As-Is Mujtaba

This month we will enter the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal. For Muslims around the world, this month carries immense significance and importance. For those who are not familiar with this term, Rabi-ul-Awwal is the third month of the Islamic calendar, after Muharram and Safar. It is the birth month of Prophet Muhammad SAW; the last Prophet and Messenger of Allah (SWT).

Rabi ul Awwal is named as such because before the Prophet Muhammad SAW was born, people were living in a state of ignorance and darkness. They were engaged in worshipping different deities. The people were deviating from the path of Allah (SWT). As the Prophet Muhammad SAW was born, he brought with him the Message of Truth, the Message of Allah (SWT), and Oneness of Allah (SWT). This message led the people towards the path of enlightenment, helping them distinguish between right and wrong. Therefore, the month signifies more regard in that sense.

We all know that Prophet Muhammad SAW is the epitome of perfection. He is the role model chosen for us by Allah (SWT) and we are to follow his Sunnah (Hadith) in order to lead an ideal lifestyle which is not only defined to us by religion but is in fact beneficial for all mankind if we were to follow it.

“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.” (Surah Ahzaab:21)

“Maulud Nabi” is a collection specially made to commemorate the life of our Prophet Muhammad SAW; the last Prophet and Messenger of Allah (SWT). Muhammad was born in or around the year 570 CE in Mecca(where the  Kaabah is located) to the Banu Hashim clan of the Quraysh tribe, one of Mecca ‘s prominent families. 

Prophet Muhammad SAW  is the master of mankind, the best of mankind, the most knowledgeable, pious and fearing of God Almighty. He resides in the hearts, consciousness and soul of every Muslim.  This great man, the noble Messenger of Islam, is the most generous messenger from God.  For every practicing Muslim, an abundance amount of belief exists in what Prophet Muhammed SAW has brought to humanity.

The shahada, or testimony of Islam, has been linked to Prophet Muhammad, and is not considered complete unless the Prophet Mohammed is mentioned. To be a true Muslim, one must believe that “There is No God But Allah, and Muhammad is his Servant and Messenger.” This signifies the elevated position that the Prophet possesses in Islam.

Prophet Mohammed is described as “Khaleel el-Rahman”, meaning the companion of the most merciful, Allah, the almighty. One of his virtues is that he is a martyr and a herald. He is more important to believers than their own selves. He is the master of the children of Adam. He is the safety to his Ummah (nation). He possesses the praised place in the earthly world and in the heavens.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW was the first Muslim. He is the final prophet sent from Allah. He is a blessing from Allah (God) to humanity. Obeying and pledging allegiance to the Prophet of Islam, is obeying and  allegiance to Allah. Believing in him is believing in Allah. He is a mercy and a light to humanity. The Lord guaranteed his protection and infallibility. The lord guaranteed the protection of Islam and the Quran (The Holly book of Islam) until the end of time.

Prophet Muhammad SAW was and will always be the light, mercy and blessing to humanity. Prophet Muhammad SAW is peace and love. The honor of following his path is, to Muslims, the only path to the heavens. 

Hence, this collection is for us to remember about our holy Prophet Muhammad SAW. Learning about the life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAW is a very important part of being Muslim. We should strive to follow his example. By investing time into discovering more about him, Allah will reward us and we will also not feel lost in this world. We will learn to cope with our struggles with more strength as our Prophet Muhammad SAW faced a lot of struggle in his life. Allah says in the Qur’an:

“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad SAW) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.” (Qur’an 33:21)

We should remember that learning about the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) will serve as a practical guide as to how we can go about following his example. We may be conscious of our obligation to follow in his footsteps, however, we are yet to incorporate this as a habitual element of our daily lives. The more we learn about how he lived and what decisions he made, the more we will feel motivated to follow his example.

Reading about the life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAW will make us feel more close to him. We will care more about him when we understand how much he has done for our faith and the sacrifices he made because of his sincere belief and worship of Allah. We will learn how caring he was towards others and how much he felt for us and the entire Muslim Ummah. 

This scarf features objects and their symbolic meanings, such as:

Maulud Nabi Festival: This day is to commemorate the anniversary of the birth of the founder of Islam and the proclaimer of the Quran, Prophet Muhammad SAW.

Miswak: This subliminal object is actually a miswak; which Prophet Muhammad SAW will use before the night prayer everyday. The pencil-sized twig has been used as a natural toothbrush for ages. And Muslims, in particular, believe that all prophets have used it. Among Muslims, following the prophetic ways, especially that of Muhammad, is known as Sunnah — an Arabic term for tradition/habitual practice.

Celak: The Prophet Muhammad SAW wore eyeliner or Kohl. It is a Sunnah. The Prophet Muhammad SAW used it because it had medical benefits. Ibn Al-Abbas narrated that the prophet Muhammad SAW said : “The best of your kohl is ithmid (antimony), for it makes the vision clear and makes the hair grow.” Because of the incredible benefits of Ithmid (antimony) kohl, the prophet himself used to apply Ithmid kohl to his eyes when going to sleep, to maintain his eye health and set an example for us to follow.

Rose: Symbolizes love, joy and respect the Prophet Muhammad held for Fatima az-Zahra.  Fatima is the prophet’s youngest daughter from Khadijah. It is said that she was both of their favorite children. She had various nicknames that described her appearance and personality, including “az- Zahra,” which means “The Resplendent One,” in reference to her radiant face. And “al-Batul,” referring to her pure character.

Green: Is a symbol of prosperity and good life. The Islamic prophet is said to have worn a green cloak and turban, and his writings are full of references to the color. It is mentioned in the noble Quran as the color of the garments and cushions of the people of paradise. God Almighty says,“Upon them will be green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade” [Al-Insan: 21], “And they will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade” [Al-Kahf: 31], and “Reclining on green cushions and beautiful fine carpets” [Al-Rahman: 76].

White: Symbolizes purity and peace. It was narrated from Samurah that the Prophet said, “wear white clothes for they are purer and better, and shroud your dead in them”