The world's Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born in the month of Rabiul Awal and lit up the world, and in the same month he departed to be with his Lord. He left an example for the ummah, and the constant effort to live by it is the central aim of the ummah's life.
His birthday
The Prophet (PBUH) was born on a Monday at subh sadiq, the time when Fajr begins, in the house of Abu Talib in Makkah. That he was born on a Monday is clearly stated in hadith. Abu Qatadah narrated that when the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was asked about fasting on Mondays, he said: "That is the day I was born and the day revelation came to me." (Muslim, hadith 2807)
On the date of his birth, according to the sound opinion, the Prophet (PBUH) was born on the 8th of Rabiul Awal, as narrated from Abdullah ibn Abbas and Jubair ibn Mut'im. However, the well-known date is 12 Rabiul Awal. (Siratul Mustafa, 1/51)
Month and year of birth
The Prophet's birth month is Rabiul Awal. Until the Hijri calendar was introduced, Arabs counted time by memorable historical events. One such event was the episode of the elephant army: Abraha, governor of Yemen appointed by Najashi, king of Abyssinia, marched on Makkah with an army of elephants to destroy the Kaaba, and Allah reduced that army to dust through small birds. A special surah of the Quran, Surah Al-Fil, was revealed about it. The Prophet (PBUH) was born in April 570 CE.
Celebrating his birthday
On the day of the Prophet's birth, his relatives and all creation rejoiced. When Abu Lahab's slave woman Suwaibiyah brought him the good news of a nephew's birth, Abu Lahab was so pleased that he freed her. It is natural for loved ones to rejoice at a child's birth. But neither the Prophet (PBUH) himself nor any of his Companions celebrated his birthday as an anniversary. Because the matter was not considered important, his date of birth was not definitively preserved. Birth is entirely a gift from Allah, and in gratitude the Prophet (PBUH) fasted every Monday, the day of his birth and of his receiving prophethood, as the hadith of Abu Qatadah in Muslim records.
His death
The Prophet (PBUH) passed away on a Monday in Rabiul Awal in 11 AH. By the well-known view the day was 12 Rabiul Awal, but there are two other views: 1 Rabiul Awal and 2 Rabiul Awal. Fath al-Bari, the commentary on Bukhari, gives preference to 2 Rabiul Awal. (Siratul Mustafa, 3/172)
The Companions' grief
On the day the Prophet (PBUH) died, grief descended on the Companions and they were bewildered. Umar stood before Masjid an-Nabawi with a drawn sword, saying he would strike off the head of anyone who said the Prophet of Allah had died. He simply could not believe that the Prophet (PBUH) had passed away. Abu Bakr Siddique, with great patience, brought the situation under control by reminding everyone of a verse of the Quran. Allah says: "Muhammad is no more than a messenger; many messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you turn back on your heels? Whoever turns back will not harm Allah in the least, and Allah will soon reward the grateful." (Surah Al Imran, verse 144)
Though they knew the verse, everyone had been overwhelmed in that painful moment; on hearing it they gradually calmed down. Afterwards, neither the Companions nor the Tabi'un or Tabi' al-Tabi'in who followed them held any event or mourning in the name of the Prophet's death anniversary.
What the ummah should do
Birth and death come to all people, and prophets and messengers are no exception. The human task is to identify the purpose of coming into this short-lived world and to keep striving to fulfil it. The purpose of the Prophet's coming was to establish an ideal, and the ummah's task is to follow him. Through his words, deeds, approval and every step of his life, he struggled to establish that ideal. Allah says: "Nor does he speak from his own desire. It is only a revelation revealed to him." (Surah An-Najm, verses 3-4)
Although they were relatives and neighbours who rejoiced at the Prophet's birth, Abu Talib and Abu Lahab were declared people of Hell because of their conflict with his message. Surah Lahab, declaring Abu Lahab and his wife accursed, was revealed in the Quran. By contrast, a freed slave like Zaid bin Haritha earned honour by accepting the Prophet's message, and his name was included in the Quran. (Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 37)
The ummah's duty, therefore, is to make itself worthy as followers of the Prophet's example. Only then can one be recognised as truly successful, insha'Allah.
Source: Bangladesh Pratidin. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.
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