The Blessings and Rewards of Celebrating Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ

Reward for celebrating Milad

Shaykh ‘Abdul Haq Muhaddis Dehilvi عَلَیْهِ رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ الْقَوِی has said, “Those rejoicing on the blessed event of the 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal celebrating the Milad of the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم will enter Jannaat-un-Na’eem (i.e., Heaven with blessings) by virtue of the ‘Divine mercy and grace’. From earliest times, Muslims have always been holding ‘Milad gatherings’ marking and celebrating the Milad of the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, arranging feasts etc., and giving Sadaqah in abundance. On this auspicious occasion, people express their feelings, full of bliss and spirituality; hold big and small congregations, decorate their shops and houses with lights and flags, and spend their wealth generously. By the blessings of all these noble deeds, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ showers His blessings on them.’

Zamanay bhar mayn ye qa’idah hay,

keh jis khana usi ka gana

Tu na’matayn jin ki kha rahay hayn,

unheen kay hum geet ga rahay hayn

(Ma Sabat Bis-Sunnah, pp. 102, summarised)

A unique story of a Jewish family

Sayyiduna ‘Abdul Waahid Bin Isma’eel عَلَیْهِ رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ الْقَوِی has stated: A great devotee of the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم lived in Egypt. He would celebrate the Milad [birth of the Prophet صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم] with full zeal and zest in Rabi-ul-Awwal. Once, on this blessed occasion, a Jewish woman, living in the neighbourhood, asked her husband: Why does our Muslim neighbour arrange an especial feast during this month every year? Her husband replied, ‘This is the month, in which his Prophet صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was born, so, he marks the [blessed] birth of his Prophet (صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم) and this month holds great significance for Muslims).’ Upon hearing it, the Jewish woman said, ‘This is great indeed, Muslims celebrate the [blessed] birth of their Prophet every year [with great fervour].’

On the very night, when the Jewish woman slept, fortune smiled on her as she dreamt of an exquisitely incredible personality with stunningly luminous face. A crowd was gathered around him. She stepped forward and asked someone about the noblest personality. He replied, ‘He is Muhammad Rasoolullah (صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم), the last Prophet. He has arrived to give blessings to your Muslim neighbour for celebrating his [blessed] birth [every year].’ The Jewish woman humbly asked, ‘Will he (صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم) talk to me?’ The person replied, ‘Yes.’ The woman went towards the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and humbly called him drawing his attention. The Prophet صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied, ‘Labbayk (here I am)’. Deeply moved by the humble response, she submitted, ‘I am not a Muslim, yet you have responded to me with ‘Labbayk (here I am)’. The Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘I have been informed from Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, you are going to embrace Islam.’ Upon hearing that, she spoke spontaneously, ‘No doubt, you, the merciful Prophet [صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم], have the highest moral excellence. Whoever disobeys you will get destroyed and the one who is unaware of your eminence will suffer loss.’ Thereafter, she recited Kalimah Shahadah (in her dream).

When she woke up, she felt a pleasant change in herself. She again recited Kalimah in the state of wakefulness and embraced Islam with uprightness of heart. Thereafter, she decided to spend all her savings for the celebration of the birth of the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. When she came out of her room, she was surprised to see her husband preparing feast. She asked him in astonishment, ‘What are you doing?’ He replied, ‘I am making arrangements for a feast to celebrate your noble act of conversion to Islam.’ She asked, ‘How did you know that?’ He replied, ‘Last night in my dream, I have also embraced Islam at the hand of the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.’

(Tazkira-tul-Wa’izeen, pp. 124, summarised)

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ have mercy on them and forgive us without accountability for their sake!

اٰمِیْن بِجَاهِ النَّبِیِّ الْاَمِیْن صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم

Aamad-e-Sarkar say zulmat hui kafoor hay

Kiya zameen, kiya aasman her samt chhaya Noor hay

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

Dawat-e-Islami and Milad celebration

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰه! Dawat-e-Islami, the Madani movement of devotees of Rasool, holds its unique way of celebrating Milad [the blessed birth] of the Holy Prophet. Under the supervision of Dawat-e-Islami, huge congregations of Milad are held in many countries in ‘the blessed night preceding 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal’. These great and spiritual gatherings bring especial blessings for people. A number of fortunate attendees across the world become Mosque-regulars.

Following are four beautiful Madani parables:

1. Found cure for sins

A devotee of the Prophet has said: Once, Dawat-e-Islami held a Milad Ijtima’ on the night of Milad-un-Nabi (1426 A.H.) at Kakri Ground, Karachi. One of my relatives attended the Ijtima of Milad. He was a young fashionable man who did not use to offer Salah.

At the time of welcoming Subh-e-Baharan (the dawn of blessings), when everyone was reciting Salat and Salam loudly and chanting the slogan ‘Marhaba ya Mustafa صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, his heart changed completely. He was blessed with the passion for performing virtuous deeds and hating sins. He immediately made the intention to offer Salah regularly and grow his beard. He then really started offering Salah regularly and grew a beard. He had a bad habit which he gave up by virtue of the blessing of the Milad Ijtima. In other words, by virtue of attending the Milad Ijtima, the patient who was suffering from sins found the cure for sins.

Maang lo maang lo un ka gham maang lo

Chashm-e-rahmat nigah-e-karam maang lo

Ma’siyat ki dawa la-jaram maang lo

Maangnay ka mazaaj ki raat hay

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيْب صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد

2. The heart was purified

During the first week of Rabi’-ul-Awwal, making individual effort son a person living in North Karachi, some devotees of the Prophet invited him to attend the Ijtima’ of Milad held by Dawat-e-Islami at Kakri Ground, Karachi. He was fortunate enough to accept the invitation. When the night of the 12thRabi’-ul-Awwalcame, he kept his promise and got on the bus in order to go to attend the Ijtima of Milad. In the bus, a devotee of the Holy Prophet had some sweets called ‘Cham Cham’ which he divided approximately into thirty small pieces and then distributed them equally among the Islamic brothers. He was really impressed by the loving manner of the Islamic brother who distributed the sweets. At last they all reached the Ijtima’ of Milad. He saw first time in his life such beautiful and splendid scenes. The sound of Na’ts, Salam and the joyful slogans ‘Marhaba ya Mustafa صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم’ purified his heart and he immediately associated himself with Dawat-e-Islami. اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰه, he was privileged to grow a beard, wear blessed Imamah and perform the activities of Dawat-e-Islami.

 ‘Ata-e-Habib-e-Khuda Madani Mahool

Hay faizan-e-Ghaus-o-Raza Madani Mahool

Yahan Sunatayn Seekhnay ko milayn gi

Dila’ey ga Khauf-e-Khuda Madani Mahool

Yaqinan muqaddar ka who hay sikandar

Jisay khayr say mil gaya Madani Mahool

(Wasail-e-Bakhshish (amended), pp. 646-647)

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيْب صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد

Celebrating Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ: Flags, Processions, Blessings and Rewards

Milad celebration pleases Holy Prophet ﷺ

An Islamic scholar has stated: !اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰه I dreamt of the Holy Prophet ﷺ and humbly asked him, ‘Ya Rasoolallah! Do you like the act of celebrating your Milad every year?’ The Holy Prophet ﷺ replied, ‘I also become pleased with those who become pleased with me.

(Tazkirat-ul-Wa’izeen, pp. 125, Fatawa-e-Razawiyyah, vol. 23, pp. 754; Subul-ul-Huda, vol. 1, pp. 363)

Celebration with flags

Sayyidatuna Aaminah رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا said, ‘I saw that three flags were placed, one in the east, one in the west and one on the roof of the Ka’bah. Then, the Holy Prophet ﷺ was born,’

(Dalail-ul-Nubuwwah Li-Ibn-e-Na’eem, pp. 363, Raqm 555, summarised)

Ruh-ul-Ameen nay garra Ka’bay ki chat peh jhanda

Ta ‘arsh urra pharayra Subh-e-Shab-e-Wiladat

(Zauq-e-Na’t, pp.95)

Procession with flags

While migrating to Madinah, when the Holy Prophet ﷺ reached ‘Mauda’-e-Ghameem’, a place near Madinah, ‘Buraydah Aslami’ along with seventy horsemen of the tribe, ‘Bani Sahm’ approached there with the intention of capturing the Holy Prophet ﷺ but he got deeply touched and moved when he came in the court of the Holy Prophet ﷺ and embraced Islam with whole caravan. Thereafter, he humbly asked, ‘Ya Rasoolallah ﷺ! Your blessed entry in Madinah be made with flags.’ So, he took off his turban, tied it onto his spear and set off to Madinah, escorting the Holy Prophet ﷺ.

(Derived from: Akhlaaq-un-Nabi Wa-Aadaab Li-Ibn-e-Shaykh, pp. 144, Raqm 747)

Mahboob-e-Rabb-e-Akber, tashreef la rahay hayn

Aaj Ambiya kay Sarwar, tashreef la rahay hayn

Kiyun hay faza mu’attar! Kiyun roshni hay ghar ghar

Achha! Habeeb-e-Dawar, tashreef la rahay hayn

‘Eidon ki ‘Eid aa’ie, Rahmat Khuda ki la’ie

Jud-o-Sakha kay paykar, tashreef la rahay hayn

Hoorayn lageen taranay, Na’ton kay gungunanay

Hoor-o-Malak kay Afsar, tashreef la rahay hayn

‘Aalam mayn jo hayn yakta, Bay misl hayn jo Aaqa

Woh Aamina tayray ghar, tashreef la rahay hayn

‘Attar ab khushi say phoola nahin samata

Dunya mayn is kay Sarwar, tashreef la rahay hayn

(Wasail-e-Bakhshish (murammam) pp. 301 - 304)

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيب صَلَّى اللهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Great reward for celebrating Milad

A devotee of Rasool, namely ‘Ibraheem’ lived in Madina-tul-Munawwarah. Out of his Halal livelihood, he would save half of his earnings¹ for celebrating Milad of the Holy Prophet ﷺ. When the month of Rabi’-ul-Awwal would arrive, he would spend money and the event of Milad with great zeal and fervour within Shari’ah boundaries. He would distribute a lot of food amongst people for the Isal-e-Sawab of the Holy Prophet ﷺ and spend his savings on righteous purposes. His wife was also a great devotee of the Holy Prophet and would also take part in all such activities wholeheartedly. The blessed wife departed her life but it did not dampen the spirit and enthusiasm of ‘Ibrahim’ for marking the day of the Milad of the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.

¹ May we save half or 12% or at least 1% of our income for the Milad of Holy Prophet ﷺ and spend it for Islamic purposes.

One day, Ibraheem called his son and made a will, ‘Dear son! I will die tonight. I have 50 dirhams and approx. 18-meter cloth. Use the cloth for my shroud and spend the money on any righteous deed.’ After the blessed demise of Ibraheem, his son was confused as to which good act he should carry out for spending the money left by his father. Pondering over it, he fell asleep and dreamt about the Day of Judgement. Everyone was extremely frightened. The fortunate people were going towards the Heaven, whereas the unfortunate ones were being dragged to the Hell. He was shivering badly thinking about his fate. Meanwhile, an announcement was made, ‘Let this young man enter the Heaven.’

He, then, entered the Heaven happily, moving around and enjoying. After seeing seven Heavens, when he reached the gate of 8th Heaven, he was informed, “Those who celebrated the Milad of the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم in the world are allowed to enter this Heaven. Upon hearing this, he thought of his parents who used to celebrate the Milad of the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. After a short while, a voice was heard, ‘Let this young man enter; his parents want to meet him.’ he went in and saw his deceased mother was sitting beside the stream of Kawsar. At a close distance, a most exalted lady was seated on a throne, whereas some highly honoured women were also present there. He humbly asked an angel, ‘Who are they?’ The angel replied, ‘most exalted lady on the throne is ‘Sayyidatuna Fatimah Zahra رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا’ and other honourable women are, ‘Khadija-tul-Kubra’, ‘Sayyidah Aaishah Siddiqah’, ‘Sayyidatuna Maryam’, ‘Sayyidatuna Aasiyah’, ‘Sayyidatuna Saarah’, ‘Sayyidatuna Haajirah’, ‘Sayyidatuna Raabi’ah’ and ‘Sayyidatuna Zubaydah’ (رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُنَّ).

He became very happy and stepped forward and witnessed a heart-warming sight, the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was seated on an incredibly great throne. Around the throne, Khulafa-e-Rashideen (the four righteous caliphs رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُم) were seated on chairs. At the right-hand side, the blessed Prophets عَلَیْهِمُ الصَّلٰوةُ وَالسَّلَام were seated on the chairs, made of gold, and the blessed martyrs were seated at the left-hand side. The young man also saw his deceased father ‘Ibraheem’ present there amongst the people sitting near the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. The blessed father approached him and hugged his son happily. The son humbly asked, ‘Dear father, how did you attain such a great status?’ Ibraheem replied, ‘اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰه! This is all by the blessings of celebrating the Milad of the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.’

The following morning, Ibrahim’s son sold his house at a low-price and arranged a feast using all amount including his father’s 50 dirhams. He invited Islamic scholars and pious Muslims. As he was no longer interested in worldly affairs and activities, he spent the rest of his life worshipping Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and looking after the Masjid.

After his death, someone saw him in a dream, and asked him, O’ pious man! How have you been treated after your demise. He replied, ‘By the blessings of celebrating the Milad [blessed birth] of the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, I have also attained the same lofty status in Heaven which my father has.’

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ have mercy on them and forgive us without any accountability for their sake!

اٰمِیْن بِجَاهِ النَّبِیِّ الْاَمِیْن صَلَّی اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم

Bakhsh day mujh ko Ilahi! Bahar-e-Milad-un-Nabi

Nama-e-A’maal ‘isiyan say mayra bharpur hay

(Wasail-e-Bakhshish (murammam) pp. 484)

Excellence and Joy of Rabi’-ul-Awwal and Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ

Excellence of reciting Salat upon the Holy Prophet ﷺ

The Holy Prophet ﷺ said, 'Whoever has recited Salat upon me 10 times, Allah عزوجل sends one hundred mercies upon him.

(Al-Mu’jam-ul-Awsat lit-Tabarani, vol. 5, pp. 252, Hadees 7235)

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيب صَلَّى اللهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

The blessed month of Rabi’-ul-Awwal brings spiritual delight and freshness. It seems as if the pleasant springtime has come everywhere. It spreads a wave of happiness in the devotees of the Holy Prophet, whether young or old, everyone expresses his heart-felt feelings:

Nisar tayri chahal pahal per hazar Eidayn Rabi’-ul-Awwal

Siwa-e-Iblees kay jahan mayn sabhi to khushiyan mana rahay hayn

(Deewan-e-Salik, pp. 13)

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيب صَلَّى اللهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

The dawn of blessings

When the world was fully enshrouded in the darkness of disbelief and idolatry, a Noor gleamed in the blessed house of Sayyidatuna Aaminah رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا in Makka-tul-Mukarramah and illuminated the entire universe. The Holy Prophet ﷺ was born on the 12th of Rabi’-ul-Awwal at the time of dawn. He came into this world as the light and mercy for the distressed and grieved humanity, and transformed the dark night of ‘miseries, difficulties, troubles and tribulations’ into ‘bright and soothing morning of happiness’.

Mubarak ho kay Khatm-ul-Mursaleen tashreef lay aaye

Janab-e-Rahmat-ul-lil- ‘Aalameen tashreef lay aaye

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيب صَلَّى اللهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

As soon as the Beloved Rasool ﷺ was born, the dark clouds of oppression and disbelief removed; the palace of Kisra, belonging to the Iranian king, was struck by an earthquake destroying its fourteen spikes (i.e., embedded for adding beauty); the rising flames continuously blazing for one thousand years in Iran extinguished; the River ‘Sava’ became dry, idols fell headlong¹ and the blessed Ka’bah began to sway².

¹ Hawatif-ul-Jinaan lil-Khara’ti, pp. 38-56

² As-Seerat-un-Nubuwwah Li-Ibn Hishaam, pp. 66

Tayri aamad thi kay Baytullah mujray ko jhuka

Tayri haybat thi kay her but thar thara ker gir gaya

(Hadaiq-e-Bakhshish, pp. 41)

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيب صَلَّى اللهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

The Holy Prophet ﷺ was sent as mercy for mankind. Indeed, the day when Allah’s mercy descends is a day of rejoicing and bliss as Allah Almighty says:

قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللّٰهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهٖ

فَبِذٰلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُوْا ؕ هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُوْنَ

Say you (O Beloved), ‘Only Allah’s Bounty and His Mercy; and only upon it they should rejoice.’ That is better than all of their (accumulated) wealth.

[Kanz-ul-Iman (translation of Quran)] (Part 11, Surah Yunus, verse 58)

!اللٰه اَكْبَر The Holy Quran itself is commanding us to mark and celebrate the Divine mercy. So, is there any other mercy of Allah Almighty above the Holy Prophet ﷺ? Upon this, the Holy Quran clearly mentions:

وَمَآ اَرْسَلْنٰكَ اِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعٰلَمِيْنَ

And We did not send you (O Beloved) but as a mercy for all the worlds.

[Kanz-ul-Iman (translation of Quran)] (Part 17, Al-Ambiya, verse 107)

Sahab-e-Rahmat baari hay barhiveen tareekh

Karam ka chashmah jaari hay barhiveen tareekh

(Zauq-e-Na’t, pp. 121)

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيب صَلَّى اللهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

The night superior to Shab-e-Qadr

Sayyiduna Shaykh ‘Abdul Haq Muhaddis Dehlvi رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه has stated, ‘Indeed, the blessed night of the birth of the Holy Prophet ﷺ is Afzal [superior] to even Shab-e-Qadr, mainly because this is the night in which the Holy Prophet ﷺ was born. So, the night that is honoured by the advent of the Holy Prophet ﷺ is more sacred than the night which is honoured by the ‘descending of angels’.

(Masabata bis-Sunnah, pp. 100)

Greatest Eid

!اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰه The $12^{\text{th}}$ of Rabi’-ul-Awwal is the greatest Eid [event] for Muslims. If the Holy Prophet ﷺ had not come into this world, there would have been no Eid [event], nor would have there been any blessed night like Shab-e-Bara`at. In fact, all the glory, greatness and eminence of the universe are by virtue of the blessings of the Holy Prophet ﷺ.

Woh jo na thay to kuch na tha

woh jo na haun to kuch na ho

Jan hayn woh jahan ki,

 jan hay to jahan hay

(Hadaiq-e-Bakhshish, pp. 126)

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيب صَلَّى اللهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Abu Lahab and Milad (parable)

After the death of Abu Lahab, some of his family members dreamt about him that he had been suffering trouble. Upon inquiring his state [after his death], he replied, ‘After departing from you, I have not received any goodness.’ Thereafter, indicating towards a hole under his thumb, he said, ‘Except for it, [there is no goodness for me]. I am fed with water through it because I had freed my slave girl, ‘Suwaybah.’

(Musannaf ‘Abdur Razzaq, vol. 9, pp. 9, Hadees 16661’; ‘Umda-tul-Qaari, vol. 14, pp. 44, Hadees 5101)

!اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰه Suwaybah embraced Islam and became Sahabiya [blessed female companion]. Allamah Badruddin ‘Ayni رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه has stated, “This indication refers that he is given some water.’

(‘Umda-tul-Qaari, vol. 14, pp. 44, Hadees 5101)

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيب صَلَّى اللهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Milad and Muslims

Commenting on the above narration, Sayyiduna Shaykh ‘Abdul Haq Muhaddis Dehlvi رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه has stated, “The mentioned parable contains a great evidence for those who celebrate the Meelad [blessed birth] of the Holy Prophet ﷺ and spend their wealth on this auspicious occasion. Abu Lahab, despite being a disbeliever, got a good return because he was pleased to listen to the great news of the blessed birth of the Holy Prophet ﷺ and freed his slave girl ‘Suwaybah’ as a reward for feeding the Holy Prophet ﷺ with milk. Now imagine the great reward for the Muslims spending wealth out of happiness on this blessed occasion. However, Milad gatherings must be free from all kinds of musical instruments.’

(Madarij-un-Nubuwwah, vol. 2, pp. 19)

Celebrate Milad with great zeal

Dear Islamic brothers! Celebrate the Milad [blessed birth] of the Holy Prophet ﷺ with great zeal and fervour. When an ardent disbeliever like Abu Lahab got the benefit upon celebrating the Milad of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, though not with the intention of considering him to be the Rasool of Allah Almighty but merely his nephew, why will we Muslims remain deprived of the ‘reward and favours’ upon celebrating Milad for pleasing Allah Almighty?

Shab-e-Wiladat mayn sab musalman,

na kiyun karayn jaan-o-maal qurban

Abu Lahab jaysay sakht Kafir

Khushi mayn jab fayz pa rahay hayn

(Deewan-e-Salik, pp. 13)

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيب صَلَّى اللهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Repentance, Qada Salah and the Excellence of Durud Sharif

Make up for Missed Salah

Make sure you perform your Salah, fast in Ramadan and firmly determine not to miss a single Fard deed in the future. If Hajj is Fard, you must not delay it, if you have missed any Salah, you must make up for them. An easy method of qada Salah is written in my book "The Method of Qada Salah" which can be bought from any branch of Maktaba-tul-Madina. A Hadith states, "The one who misses a Salah deliberately, his name is written on the gate of Hell through which he will enter".

(Kanzul Ummal, Hadith 19086, V7, P132, Dar-ul-Kutubul Ilmiyyah Beirut)

Another narration says, "If anyone misses or breaks even one fast in Ramadan without a valid reason or sickness then even the fasting of the whole world will not compensate for it (the same excellence will not be achieved)."

(Sunan Tirmizi, V2, P175, Hadith 723, Dar-ul-Fikr Beirut)

Fire in the Eyes

My Dear Islamic Brothers! Repent today from listening to music and watching films and dramas because a narration says, "If anyone fills his eyes with Harām, they will be filled with fire on the day of judgement."

(Mukashifa-tul-Quloob, P10, Dar-ul-Kutubul Ilmiyyah Beirut)

Nails Hammered into Eyes and Ears

On the night of ascension, the Beloved of Allah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم saw people with nails hammered into their eyes and ears, on asking what they had done, he was told, "They watched what you did not watch and listened which you did not listen to".

(Sharhus Sudoor, P171, Dar-ul-Kutubul Ilmiyyah Beirut)

Have you heard the consequences of those who watch and listen to Harām? Nails had been hammered into their eyes and ears.

Imitating Jews

Attention those people who shave their beards; shaving and reducing the beard to less than a fist length are both Harām. As mentioned in a Hadith, "Trim your moustaches and let your beards grow, do not imitate the Jews". (Tahawi Sharhu Ma'anil Athar, V4, P28, Hadith 6424, Dar-ul-Kutubul Ilmiyyah Beirut) Shaving ones beard is declared an act of the Jews by the blessed Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم; this is a point to ponder for Muslims. The integrity and love of Muslims have been challenged here. Day in day out, our leaders plead that Muslims boycott Jewish products, but they seem to neglect the fact that the faces of most Muslims including these leaders themselves are imitations of the Jews, so then why only boycott products? I plead to Muslim leaders and the public in general to boycott imitating the faces of Islam's enemies and make a firm intention to display the sign of your Beloved Prophet's صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم love on your faces.

Punishment of Impermissible Fashion

My Dear Islamic brothers! You must avoid wearing indecent clothes and prohibited fashion because the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, "I saw people with their tongues being cut with scissors of fire, on asking what they had done, I was told, 'They used prohibited means for fashion'. I also heard screaming from within a ditch that was giving off an extremely foul smell, on asking who those people were, I was told, 'Women who used prohibited means to make themselves look beautiful.'"

(Sharhus Sudoor lis-Suyuti, P168, Beirut)

Oh Lord of Mustafa صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! Save us from the actions of Satan especially cruelty, dishonesty, treachery and jealousy

اٰمِيْن بِجَاهِ النَّبِيِّ الْاَمِيْن صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم

Sayings of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم regarding Durūd Sharīf

1.     Whoever recites Durūd Sharīf upon me once, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ sends ten mercies upon him.

(Sahih Muslim, V1, P166, Qadeemi Kutub Khaana, Karachi)

2.     The closest to me on the Day of judgement will be the one who recited the most Durūd Sharīf upon me in the world.

(Jamia Tirmizi, V1, P64, Maktaba Dar-ul-Qur'an wal-Hadith, Multan)

3.     Whoever recites Durūd Sharīf upon me once; Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ sends upon him ten mercies and writes ten good deeds in his book of deeds.

(Jamia Tirmizi, V1, P64, Maktaba Dar-ul-Quran wal-Hadith, Multan)

4.     When a Muslim recites Durūd Sharīf upon me the Angels continuously send mercies upon him. It is the person's choice whether he recites less or more.

(Sunan ibn'e Maja, P65, Qadeemi Qutub Khaana, Karachi)

5.     (The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم) said to the one praising Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and reciting Durūd Sharīf after offering salah "Supplicate, (your prayer) will be answered. Ask for something, it will be granted."

(Sunan An'nisa'e, V1, P189, Qadeemi Qutub Khaana, Baa-bul-Madina Karachi)

6.     Jibra'eel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام said to me that Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ says, "Oh Muhammad صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! Are you not happy that when one of your followers sends salaam upon you once I send salaam upon him a hundred times".

(Sunan An'nisa'e, V1, P191, Qadeemi Qutub Khaana Baa-bul-Madina Karachi)

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيْب صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالَى عَلَى مُحَمَّد

This passage reminds us that every Muslim should take their religious obligations seriously and sincerely repent for past mistakes. Missed Salah and fasts should be made up, while one should firmly resolve not to neglect obligatory worship in the future. We are also warned against sins involving the eyes, ears, appearance, and prohibited fashions, as these actions can have severe consequences in the Hereafter. The teachings encourage us to avoid imitating practices contrary to Islamic guidance and to protect ourselves from Satan’s harmful influences, including cruelty, dishonesty, treachery, and jealousy. Most importantly, the virtues of reciting Durūd Sharīf upon the Beloved Prophet ﷺ are emphasized. Reciting Durūd brings Allah’s mercy, rewards, blessings, and closeness to the Prophet ﷺ on the Day of Judgement. Therefore, we should repent sincerely, fulfil our obligations, avoid sins, follow the Sunnah, and make abundant Durūd Sharīf a regular part of our daily lives.