With
Praise to Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala and Salaat-o-Salaam upon the Saviour
of sinners, Ahmad-e Mujtaba, Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (sallal laahu alaihi
wasallam), the Mercy unto mankind, we are witnessing a milestone in the
achievement of a well-researched reply to the opponents of Meelad celebrations.
The
latter part of this Century saw the ever escalating opposition to the globally
accepted celebration, which was always the opportunity for Muslims to flaunt
their Islamic ideology and identify to the other religions on this sacred
and respectable occasion.
Furthermore,
it caused people from family-level to community level to attend an Islamic
gathering in their own locality which fostered love and neighbourly ties.
Overall, it was a platform for Muslim unity and an opportunity to entrench
teachings from the Holy Quran and the authentic Traditions.
The
spiritual perspectives and values are inestimable.
Moulana
Abdun Nabi Hamidi has done service to a great cause. Despite his linguistic
handicap (the writer is Urdu speaking), this booklet deals with the subject
in a clear and systematic way.
May
Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala always inspire him and bless him with increased
resources and the ability to be of service to Islam.
Aameen.
Summa Aameen.
Moulana
Sayed YusufSaaberi
Chisty SocietyLenasia.
Johannesburg
Before
I begin answering those objections which the organisation, Majlisul Ulema,
has written against the celebration of Meelad, I feel it necessary to first
clarify three important issues. These are:-
1.
With reference to the Meelad celebration, only those celebrations or acts
are recognied which discusses the Seerat-un-Nabi or noble life of Rasoolullah
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). In such a celebration a session of Naat
(Poems in praise of Rasoolullah - sallal laalhu alaihi wasallam) recitals
take place, people are fed, and a sincere effort is made to fill the hearts
of Muslims with the love of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
2.
For the permissisbility of Meelad celebrations, we have never meant that
one should fix a particular day or night for the Meelad and believe that
Meelad is not Ja’iz (permissable) on any other date. It is our view that
whosoever does such an act does so out of ignorance because the love and
the relation to the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) demands
that one should always mention him continuously. Yes, we do say that to
mention him in the month of his birth should be increased so that the people
could arrange gatherings and congregations to refresh the memories of the
Nabawi period.By doing so, the message
of the Deen could reach the audience in a strong way through these gatherings.
3.
Thus, the gatherings of Meelad-un-Nabi are indeed a great means for calling
people towards Almighty Allah. This is a golden opportunity which should
not be wasted at any cost. It is, therefore, compulsory on the lecturers
that they should teach people about the virtues, excellences, character,
Adab, life, dealings and worship of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi
wasallam). The masses should be invited towards good deeds, success and
the fear of Shirk (polytheism), evil, Bid’at and Fitna (mischief) should
be instilled in them.
With
the blessings of Allah Ta'ala this had always been the tradition or way
of our life.We wish to say in no
uncertain terms that the purpose of these gatherings are not to merely
gather the masses and demonstrate our collectivity. Rather, these functions
are the means of achieving great and virtuous objectives.
The
Majlisul Ulema have dropped bombs of abuse and unnecessary scandalous accusation
in their booklet. Many statements were made which do not make sense to
the people of knowledge and wisdom. We will not elaborate much about these
in our discussion but we will try to briefly cover them towards the end
of our treatise.
We
will begin our subject by firstly making the readers aware of the 17 points
which the Majlisul Ulema had so erroneously presented in their objections.
What are their 17 points?
There
are many wrongs and evil attendant to the present forms of celebrating
Meelad.These are as follows:
- The
Compulsory Nature assigned to Meelad by its votaries.
- The Practice of Qiyaam or standing in reverence when the Salaami or Salawaat
is recited.
- Meelad functions regarded as being of greater importance than Salaat in
Jamaat.
- Qawwali - Music at Meelad functions.
- Reciting of verses which transgress the limits of legitimate praise, thus
assigning a position of Divinity to our Nabi (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
- The congregation of various types of people such as Fussaaq (open and rebellious
sinners), immoral people with evil intentions, etc.
- Singing at these functions by young boys and girls.
- Intermingling ofthe sexes at such
gatherings.
- Salaat and its performance by Jamaat neglected on a mass scale.
- Abstention
from the command of Amr Bil Ma'roof Nahy anil Munkar when these become
necessary at these functions.
- Israaf or waste of money is unnecessary ventures.
- Soliciting public funds for the upkeep and organisation of these functions.
- Tashab'buh Bil Kuffaar.
- Maintaining a custom which was originated by irreligious persons.
- Reviling and branding as unbelievers and heretics those who do not participate
in these functions.
- Regarding the distribution of sweetmeats as essential to these functions.
- The belief that the soul of our Nabi (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) presents
itself at these functions.
It
is clear that Majlisul Ulema have made several attacks on "The present
form of celebrating Meelad".Before
we answer each ofthese 17 points
it is important to explain the present manner in which the Meelad is celebrated.
The present manner or form in which Meelad iscelebrated
consists of the recitation of the Holy Quran, praises of the Holy Prophet
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) in the form of Naats and educational lectures,
charity, feeding and Salaatu Salaam which is respectfully recited in the
standing position. All the above-mentioned practices are tangibly proven
by the great Mohaddithin and pious personalities of Islam who are accepted
as authorities amongst us and belong to the school of thought whom even
the members of Majlisul Ulema claim to follow.References
will be given in the discussion wherever necessary.
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