Celebrating Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi & Imaam Jalal ud din al–Suyyuti

 

Celebrating Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi

by: Imam Jalal ud din al–Suyyuti

Allah in the Name of, Most Beneficent, Most Merciful

 Hazrat Imaam 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Sabiq al-Din, Jalal uddin al-Suyyuti  was born in 849 A.H./1445. 

He was a Shafi'i mujtahid Imam, Mufassir, Sufi, Muhammadith - Hadith master (Hafiz), and historian, a prolific writer who authored books in virtually every Islamic science. 

He was raised as an orphan in Cairo and memorized the Holy Quran at 8. Amongst his teachers were Siraj al-Din Bulqini, Sharaf al-Din al-Munawi, Taqi al-Din al-Shamani. He travelled to gain Sacred Knowledge to Damascus, the Hijaz, Yemen, India, Morocco, and the lands south of Morocco, as well as centres of learning in Egypt such as malalla, Dumyat and fayyum.

In this book, the great scholar he has shed light on the historical and legal status of the Meelad Shareef in his own characteristic scholarly style. Before forming any opinion on the status of this booklet in imparting knowledge and benefit, first of all consider the illustrious personality of the author.

 The highly acclaimed "Tafsir al-Jalalain" which he co-authored is still a prescribed textbook in religious institutions and Muslims of all shades of opinion study and teach it, and praise Imam al-Suyuti for this work. 

Apart from this, his book on Usul al-Tafsir called "al-Itqan fi Ulum al-Quran" became an indispensable source of reference for all later works on the subject. "Al-Badr al-Manshur", his Tafsir of the Holy Quran is referred to as an exemplary Tafsir. On the characteristics and miracles of the Noble Prophet [Sallal Laahu Alaieh Wa Sallam], his work entitled "Al-Kasa'is al-Kubra" has the distinction of being the foremost on this topic and excerpts from it are to be found in the works on Sirah by eminent Imams and Ulama.

It is thus obvious that when such a great religious luminary takes up his pen to write on the Meelad Shareef, i.e. celebrating the Birthday of the Noble Prophet [Sallal Laahu Alaieh Wa Sallam], the result will be of a unique status and its every word will be a summary of his vast knowledge of Tafsir, Hadith, Fiqh, Usul and history. Thus it would form the conclusive verdict of this subject.

PRAISE BE TO ALLAH AND PEACE ON HIS CHOSEN SERVANTS

The question under consideration is what is the verdict of the Shari'ah on celebrating the Holy Birthday of the Noble Prophet [Sallal Laahu Alaieh Wa Sallam] in the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal. From the point of view of the Shari'ah, is this a praiseworthy action or a blameworthy one? And do those who arrange such a celebration receive blessings or not?

THE OCCASION OF HAPPINESS

The reply to this question is that in my view the Meelad Shareef, Celebration of the Birthday of the Noble Prophet [Sallal Laahu Alaieh Wa Sallam] is in fact such an occasion of happiness on which people assemble and recite the Holy Quran to the extent that is easy.

 Then they relate the prophecies concerning the appearance of the Noble Prophet [Sallal Laahu Alaieh Wa Sallam] that have been transmitted in Ahadith and Athar, and the miraculous events and signs that took place on his birth. Then food is set before them and according to their desire they partake thereof to satisfaction.

This festival of celebrating the birthday of the Noble Prophet [Sallal Laahu Alaieh Wa Sallam], is a Bid'ah Hasanah (a good innovation) and those arranging it will get blessings, since in such a celebration is found the expression of joy and happiness at the greatness and eminence of the Noble Prophet [Sallal Laahu Alaieh Wa Sallam] at his birth.