His Blessed Birth

There is a difference of opinion about the date of the birth of the Holy Nabi صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم. However, it is a strong opinion that he صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم was born on 12 Rabi'-ul-Awwal, 20 April 571 AD, 55 days after the incident of the Ashaab-ul-Feel. The people of Makkah also have the same opinion. They go to behold the blessed house of the Holy Nabi صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم on 12 Rabi'-ul-Awwal and hold the gatherings of Milad there.

(Madarij-un-Nubuwwah, vol. 2, pp. 14)

It is a unique and great day in the history of the universe. It is the birthday of the Greatest and Noblest Nabi صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم for whom the entire universe has been created. Aadam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام was created because he صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم was to be created; the Ark of Nuh عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام was saved because he صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم was to be created. He صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم was the one for whom the pioneer of the Ka'bah prayed. He صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم was the one about whom the son of Maryam gave glad tidings. By Divinely-bestowed authority, he was going to shatter false beliefs and evil deeds and replace them with true beliefs and good deeds in the entire world.

The Circumstances of His Blessed Birth

When the Greatest and Noblest Rasool, Ahmad-e-Mujtaba, Muhammad Mustafa صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم was born in the world, he was already circumcised with his umbilical cord already cut. He صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم was born in his father's house in Makkah in the position of Sajdah, with fragrance emanating from his blessed body. If his father were alive, he would certainly rejoice over his birth but he had already passed away. Hence his grandfather who was busy performing the Tawaf of the Ka'bah at that time was called. Listening to this good news, 'Abdul Muttalib happily came to his house from the Ka'bah and embraced his grandson affectionately. Taking him to the Holy Ka'bah, 'Abdul Muttalib prayed for blessings and named him 'Muhammad'.

The Story of Abu Lahab and Suwaybah

After his death, some family members saw Abu Lahab in a dream and asked how he was treated. He replied whilst raising his index finger: "After being separated from you, I have not been given anything (to eat and drink) except for some water which I am made to drink with the same finger in return for freeing Suwaybah."

Commenting on the above narration, Shaykh 'Abdul Haq Muhaddis Dihlvi رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه mentioned a very nice and thought-provoking point, pleasing the hearts of devotees: