Significance Of Maulud Nabi

Written By: Sanda Askira, Director Engineering Services, Radio Nigeria Headquarters Abuja

Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca on Monday the 12th in the month of Rabi’ul Awwal 570A.D. His father died before his birth while his mother died when he was at the age of five.

Right from childhood, prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had shown an exemplary noble character to such an extent that the people of Mecca used to call him “As-siddiq Al-Amin” meaning, “The most honest, the trustworthy”.

He got married to a wealthy woman named Khadija at the age of 25 and received the call to prophethood when he was 40.

The first thirteen years of his prophethood was spent in mecca while the remaining ten in Medina; calling people to submit to the worship of Allah as revealed in the Glorious Quran. In the year 10A.H, Prophet Muhammad went to Mecca on his last pilgrimage.

There he received the last verse of the Glorious Quran, signifying the completion of his mission and died on Monday the 12th of the month of Rabi’ul Awwal, 11A.H, at the age of 63.

Today is being marked as Maulid Nabiy Muhammad.

The Arabic word Maulud means birthday.

Read Also: Maulud : Speaker Felicitates With Muslims

There is no historical evidence that the Prophet, his companions, and the early followers after them celebrated or observed his birthday.

On the contrary, the Prophet was careful to warn Muslims not to elevate their prophets and add to the religion what was not in the original teachings.

Therefore, the 12th of Rabi’ul Awwal should be a period for the commemoration of the life of the prophet because the same day also marks the anniversary of his death.
.
Such an occasion is meant to remind people of how the Prophet lived.

When Aisha, a wife of the Prophet was asked about the morals of the Prophet, she said; “His morals were the morals of the Glorious Qur’an”.

Adherents should therefore focus upon the character of the Prophet; on his teachings, sufferings, and how he forgave even his most bitter enemies.

The prophet’s uniqueness is that he was not only a great person in his own time but great for all times, for all persons of any race, color, nationality or geographical location.

Also Read: Audu Rejoices With Muslims @Eid el Maulud

He was an excellent example for the rich, the poor, the young and old, the ruler and the ruled, the intelligent and the most common.

The Prophet lived peacefully in Medina with the Christians and the Jews and their places of worship were sacred.

This was regardless of whether such neighbors were Muslims or not. Despite his responsibilities as a prophet, a leader, a teacher, a statesman and a judge, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to milk his goat, mend his clothes, repair his shoes, helps with the household chores and visit the poor and the sick.

He used to play with children treating them with extreme tenderness and mercy.

On treatment to women, he once said “The best among you is the one that is best in morals and kindest to his wife”.

His life was an amazing model of simplicity and humbleness.

As Muslims commemorate this historic day, they should uphold the virtues of tolerance, forthrightness and the fear of Allah as exemplified in the life of prophet Muhammad (PBUH) so that Nigeria will be truly united in peace and development.