The Noor and Spiritual Blessings of Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ

3. Shower of Noor

On the day of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (1417 A.H.), in the afternoon after Zuhr Salah like every year, the Milad procession led by the Nazimabad Halqah of Dawat-e-Islami, Karachi, was making its way through streets and roads chanting the slogans ‘Marhaba and Marhaba Ya Mustafa صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.’ The procession stopped at many places in order to present the call towards righteousness. Meanwhile, at one place, a ten-year-old child presented the call towards righteousness. After the Bayan (speech), a person stood up and reached Nigran Halqah. In an emotional state he said: ‘During the Bayan, I saw that Noor was showering down on the attendees of the procession including your child Muballigh (preacher). I am a non-Muslim. Please make me Muslim.’ The slogan ‘Marhaba’ started to be chanted more enthusiastically. Having seen the greatness of the Milad procession and blessed Madani Bahar of Dawat-e-Islami, Satan lost his senses. After embracing Islam that person said that اِنْ شَآءَ اللّٰه he would invite his family members to embrace Islam. He did the same and by virtue of the blessing of his efforts, his wife, three children and his father embraced Islam.

Eid Milad-un-Nabi hay dil barra masroor hay

Her taraf hay shadmani ranj-o-gham kafoor hay

Her malak hay shadman khush aaj her ik Hoor hay

Han magar Shaytan ma’ rufaqa barra ranjoor hay

(Wasail-e-Bakhshish (amended), pp. 483)

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيْب صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد

4. One can behold the Prophet even today

A devotee of the Beloved Prophet has stated: An Ijtima’ of Milad was held in the night preceding 12ᵗʰ Rabi’-ul-Awwal by Dawat-e-Islami at Kakri ground, Karachi. Few Islamic brothers and I also attended the Ijtima. During the conversation, an Islamic brother started saying, ‘The Ijtima’ of Milad of Dawat-e-Islami used to be very inspiring, but it’s not so impressive now.’ On hearing that, another Islamic brother said, ‘My friend! You are wrong! The Ijtima’ of Milad is still the same, but the state of our hearts is not like before. How can the Zikr of Rasool change! Our mentality has changed! Even today, instead of making criticism if we listen to Na’ts engrossing ourselves in the Tasawwur of the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم, we will be blessed اِنْ شَآءَالله.’

The first Islamic brother’s unfounded objection based on satanic whispers could cause other Islamic brothers to lose their interest in the Ijtima’ and go home, but the second Islamic brother’s reply was very appropriate. His reply was something that made other Islamic brothers wake up to the fact and it made Satan run away too. That correct reply had a great effect on the heart of the narrator of the Madani parable. He plucked up courage and sat in the middle of the Ijtima of Milad with devotees of the Prophet and began to listen to Na’ts fondly.

The beautiful time of dawn came near and all the Islamic brothers stood up to welcome the dawn of blessings. The attendees of the Ijtima were in ecstasy. The calls ‘Marhaba’ (welcome) could be heard from every direction. Salat and Salam were being recited upon the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم. There were tears in the eyes of the devotees of the Prophet. People were weeping everywhere in the Ijtima’. He was also in ecstasy. He saw very tiny drops and light drizzle falling on the Ijtima’. It seemed as if the entire Ijtima’ had been having a bath with the rain of mercy. After closing eyes and engrossing himself in the beautiful Tasawwur of the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم he became busy reciting Salat and Salam. All of a Sudden, the eyes of his heart opened and he said, ‘I am truly speaking that the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم, whose Milad was being celebrated, had mercy on me and allowed me to behold him; اَلْحَمْدُلِلّٰه, I was fully satisfied after beholding the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم.

The Islamic brother surely spoke the truth when he said: The Ijtima’ of Milad held by Dawat-e-Islami is always touching, but it is the state of our heart that has changed. If we are right, then even today, we can behold the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم.

Aankh wala tayray joban ka tamasha daykhay

Deedah-e-Kor ko kiya aaey nazar kiya daykhay

Koi aaya pa kay chala gaya, koi ‘umar bhar bhi na pa saka

Yeh baray karam kay hayn fayslay, yeh baray naseeb ki baat hay

The blessed accounts of Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ remind us of the immense love, devotion, and spiritual blessings associated with remembering the birth of the Beloved Prophet ﷺ. These inspiring incidents emphasize that a gathering of Milad is not merely a social occasion; rather, it can become a means of awakening hearts, encouraging righteous deeds, and strengthening love for the Holy Prophet ﷺ.

Key lessons from these accounts:

1.     Milad inspires love: Remembering the blessed birth of the Holy Prophet ﷺ increases devotion and affection for him in the hearts of Muslims.

2.     A means of guidance: The account of a non-Muslim embracing Islam after witnessing the Milad procession illustrates how beautiful Islamic environments and sincere preaching can inspire people towards Islam.

3.     Spread goodness: The ten-year-old Muballigh teaches us that even children can participate in conveying the message of righteousness according to their ability.

4.     Spiritual transformation: Attending a blessed gathering can motivate a person to offer Salah regularly, avoid sins, adopt Sunnahs, and improve his character.

5.     Purify the heart: The account of the Milad gathering teaches that the spiritual benefit of an Islamic gathering is greatly influenced by the condition and sincerity of one's heart.

6.     Recite Salat and Salam: Increasing Salat and Salam upon the Holy Prophet ﷺ is a beautiful way to express love and devotion.

7.     Avoid negative thoughts: Instead of criticizing religious gatherings, a person should examine his own heart and intentions and try to participate with sincerity and respect.

8.     Seek Allah's pleasure: The ultimate purpose of every righteous gathering should be to gain the pleasure of Allah عزوجل and strengthen one's connection with His Beloved Prophet ﷺ.

May Allah عزوجل bless us with sincere love for the Holy Prophet ﷺ, enable us to attend righteous gatherings, act upon the Sunnah, and make our hearts a source of goodness and guidance for others. Ameen.