Rabi al-Awwal and the Prophet ﷺ
The month of his birth and his passing. How sunni scholars across history have approached the Mawlid without invention.
Outline
- 1
The Prophet ﷺ taught what to do, every day
He instructed us to send salawat upon him constantly (Ahzab 33:56). To follow his sunnah in every detail. To know his seerah. None of this requires a particular date. The whole life of a Muslim can be a continuous remembrance of him.
- 2
Differences over the Mawlid
Scholars differ on whether organised celebration on his birth date is permissible (a later innovation, some say bid'ah hasanah, others say bid'ah), but all agree that increased salawat, study of the seerah, and the renewal of love for him in the heart are good in every month.
- 3
Loving him as the Sahaba did
Umar said: O Messenger of Allah, I love you more than anyone except myself. The Prophet ﷺ said: not until you love me more than yourself. Umar said: now you are more beloved to me than my own soul. The Prophet ﷺ said: now, O Umar (Bukhari 6632).
Closing line
Allahumma salli ala Muhammad. Say it ten times before getting up from this khutbah, ten times every day this month.
Aisha (RA) reported: the Prophet's ﷺ khutbahs were of moderate length and his prayers were short (Sahih Muslim 869). Aim for fifteen to twenty minutes. Two sections separated by a brief sitting is the Sunnah pattern.