Kamis, 25 Februari 2010

mawlid celebration (part 1 of 2 parts)



CELEBRATING MAWLID
Today (26/02) Muslims all over the world commemorate the birth day of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him/PBUH), the greatest person ever born who had successfully spread his holy teachings into the heart of Muslims. He was the founder of Islam and was also active as great merchant, diplomat, military leader, orator, statesman, and legislator, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was obviously the most successful man in human history.
Muhammad (PBUH) was born in Mecca in August 570 AD. He belonged to Bani Hasyim, one of the prominent families in Mecca. The given name Muhammad means praiseworthy. Perhaps, his parents prayed for him to be the praised one in his later times. He became an orphan when he was six years of age by the death by his beloved mother, Siti Aminah. His father, Abdullah, had died before his death. Accordingly, he was looked after by the grandfather, Abdul Mutthalib. At eight years old, Abdul Mutthalib also died. After that he was brought up under his uncle care, Abu Thalib, who was from the respected Arabian tribe, Quraysh. Life at that time in Mecca was so left behind. The Meccans were so ignorant of science and illiterate. Quarrels and rivalries rose amongst tribes which had long caused blood-feuds.
In his teens the young Muhammad had become a merchant by accompanying his uncle on trading journeys to Syria gaining success for his trustworthiness. He was also known as a trustworthy shepherd. People knew him as a truthful, honest, sincere, and generous. By that, he was popularly known Al Amin, the Trustworthy. Muhammad was so religious, and had long detested the decadence and idolatry of his society. Actually, the Arabs had traced their descent to Abraham and knew that he was a monotheistic preacher. However, they kept practicing a polytheistic beliefs and practices by making idols of holy and righteous persons. They worshipped these idols and made offerings to please their God.
At 25 years old, the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) married Khadija, a rich widow, who admired his integrity and good reputation. As a wife, Khadija supported Muhammad with her wealth and slaves. Muhammad set all the slaves free. Muhammad continued Khadija’s trading and managed to make it even bigger.
But, that was not Muhammad’s true calling. He continued retreating to a cave in the surrounding mountains for meditation and reflection. The name of the cave was Hira. Khadijah would prepare food enough for several days. At age 40 during Ramadhan month, he received his first revelation from Allah, SWT. One night, he saw a vision that someone commanding him to recite. The prophet replied that he could not recite. The vision somehow insisted and at last made the prophet recite the following verses:
Recite thou in the name of thy Lord who created, created man from a clot of blood. Recite and thy Lord is the most beneficent, who taught man by the pen, taught man what he knew not (surah 96: verses 2-6).
That was the first of Al Qur’an, the holy book of Muslims. As soon he began preaching the truth which Allah, SWT had revelation to him through His Angel, Gabriel. Not long several Arabians had converted into Islam and became Muhammad’s followers. Although suffered persecutions and denials from the unbelievers, Islam had soon been embraced by the greater part of the Arabian people and within a century of Muhammad’s death, Islam had spread to Spain in the West and as far East of China. Among the reasons of this rapid growing is that Islam calls for faith in only one God namely Allah, SWT, who is worthy of worship.
The prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is a perfect example of an honest, merciful, compassionate, just, truthful, and brave human being. He was also a great statesman ever lived who had taught us how to become a great leader. Next, we will reveal tips of Muhammad’s great success. Happy anniversary my beloved Prophet. Peace be upon you.

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