EID-E-MILAD: The Best Tribute To The Prophet (s.a.w.) Is To Follow His Teachings.

 

Eid-e-Milad

The Best Tribute To The

Prophet (s.a.w.) Is To Follow

His Teachings & Lifestyle

Glorifying Allah’s Name

Is The Real Celebration

For Believers

(M. Javed Naseem)

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحْبِبْكُمُ ٱللَّهُ

وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

“Say (O Muhammad): "If you do love Allah,

follow me! Allah will love you and forgive your

sins, for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

(al-Quran 3:31)

Muslims all over the world are busy celebrating Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)’s birthday these days. But they should remember that scholars differ about his date of birth. Some say it is 8^th of Rabi-al-Awwal; others claim it is 9^th of Rabi-al Awwal, while another group puts it as 10^th of Rabi-al Awwal. Majority of Muslims have agreed on the 12^th of Rabi-al Awwal. But what difference does it make?

All those groups that differ on Prophet’s date of birth, do agree though on his date of death. They all agree that the Prophet (s.a.w.) died on the 12^th of Rabi-al Awwal. Having said that, the Prophet (s.a.w.) lived for 63 years but never once (never ever) celebrated his birthday. His staunch followers and all four Caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar, Othman and Ali) did the same – never ever celebrated Prophet’s or their own birthdays! It’s not Islamic tradition.

If, as Muslims or believers, you want to pay tribute to the last Prophet of Allah – Muhammad (s.a.w.) – you better follow his teachings and pursue his manners/conduct! The Prophet lived a simple life and never had enough wealth or property liable to Zakat. Whatever was extra or beyond his immediate need, he gave it away in charity. Here’s what Prophet of Allah has commanded us:

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“Return the goods entrusted to you to their

rightful owners! Hurt no one so that no one

may hurt you! Remember that you will

indeed meet your Lord, and that He will

indeed reckon your deeds.”

-- Prophet Muhammad

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Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) never told a lie in his entire life. He never had three-meals a day, not even two! He used to have one meal per day and a simple breakfast with a couple of dry dates and a glass of water. For days, he wouldn’t get a hot meal. He used to fast about 12 days in every month – every Monday, every Thursday, and every 13^th, 14^th & 15^th of the Islamic month. He helped the needy and guided everybody. He always smiled and forgave other’s faults. His conduct and manners were exemplary. Both Muslims and non-Muslims who had a dealing with him, admired him. He was the most humble servant of Allah and never missed his prayers. He was very well aware of his rights and responsibilities towards others and his duty to Allah. He lived by the Book (the Quran) and that’s why Allah declared him the “best role-model” for the mankind. Allah says in the Quran:

لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن

كَانَ يَرْجُو ٱللَّهَ وَٱلْيَوْمَ ٱلآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيراً

“You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a

beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one whose

hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who

engages much in the praise of Allah.”

(al-Quran 33:21)

Unfortunately, today’s Muslim has abandoned the Quran. He is not following the commands of Allah nor the teachings of the Prophet of Allah. The result is obvious – he is suffering and has lost all respect and honor. His ways are corrupted but he considers that ‘normal’. His goal is money, wealth, property and worldly luxuries. He follows his own lusts and greed disrespecting God’s commands and Prophet’s teachings. He is far away from Allah and the Prophet but he is always ready to kill others who disrespect his Prophet and God.

Muslim is the one who follows or practices Islam. There is a very common description or definition of Islam. Islam means surrender or submission to the Will of God. And it is not complicated to understand.

Our problem today is that practically, we are far from Islam. We are competing with non-Muslims for material gains, and we are adopting Pagan traditions. We have fabricated Hadith and we want to live by those fake Hadith traditions, not by the Quranic laws and commands. We accuse Jews and Christians that they have altered their books while we are following the alternate book of Hadith and not the Quran which is the real and most authentic source of guidance. Allah commands us:

“And follow the best of what was

revealed to you from your Lord before

the punishment comes upon you suddenly

while you do not perceive!”

(al-Quran 39:55)

The Holy Quran is the Word of God and everything else is the word of man. The Quran is the only authentic book of guidance and no other book can replace it. The true guidance comes from Allah and it came in the form of the Quran. Allah declares:

“This is a blessed Book which We have

revealed to you, (O Muhammad), that they

might reflect upon its verses and that those

of understanding would be reminded.”

(al-Quran 38:29)

The Quran is the best Book of Guidance and Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) is the best role-model for us. He showed the believers how to live by the Book, following the true path. The best way for us to show our love for the Prophet (s.a.w.) and obedience to the Almighty Allah, is to follow the Quran and live by the teachings of the Prophet (s.a.w.). It is very unfortunate that we are deviating from the Quran and taking shelter in the fake or fabricated Hadith books. Those books didn’t exist during the life of the Prophet nor the lives of the early Caliphs of Islam.

The Prophet (s.a.w.) himself warned us about our conduct and deeds during his last sermon of Hajj and said:

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“Remember, one day you will appear before Allah

and answer your deeds! So beware, do not stray

from the path of righteousness after I am gone!”

-- Prophet Muhammad

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Islam is a simple and practical Deen (way of life) but we make it complicated because of our fancy interpretations. Some people have made it their profession and have become priests or preachers thus making it a source of income. And people can do or say anything for money. So, watch out!

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