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The Birth of the Prophet Mohammad: Glad Tidings for a New Beginning
Author : His Grace Shiekh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh
Date Added : 18-10-2021

The Birth of the Prophet Mohammad: Glad Tidings for a New Beginning

 

 

The birth of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) wasn`t a mere casual passing event in history. Rather, it was a great occasion that led to the rise of the best nation produced for mankind promoting righteousness, establishing the foundations of what is true, enjoining good and forbidding evil. When he was born, the whole earth was illuminated with the light of Prophecy after it was dominated by the darkness of ignorance and polluted with sins. Allah the Almighty sent down the Quran to remove doubt and polytheism and save people from the darkness of disbelief to the light of belief paving the way for a new ray of hope for every misguided or bewildered individual. His mother saw light coming out of her while delivering him. Whoever followed his guidance and Sunnah is guided to the straight path. Allah Says (What means): "O people of the Book! There hath come to you our Messenger, revealing to you much that ye used to hide in the Book, and passing over much (that is now unnecessary). There hath come to you from Allah a (new) light and a perspicuous Book,- Wherewith Allah guideth all who seek His good pleasure to ways of peace and safety, and leadeth them out of darkness, by His will, unto the light,- guideth them to a path that is straight." [Al-Mai`dah/15-16]. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said: "I`m the seal of the Prophets, the call of Ibrahim, the glad tidings given by Isa (Jesus), and upon delivering me, my mother saw light coming out of her illuminating the palaces of Sham (Syria)." [Musnad Ahmad].

 

Judge Eyaad said: "Among the wonders related to his birth is that he was born with his head held high and his eyesight fixed towards heaven." [Ash-Shifaa].

 

The glad tidings of his birth are a sign for change on universal level as the born isn`t like anyone else; he is the best of creation. He is the one who will be capable of changing historical events and steering the wheel of humanity. His destiny was in tune with the greatness of the responsibility placed on his shoulders. His birth has a announced the start of a new chapter in human history. According to religious tradition, on the night of the Prophet Mohammad`s birth, the Taq Kasra shook and its walls cracked, the fire that the Persians worshipped and kept burning continuously for a thousand years went out, and Lake Saawah dried up.

 

It is Allah`s Wisdom that he sent Mohammad (PBUH) to guide the people to the straight path, whereas He, The Most Exalted Said (What means): "Say: "I am but a man like yourselves, (but) the inspiration has come to me, that your God is one God: whoever expects to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness, and, in the worship of his Lord, admit no one as partner." [Al-Kahf/110]. He (PBUH) was known as Al-Sadiq (the Truthful) and Al-Amin (the Faithful). Allah described him in the following verse, as it Says (What means): "Now hath come unto you an Apostle from amongst yourselves: it grieves him that ye should perish: ardently anxious is he over you: to the Believers is he most kind and merciful." [At-Tawbah/128]. Allah also Praised creating him where He Said (What means): "And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character." [Al-Qalam/4]. He is the best of creation, the seal of Prophets and Messengers, the Chief of the children of Adam till the Day of Judgment, and the leader of those whose faces are bright and limbs are white because of Wudu`. As reflected in Hadiths, he was a man tantamount to a nation.

 

His birth anniversary is a beacon of hope enabling every Muslim to come closer to Allah. A window for a brighter and more promising future. Just as the Muslim nation was able to advance by virtue of his birth, it is able today to relieve itself from the burdens of ignorance and fanaticism. This is particularly since his teachings are carved in the hearts of Muslims and the Glorious Quran guides to all that is good.

 

This anniversary reminds us of our duty to make him known to others, defend him, show his morals and noble attributes, and follow his Sunnah. This will enable the Muslim nation to assume its leading role amongst the nations; just as Allah wanted. He The Almighty Says (What means): "Ye are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in God." [Al-Imran/ 110]. 

 

Celebrating his birth anniversary is an integral part of faith and acquainting others with his morals and attributes, and this is part of enjoining good and forbidding evil. This anniversary should motivate every Muslim to make change for the better, abandon sins, and draw closer to Allah with acts of obedience following the example of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH): "the best human being and leader. Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said: "Verily Allah granted eminence to Kinana from amongst the descendants of Isma'il, and he granted eminence to the Quraish amongst Kinana, and he granted eminence to Banu Hashim amonsgst the Quraish, and he granted me eminence from the tribe of Banu Hashim." [Moslim].  And all praise be to Allah The Lord of The Worlds.

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on using the *subḥah* (prayer beads) to count during *tasbīḥ* and *dhikr*?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is recommended to use the ordinary or electronic subḥah (prayer beads or counter) to count tasbīḥ, dhikr, and istighfār, because it helps one to remember Allah. Many reports have been transmitted from the Companions and the Followers (tābiʿūn) showing that they continued to use strings of date pits as an aid to dhikr and tasbīḥ.
It is one of the lawful means of worship. Indeed, what is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), namely that he counted tasbīḥ on his right hand, shows that it is permissible to count tasbīḥ with whatever helps a Muslim keep track of the number. There is therefore no basis for calling it an innovation (bidʿah), and we know of no jurist who said so.
Al-Ḥāfiẓ al-Suyūṭī (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote a dedicated treatise on the subject titled al-Minḥah fī al-Subḥah, printed within al-Ḥāwī li’l-Fatāwī (vol. 4–6).
Shaykh al-Islām Imam Ibn Ḥajar al-Haytamī (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked: Does the subḥah have a basis in the Sunnah? He replied: “Yes, and al-Ḥāfiẓ al-Suyūṭī wrote on this. Among the evidence is what is authentically reported from Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both): ‘I saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) counting tasbīḥ on his hand.’ Ibn Abī Shaybah, Abū Dāwūd, and al-Tirmidhī also narrated: ‘Hold fast to tasbīḥ, tahlīl, and taqdīs, and do not be heedless, lest you forget the affirmation of Allah’s oneness (tawḥīd). Count them on the fingertips, for they will be questioned and made to speak.’ Counting tasbīḥ with pebbles, date pits, and a knotted string has also been reported from a group of the Companions and those after them. Some scholars held that counting on the fingertips is better than the subḥah, based on the ḥadīth of Ibn ʿUmar. Others distinguished, saying: if the one reciting is safe from miscounting, counting on the fingertips is better; otherwise the subḥah is better.” [al-Fatāwā al-Fiqhiyyah al-Kubrā, Vol.1/p.152]. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the meaning of the Udhiyah?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The Udhiyah (Sacrificial Offering) refers to the livestock (An'am) that is slaughtered as an act of drawing closer to Allah the Almighty. This takes place on the day of Eid al-Adha (the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah) and during the three days of Tashreeq that follow the day of Eid. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What is the ruling on fasting the six days of Shawwal?

Fasting the six days of Shawwal is Sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if they have fasted for a lifetime." [Narrated by Muslim]
This is because fasting one month of Ramadan is rewarded as fasting for ten months, and the six days are equivalent to sixty days, completing a full year of fasting.

Is it permissible to offer an Udhiyah on behalf of the deceased?

In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Offering an Udhiyah (sacrificial animal) on behalf of a deceased person is permissible. This is the official position of the Hanbali school (as stated in Kashshaf al-Qina’ by al-Bahuti,Vol.6/P.428) and was also upheld by the prominent Shafi'i scholar Al-’Abbadi (mentioned in Bidayat al-Muhtaj by Ibn Qadi Shuhbah,Vol. 4/P.358). It has likewise been narrated as a valid view among some Maliki and Hanafi scholars.
 
In fact, Imam Abu Dawud dedicated an entire chapter in his Sunan collection entitled, "Chapter on Sacrificing on Behalf of the Deceased." In it, he recorded a narration from Hanash, who said: "I saw 'Ali sacrificing two rams, so I asked him, 'What is this?' He replied, 'The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded me to offer a sacrifice on his behalf, so I am sacrificing on his behalf.'"
 
Imam Abu Dawud also narrated from Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Allah, this is from You, for You, and on behalf of Muhammad and his Ummah (community). In the Name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest," and he then slaughtered the animal.
 
The textual evidence here lies in the fact that our Master, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), offered a sacrifice on behalf of his entire community—and it is well-established that his community includes those who have already passed away.
 
Furthermore, there is an abundance of sacred texts demonstrating that the rewards of righteous deeds reach the deceased. For instance, it is permissible to fast on behalf of a deceased person who passed away with missed obligatory fasts, and it is equally permissible to perform Hajj on their behalf, both of which are firmly established in authentic Hadiths. Therefore, if the reward of fasting (which is a purely physical act of worship) and Hajj (which is a joint physical and financial act of worship) can reach the deceased, then the reward of an Udhiyah reaches them with greater reason (by way of A Fortiori argument). This is because it is a purely financial act of worship, falling under the general category of charity (Sadaqah).
 
Additionally, scholars have reached a consensus (Ijma') that the rewards of charity reach the deceased, and since the Udhiyah is inherently an act of charity, it falls under the same ruling. Consequently, based on all the aforementioned evidence, we hold the view that offering a sacrifice on behalf of the deceased is entirely permissible. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

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