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Mawlid: Revival of the Islamic Nation
Author : An Article by His Grace Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh
Date Added : 19-11-2018

 

Mawlid: Revival of the Islamic Nation

 

Upon the arrival of the month of Rabi Al-Awwal, Prophet Mohammad`s birth anniversary (Mawlid) arouses overwhelming emotions in the hearts of all Muslims reminding them of a history, a present reality and a future.

That history started before the Prophet (PBUH) was even born in the Arabian Peninsula. He (PBUH) is a descendent of the Prophet Ismail (PBUH) from Bani Kinana, from Quraish, from Bani Hashim; the best of the best and the noblest of tribes in respect to lineage. 

While the Arabian Peninsula was preoccupied with tribal warfare, the Persians and the Romans were in the vanguard of civilizational procession; followed by the Greeks and the Indians. Those civilizations had their share of scientific, cultural and philosophical products that had a significant impact on the making of a full-fledged human civilization.

The Prophet (PBUH) was born on the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal, in the 'Year of the Elephant'. Upon his delivery, his Mother Aminah saw a light that illuminated what`s between the east and the west. A light that had later infiltrated the illiterate nation of the Arabian Peninsula: a light of knowledge, civilization, mercy, good morality and justice. The first verse revealed to the Prophet (PBUH) was (What means): "Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists)?" It gave life to the illiterate nation as well as the Arabian Peninsula announcing a turning point from illiteracy to knowledge, civilization, urbanization, good conduct and universal values. The Islamic civilization was so advanced that it overshined that of the Persians, Romans, Greeks and the Indians. It has established the general principles of human civilization, and liberated human beings from the yoke of slavery and despotism. This is reflected in the words of the Caliph Omar Bin Al-Khattab (May Allah Be Pleased with Him) that states: "Since when did you enslave the people though they were born from their mothers in freedom?"

Islam has also created a system for the family, and established, for humanity, the principles of fraternity, religious tolerance, equity and equality.

The contributions of the Islamic nation in the fields of science, arts, literature and philosophy have enriched the human civilization, and this was even recognized by non-Muslims. For example, The German historian Siegrid Honke wrote the book "The Sun of the Arabs Shines over the West." Will Durant has also written the book "The Story of Civilization."

In his book, "Arabs Civilization," Gustave Le Bon said: "If we take a closer look at the Arab and Muslim civilization, scientific books, inventions and arts, we arrive at the conclusion that they have the credit for the spread of knowledge in the middle ages. For over than five centuries, they were the sole source of scientific knowledge for the west. They have even civilized Europe materially, intellectually and morally, in addition to taking the lead in the field of artistic creativity."

The Islamic civilization, whose foundations were set by non-other than Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), has addressed the various intellectual, psychological, spiritual, physical and material needs of humanity.

His call to Allah was founded on the achievements of the elite Muslim scholars in different fields, such as Al-Khawarizmi, Ibn Al-Haytham, Al-Idrisi,  Al-Rāzī , Ibn Sina… and many others; where the Europeans have utilized the latter`s achievements in building their own civilization. 

The orientalist George Sarton in his book: "Introduction to the History of Science", also recognized their distinguished accomplishments. He said:  "The greater portions of the tasks of the human intellect were shouldered by the Muslims: Al-Farabi is the greatest of philosophers, Al-Masoodi is the greatest of Geographers and Al-Tabari is the greatest of historians."

Yes, on this occasion we remember a past glory of the Arabs and the Muslims and feel a sense of superiority, dignity and pride. However, a quick overview of our current situation would make us feel disappointed. At present, Muslims and Arabs are living a bitter reality as division, weakness and intra-conflicts dominate them.  They have become in the rear of human civilization although they are the nation of (Read) and the seal of Messengers and Prophets.

In light of this harsh reality, we remember the beautiful attributes of our beloved Prophet (PBUH), and his tremendous efforts in elevating and uniting the Islamic nation. He (PBUH) said, "I have left two matters with you. As long as you hold to them, you will not go the wrong way. They are the Book of Allah and the Sunna of His Prophet."

No matter what the case may be, The Book of Allah and the Sunna of His Prophet (PBUH) are the one and only solution for all our problems and suffice to raise our morale. Allah, The Almighty, Said (What means): "And hold fast, all together, by the rope which God (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves" [Al-Imran/103]. In addition, the Prophet (PBUH) said: "and seek help from Allah and do not lose heart." [Moslim]. Besides, Allah, The Almighty Said (What means): "Such days (of varying fortunes) We give to men and men by turns" [Al-Imran/140] and He Said (What means): "When will that be?" Say, "May be it will be quite soon!" [Al-Isra/`51].

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What advice do you have for those who spend their nights and days of Ramadan watching TV?

Time is too precious to be wasted on entertainment, let alone in the blessed month of Ramadan, where a Muslim should strive for reward and forgiveness.

 
What is the ruling on someone who eats or drinks while uncertain about the arrival of dawn, then later finds out that dawn had not yet broken?

If a person does this, their fast remains valid, as it is confirmed that they ate during the night. Similarly, if someone eats while uncertain and remains unsure whether they ate before or after dawn, their fast is still valid. This is based on the maxim of Sharia Law, which states: "Certainty is not removed by doubt." Certainty, here, is the presence of night, and the doubt concerns the arrival of dawn. Therefore, one relies on certainty and disregards doubt.

What is the wisdom behind legislating the Udhiyah?

The Muslim must know that through the Uḍḥiyah, he complies with the command of Allah, the Exalted, and performs a worship that brings him closer to Allah and distances him from the Fire.
 
The Uḍḥiyah holds profound wisdoms and noble meanings, including:
 
1-Reviving the Sunnah of Abraham, peace be upon him: He complied with Allah's command when He ordered him to slaughter his son Ishmael. Abraham, peace be upon him, succeeded in the test, and when he was about to slaughter his son, Allah sent down a ram to ransom Ishmael and commanded him to slaughter it instead. Allah, the Exalted, says {what means]: "And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, 'O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think.' He said, 'O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.' And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead, We called to him, 'O Abraham, You have fulfilled the vision.' Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was the clear trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice." [Al-Ṣāffāt/102-107]. Thus, the sacrificial offering became an enduring Sunnah until the Day of Judgment, and Muslims offer their wealth as sacrifices, drawing closer to Allah, the Exalted, reviving this great Sunnah.
 
2-Providing abundance for people on Eid day and the Days of Tashrīq: Among the wisdoms of the Uḍḥiyah is that the Muslim provides generously for his family, neighbors, relatives, and the poor during these days. The Muslim is encouraged to eat from his sacrifice, give charity from it to the poor, and gift from it to his wealthy neighbors. Thus, goodness spreads throughout the entire community. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The Days of Tashrīq are days of eating and drinking." (Narrated by Muslim). Allah, the Exalted, says {what means}: "And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols of Allah; for you therein is good." [Al-Ḥajj/36]. This good includes the good of both this world and the Hereafter.

What is the ruling on one who vows to fast a specific or non-specific year? Are the two Eids, the days of Tashreeq, Ramadan, and the days of menstruation and postnatal bleeding included in them? And do these days break the consecutiveness if it was intended?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
If someone makes a vow (Nadr) to fast a specific, designated year, this vow does not include the days of Eid, the days of Tashreeq (the three days following Eid al-Adha), Ramadan, or the days of menstruation (Hayd) and postnatal bleeding (Nifas). Furthermore, there is no requirement to make up (Qada) these specific days.
 
However, if someone vows to fast a year that is not specifically designated (i.e., any twelve-month period) and stipulates that the fasting must be consecutive, they are bound by that condition. They must not fast on the days of Eid, during Ramadan, or during menstruation, but they are required to make up these days afterward—with the exception of the days of menstruation and postnatal bleeding, which do not need to be made up.
 
It is stated in Hashiyat al-Bajuri ‘ala Sharh Ibn Qasim ({Vol.2/P.606): 'If one vows to fast a specific year, the Eid, Tashreeq, Ramadan, and days of menstruation or postnatal bleeding are not included. This is because Ramadan does not accept any fast other than its own, and the others do not accept fasting at all. Therefore, they do not enter into the vow, and no makeup is required for them because they are legally excluded—contrary to Al-Rafi’i regarding menstruation and postnatal bleeding.
 
If one vows to fast a non-designated year: if they stipulated consecutiveness (Tatuabu’) in their vow, they must fulfill it; otherwise, they are not bound to it. Consecutiveness is not broken by the days that do not enter into the specific year vow (Eid, Tashreeq, Ramadan, menstruation, and postnatal bleeding). However, one must make up the days missed—excluding the time of menstruation and postnatal bleeding—immediately following the end of the year. As for the time of menstruation and postnatal bleeding, it is not made up, contrary to Ibn al-Rif’ah, who argued that it must be made up just like Ramadan.' And Allah the Exalted knows best.

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