Rabi-ul-Awwal is the third month of the Islamic Calendar. It is a month of unique blessings and excellence. Scholars of Islam have outlined in lucid language that Rabi-ul-Awwal enjoys superiority over all the other months, so much so, that even the status of Ramadaan too is lesser than the status of this month.
In the month of Ramadaan the Holy Quran was revealed but in this month the personification and Possessor of Quran, the beloved of Almighty Allah, Hazrat Muhammad-ur-Rasoolullah (Peace Be upon Him) graced this earth. In this glorious month Almighty Allah blessed us with Hazrat Muhammade-Mustapha (Peace Be Upon Him). If the beloved Prophet had not graced the earth we would not have received the Holy Quran, the blessed month of Ramadaan, the priceless gift of Faith, in short, nothing would have come to us, as all these things are but the blessings of the beloved Prophet (Peace Be upon Him). It is stated in Hadith-e-Qudsi: "Says Allah: Oh, My beloved Nabi (Peace be Upon Him), had I not created you, I most certainly would not have created the heavens and the earth."
In this very month occurred the blessed birth of the saviour of mankind, the purpose of creation, Almighty Allah’s final Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him). To every Sunni Muslim, 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal is a day of Eid and a source of boundless joy. Allama Qastalani (May Allah be pleased with Him), commenter of Bukhari Shareef says: "The night of the blessed birth of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon Him) is far greater in status than Lailatul Qadr." He has given 3 reasons for this. Firstly this is the auspicious night in which Almighty Allah presented the world with this beloved Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) while Lailatul Qadr is only a gift given to the beloved Prophet (Peace be Upon Him). There is no difference of opinion among the scholars; due to the sacred birth, the 12th night of Rabi-ul-Awwal is far greater in auspiciousness than the night of Qadr. Secondly, Lailatul Qadr’s greatness is due to the descent of angels therein, while the night of birth of the beloved Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) is sacred because it is the night of the arrival of the beloved Prophet (Peace be Upon Him). As the attributes of the beloved Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) are far greater than Lailatul Qadr, the night of his birth too, is more superior to the night of Qadr. Thirdly, the blessings of the Night of Qadr is limited to the followers of the follower of the beloved Prophet (Peace be upon Him) only, while through this sacred Holy Night, Almighty Allah’s beloved Nabi (Peace be Upon Him) came as a mercy unto all the creations of mankind.
Although Almighty Allah has showered numerous bounties upon mankind, He has never made mention of any of His bounties and favors. But in respect of the beloved noble Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) He mentions that the beloved Prophet (Peace be upon Him) is His greatest gift and bounty to mankind. Says Almighty Allah: "Indeed Allah has shown grace to the Muslims by sending from among them a Messenger."
From this verse we learn that the beloved Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) blessed birth is Allah’s greatest bounty, and therefore, He orders us to proclaim and publicize this bounty of His. Says Almighty Allah: "And publicize well the Favors of your Lord."
Thus it is the duty of every Muslim to publicize and proclaim the dignity, honor and greatness of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) in the best manner possible. Muslims should go out of their way to hold Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) functions on all possible occasions. The learned scholars of Islam have discussed this issue at length. Ponder over the blessings and benefits of holding Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) functions.
At the birth of the noble Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) Abu Lahab’s maidservant Thuwaibia brought the news of the birth of a child (the Holy Prophet – Peace be Upon Him) in the house of his brother Hazrat Abdullah. In his frenzy of happiness Abu Lahab, by pointing his finger freed Thuwaiba from the chains of servitude. Muslims know that Abu Lahab was a staunch wretched Kafir (non-believer) in whose condemnation Almighty Allah has revealed an entire Surah (chapter) namely, Surah Lahab. Yet the benefits this wretched non-believer received for rejoicing the birth of the beloved Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) are worthy to mention.
When Abu Lahab died he was seen in a dream to be in a very bad state by his uncle Hazrat Abbas (May Allah be pleased with Him), who enquired: "what has come to pass?" Abu Lahab replied: "I have known no peace since my separation from all of you. But yes, from this fore-finger of mine I receive water which helps me ease my punishment, because with this same finger I freed Thuwaiba." [Sahihul Bukhari]
In response to this Hadith Hafiz Allama Ibn Hajr Asqalani (RA) says in his Fathul-Bari Sharah Sahi-hul Bukhari: "Imam Suhail reported that Hazrat Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) says: One year after the death of Abu Lahab I saw him in my dream being in a very bad state. He said to me I have known no peace since I departed from all of you, but yes, on every Monday my punishment is lessened". Hazrat Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) gave the reason for this as being because the Holy Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) was born on Monday and Thuwaiba has given Abu Lahab the good news of the holy sacred birth of the Messenger of Allah, upon which he had freed his maidservant.
This very Hadith is also reported by another great commentator of Hadith, Allama Badruddin Ainee, Hanafi in the second volume of his Umdatul Qari, Sharah Sahi-hul Bukhari.
Oh Muslims, Ponder! Abu Lahab was an infidel and we are believers. He was an enemy of the beloved Prophet (Peace be Upon Him); we are his servants and devotees. He had rejoiced at the birth of his nephew, we are expressing happiness at the birth of the greatest creation of Almighty Allah. If a non-believer and an enemy can derive so much benefits by expressing his joy at this sacred birth, then how much greater will be the blessings and benefits of the obedient devotes of the Holy Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) for rejoicing at his sacred and holt birth.
Hazrat Arif Billah Abdul Haq Muhaddith Delhvi (May Allah be pleased with him), commenting on this hadith states that this incident is a crystal clear proof for the devotees who celebrate Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), for which they spend their wealth, time and effort. It stands to reason that if a non-believer like Abu Lahab can receive blessings for freeing his maidservant for bringing the happy news, then surely, those believers who hold Milad functions to express their inner happiness will indeed receive countless blessings for doing this pious act.
In such august (majestic) functions the blessed birth of the beloved Prophet (Peace be Upon Him), his beautiful teachings, his illuminating attributes and his blessed life are made the focus of attention of the audience. All these ‘Imaan’ inspiring acts of the beloved Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) are mentioned in the Holy Quran and the Ahadith. If Muslims mention these noble acts in these dignified functions, or hold special gatherings for this purpose, how can they be declared as un-Islamic functions? Without doubt such functions are permissible, Mustahab, and a source of deriving blessings and rewards. Inviting people to such gatherings is indeed inviting people towards piety and goodness. Thus, in no way can these gatherings be called unlawful and bidat (reprehensible innovation). Similarly, distributing Niyaz (sweetmeats, etc) is permissible too, because if Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) is permissible then distributing sweetmeats which in itself is a good act, cannot be unlawful.
It is declared permissible and Mustahab to stand for Salaato-Salaam in such gatherings by all the great Arab and non-Arab scholars of Islam. Thus is it without any doubt an act of immense blessings and rewards to recite Salaato-Salaam in standing position. In fact, some great Saints had been honored by the visitation of the beloved Prophet (Peace and blessings be Upon Him) in the gatherings of Milad. Although one cannot state with certainty that the beloved Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) is always present in all such gatherings, but if he wants to honor any of his devotees through his blessed presence it cannot be ruled out as impossible. The beloved Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) has already blessed many of his devotees with his auspicious (favorable) presence and his illuminating vision, and if Almighty Allah wills, these blessings will continue until the Day of Judgment. This is made possible because Almighty Allah has granted the beloved Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) immortality, and, Almighty Allah granted the beloved Prophet (Peace be upon Him) with limitless powers and bounties.
This is a brief discussion on the blessed month of Rabi-ul-Awwal. May Almighty Allah guide and enable all Muslims to respect and honor this blessed month, and to recite Duroods and Salaams on His beloved Prophet (Peace be Upon Him). Amin!