Eid Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ – The Celebration of Mercy to Mankind
Dr Umer Iqbal
The birth of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is one of the most significant events in human history, marking the arrival of the final Messenger of Allah, sent as a beacon of guidance and mercy. The Qur’an explicitly testifies:
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.” (Al-Anbiya: 107)
This verse establishes the universal mission of the Prophet ﷺ, his life and teachings were not confined to a tribe or nation, but meant as a source of mercy for all of creation. Eid Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ, observed in Rabi‘ al-Awwal, is a commemoration of this blessing, an opportunity to reflect upon his noble life, and a reminder to revive his Sunnah in our daily conduct.
Allah commands believers to revere and follow the Messenger ﷺ:
• لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ
“Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example.” (Al-Ahzab: 21)
• إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
“Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who believe! Send blessings upon him and salute him with a worthy salutation.” (Al-Ahzab: 56)
The celebration of Milad serves as an expression of this divine command, sending salawat upon him, learning from his Seerah, and rejoicing at his blessed coming.
The Prophet ﷺ himself acknowledged the significance of his birth. In Sahih Muslim (Book of Fasting, Hadith 1162), he said regarding fasting on Mondays:
“That is the day on which I was born and on which I received revelation.”
This Hadith is a clear indication that the Prophet ﷺ considered his birthday a day of special blessings. Fasting on Mondays was his way of expressing gratitude to Allah for this gift. Celebrating his birth, therefore, is rooted in the Prophetic tradition of acknowledging Allah’s favour.
There are several Hadith references on His mercy, and these follow as:
Universal Mercy: The Prophet ﷺ said: “I am Muhammad, and I am Ahmad, and I am al-Mahi (the one through whom Allah eliminates disbelief), and I am al-Hashir (the one after whom people will be gathered), and I am al-‘Aqib (the one after whom there will be no prophet).” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 3532; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2354).
This illustrates his unique role as the seal of Prophets and a mercy to humanity.
Kindness and Character: He said: “The most perfect believer in faith is the one whose character is the best and who is kindest to his family.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2612)
Forgiveness of Enemies: When asked to curse the disbelievers, he replied: “I was not sent as a curser; I was sent only as a mercy.”(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2599)
The companions of the Prophet ﷺ had immense love towards him as the Sahabah expressed and reverence for the Prophet ﷺ, often to the point of sacrificing their lives for him. Anas ibn Malik (RA) reported: “I have never seen anyone who was more merciful with children than Allah’s Messenger ﷺ.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2316). When a Companion asked Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) whether he loved the Prophet ﷺ more than everything else, the Prophet replied: “None of you will truly believe until I am more beloved to him than his father, his child, and all mankind.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 15).
The celebration of Milad is a reflection of this love—a way to refresh our faith and rekindle attachment to him.
There are various opinions on Milad. Classical scholars recognised the benefit of commemorating the birth of the Prophet ﷺ, provided it is done in a manner consistent with Shari‘ah. Imam Jalaluddin al-Suyuti (d. 911 AH) wrote in Al-Hawi li’l-Fatawa: “To commemorate the birthday of the Prophet ﷺ by gathering, reciting Qur’an, mentioning the stories of his birth, and the miracles that occurred, is among the good innovations, as it entails showing gratitude to Allah for the great blessing He bestowed upon us by sending His Messenger ﷺ.”
Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (d. 852 AH) noted that the essence of Milad is shukr (gratitude), and if it is expressed through good deeds such as feeding the poor, reciting Qur’an, and sending salawat, it is praiseworthy.
The life of the Prophet ﷺ is a living Qur’an, as SayyidahA’ishah (RA) said:
“His character was the Qur’an.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 746)
From his Seerah, we learn mercy and forgiveness. At the conquest of Makkah, he forgave his enemies, saying: “Go, for you are free.” (Ibn Hisham, Sirah)
We also learn Justice and Equality. His Farewell Sermon declared: “No Arab has superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab, except by piety.” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 22978).
We also learn Service to Humanity. He said: “The most beloved of people to Allah are those who are most beneficial to others.” (al-Mu‘jam al-Awsat, Hadith 6192).
Eid Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ is not merely a festive occasion but a spiritual reminder of the greatest gift to humanity — the arrival of the Prophet ﷺ as Rahmatan lil-‘Aalameen. The Qur’an emphasizes his mercy, the Hadith testify to his unmatched character, and the scholars highlight the virtue of remembering him with gratitude.
Eid Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ is not merely a festive occasion but a spiritual reminder of the greatest gift to humanity, the arrival of the Prophet ﷺ as Rahmatan lil-‘Aalameen. The Qur’an emphasises his mercy, the Hadith testify to his unmatched character, and the scholars highlight the virtue of remembering him with gratitude.
True celebration lies in sending abundant salawat, studying his Seerah, reviving his Sunnah, and living with mercy, justice, and compassion as he taught.
As Allah said:
“Indeed, Allah conferred a great favour upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom, although they had been in manifest error before.” (Aal ‘Imran: 164)
Eid Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ, therefore, is a day of gratitude, reflection, and recommitment, a call to embody the mercy of the Messenger ﷺ in our lives.
The author is Editor Straight Talk Communications. He can be mailed at: editor@straight-talk-communications.com
