Reinterpreting Spirit of Commemorating The Birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Seeing this, Mudzaffar Abu Sa`id (1281 AD/680 H) who was the brother-in-law of Salahuddin al-Ayyubi proposed to commemorate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad on 12 Rabiul Awwal, although it was opposed by the Ulama, but Salahuddin managed to convince them with the argument that the Prophet's Maulid was not a prohibited Bid'ah ritual but as an expression of Islamic spirit (syi'ar).

After being approved by Caliph An-Nashir. So Salahuddin al-Ayyubi held a contest on the occasion of the Hajj pilgrimage in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah [1183 AD/579 AH]. The competition was to write the history and praise of the Prophet Muhammad Saw. and the winner was Shaykh Ja`far al-Barzanji, who then book is famous until now in the celebration of Maulid. Salahuddin then instructed all pilgrims when returning to their respective regions, to celebrate the 12th of Rabiul Awwal as the day of the Prophet's birthday with various activities that arouse the spirit of Muslims.

The spirit of Muslims to face the Crusades reignited. Salahuddin managed to gather strength, until in 1187 AD/583 H Jerusalem could be captured by Salahuddin from the Europeans, and Masjid al-Aqsa again became a mosque. The same story was later carried out by Salahuddin al-Ayyubi's brother-in-law, Mudzaffar Abu Sa`id when facing the threat of Genghis Khan's army, where Mudzaffar was the one who proposed the celebration of Maulid to Salahuddin.

Reinterpretation of the Meaning of Maulid

Maulid celebration is a symbol and momentum to refresh the spirit of religion. Faith and religious fervor sometimes fluctuate, so we need a booster to maintain our faith and religious fervor. The relationship between religious communities and Islam in this modern era in America has a long history and twists, especially after the 9/11 incident, Muslims in America were again tested to be able to reappear the face of Islam.

With the celebration of the Prophet's birthday, it is a momentum to revive the spirit of Islam as a religion of peace and friendliness towards fellow humans, even loving all the inhabitants of nature "rahmatan lil alamin". Growing back the spirit of the struggle of Islamic preaching that prioritizes an inclusive and tolerant attitude towards others, showing a friendly Islam, not an angry Islam, that embraces not beats, because other religious communities read Islam through the behavior of its adherents, and we will be read as a reference and representation of Islam itself by them.

Maulid Nabi itself means emulating the morals of the Prophet, and applying these morals in everyday life, in order to become a successful Muslim in social and societal life.