Milad Nabi – Allama Iqbal

Time is always changing. Mankind’s nature, thoughts and outlook are moving with time. Accordingly the method of channelising them also changes. That is why traditions, customs and festivals are subjected to changes. When we celebrate our holy days, we must notice the corresponding influence on our thoughts.

Among the honorable days of Muslims is Milad-un-Nabi (Prophet’s Birthday). In my opinion it is important to have a practical model for the purification of their hearts and thoughts. As far as Muslims are concerned, it is incumbent on them to follow the example of Prophet. In order to maintain the flavor of faith in Prophet’s teachings, one may resort to three ways.

The ‘Durood’ Approach

Firstly it is Salat (reciting durood or sending blessings) on Prophet, which is an indivisible part of Muslims’ life. A Muslim never loses a chance of Salat. I have heard of Arabs: When there is a conflict or quarrel between two, a third person comes and declares aloud “Allahumma Salli Ala Sayyidna Muhammedin Wa Sallim-may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, then the quarrel comes to an end at once and the conflicting parties are unable to raise hands at one another. This is due to the the influence of Salat. How can the personality, upon whom the Salat is recited, not capture the hearts?

The Social Approach

While the above technique is of a personal nature, the second is of a social nature. A person well aquatinted with Prophet’s life should speak on the ‘Leader of two worlds’ in a large assembly of Muslims. This will help in instilling love of Prophet in the society. We have assembled here to fulfill this objective.

The Spiritual Approach

The third way is not much difficult. Yet it has to explained. It is to enliven one’s heart with the love of Prophet in special ways and remember him at all times. As Rumi said it is a state where one seeks none but the friend. This stage cannot be attained by reading books or listening speeches. It is necessary to live with the spiritual guides and enlighten oneself. But if that is impossible, then we adopt the present method (i.e. gathering and speaking on Prophet).

Prophet has said “I have been sent to perfect the best of manners”. Therefore the scholars should present the character of Prophet so that the Muslim Ummah can follow that example. The believer should be able to integrate Sunnah into his life. When someone presented a watermelon to Hazrat Ba Yazid Bustami, he refused to eat it saying ‘he had no knowledge of how Prophet had eaten it’. How unfortunate we are not to have such joyful moments in life! We are unable to lead a virtuous life and deal kindly with each other. Our predecessors followed Sunnah vehemently. They always enquired Prophet’s way of dealing the matter.

Hazrat Rumi was very fond of children. One day as he was walking through a street, he happened to see some children playing. They said salam to him. He took a long time to receive the salam from each one of them. A child far away called out “Hazrat, please don’t go. Accept my salam too”. Maulana Rumi waited for the child to come and give salam. Someone asked the great Persian poet “Were you waiting for a mere child”? The poet replied “If such an event had occurred in front of Prophet, he would have also done the same”!

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