HelpinG ConfuseD MuslimS

Summarized from Gabriel’s Wing (page150 – 156) by Annemarie Schimmel Published by Iqbal Academy Pakistan It seem, that approximately from the twelfth century onwards a new side of Muhammad-veneration became more and more popular – at least we do not yet know how long it was already in use to celebrate the Maulud, the birthday of the Prophet, for which poets and mystics composed heartfelt hymns and which was, in some periods, a real popular festival with illuminations of the towns etc. The Mauluds which were composed for these occasions, are still existent(122) –it is sufficient to mention the most famous example of his kind of poetry in Turkey, Suleman Celebi’s (d. 1429) Maulud Sharif which is still living in the hearts of almost all Turks, and which is recited not only on the birthday of the Prophet on 12 Rabi I but also as a kind of Soul’s Mass at the 40th day after death and at the anniversary of death. There are Mauluds all over the Islamic world, and in their simp...

THREE NECESSARY CLARIFICATIONS Before I begin answering those objections which the organisation, Majlisul Ulema, has written against the celebration of Meelad, I feel it necessary to first clarify three important issues. These are:- 1. With reference to the Meelad celebration, only those celebrations or acts are recognied which discusses the Seerat-un-Nabi or noble life of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). In such a celebration a session of Naat (Poems in praise of Rasoolullah - sallal laalhu alaihi wasallam) recitals take place, people are fed, and a sincere effort is made to fill the hearts of Muslims with the love of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). 2. For the permissisbility of Meelad celebrations, we have never meant that one should fix a particular day or night for the Meelad and believe that Meelad is not Ja’iz (permissable) on any other date. It is our view that whosoever does such an act does so out of ignorance because the love and the...