Overview

The month of Rabi-ul-Awwal is the most significant month in Islamic History. This was the month in which humanity was blessed by the birth of the Prophet (SAW). Before the birth of the Holy Prophet (SAW) the whole world was drowned in the darkness of ignorance, superstition, oppression and falsehood. The Holy Prophet of Allah (SAW) came with the eternal truth of Tawhid, which spread the light of true knowledge all over the world.

Birth of the Prophet (SAW)

  • Undoubtedly the birth of the Prophet (SAW) was a significant event in history
  • However, we are not allowed to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet (SAW)
  • The Companions of the Prophet (SAW) never celebrated an event called "milad-un-nabi"
  • The Seerah of the Prophet should be brought into our lives, not just mentioned in yearly Seerah gatherings

The Celebration of Birthdays

  • The commemoration of birthdays was originally a pagan custom and was never recognized by any divine scripture or prophetic teaching.
  • The commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ was not a recognized practice in the early centuries of Christianity.
  • The Prophet (SAW) never observed birthdays nor did he advise his followers to celebrate his own birthday of Rabbi'ul-Awwal.
  • There was a strong opposition against commemorating the birthday by the early Christian scholars, on the grounds that it was originally a custom of pagans and idolators.

Why We Don't Celebrate Rabbi'ul-Awwal

The reason the scholars advise against such celebrations is that they divert from the true teaching of Prophet (SAW) and towards the observance of only some formal activities. While such activities may begin with piety and a strong intention to pay respects to a pious and wonderful person, as all the Prophets most undoubtedly were, experience with other celebrations will show the reality. The example of Christmas is relevant to this issue. The celebration will inevitably be mixed with an element of merrymaking and joy amongst which sinful activities will creep into.

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Highlights

This month was the month of the Prophet's (SAW) birth.


Do not celebrate this month and treat it as any other.

(الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ (٣:٥ This day I have perfected for you your religion....
وَمَاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا قَبۡلَكَ اِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوۡحِىۡۤ اِلَيۡهِمۡ​ فَسۡـئَلُوۡۤا اَهۡلَ الذِّكۡرِ اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُوۡنٌ‏َ And We sent not before you, [O Muhammad], except men to whom We revealed [the message], so ask the people of the message if you do not know. (21:7)
لقد أنعم الله على المؤمنين من العرب؛ إذ بعث فيهم رسولا من أنفسهم، يتلو عليهم آيات القرآن، ويطهرهم من الشرك والأخلاق الفاسدة، ويعلمهم القرآن والسنة، وإن كانوا من قبل هذا الرسول لفي غيٍّ وجهل ظاهر. Allah has indeed bestowed a great favour upon the Muslims, in that He sent to them a Noble Messenger (Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him) from among them, who recites to them His verses, and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and wisdom; and before it, they were definitely in open error. (The Holy Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him – is one of Allah’s greatest favours to mankind.)

Do's

  • Observe this month as you would any other month
  • We should always strive to please Allah, even if there is no special reward attached to it.

Don'ts

  • Do not regard the 12th of Rabi-Ul-Awwal to be a religiously recognized day, in which it is “religious” to celebrate milad-un-nabi
  • Holding Seerah gatherings should not be considered mandatory or to be more rewarding than doing it on any other day or month.
  • Do not violate the laws of Shariah when holding Seerah gatherings