25/08/2026
A Gift Worth Celebrating
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Today is 12 Rabī' Al-Awwal, a blessed day on which our Prophet Muhammad (عليه أفضل الصلاة والسلام), was born into this world. Celebrating his arrival is not about religious debates or evidential technicalities; it is about genuine gratitude to Allah, who showed us mercy by sending His beloved Prophet to guide us out of darkness and onto the straight path. This gratitude is not something we invent, but something Allah Himself commands.
Allah says in Surah Yunus, verse 58:
"قُلۡ بِفَضۡلِ ٱللَّهِ وَبِرَحۡمَتِهِۦ فَبِذَٰلِكَ فَلۡيَفۡرَحُواْ هُوَ خَيۡرٞ مِّمَّا يَجۡمَعُونَ"
"Say: In Allah's bounty and His mercy, let them rejoice; that is better than all the wealth they hoard."
Here, we are clearly told to rejoice in Allah's mercy. And what is that mercy? Allah explains in Surah Al-Anbiyaa, verse 107:
"وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَٰكَ إِلَّا رَحۡمَةٗ لِّلۡعَٰلَمِينَ"
"We sent you not, O Muhammad, but as a mercy for all the worlds."
The connection is unmistakable: the mercy we are commanded to rejoice in is the Prophet himself. Early commentators, including Ibn Abbas, confirmed this very understanding.
Even further, Allah reminds us in Surah Aal-Imran, verse 164:
"لَقَدۡ مَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ إِذۡ بَعَثَ فِيهِمۡ رَسُولٗا مِّنۡ أَنفُسِهِمۡ يَتۡلُواْ عَلَيۡهِمۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ وَيُزَكِّيهِمۡ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَإِن كَانُواْ مِن قَبۡلُ لَفِي ضَلَٰلٖ مُّبِين"
"Indeed Allah conferred a great favour upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from among themselves, reciting to them His verses, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom, while they were before that in clear misguidance."
This verse makes it undeniable that the sending of the Prophet was the greatest favour Allah ever gave us. If we were once lost and he came to rescue us, how can we not feel joy?
Now, some may say, "the Prophet himself did not celebrate his birth in the way we do today." But this alone is not a valid argument. In Islamic jurisprudence, the mere fact that the Prophet did not do something does not make it forbidden. What matters is whether he discouraged it or commanded us not to do it. And there is no such command concerning expressing joy for his birth. On the contrary, we have clear evidence that he acknowledged and honoured his own birth. It is reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, was asked about fasting on Mondays, and he replied:
"ذلك يوم ولدتُ فيه"
"That is the day on which I was born."
If he himself singled out his birthday for an act of worship like fasting, then how can we say that remembering and honouring that day has no place in our faith?
So celebrating the Prophet, by learning about his life, sending blessings upon him, and being thankful for his guidance, is not a mere tradition. It is a response to Allah's command to rejoice in His mercy. It is an acknowledgment that the Prophet is the greatest favour we have ever received. Unlike worldly wealth, which fades and distracts, his guidance leads us from darkness into light and secures eternal success. By placing our joy in him, we realign our hearts toward what truly matters.
On this special day, we ask Allah to fill our hearts with love for His Prophet, to help us follow his example, and to unite us all in faith. May this day remind us of the gift we have been given, and may we carry that gratitude in our hearts throughout the year.
