The Holy Quran says: "And teach them to remember the days of Allah." (Surah 14: Verse 5)

It is evident from this Quranic verse that the Days of Allah like Ashurah, Lailatul Baraat, and Lailatul Qadr are more important and better than other days. To talk about these days, to remember them and to remind others about them in accordance with the message of Allah is the important duty of the missionaries of Islam and scholars of Islam. In accordance with these instructions I, too, wish to draw your attention to such a day which, in every respect is more important and better than every other day. This day is the starting point for the guidance, salvation and success for all humanity.

Almighty Allah says: "Verily, came towards you a light." Besides this verse, there are many verses in the Holy Quran which announce the physical arrival of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). One such verse reads: "I have sent you as a mercy unto the worlds." Another verse explains, "Verily, came towards you a bright and apparent proof." Yet another verse says, "Verily, a Prophet is sent to you from among you."

Almighty Allah also states in the Glorious Quran that He has done a great favour to the believers by sending to them a Prophet from among them. There are various other Ayahs of this type and there is a also a Hadith in which is mentioned the blessed birth and arrival of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

When explaining the coming of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) it was always mentioned in words such as these, "O Beloved! I have sent you," "The Prophet arrived," and "He was presented." If one carefully examines these phrases, one will realise that only that person arrives or is sent who has already been present and in existence before his arrival. Thus, it has to be accepted that our beloved Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), the soul of the universe, the hope of the distressed, the Messiah towards the people, the mercy unto the worlds, Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was in existence before his physical birth!

Before the dawn of this day, the Palaces began to tremble. The idols fell headlong. Angels, began to salute the status of mankind. This historical day, the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal, is the birthday of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), who has lit the light of Islam till the Day of Judgement. This honourable day is called EID MEELAD-UN-NABI which, without doubt, is the greatest day of the year. For those who really love the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), EID MEELAD-UN-NABI, is a more joyous day than Eid-Fitr or Eid-ul-Adha. Allah says: "In the Bounty of Allah, And in His Mercy - in that let them rejoice that is better than the (wealth they hoard)". (Surah 10, Verse 58) Therefore, it is Allah's Will, that mankind must show appreciation for His bounties. Undoubtedly, showing appreciation is a form of thanksgiving, which is a form of worship. No doubt, the greatest Bounty of Allah to mankind is the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) who was not only sent as a Bounty but also as a Mercy to Mankind. Certainly it is the blessing of Allah that we are in the Ummah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). His Ummah is superior to all other Ummahs, and is called KHAIRUL UMAM (Best of Nations). We are the torch-bearers of the Holy Quran. Our Deen, Islam, is a complete and total way of life chosen by Allah Himself. We have unlimited Bounties. But remember, all these are through the Wasila of His beloved personality.

And on the Day of Judgement, it will be through his KAUSAR that we will quench our thirst; and through his intercession we will gain salvation. Imam Malik (radi Allahu anhu) has stated that the Birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is superior to Lailatul Qadr, because on the night of Qadr the Holy Quran was revealed and during this night, the personality who introduced the Quran was born. Therefore, those who are the lovers of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and those who are hopeful for the intercession of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) must rejoice fully on the birth of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), so that not only our fellow Muslims, but also the non-Muslims must witness that Muslims are not ungrateful to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), but Muslims do have overwhelming contact, love and respect for him.

Accordingly, prepare for Eid Meelad-Un-Nabi. On the eve of the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal, take a bath, if possible wear new or clean clothes, and use perfume. After Esha Salaah perform Khatam-ul-Quran, listen to Zikr-e-Rasool, give hearing to the Ulema who will talk on the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). For the rest of the night read Durood as much as possible. Also read Nafil Salaah. Make Du'a for yourself,for us and everybody all through the Wasila of the Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Pray to the fullest. Certainly Allah will accept our prayers. Beg of Him and ask Him for forgiveness. The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was born before Fajr Salaah. The Durood and Du'a of this auspicious time is certainly accepted by Allah. Therefore, Durood and Salaam should be offered at this auspicious time in your home and in the Musjid. After Fajr Salaah, during the whole day, where ever we meet our Muslim brothers, greet them and bless them. Promote love and goodwill by embracing each other. On this day, giving charity on behalf of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and to invite each other and to accept invitation of each other are all acts of virtue. Believe that you will be rewarded by Allah and hope for the Mercy of Allah. If possible, fast on this day as this is the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Hazrat Abu Qatadah (radi Allahu anhu) said that the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) used to fast on every Monday. When he asked the purpose for fasting, then the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) replied that, he was born on this day and the Holy Quran was revealed to him on the same day.

Before the arrival of Nabi Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), the condition of the world was very delicate. Everything was in turmoil. Infidelity and polytheism was spreading from all directions. Alcoholism, gambling, the taking of interest and bribery was common. The streets were full of major corruptions such as adultery, homosexuality, jealousy, back-biting, enmity and hatred. Vulgarism, theft and murder was a part of daily life. There was not even the scent of love, respect and reverence among people. There was never any protection for the lives and property of individuals. Communities became so corrupt that fathers buried their children alive. In a time of such corruption and deterioration, hope for the helpless, a mercy from Allah, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was born, on the morning of the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic year.

On the birth of Nabi Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), the entire universe became enlightened, the pillars of infidelity began to crumble, the flame of Persia was extinguished, the Arcade of Choroes began to tremble and fourteen of it's blocks fell over, sweet winds of faith began to blow, the faith of humanity began to glitter, the flag of Tauheed was hoisted, the rays of Noor from the light of guidance began to spread and many who had once worshipped 360 idols now turned to the worship of One Allah.

It is evident from "Hadith-e-Qudsi" that Almighty Allah states: "If Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and his Ummah were not created, then I would never have created the Heaven, Hell, the moon, the sun, the skies and earth, day and night, humans and Jinns, and Prophets and Angels." If the Prophet was not created, then nothing in the universe would have come into existence. Not only this, but it is the word of Allah that, "O beloved! If I had not created you, I would never have disclosed Myself."

The Noor of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was created before everything. The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has stated, "The first creation of Allah was my Noor." His Noor was created when there was nothing. This Noor of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was 4 000 years in a high pedestal close to His Creator. When the Almighty Allah intended to create, then He separated this light into four portions. With the first, He created the "Qalam" or Divine Pen, with the second, He created "Lawhe Mahfooz" or The Protected Tablet, with the third portion He created the "Arsh" or Throne and with the fourth portion He created the rest of creation.

When Allah desired to send His Viceroy to earth, He created the mould of Adam (alaihis salaam) and placed on his forehead and back (spine) the Noor of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) himself said: "I was a Nabi when Nabi Adam (alaihis salaam) was between water and clay." Travelling from forehead to forehead, this Noor was embedded on the forehead of Hazrat Abdullah (radi Allahu anhu), the father of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). This Noor then travelled into the womb of Sayyadah Bibi Aamina (radi Allahu anha).

She states that in the nine months of pregnancy, she felt neither any burden nor did she feel symptoms that are felt by any other pregnant women. She also states that during every month, she received glad tidings from various Prophets of Allah. Sayyadah Aamina (radi Allahu anha) states that as time for the birth of Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) arrived, the night passed and the day arrived. It was the during the early hours of a bright Monday morning that she saw a group of people descend from the skies. They had with them three white flags. They placed one flag in the courtyard of her home, one on the roof of the Holy Kaaba, and one on Masjidul Aqsa. She states that a few women then came to her. She questioned them about their identity. Then, one from among them answered that she was Maryam, the mother of Hazrat 'Isa (alaihis salaam). The second said that she was Aasiya, the wife of Firaun and the third said that she was Hajrah, the wife of Hazrat Ebrahim (alaihis salaam). All the rest of the women were maidens (Hoors) of Jannah. They said that they had come to serve her.

After these events, the light of the worlds, Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was born. The Quran announced: "Verily came towards you from Allah a Light and a Bright Book." The distinguished Ulema have stated that the Shabbe Wilaadat is greater than Shabbe Qadr and that Rabi-ul-Awwal is more exalted that Ramadaan. The reason for this is that on Shabbe Qadr the Holy Quran was revealed and on Shabbe Wilaadat, the one on whom the Quran was revealed, was born. Shabbe Qadr is a means of blessings for the Ummah, whereas Shabbe Wilaadat is a means of blessings for humanity.

The entire creation rejoiced on the birth of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and, Alhamdulillah, even to this day, the true lovers rejoice on this most joyous ocassion. However, there are those enemies of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) who say that to make Niaz, etc is wasteful and lavish.

To host the Meelad-un Nabi is a sign of love and respect for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). It is, without doubt, the love for Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) who is the basis of Imaan. If a person claims to love the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), then in no way will he reject the Meelad. It must also be remembered that a person who loves to make the Meelad will also not turn away from the laws and obligations of the Shari'ah, such as Namaaz, Roza, Hajj and Zakaat.

We should not only respect the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) by word of mouth, but we should also obey his commands and teachings by firstly performing our Salaah, which is the command of the Holy Quran and the Ahadith. It is through this that we will gain salvation in the Aakirah. Aameen.

Regarding Eid-e-Meelad-un-Nabi (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) Allama Muh'iyyudeen Ibn Arabi (radi Allahu anhu) said that the good deeds which are done on this day of Meelad-un-Nabi (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) such as Sadaqah, charity, good feelings, is an expression of love for the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). With these good deeds the request of the needy are fulfilled. Remember that the most important thing in the life of a Muslim is the love of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Therefore, we pray that Allah grant us and all Muslims true love for the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and guide us to follow in his footsteps. Aameen.