Milad-un-Nabi: Celebrating the birth of the Messenger of God

Muslims the world over celebrate the birth of Prophet Mohamed(sal) on December 2, this year. Milad means birth and Nabi means Prophet—the Messenger of God. Allah sent 1,24, 000 prophets to reform mankind, the crown of all creations. The first Prophet, Adam, the father of mankind, descended from the Garden of Eden with a mission designed by God Himself, to guide us, Prophet Mohamed (sal) was the last Messenger of God who perfected and completed the mission. The name of the mission is Deenul Islam (Islamic way). The cradle of Islam (Peace), founded by Adam, is the southern part of Tamil Nadu.

The Last Prophet, Mohamed (sal) who was born in Mecca in Saudi Arabia in the 7th Century, attained Prophethood at the age of 23, in a cave called Mount Hira.

Jibraeel (Gabriel), the leader of the angels, appeared before Mohamed and declared that Allah had showered His graces to make him the Rasool (Messenger of God) and to bestow him with the veda, the Holy Quran, the ultimate testament for mankind. Gabriel asked Mohamed to recite the beginning verses of the Holy Quran, ie ikra (read). Mohamed (sal) said that he could not read, as he was illiterate. Gabriel asked him to read in the name of Allah. Mohamed began to recite the Holy Quran. The veda was revealed to him bit by bit through Wahi (divine revelation) up to the age of 63, till his last breath. Mohamed (sal) asked his faithful companions to write whenever he received the verses of the Holy Quran.

He came down from Mount Hira and informed his wife Khadeeja about his Propherhood and commandments of Allah, to practice and preach Islam. She readily accepted the oneness of God and Mohamed (sal) being the Prophet.

Mohamed strove to reform the Arab community. He faced stiff and stringent opposition from his own people. He was attacked brutally.

The Querish fixed a price on his head. Excommunication fell on him and his followers. However, he was guarded by his grandfather Abdul Mutalib, a powerful personality of the then Qureish society, although he did not accept Islam. Allah asked Mohamed (sal) through Gabriel, to go to Madina, a city 300 miles away from Mecca.

Mohamed undertook a secret journey to Madina with his bosom friend Abubaker. Their opponents were on their track. The two took shelter in a cave in Thour and Mohammed told Abubaker, ‘We are three, not two, for Allah is with us.” A spider spun a huge web and a dove laid eggs at the entrance. The enemies left, assuming that no one had entered the cave in a long time.

The Muslim year, Hijri, came into force as a memory of the journey (Hijra) of Prophet Mohamed. Madina received the Prophet with great reverence. With sacrifice and dedication, Islam flourished after the first war at Badr and subsequent wars at Uhad and Thabulk.

The birth of the Prophet is hailed and appreciated by both heaven and hell. Heaven says, “I am more grateful to you; if you were not born, I will be dearly affected by loneliness.” Hell says, “If your arrival did not happen, I will be overburdened with the massive arrival of sinners; you have lessened my burden.”