By the Name of Allah, praises be to Allah, prayer and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). As Allah has preferred some Messengers over others, he has also preferred some months over others and characterized some months with special merits. And among these months, given special characteristics, is the Month of Rabi al-Awwal.
Rabi’ al-Awwal is the third Month of the Hijri Calendar. It means the First Spring. In the past, depending on the solar calendar, the times of the season were set according to the lunar calendar, and spring often came in the months of Rabi’ al-Awwal and Rabi’ al-Thani.
Special characteristics of the Month of Rabi’ al-Awwal
Although no special acts of worship or religious duties are related specifically to this Month, it bears great significance to all Muslims all over the world due to the significant incidents that took place during it. Among these incidents are the following:
3) Death of the Prophet (peace be upon him)
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) died on Monday, 12th of Rabi’ al-Awwal 11 AH, at the age of sixty after passing by a severe illness for almost a Month. As the Prophet came to the world in Rabi’ al-Awwal, he also left it in the same Month. So this Month bears both happy and sad memories: the birth and death of the noblest person Allah created from Adam until the Day of Judgment, Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him).
Innovations People Set in this Month:
As the Prophet (peace be upon him) was born in Rabi’ al-Awwal, many Muslims celebrate the birth of the Prophet in different ways. Some celebrate it by fasting on the 12th of Rabi’ al-Awwal however it was disagreed about the exact day on which the Prophet was born. However fasting is an act of worshipping, it is not permissible to specialize a day with fasting if neither Allah nor His Prophet had legalized so.
REGISTER NOW
On the other hand, some people celebrate the day of the birth of the Prophet by setting a gathering in which people gather to praise the Prophet (peace be upon him). This act is not also permissible. Any innovative act in Islam is rejected; we only take legislation from the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Allah has not commanded us to do so in His Book, and the Prophet never celebrated the day of his birth in any way.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “No people introduce an innovation without its equivalent being withdrawn from the Sunnah; so holding firmly to a Sunnah is better than introducing an innovation.” (Narrated by Ahmed)
The Prophet also said: “The worst of things are those that are newly invented; every newly-invented thing is an innovation, and every innovation is going astray, and every going astray is in the Fire.”
Moreover, how can you celebrate a day, disagreed about whether the Prophet (peace be upon him) was born during it or not, while it is certain that he passed away on it?! In this way, you celebrate the death of the Prophet (peace be upon him). How can this happen?!
Recommended Acts during the Month of Rabi’ al-Awwal:
However, no special acts of worship are related to the Month of Rabi’ al-Awwal; it is recommended to keep on righteous deeds like any other month. On the month of the Prophet’s birth, a Muslim can read about the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and read his biography to learn how he lived, worshipped Allah, and dealt with people. It is also recommended that voluntary acts of worship be kept, such as offering supererogatory prayers, fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, and offering the night prayer, in addition to many acts that the Prophet used to do.
REGISTER NOW
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is our role model, so we should follow his path to earn Allah’s Pleasure and be with the Prophet in Paradise. Allah the Al-Mighty said: “There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.”
Conclusion:
From the above, the significance of the Month of Rabi’ al-Awwal has become evident. It is the Month in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) was born, migrated, and died. These great incidents give the Month a special rank among Muslims.
May Allah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and gather us with him in Paradise!