Today is the blessed birthday of the Prophet of Islam (sallalahu’alayhi was-salam), there are celebrations throughout the traditional Muslim world.
Muhummad (S) was a man of incredible importance to the world at large. This illiterate orphan (S), has deeply impacted the 1 billion Muslims who are alive today and the billions who have passed before us. Michael H. Hart’s book “The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History” lists him as the number 1 most influential person in history.
A reading of his life story is important for every Muslim and non-Muslim alike.
Humza Yusuf writes about him here.
Pysche of Love has a beautiful entry collecting some of the descriptions of the Prophet (S).
Deenport is offering a download of a Mawlid celebration held at Faraz Rabbani’s house (from SunniPath).
A link to a in-depth description of the Prophet’s (S) speech at Deenport.
May 4th, 2004 - 5:39 pm
As salaamu ‘alaykum,
I don’t wish to try to start a long debate about celebrating the Prophet’s (saw) birthday, but I just want to affirm the basic facts that:
It is not agreed upon when the Prophet (saw) was actually born.
Second, while for sure there are many Muslims greater than myself who said celebrating the Prophet’s birthday is permissible, it is indisputable that the greatest Muslims of all time (including of course the perfect human example the Prophet (saw) himself) did not celebrate the birthday of the Prophet (saw) and did not encourage anyone else to.
Salaam,
Abdul-Malik
May 4th, 2004 - 7:53 pm
as-salamu’alaikum,
There is a hadith in Bukhari which indicates the Prophet(S) recognized the day of the week he was born and fasted on said day.
Certainly the Prophet(S) did not encourage any of the innovations which began after his passing, but he encouraged each and every innovation which the Companions thought of.
http://www.abc.se/~m9783/n/sdb_e.html
http://www.abc.se/~m9783/n/mb_e.html
Going to close this topic since I don’t think there is much else to say.
was-salaam.