ways. To a considerable number, especially the elderly, 12th Rabi'ul-Awwal was a public holiday. Mauled cerebrations that involved poetry like recitals in the praise of the Prophet from classical treasured books with mataali entertainment interludes took place. That would be followed with some heavy free feast. In other circles, seminars, workshops, pulpit-based Friday sermons and public lectures to elucidate the greatness of the Messenger were witnessed. Several other Muslims were cognizant of this memorable date, but to them, life went on as usual. Of course do not forget that some people up to now are not aware of which Islamic month is current

Remembrance of the Messenger Muhammad (pbhu) in this month does not essentially mean that he is forgotten in other months. In fact, he is the only single human being frequently remembered in every minute throughout the world (Allahu Akbar!). American author, Michael H. Hart rightly ranked him No.1 in his "The 100 most influential people of all time."  Take for instance the five daily prayers, he is mentioned in each several times. What about during optional units (nafl salaat) that are conducted at each one's convenience? What about those who just say: Allahumma salli alaa Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wassalaama (O Allah! Grace, Honor, Bless and Have mercy upon Muhammad, pbuh) just to get rewards from Allah for that? Those who call for prayers during Azaan and Iqaama still make mention of him. Allah sums it up when He says: "And have We not raised high your fame? Qur'an, Al-Inshirah, 94:4.  One commentator, Mujahid says the verse implies that whenever Allah is remembered, the Messenger will also be remembered. In a similar manner, a great scholar Qatada said: "Allah elevated the remembrance of Prophet Muhammad both in this world as well as in the hereafter."

Belief in Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is an element of faith in Islam. It is also the second part of the first pillar of Islam i.e. to testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad (pbuh) is His Servant and Messenger. This latter part implies:  trusting whatever he said as revelation from Allah, obeying whatever he instructed and shunning whatever he forbade. The three mentioned benchmarks can be used as of now to do some self-assessment for Muslims.

For sure, he is a unique Messenger, sent to entire humanity, unlike other Prophets and Messengers. He is the seal of Prophethood. Allah elevated him to the highest rank; he is the best human being, the intercessor on the Day of Judgment for humanity including other people he was not sent to and must be dearer to us (Muslims) than our selves, parents, children and all other people. He is the gate-pass to paradise. Prophets, Musa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus), may Allah's peace be upon them, prophesised his coming (As-Saf 61:6; Al-A'raaf 7:157). Allah sent him with historical miracles, Qur'an being the permanent one, to prove his messengership. Whosoever obeys the Messenger, he or she has indeed obeyed Allah (An-Nisaa' 4:80) and love for Allah Ta'laa is only attained through strict following of the Prophet's teachings, Al-Imraan 3:31.       

Now that his position is clear, some actions must be observed. He must be preferred to our own desires, follow his lead in all matters, don't rush in making decisions before him, and do not say or do anything that contradicts the Qur'an and Sunnah, (read Al-Hujuraat 49;1). He should not be called plainly as we call ourselves like Abdulhamid, Mustafah or Khan; a word like rasuulullah (Messenger of Allah) or peace be upon him should precede his name or follow it (refer to An-Noor 24:63). Obedience to him without deviation is mandatory and the contemporary disorders in the Muslim Ummah appear to be the consequences of the Muslims' deviation or disobedience. Muhammad Muhsin Khan, while giving his translation of Al-Qur'an 24:63 in the Noble Qur'an, he observed: "And let those who oppose the Messenger's commandment (i.e. his Sunnah­­__legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements) (among the sects) beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant) should befall them or a painful torment be afflicted on them."

Being the best of all creatures (khair-khalqillah), makes him the right model for anyone with hopes for the Meeting with Allah and the Last Day, (read Al-Ahzaab 33:21). Since he was a human being like me and you, his humane attributes must be emulated. For instance, his honesty, truthfulness, forbearance, cleanliness, care for his family, patience, love for his followers, respect of everyone, rigorousness for the obligatory prayers, leadership skills etc. But emulating his ways calls for another vital step; reading his biography to get exposed to how he dealt with all matters of life.

Muslims ought to take part in reviving his sunnah . He observed once; "Whoever revives my Sunnah at a time when they will be forgotten, he/she is striving in the cause of Allah." Let us love his companions and family members. The former, he considered them to be his starts that must illuminate our way.

Finally, in order to get his lawyers services on the Last Day, we must pray for him or salute him 10 times (x10) every morning and evening and make special supplication for him every after Azaan.

The writer is a PhD student of media and communications studies at the University of Lahore and former head of mass communications department of the Islamic University in Uganda

 

 

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