Dagestani Muslims celebrate Mawlid, the Prophet's birth

By Ibrahim Abdulaev : islamdag.info | Makhachkala | 06 Feb 2012

Muslims all over the world celebrate Mawlid an-Nabi, which marks the birth of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. During the Mawlid celebrations which last for the whole month of Rabi` al-Awwal, a large number of people go to the mosques, pray to Allah until late night. Most of the mosques in Makhachkala, Dagestani capital celebrated mawlid on 4 February, joining the millions of celebrations worldwide.

Makhachkala Central Jum`a mosque was packed with some 20 thousand worshipers, both men and women, who came to the event despite heavy snow and freezing temperature outside.

The event began after `Isha prayers with the recitation of Quran. Imam Muhammad Rasul Saaduev welcoming the crowd spoke on the importance of love of prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). "There is no Muslim who would deny his love for the Creator and His Prophet (peace be upon him), because our religion is based on this love," he said. "However, in order to love, one needs to know about the object of love - hence the importance of studying the life and qualities of the Messenger of God (peace be upon him)," said the imam.

Prophet Muhammad was born in the month of Rabi' al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar, in 571 A.D. Muslims consider him God's mercy to the world as he is the last in a series of monotheistic religions' prophets and the person who presented Islam to the world. His personality and manners are seen as a sacred model to be emulated by all Muslims.

"If we want to find happiness in this world and in the Hereafter, we should follow the example of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). Everyone should review their actions. If they deviate from the path of prophet (peace be upon him), it only shows the insincerity of his love for him," Imam Muhammad Rasul said.

The Imam also addressed the audience with an appeal to vaccinate children from an early age with spiritual and moral values, to tell them about the Prophet (peace be upon him) in order to inculcate in their hearts love for him.

One such example was performance by little Maryam, who read Islamic verses in Russian.

This year, the birthday of the Prophet (peace be upon him) coincided with the day of remembrance of the great Imam of Dagestan and Chechnya - the legendary warrior and martyr Shaykh Shamil, celebrated annually on February 4. Brief account of his outstanding life was read by Kazim Haji Temirbulatov, Kazbek district Imam.

The event was blessed with one of the holy relics kept in Dagestan, a flag of the prophet, obtained some 200 years ago by Dagestani descendant of the prophet's uncle `Abbas from Madina.

Many nashids and stories about the prophet, his virtues and hadiths were mentioned by speakers and performers in different Dagestani languages.

The event broadcasted live by Radio Watan, TSD and Domashny TV channels, ended with collective du`a followed by aerial fireworks.