Mind, Body, Soul

Mawlid is an interesting word, and its usage in the Muslim world has given it quite a broad meaning. There are so many articles discussing archaic ‘proofs’ and debates, but little in form of a real world understanding of what a Mawlid means to Muslims today.

Any form of remembrance to the consideration of the birth and coming of the Prophet (S) is called a ‘Mawlid’. It is a title given to anything which exists for the purposes of remembrance and recognition of the glad tidings of the arrival of the Prophet (S).  So while a gathering may be a Mawlid, some texts themselves are also considered ‘Mawlids’ and given that title.   In many places, for example, a “Mawlid” that is recited is composed of extracts from books such as Mawlid al-Barzanji and Mawlid Sharf ul Anam.

When use the term Mawlid as a gathering, then we find other words which we can compare with to help understand.

For example, a similar term is ”Halaqa’ or ‘Majlis’, which in common usage is a title given to any association which is a gathering for the purpose of Islamic learning.  Hence, while a “halaqa” may increase your knowledge through learning new facts, a Mawlid is an expression of that knowledge impact on your own self and faith.   It may be, the more you know and learn, the more you want to send blessings to the Prophet (S), and therefore the more thankful you are for Allah (SWT) in having sent the Prophet (S) to you.

If any group of people got together to study something, it would be normal for it to be called by others a “study circle” or “study group”.  Even if the studying people called their get-together something else, or did not call it anything, others would feel free to call it a “study circle”.   In Islamic topics they often get called “Halaqas” or “Majlis” or “meetings” or “classes”.

In exactly the same way, a Mawlid is not defined by what the participating people call it, but how observers consider the word and what the people are doing.  So what term did the Muslim world use for  any gathering that existed solely to express love of the Prophet (S)?  Mawlid.

Unlike a “Halaqa” there is no curriculum to consider, and no books that must be read before arrival. And while there may be an entrance criteria to a “Halaqa” (for example, you may need to have to be literate, or achieve a certain level of study), a Mawlid has benefit and acceptance for any lover of the Prophet (S).

Practically speaking, any gathering of people to remember Allah and send blessings upon the Prophet (S) can also be considered a Mawlid, since one aspect of loving the Prophet (S) is to appreciate the blessing *of his existence* and his impact on your life.

If this is difficult to understand or appreciate, it may be useful for the believer to consider what their world would be like without the Prophet (S).

Then, when you fixed on that feeling, you can take the next step.  If you perform any good deed of remembrance (zikr) and praise or greetings (salawat) because you are thankful to Allah for having sent the Prophet (S) to our ummah, you are performing a Mawlid!

Since a Mawlid gathering does not require that it occur on an anniversary, it can be spontaneous or planned, and it can last as little as ten minutes to hours. Similarly, a Mawlid work of text or recitation can be any poetry, nasheed, reading of sirat, or praise which brings one to remember and appreciate the benefit of the Prophet (S).  A Mawlid occurs in many traditional kitchens during the cooking of special dishes, or it may be a special gathering in a Masjid.  Therefore, Mawlid cannot be understood in Western terms such as a party or event, although it may manifest itself in this way today.

Mawlids are based on a feeling of thankfulness and remembrance for the Prophet (S).  Therefore, for this community, Mawlids are often triggered on dates which are meaningful to us. Mawlids are performed on days that people we love passed away (maybe their passing reminds us to remember the Prophet(S)) or it may be performed on special and significant days of anniversary in the Prophet’s (S) life.  For example, a Mawlid may be performed on the days of the Prophet’s (S) birth either weekly or on yearly intervals.

While some say Mawlids are an innovation, those who have a proper understanding of Mawlid as a wide range of activities on all days for remembering the Prophets birth (S) can know that there is no way it is an innovation.  Even Abu Lahab, who became later an enemy of the Prophet (S), expressed joy at his birth and his arrival.  For this Imam Bukhari relates that he is pardoned on Mondays:

Upon the birth of the Holy Prophet (S) Thwaiba came running to Abu Lahab, the Prophet’s (S) uncle, to give the good news of the birth of his nephew. Abu Lahab became extremely happy and raising two fingers pointed to Thwaiba saying “ I free you in thankfulness of the birth of my nephew”. That day was a Monday. When he died he came in the dream of Hadrat Abass (ra) who asked him how he was fairing in the life after death. Abu Lahab replied: “I am in the fire of hell day and night and have no escape except Monday. The punishment is reduced for me and from these two fingers of mine I receive water from which I drink (like a fountain) for I freed Thwaiba on the birth of the Holy Prophet (S)

The Prophet (S) was in constant thankfulness for his being sent to the ummah, and he would remember his arrival by fasting on Mondays.

I observe this day in fasting because it was a day in which I was born, and on it the revelation of (Al-Qur’an) was inaugurated.” (Sahih Muslim)

Devout lovers of the Prophet (S) still fast every Monday and remember his birth and appreciate it.  Therefore, we would call this a Mawlid also.  Some will do take time out to do a Mawlid and remember the Prophet (S) only on the year anniversary of his blessed birth, that is not as good than more often, but something is also better than nothing!

Traditional cultures have found their own ways to express their themselves with Mawlids, that is why they are different in every region.  Pakistanis sing beautiful Naat’s, while new Nasheeds have come up, even English ones in America.

So next time you hear about a Mawlid get-together, think about attending it, participating and building some more love for the Prophet (S).

None of you will be truly a believer until I become more beloved to him than himself, his children, his family, and all the people.” – Hadith, Sahih Bukhari

So, it’s important.