First Words

The 12th day of the month of Rabi' al Awwal has passed as usual leaving traces of serious extravagance in many parts of the Islamic world, incurred in the name of 'celebrating' the last Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم's birthday festivities.

Although most 'Ulema" (Religious Scholars) agree that such celebrations are Bid'ah (Innovation), yet their followers have a mind of their own and go all out for celebrating Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم's birthday - ttying do outdo Christmas festivities - done in remembrance of 'Isa عليه السلام (Jesus)'s birthday.

In those large rallies and carnivals at organized at huge costs of time and money, nowhere were seen the ideals the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم lived for throughout his life.

Streets were filled with scores of thousands of people participating enthusiastically in those rallies, yet the mosques these processions passed by remained empty at prayer times, while its participants kept on singing praises and continued shouting slogans to show their love for the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم.

Processions of the 'Birthday celebrations' of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم this year scarred crtains parts of Indian subcontinent, where non-Muslim communities raised certains objections on the processions resulting in violent clashes between the two communities.
Ironically, people participating in the procession raised in memory of the Messenger of peace Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم were prepared for any eventuality.

Practicing anything that was not practiced by the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, his Sahabah (Companions) and two generations after them is forbidden in Islam. It is called Bid'ah (Innovation) because our religion Islam was completed by Allah (God) during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah,
Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, leaving no room to add or subtract anything from it.

Islam has only two festivals - 'Id ul Fitr (Festival of Breaking Fast) and 'Id al 'Ad-ha (Festival of Sacrifice). No pomp and show of any kind is associated with even these two festivals. Highlight of the festivities is offering 'Idayn Salah (Prayer of the Festivals) in early morning.

May Allah (God) guide us to the Right Path. (Amin)

Suhel Farooq Khan
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