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

Maulid Traditions in America

On the HIU (Hartford International University) Campus, there is a weekly routine event that name is "Community Prayer" which is the content of praying together across faiths in their respective ways and with various themes, which happened yesterday, September 27 coincided with 12 Rabiul Awwal, so it took the theme "Commemorating the Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (Saw)", this event was led by Dr. Bilal Ansari, who then gave a reflection on this theme.

America, on various campuses and religious institutions such as mosques or Islamic centers, as well as congregation groups, will certainly thematically take this moment to be a topic of discussion. Seminars with this theme, recitations, and even exhibitions with the topic of the spirit of the Prophet Muhammad's birthday. There is no month-long recitation of Maulid in 'surau' or mosques, no parade to commemorate the Prophet's birthday followed by children, no grand recitations and sholawat recitations or Grebeg Maulid events involving hundreds to thousands of people.

A group of people who come from the same culture and religious expression, gather to recite verses from the Qur'an, the Prophet's story in al-Barzanji and the recitation of Sholawat, then ending with a meal together, which is a simple form of commemorating the Prophet Muhammad's birthday in Uncle Sam's country. It is precisely the solemnity and deep meaning that we often find in simplicity because the enjoyment that arises from limitations and simplicity is the result of our sincerity of heart and purpose.

While some Muslims, are still busy questioning how it is legal to commemorate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad Saw? Isn't it never exemplified by the Prophet which means Bid'ah? Then if it is Bid'ah, isn't all Bid'ah misguided and the reward is Hell? These questions will continue to arise every year when the celebration of the Prophet Muhammad's birthday is held. Last Friday when I prayed Cuma at a mosque in Connecticut, the preacher discussed the disputed issue (khilafiyah), while showing his preference to prohibit the Maulid event because it is considered Bid'ah which was never modeled by the Prophet.

On the other hand, I was actually a little disappointed with the content of the khutbah, not because the preacher did not agree with the Maulid celebration, but because the theme that was chosen by the preacher was not appropriate in the American context. The themes of unity, tolerance, polite da'wah, and also character-building themes such as the importance of having noble character and akhlaq are certainly more meaningful in the context of the existence of Muslims in America who are minorities rather than entering into the realm of khilafiyah which may be difficult to find common ground.

History of Maulid Celebration

12 Rabiul Awwal a baby was born, who placed his hands on the ground and raised his head to the sky, as if to indicate that he was a person who was exalted above all human beings. The baby was born clean, circumcised, and had the umbilical cord cut with Allah's permission. It smelled good, had greasy hair, and had a pair of eyes. That is the story quoted by al-Barzanji telling the birth of a noble baby who would later inspire the world.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is a figure who is very dear and loved by his Companions (Sahabah). Arab society at that time was a literate society and the beauty of language speech became a measure. No wonder the Companions expressed their love for the Prophet with their various Qasidah praises. Among them are the Companions of Ibn Abbas and Ka'ab bin Zuhair who recited Qasidah of praise in front of the Prophet, even the Prophet then gave a gift of a robe to Ka'ab.

So when did the celebration of the Prophet's birthday begin? Historical records show that the Prophet's birthday was first celebrated during the Fatimid Dynasty in Egypt during the time of Caliph Mu'iz Lidinillah (952 AD/341 AH) who was Shi'a. It was later banned due to various controversies. During the 1st Crusade (1096 AD/489 AH) led by Richard 'the lion heart' against the Islamic army led by Salahuddin al-Ayyubi (1193 AD/589 AH) founder of the Ayyubid Dynasty, a Kurdish Muslim general and warrior from Tikrit, Iraq. The Christians commemorated Christmas on December 30 and it made an impact and boosted the morale of the troops.

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.