The Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Foundation: Statement On Occasion Of Milad Un Nabi

Praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds, and Peace and Blessings upon His Prophet and Messenger Muhammad, his family and all his companions.

The Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Foundation (STBHF) joins the rest of the world in celebrating and observing Eidul-Mawlid. Also commonly known as 'Milad un Nabi', this day is observed as a public holiday in many countries with a large Muslim population.

Mawlid Al-Nabi the celebration of the Prophet Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (Peace Be Upon Him) Birthday has been a part of tradition of Islamic culture for centuries now and it has historically been a day which united and brought all Muslims together in a day of celebration and joyful activities which honoured our Blessed Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born in Mecca on 12 Rabiulawal in the year 570 CE. The Prophet’s full name is Abū al-Qāsim Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn 'Abd al-Muṭṭalib ibn Hāshim.

More than a birth celebration, Eidul-Mawlid is the day when Muslims thank Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for all his teachings. It is also believed that Allah Almighty verbally shared knowledge about Islam with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through an angel. All his life, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) shared his knowledge, principles and educated people about what is right and wrong.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is believed to have been a descendant of Ishmael. According to Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Isaac and Ishmael were two sons of Abraham. Whereas Jews are believed to have descended from Isaac, Arabs are believed to have descended from Ishmael.

By his 6th birthday, Muhammad was an orphan and was raised by his uncle, Abu Talib and grandfather Abdul-Muttalib. He learned about business from his uncle and earned a reputation as a trustworthy trader.

It was not until Muhammad was 40 years old that he was commanded by the angel Gabriel, who carried Allah's message, to declare Allah's oneness and to shun the idolatry of his tribesmen.

Every year, when the month of Rabi al-Awwal comes around once again, bringing in its train the night of the twelfth, it seems to us as if the whole world is perfumed by the memory of the birth of the Final Messenger, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him. Countless millions of Muslims in every corner of the world fix their thoughts on his birth, by re-reading his biography and learning from his unique values and qualities. For he was the Unlettered Prophet, in whose human essence were combined and perfected every noble and generous trait of character: the best of all role-models, of whom Allah Himself has said: “Truly, yours is a tremendous character.”

The Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Foundation (STBHF) is of the belief that Mawlid Al-Nabi should continue to be celebrated and observed by the Muslim Ummah as only good things come out of the occasion. Not only should all Muslims observe Mawlid Al-Nabi they should also honor Prophet Muhammad Ibn Abdullah by fighting terrorism and all other evils that ruin people’s lives. Islam is a religion of peace and the true way to honor and celebrate Prophet Muhammad Ibn Abdullah’s (Peace Be Upon Him) life is to reject and fight against terrorism and extremism, and establish perfect peace and social justice on this planet.

Terrorism and extremism are the biggest challenges that that humankind’s ever faced, and threaten peace and security globally. It is now time to take firm decision to rid humanity of these evils. There should be no politics on these evils, otherwise posterity will prove us wrong and succeeding generations will curse ours. We should remain resolute in the fight to uproot the scourge of terrorism, militancy and extremism in our communities at every cost.

Islam prescribes respect for dead bodies whether of a Muslim or non-Muslim. Parents are reminded of their role to educate their children about real Islamic concept of peace, and educational institutions should get the subject of peace included in their academic curriculum so that real concept of Islam should be given to students.

Allah Almighty sent the Holy Prophet (PBUH) as Prophet of mercy for the whole of mankind and the universe. The gist of the holy Prophet’s (PBUH) teachings and life is that showing love to humanity is one of his missions as Prophet of mercy and guidance for the whole humankind without any discrimination of colour, race, or creed. In other words, the Prophet’s (PBUH) life is an eternal lesson of love, peace and welfare of humanity. Terrorism knows no boundary and that killing of women and children is not Jihad but outright terrorism.

Without the slightest doubt, the best way of commemorating this most noble of all birthdays is in reciting the story of Prophet’s (Peace Be Upon Him) life, to adults and children, in order to accustom them to the love of Allah’s great Messenger. No-one could deny that gathering to listen to the career of the Master of the Messengers is one of the most desirable of all activities. It can yield a whole range of blessings and benefits, as long as it takes place in a proper Islamic atmosphere without any reprehensible innovations or distortions.

Needless to say, the life of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) can and should be commemorated at any time of the year. Nonetheless, when he is remembered in Mawlid Al-Nabi (Rabi al-Awwal), people’s attachment to him grows even stronger, for the simple reason that it was in this month that he was born. At this special time, when the impulse to gather for this purpose is at its strongest, one feels an overwhelming sense of connection between our time and his, as the present reminds us of the past, and helps us to bring to mind and relate to events which took place many centuries ago.

The love of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), and the joy which his birth and career have brought to us, bring every imaginable kind of good thing to a true Muslim. Even an unbeliever can benefit from his birth. The idolater Abu Lahab, one of the greatest enemies of Islam, was pleased when on a Monday he heard the news that Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) had been given birth to, he immediately freed his slave-girl Thuwaiba who had brought him the news. We are told that because of this deed his punishment in the grave is reduced every Monday.

Celebrating Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) birth promotes community engagement along cultural and ethno-religious lines, lessening segregation through what may be extended contact in preparation for the event and establishing relationships and communication between groups. In order for public engagement to have greater positive impacts and reach, it needs to be “scaled up”, to borrow Robert Hefner’s word, by involving broader community participation. Scaling up public engagement requires integrating diverse groups into more religious and cultural festivals and other regular community programs.

What has not been sufficiently developed globally is formal or informal encounters at the grassroots level which involve all community members regardless of their ethnic and religious affiliations. Religious cultural events or festivals help resolve this problem because almost everyone is welcome to participate and engage. Through such festive celebrations, people interact and engage intensively, establishing channels of communication and relationships. The lack of positive exposure to diverse people is a major concern for efforts to eradicate intolerance.

It is opined that every country should have inter-religious harmony forum that holds regular meetings with state officials, the intelligence service, the police, community leaders, as well as other secular and religious authorities about the religious social dynamic, security, and intolerance. Those assembled seek to formulate the best mechanism to curb intolerance or violent conflict.

It is recommended that, every year during the month of the Mawlid we should recall to our mind the episodes and events of his unique career from the time when the light of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) first shone upon the world: the Arbitration at the Holy Kaaba, the Beginning of Revelation, the trials and sufferings endured while calling men to Allah, the Hijra, the great and heroic battles against paganism and misguidance, the creation of the Islamic State, the Farewell Pilgrimage, and finally, the moment when revelation to earth came to its conclusive end with the demise of the Blessed Prophet and his passing-on to the Highest Companion in Heaven.

On this day therefore, the Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Foundation (STBHF) extends its best wishes to the Muslim Faithful on the occasion and enjoins them to live within the virtues and teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), which are; love, courage and perseverance.

We conclude by praying that challenges confronting the world at the moment, particularly the deadly Corona virus will soon be over; and call on all countries to remain focused and determined.

As Allah Himself has stated: ‘We tell you the stories of the Messengers, in order to make firm your heart.’

O Allah, make firm our hearts in Islam! Make our faith true and deep, and bestow upon us real love for Your Prophet!!

Sender:

Fatmata Bintu Bangura

Member

Programme Coordination

The Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Foundation (STBHF)