FRIDAY SERMON: The Message of the Month of RABI- AL-AWWAL
May Allah Almighty grant all of us the ability to live our lives according to the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Mohammad Younis Bhat (Zahid)
The month of Rabi‘ al-Awwal holds great significance because it is the month in which the blessed birth of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ took place in Makkah al-Mukarramah, the famous city of Arabia, in the noble family of Banu Hashim. According to the date mentioned in this account, he ﷺ was born on the 9th/12th of Rabi‘ al-Awwal, in the first year of the Year of the Elephant, on a Monday morning.
The lineage of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad Mustafa ﷺ, was exceptionally noble and distinguished.
It is narrated from Wathilah ibn al-Asqa‘ رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Indeed, Allah chose Kinanah from the descendants of Isma‘il; He chose Quraysh from Kinanah; He chose Banu Hashim from Quraysh; and He chose me from Banu Hashim.”
(Sahih Muslim, 2276)
Likewise, when Heraclius, the Roman Emperor, asked Abu Sufyan about the lineage and ancestry of the Prophet ﷺ, Abu Sufyan—who had not yet accepted Islam at that time—replied that Muhammad ﷺ was of the highest lineage among them. Heraclius then remarked that prophets are generally from noble and distinguished families among their people.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 7; Sahih Muslim, 1773)
Ibn Sa‘d narrates that the blessed mother of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Aminah رضي الله عنها, said that when he ﷺ was born, a light emerged from her through which the palaces of Syria became illuminated.
(Al-Raheeq Al-Makhtum, p. 101)
The Lord of all the worlds has bestowed countless blessings upon humanity. However, Allah Almighty has described one of His greatest favors in the Qur’an in Surah Aal ‘Imran, verse 164, in these words:
“Indeed, Allah has conferred a great favor upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from among themselves, reciting to them His verses, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom, although before that they had certainly been in clear error.”
Allah Almighty also says:
“And We have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds.”
(Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:107)
It is narrated from Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“O people! Indeed, I am a mercy bestowed upon you.”(Al-Mustadrak of al-Hakim, Vol. 1, p. 91)
From the perspective of Islamic history, Rabi‘ al-Awwal is undoubtedly associated with both the birth and passing of the Prophet of Islam ﷺ. However, the manner in which this month is celebrated by some sections of the Muslim Ummah today has no basis in the Islamic Shari‘ah, nor can such practices in themselves be regarded as evidence of true faith in the Messengerhood of Muhammad ﷺ.
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“By Him in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, whoever among this nation—whether Jew or Christian—hears about me and then dies without believing in what I have been sent with, he will be among the inhabitants of the Fire.”
(Sahih Muslim, 153)
Consider, therefore, the seriousness of accepting the Messengerhood of Muhammad ﷺ completely and without reservation. There is no alternative to believing in his Prophethood. The Companions of the Prophet ﷺ accepted his message wholeheartedly and remained steadfast upon it throughout their lives. They supported his mission at every stage, even when doing so meant being placed upon the gallows or sacrificing their own lives. Yet they never turned back.
Likewise, we Muslims must have complete faith in the Shari‘ah brought by the Prophet ﷺ and remain steadfast upon it. Only then can we attain honor and dignity. Otherwise, we risk suffering even greater humiliation and disgrace. May Allah protect us from such a fate.
Therefore, along with affirming the Messengerhood of Muhammad ﷺ, this month reminds us of some important messages.
Let us understand these messages and spread them among others.
(1) The Message of Studying the Seerah
This blessed month gives a message to humanity in general and the Muslim Ummah in particular: we should repeatedly study the blessed life and Seerah of the greatest benefactor of humanity, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and implement its teachings in our practical lives.
(2) The Message of Complete Faith
This month reminds us that we must have complete faith in our final Prophet, Muhammad Mustafa ﷺ, and accept his Messengerhood wholeheartedly and without reservation.
(3) The Message of Following the Qur’an and Sunnah
This month teaches us that we should become complete followers and adherents of the Shari‘ah brought by our beloved Prophet ﷺ—the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Following and obeying the Prophet ﷺ is obligatory upon the Muslim Ummah and is a firm proof of true faith in him. In reality, obedience to the Messenger ﷺ is obedience to Allah Almighty.
Allah says:
“Whoever obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah; and whoever turns away, We have not sent you over them as a guardian.”
(Surah An-Nisa, 4:80)
(4) The Message of True Love for the Prophet ﷺ
This month reminds us that we should have genuine love for our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and show him the utmost respect and honor.
True love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ requires us to follow all his commands and avoid all that he prohibited. We should sincerely love his Sunnah and ensure that it is implemented in our practical lives without hesitation or objection.
We should understand that abandoning the Sunnah, turning away from the Sunnah, opposing the Sunnah, or deliberately ignoring the Sunnah cannot be regarded as true love for the Messenger ﷺ.
Rather, such attitudes are contrary to the essence of faith in the Messenger ﷺ and can lead to humiliation and disgrace.
(5) The Message of Returning to the Qur’an and Sunnah
This month reminds us that whenever there are differences and disputes among us, we should return to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and submit wholeheartedly to decisions based upon them.
This is a fundamental requirement of true faith.
(6) The Message of Following the Companions رضي الله عنهم
This month reminds us to respect and follow the example of the noble Companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ—those devoted companions who were the first recipients of revelation and who were prepared to sacrifice their lives at the command of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Allah Almighty selected them for the companionship of His Messenger ﷺ and honored them with His approval:
“Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him.”
Their faith has been presented as an example and standard for later generations.
Therefore, we should strive to develop faith similar to the faith of the Companions رضي الله عنهم so that we may attain true guidance.
(7) The Message Against Excess and Exaggeration
This month reminds us that we must never cross the limits in praising our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians exaggerated in praising the son of Maryam, ‘Isa. Indeed, I am only a servant of Allah. Therefore, say: the servant of Allah and His Messenger.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 3445)
He ﷺ also said:
“Beware of excessiveness in religion, for those before you were destroyed because of excessiveness in religion.”
(Sunan an-Nasa’i, 3057; Sunan Ibn Majah, 3029; authenticated by Al-Albani رحمه الله)
Thus, our love and respect for the Prophet ﷺ must always remain within the limits established by Islam.
(8) The Message of Taking the Prophet ﷺ as Our Role Model
This month reminds us that we should make the life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ our role model and ideal.
In every aspect of our lives, we should follow his beautiful example (Uswah Hasanah) because Allah Almighty has instructed us to follow the Messenger ﷺ.
His character, conduct, family life, dealings, worship, justice, mercy and social behavior should serve as our model.
(9) The Message of Sending Blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ
This month reminds us to send abundant Durood and Salam upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever sends blessings upon me once, Allah sends ten blessings upon him.”
(Sahih Muslim, 409)
Another narration states that whoever sends blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ receives ten blessings from Allah, ten of his sins are erased, and his rank is raised by ten degrees.
Therefore, we should make it a habit to send abundant Durood and Salam upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
(10) The Message of Protecting the Religion from Innovations
This month reminds us that we should protect the religion of Islam and should not introduce any new religious practices, innovations or superstitions into it.
Every newly introduced religious practice is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance, and misguidance leads to the Fire—even if such practices may appear attractive or good to people.
An act that was not considered part of the religion during the era of the Companions رضي الله عنهم cannot become part of the religion merely because later generations adopt it.
Islam is a complete way of life. No individual—whether an Imam, spiritual guide, saint, elder, scholar, pious person or Mufti—has the authority to add to or subtract from the religion of Islam according to personal preference.
Therefore, we should take the special message of this month very seriously. We should examine our faith and beliefs, correct ourselves, and stay away from the numerous innovations and superstitious practices prevalent in society.
If we have unknowingly become involved in any such practices, we should immediately turn to Allah in sincere repentance and seek His forgiveness. Indeed, Allah is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful.
“THE DISTINCTIVE IDENTITY OF RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT”
Every religious school of thought has certain outward signs by which it is commonly identified.
Among the Shia, Muharram, mourning rituals, and Tazia have become prominent religious symbols, while among Barelvi circles, Mawlid, processions, illumination, Naat, and standing during Naat have become prominent distinguishing practices. With the passage of time, certain religious practices cease to be merely acts of worship and become symbols and banners of sectarian identity.
The grief associated with Karbala gave rise to a particular religious culture surrounding Muharram, while love for the birth of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave rise to a particular collective tradition of Mawlid in the Indian subcontinent. Eventually, the situation reached a point where a person’s religious affiliation began to be judged not by what was in his heart, but by the procession he attended or the flag he carried.
However, a fundamental distinction must be kept in mind:
A religious symbol is not itself evidence of truth.
The fact that a particular practice has become an identifying feature of a particular school of thought does not establish that it is correct. Truth is not determined by crowds, traditions, emotions, or sectarian affiliation.
In our view, the only true criterion is the Qur’an and Sunnah, and the reliable standard for understanding the Qur’an and Sunnah is the understanding of the Companions (رضي الله عنهم).
Any practice that is established according to this standard is acceptable. But if a practice stands merely as a sectarian symbol while no foundation for it can be found in the Qur’an, Sunnah, and the understanding of the Companions, then it cannot be made part of the religion merely on the basis of love, custom, tradition, or the numerical strength of a particular school of thought.
A sect can be identified by its symbols, but truth can only be identified through evidence. And the evidence is the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the collective understanding of the Companions رضي الله عنهم.
The religion that existed during the Khair al-Qurun—the best generations of Islam is the religion. The outward colors and forms of the world continue to change in every age, whereas the religion, the Sunnah, and their essential character remain the same everywhere.
However, what belongs to the worldly sphere—namely, religious innovations may appear in different forms and colors in different regions of the world.
Love means following.
Innovation is a betrayal of the religion.
The Sunnah is an entrusted legacy.
The Sunnah is connected with the religion, whereas innovation is connected with the changing practices of the world.
A FINAL REMINDER
Remember that many practices which are seen in our society today in the name of celebrating the birth of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ during the month of Rabi‘ al-Awwal have no example in the earliest and best generations of Islam (Khair al-Qurun).
According to the author’s position, such practices were introduced in later periods, after which ordinary Muslims were encouraged to participate in their spread.
May Allah Almighty guide all of us to the truth. Ameen.
May Allah Almighty grant all of us the ability to follow the Sunnah completely, protect us from every form of innovation and superstition, and enable us to live our lives according to the Qur’an and Sunnah.
May Allah Almighty be our Protector, Helper and Supporter.
Ameen Ya Rabb al-‘Alamin.
(STRAIGHT TALK COMMUNICATIONS EXCLUSIVE. The author can be reached at makahmadina11@gmail.com)
