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The Prophet's Birthday is a School for Raising the Younger Generation
Author : Dr. Ahmad Al-Harasees
Date Added : 23-09-2024

The Prophet's Birthday is a School for Raising the Younger Generation

 

The commemoration of the Prophet's noble birth is an opportunity to sow the seeds of love and familiarity with the Messenger of Allah in the hearts of the younger generation, especially children. For it is human nature to love those who have done good to them, to follow role models, and to seek practical examples to emulate.

In addition, the noble birth of the Prophet is an opportunity for parents and educators to highlight the prophetic model in all its depths, manifestations, greatness, morals, mercy, and attributes. This is done by discussing his blessed biography, dealings, and skills.

Moreover, the first steps are to sow the seeds of love and attachment to him, peace be upon him, and to increase the reading of his biography, speaking about him, and sending blessings upon him. These matters give birth to love, as it has been said: "Whoever loves something, mentions it often." Furthermore, love represents the second part of the Shahada, "I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."

Love is a sign of complete faith. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: 'None of you truly believes until I am dearer to him than his father, his son, and all of mankind.' This love and following his example, peace be upon him, serve as a strong shield against being carried away or imitating improper role models in society.

We can outline a simple, concise methodology or work plan within our celebration of the Prophet's noble birth to achieve the goals, meanings, and secrets of this great commemoration, and to establish a spiritual and heartfelt connection between the generation and the one whose birth is being commemorated, peace be upon him. For example:

Exalting this commemoration and the virtue of this day, and explaining the virtue of the Prophet, peace be upon him, that he is the chosen Prophet and a mercy to all the worlds. Allah Says (What means): "Say, "In the grace of Allah and in His mercy – in that let them rejoice. It is better than anything they accumulate." [Yunus/58].

We also explain to them that the Noble Quran has recorded these commemorations and commanded us to remember them. Allah Says (What means): "And remind them of the days of Allah." [Ibrahim/5], and that the one being commemorated celebrated it himself, as it is reported in a hadith about the reason for his fasting on Mondays, the Prophet (PBUH) said: "That is the day I was born." [Moslim].

Another practical method is to gather the family and children at home for a knowledge-based gathering, mentioning the Prophet's noble characteristics, and some of his biography and life, peace be upon him.

This is in addition to the importance of attending celebrations held in mosques and centers, which include guidance, chanting, and an atmosphere of joy and companionship with the one being commemorated.

Moreover, engaging competitions can be held, including questions about the Prophet's biography, with encouragement through the distribution of prizes and both material and moral incentives.

Another practical step that is suggested is to encourage children to frequently send blessings upon the Prophet, peace be upon him, explaining the great reward for that in both the worldly life and the hereafter. Moreover, encouraging those who send blessings upon him frequently with a material reward, even if small, instills a spirit of competition in doing good deeds. In addition, spending generously on one's family on this occasion reinforces the meaning of love and attachment to the Prophet's noble self.

The occasion of the Prophet's noble birth is a delightful station, a clear and distinguished opportunity that cannot be surpassed; for it derives its greatness from the one being commemorated. It is a means of cultivating love and affection and framing the meanings of friendship and kindness in the hearts of the generation. The goal is to connect the generation with the one being commemorated. Moreover, it is the responsibility of the educator to find the means to achieve these goals. And all praise is due to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds.

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Does passing wind from the anus affect ritual purity?

Ablution is nullified by the passing of wind from the anus, but washing the anus is not required as wind leaves no impurity.

Is it permissible for household members to pool money for the Udhiyah and gift it to one of them?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is permissible for members of a household to pool their money together and gift the total amount to one individual among them so that he may offer the sacrifice (Udhiyah). In this case, the family members receive the reward for giving charity (Sadaqah), and the one performing the sacrifice includes them in the spiritual reward (Thawab).
 
Furthermore, slaughtering a single sheep (on one's own) is considered religously better than participating as one of seven people in the sacrifice of a cow or a camel. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law regarding one who slaughters a ewe and it turns out to have been pregnant, and is it permissible to slaughter the ewe if one knows it is pregnant?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
If a person slaughters a ewe and it turns out to have been pregnant, the fetus becomes lawful (ḥalāl) by virtue of its mother's slaughter (tabaʿan li-ummihā).
It is stated in Mughnī al-Muḥtāj (Vol.6/P.158): "A fetus found dead [after the mother's slaughter], or found alive but in a state resembling that of a slaughtered animal [i.e., dying shortly after], becomes lawful — whether or not it had grown fur — provided it is found in the womb of a mother that was lawfully slaughtered, whether her slaughter was by cutting the throat, or by an arrow or hunting dog sent after her. This is based on the ḥadīth: 'The slaughtering of the fetus is [effected by] the slaughtering of its mother' [narrated by al-Tirmidhī, who graded it ḥasan, and by Ibn Ḥibbān, who graded it ṣaḥīḥ] — meaning that the slaughter which rendered the mother lawful renders the fetus lawful as well, by virtue of following her; and because the fetus is one of her constituent parts, and her slaughter renders lawful all of her parts."
This ruling differs, however, from the case of one who knows from the outset that the ewe is pregnant [and intends to sacrifice her specifically as the udḥiyah while pregnant] — in which case, according to the Shāfi'ī school, she does not fulfill the requirement of a valid sacrifice.
It is stated in Ḥāshiyat al-Bujayrimī 'alā al-Khaṭīb (Vol.4/P.335): "A pregnant animal does not fulfill the requirement [of a valid sacrifice], and this is the authoritative position (al-mu'tamad), because pregnancy diminishes the quality of the meat. As for why such an animal is nevertheless counted as complete [i.e., fully valid] in matters of zakāh, that is because the intent there is reproduction (nasl), not the quality of the meat.". And Allah, the Most High, knows best.

Is the one offering the sacrifice liable if its meat spoils?

Praise be to Allah, and prayers and peace be upon our Master the Messenger of Allah.
 
If the meat (of the sacrifice) spoils due to the negligence of the one offering the sacrifice in preserving it, or due to improper storage, then he is liable to compensate for the portion due to the poor (which is estimated as half a kilogram of meat). If the sacrifice was a vowed (mandatory) one, then he is liable for all of it.
 
However, if he was not negligent, then there is no liability upon him, because its ruling is the ruling of a trust (like an item left in someone's care). And Allah Almighty knows best.

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