CELEBRATING THE UNIVERSAL DAY OF HAPPINESS-
THE BIRTH OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD ﷺ
The religion (deen) of the Muslims is Islam.
Allah Ta'ala states in The Holy Quran:
'Surely, the true religion by Allah is Islam'
(Surah Ale-Imran. verse 19)
Islam means the religion preached by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Besides the religion of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, all other religions are false. Islam, is being a servant of
Prophet ﷺ. Islam does not only teach worshiping Allah Ta'ala. Islam also provides guidance for all aspects of life-individual and social, material and moral, economic and political, legal and cultural, and national and international. There are joyful and happy moments, as well as sad and sorrowful moments in people's lives. Islam provides guidance for both happy and sad occasions in people's lives.
Islam teaches the Muslims how to celebrate happiness, and how to cope-with anguish.
Allah Ta'ala states in The Holy Quran:
'O you believe! Seek help through patience and prayer. Surely, Allah is with those who have patience'
(Surah Al-Baqara. verse 153)
From this verse of The Holy Quran, we learn that one must always exercise patience in times of anguish.
'Most certainly, the steadfast shall be fully rewarded without measure'
(Surah Az-Zumar. verse 10)
When the Muslims are bestowed upon the mercy and bounty of Allah Ta'ala, the joy and happiness has to be celebrated in a manner that pleases Allah Ta'ala. There is glorious blessing for celebrating the joy and happiness in a manner that shows gratitude towards Allah Ta'ala.
Allah Ta'ala states in The Holy Quran:
'And remember, when your Lord proclaimed, 'if you will be grateful, then I shall give you more, and if you are thankless, then my torment is severe'.'
(Surah Ibrahim. verse 7)
From this, we learn that we should express gratitude at obtaining every bounty and blessing. Since the bounties are varied, the expression of gratitude should also be of different forms. The infidels express gratitude through sinful mean; the Muslims do this through worship of Allah Ta'ala, and by giving charity.
Happiness is of two types: One is boasting and pride, and the other is expressing happiness in a manner to make Allah Ta'ala happy. Showing pride and boasting in celebrating happiness is forbidden and not acceptable in the court of Allah Ta'ala.
Allah Ta'ala states in The Holy Quran:
'Exult not, undoubtedly Allah loves not those who exult'
(Surah Al-Qasas. verse 76)
But happiness out of gratitude is an act of worship and has to be celebrated. Happiness of gratitude is celebrated by means where there is praise of Allah Ta'ala, dhikr of Allah Ta'ala, worshiping of Allah Ta'ala, and honouring our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ with praise, love and respect.
Allah Ta'ala states in The Holy Quran:
'Please declare: 'Only Allah's Bounty and only His Mercy on it. Therefore, let them rejoice. That is better than all their wealth'.'
(Surah Yunus. verse 58)
This verse of The Holy Quran teaches us to express joy and happiness when we are blessed with the bounty and mercy of Allah Ta'ala.
Allah Ta'ala blesses us with happy occasions and we celebrate; for example, birthday of our children, celebrating marriages etc. But these celebrations are confined to one person or a family. Some happiness is for the community, and some for the nation.
But, one celebration is universal, celebrated by all the creation of Allah Ta'ala in the cosmos- the blissful birth of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, without doubt is the greatest bounty and mercy of Allah Ta'ala.
Happiness is limited. Some happiness is for one day only, some for the year. But the happiness of the birth of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is from the time he was born, and will continue to be celebrated by the Mu'minen till qiyamat. In Sha Allah.
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This article is an abridged English translation of Urdu sermon delivered by his eminence, Peer Syed Imroz Dean Saifi, Hanfi, Maturidi of Masjid Anwaar e Madina, Surrey BC Canada
If there is an inaccurate translation, please pardon it and not let it be a means to negatively reflect on the honoured presenter.
