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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

If a person enters a mosque and finds the congregation in the final tashahhud, which is more virtuous — joining them or waiting for a second congregation to catch the opening takbīr (takbīrat al-iḥrām)?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
If a worshipper finds a congregation that is about to finish its prayer, and he hopes to catch the entire prayer from the beginning with another congregation, it is more virtuous for him to pray with this first congregation and then repeat the prayer with the second one — provided he does not intend to confine himself to a single prayer. If, however, he intends to perform only one prayer, then it is more virtuous for him to wait for the second congregation rather than joining the first, so that he may attain the reward of congregational prayer for every single rakʿah.
Al-Khaṭīb al-Sharbīnī, may Allah have mercy upon him, states: "If members of a congregation enter the mosque while the imam is in the final tashahhud, al-Qāḍī Ḥusayn held that it is recommended for them to join him in prayer, and that they should not delay in order to form a second congregation. Al-Mutawallī, however, affirmed the opposite view, and al-Qāḍī's own statement elsewhere supports this latter position, which is the relied-upon view. In fact, it is more virtuous for a person who has missed part of the prayer with one congregation, and who hopes to catch another congregation with whom he can attain the entire prayer within its proper time, to delay so that he may catch it in full with them. This applies when he intends to confine himself to a single prayer; otherwise, it is more virtuous for him to pray with the first group and then repeat the prayer with the others." [Mughnī al-Muḥtāj,Vol. 3/P.186] And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Does tooth extraction during the day in Ramadan break the fast?

Simply extracting a tooth during the day in Ramadan does not break the fast. However, if water or blood enters the body cavity, the fast becomes invalid.
Whoever's fast is invalidated in this way must refrain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day out of respect for the sacred month and make up for that day later.
It is preferable to postpone the extraction until nighttime or after Ramadan if possible.

Is it valid for the 'aqīqah to be performed using the newborn child's own wealth?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is not permissible for the guardian to perform the 'aqīqah using the newborn child's own wealth, because the 'aqīqah is a voluntary act of giving (tabarru'), and a guardian is prohibited from making voluntary expenditures from the child's wealth. Should he do so, he becomes financially liable for what he spent. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on forgiving a tenant next month's rent, with the intention of counting it toward zakāh al-māl?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It does not fulfill the obligation to count the rent owed on a house, or a portion of it, in lieu of zakāh. Rather, it is necessary to first transfer ownership of the zakāh amount to the poor person directly; only afterward may he be asked to pay the rent [from that money].
It is stated in ‘Umdat as-Sālik (p. 112): "If someone gives [money] to a poor person, stipulating that the recipient return it to him in payment of a debt owed to him, or says, 'I am making what you owe me into zakāh, so take it [as such]' — this is not valid. But if he gives it to him with the [unstated] intention that the recipient will use it to repay him, or says, 'Repay what you owe me, so that I may [then separately] give it to you as zakāh,' or the debtor himself says, 'Give it to me, so that I may [then] repay you with it' — this is valid, and there is no binding obligation for the recipient to actually fulfill this [informal understanding]."
We would also remind [the reader] of the ḥadīth of the Prophet ﷺ: "The Muslim is the brother of the Muslim: he does not wrong him, nor does he abandon him [to harm]. Whoever attends to the needs of his brother, Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, will attend to his needs. Whoever relieves a Muslim of a hardship, Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, will relieve him of one of the hardships of the Day of Resurrection. And whoever conceals [the faults of] a Muslim, Allah will conceal him on the Day of Resurrection." (Agreed upon). And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.