I want to ask regarding the Mehfil e Meelad conducted here in Madinah Munawwarah every Thursday by SAUDIS. I went to one or two mehfils. They are usually held in farm houses. they begin with Tilawat, Na’at and then an Alim would make a bayan. After that different people read Na’ats. In the end, everyone stands up reading
Ya Nabi Salam Alaika, Ya Habib Salam Alaika, Salawatullah Alaika… They burn the Ood with it and take it around the place.
After that they serve dinner, Rice and Sheep.
Is it allowed to go to these kind of Majalis?
Assalāmu `alaikum Warahmatullāhi Wabrakatuh,
Allāh Ta`ālā sent Nabi (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) with a complete and perfect religion. Allāh Ta`ālā says in the Noble Qurān:
اليوم أكملت لكم دينكم وأتممت عليكم نعمتي ورضيت لكم الإسلام ديناالآية )المائدة 3(
Today, I have perfected your religion for you, and have completed My blessing upon you, and chosen Islam as Deen (religion and a way of life) for you. [5:3]
The lifestyle of Nabi (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam)was a practical example of the Deen of Allāh Ta`ālā. Allāh Ta`ālā says in the noble Qurān:
لقد كان لكم في رسول الله أسوة حسنة لمن كان يرجو الله واليوم الآخر وذكر الله كثيرا (الأحزاب21(
There is indeed a good model for you in the Messenger of Allah – for the one who has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah profusely. [33:21]
It is for this reason that much emphasis has been placed on following Nabi (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) to such an extent that it has been made the criteria for the love of Allāh Ta`ālā.
قل إن كنتم تحبون الله فاتبعوني يحببكم الله ويغفر لكم ذنوبكم والله غفور رحيم (آل عمران31)
Say (O Prophet): If you really love Allah, then follow me, and Allah shall love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful. [3:31]
Following Nabi (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) is in fact following the right path. Allāh Ta`ālā says:
فآمنوا بالله ورسوله النبي الأمي الذي يؤمن بالله وكلماته واتبعوه لعلكم تهتدون (الأعراف 158)
So, believe in Allah and His Messenger, the Ummiyy (unlettered) prophet, who believes in Allah and in His words, and follow him, so that you may find the right path. [7:158]
This verse is explicit in proving that following Nabi (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) is the way to being rightly guided. Since this is the only way to guidance it stands clear that any offshoot from this path is misguidance.
صحيح مسلم – عبد الباقي – (2 / 592)
867 وحدثني محمد بن المثنى حدثنا عبد الوهاب بن عبد المجيد عن جعفر بن محمد عن أبيه عن جابر بن عبد الله قال * كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا خطب احمرت عيناه وعلا صوته واشتد غضبه حتى كأنه منذر جيش يقول صبحكم ومساكم ويقول بعثت أنا والساعة كهاتين ويقرن بين إصبعيه السبابة والوسطى ويقول أما بعد فإن خير الحديث كتاب الله وخير الهدى هدى محمد وشر الأمور محدثاتها وكل بدعة ضلالة ثم يقول أنا أولى بكل مؤمن من نفسه من ترك مالا فلأهله ومن ترك دينا أو ضياعا فإلي وعلي
Sayyidunā Jābir ibn `Abdullāh (Radiyallāh Ta`ālā `anhu) narrates that Nabi (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) used to say in His sermon: Verily the worst of actions are those innovated, and every innovation is deviation.
صحيح البخاري- طوق النجاة – (3 / 184)
صحيح مسلم – عبد الباقي – (3 / 1343)
2697 – حدثنا يعقوب حدثنا إبراهيم بن سعد عن أبيه عن القاسم بن محمد عن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من أحدث في أمرنا هذا ما ليس فيه فهو رد رواه عبد الله بن جعفر المخرمي وعبد الواحد بن أبي عون عن سعد بن إبراهيم
ولفظ مسلم: ما ليس منه
Sayyidatunā `Āishah (Radiyallāh Ta`ālā `anhā) narrates that Nabi (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) mentioned: Whoever innovates in our matter what is not of it then it is rejected.
The honourable companions of Nabi (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) followed him in every aspect of their lives. Therefore they were made benchmarks of success. Allāh Ta`ālā says in the Noble Qurān:
والسابقون الأولون من المهاجرين والأنصار والذين اتبعوهم بإحسان رضي الله عنهم ورضوا عنه وأعد لهم جنات تجري تحتها الأنهار خالدين فيها أبدا ذلك الفوز العظيم (التوبة 100)
As for the first and foremost of the Emigrants (Muhājirīn) and the Supporters (Ansār) and those who followed them in goodness, Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Allah, and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they will live forever. That is the supreme achievement. [9:100]
Following Nabi (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) was, is and will remain the highway to success whilst anything besides the sunnah is the off ramp to deviation.
It is indeed a great privilege to live in the blessed land of Madīnah Munawwarah, but that privilege is accompanied by added responsibilities. Being the neighbours of Nabi (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) demands that one be more sensitive to the sunnah of Nabi (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam). Extra importance should be given to adhering to even the finest of sunnats. Similarly, to the reverse, any innovation by the people of Madīnah Munawwarah is to be more condemned.
Every stone, street, alley and gully of Madinah Munawwarah ought to be reminding one of the sahābas (Radiyallāh ta`ālā `anhum) firm adherence to the sunnah. The incidents of the galaxy of sahābah (Radiyallāh ta`ālā `anhum) should be flashing through one’s mind at every turn one takes. These were those who’s love for Nabi (Salallahu `alayhi wasallam) had excelled beyond the mountain peak. They expressed their love for Nabi (Salallahu `alayhi wasallam) by imitating him in the minutest of actions.
It is extremely sad and disturbing to learn of innovations taking place in the honourable city of Madīnah Munawwarah. One would have expected that the honourable neighbours of the beloved Messenger (Salallahu `alayhi wasallam) would have adhered firmly to the sunnah and to pure Islāmic teachings. They would have been more sensitive to the issue of sunnah and bid`ah. The sunnah is a light by means of which a person may find direction in the darkness of all the evils and fitnahs that the world is engulfed in. The true neighbours of Nabi (Salallahu `alayhi wasallam) are those who adhere to his sunnah even though they are thousands of miles away from him. Distant are those who innovate according to their fancies even though they might be right next to Nabi (Salallahu `alayhi wasallam).
There is no command or example in the life of Rasūlullāh (Salallahu `alayhi wasallam) or his Sahābah (Radiyallāhu Ta`ālā `anhum) having gatherings as stated in the query.
Where did Ya Nabi Salām `alayka Ya Habīb Salām `alayka originate from? Why does everyone have to stand for the durūd? During salāh durūd is in the sitting position. Why burn `ūd? Why leave the well established narration of durūd for such baseless practises?!
The illustrious sahābah (radiyallāh Ta`ālā `ahum) enquired from Nabi (Salallahu `alayhi wasallam): how should we send durūd upon You?
صحيح البخاري- طوق النجاة – (8 / 77)
6360 – حدثنا عبد الله بن مسلمة عن مالك عن عبد الله بن أبي بكر عن أبيه عن عمرو بن سليم الزرقي قال أخبرني أبو حميد الساعدي أنهم قالوا يا رسول الله كيف نصلي
Nabi (Salallahu `alayhi wasallam) replied: read:
قال قولوا اللهم صل على محمد وأزواجه وذريته كما صليت على آل إبراهيم وبارك على محمد وأزواجه وذريته كما باركت على آل إبراهيم إنك حميد مجيد
Another narration mentions:
صحيح البخاري- طوق النجاة – (8 / 77)
اللهم صل على محمد عبدك ورسولك كما صليت على إبراهيم وبارك على محمد وعلى آل محمد كما باركت على إبراهيم وآل إبراهيم
A third narration mentions:
صحيح البخاري- طوق النجاة – (8 / 77)
اللهم صل على محمد وعلى آل محمد كما صليت على آل إبراهيم إنك حميد مجيد اللهم بارك على محمد وعلى آل محمد كما باركت على آل إبراهيم إنك حميد مجيد
There are many books compilations which mention the different forms of durūd. Allāmāh Sakhāwī (Rahimahullāh Ta`ālā) has compiled a book called al-Qawlul Badi’. This is detailed work on the virtues and forms of durūd. Shaykhul Hadīth Hadrat Mawlānā Muhammad Zakariyyah (Rahimahullah Ta`ālā) compiled a book, commonly known as the forty durūd, which contain the different durūds mentioned in the ahadīth. Taking to such durūd as mentioned in the ahādīth are undoubtedly much more meritorious than thousands of any other un-established form of durūd.
One of the main objectives of such gathering is to inculcate and express our love for Nabi (Ṣallallāhu `alayhi wasallam). We advise that you set out some time daily to send salutations on Nabi (Ṣallallāhu `alayhi wasallam). Even if it may be a little in quantity but it should be read with punctuality and with a great feeling of love for our beloved Messenger (Ṣallallāhu `alayhi wasallam). Also take out time to educate yourself and your family about the history of Nabi (Ṣallallāhu `alayhi wasallam). Read the sacrifices he went through for the cause of Islām. Study his shamāil, conduct and behaviour. Inshā Allāh this will prove more beneficial in inculcating the love of Nabi (Ṣallallāhu `alayhi wasallam). Firm adherence to even the finest of sunnah is the best way to show our love to Nabi (Ṣallallāhu `alayhi wasallam). Try to spend as much as time possible in the honourable Masjid and also visit the blessed grave as much as possible. If possible kindly convey our salām too.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Ishaaq E. Moosa
Benoni.
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net