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*We
invite you to share your songs, poems, media files, pictures that
celebrate the Prophet (p) by emailing them to celebrate@celebratingtheprophet.org.
Celebrate
Traditionally, Muslims have laid great importance on celebrating
the Prophet (p), and everything we do to honor or follow him is
in a sense a method of celebration. Every day a Muslim is alive
he or she celebrates the beloved Prophet (p) - in small, quiet
ways remembering his character and love for humanity, and in more
active ways as well.
The
Arts
Emulating his example
Salawat
Visiting Madina
The
Arts
Love of the Prophet (p) has been a focus of the arts, spanning
devotional song, poetry, calligraphy, and other artistic expressions.
Muslim artists across the globe and through time have used their
art forms as a way to communicate their love of him; in fact the
Prophet (p) is second only to God as an artistic theme.
Songs
and poems in almost every language of the world extol the virtues
of the Prophet (p) and express the love of him. Entire genres
of music (Qawwali, Madih, Naat, etc) have evolved with a special
focus of praising him and filling the hearts of the listener with
love for him.
American
Muslims have written many songs in English about the Prophet (p)
in different styles of music, including folk, rap, and jazz. Even
in less mainstream art forms, such as spoken word poetry, one
will find beautiful expressions of love for him.
Some
examples of devotional songs from across the globe:
It
is interesting to note that while Muslims have avoided drawing
the Prophet (p) himself, intricate calligraphic representations
of his name are a common form of expressing love for him in an
aesthetically pleasing way. Even for those who do not read the
Arabic text, the various forms of calligraphy, with delicate curves,
cubic lines, blending colors evoke a feeling of connection with
the Prophet (p).
Examples
of calligraphy
Emulating
his example
Muslims, both men and women, also celebrate him through emulating
his shining character, and striving to adhere to his noble teachings.
Following his teachings can be considered the point of Islam itself
since, ultimately he was the embodiment of submission to God -
submission of God being the very definition of Islam. God himself
directs us by saying that Muhammad (p) was the ‘best example’
and ‘of great moral character’.
We
emulate him since he is our example for connecting and pleasing
God. His example serves as a straight path towards the Almighty
Creator and Sustainer. He went through immense difficulties in
his life, but always found solace in his relationship with God.
We follow him by turning towards God, and putting our trust in
Him…And we are never disappointed in when we submit to Him.
The
more we emulate the Prophet (p), the more at peace we are with
our Creator, other people, and ourselves.
It
is suggested that, as a spiritual exercise, Muslims take account
(muhasaba) daily to check themselves and see if they are living
their life with the same level of compassion, love, honesty, and
mercy that the Prophet (p) did. They ask questions such as, ‘did
I embody his characteristics and teachings today? Where did I
fall short? Did I get angry when I should have been patient? How
did I treat my neighbor today?’, and so on. Since the model
is Muhammad (p), the perfect manifestation of spiritual beauty,
we will always fall short, but we pray that God helps us constantly
improve our own spiritual state.
Salawat
Another form of celebration is by sending ‘salawat’,
or asking God to shower his blessings upon him. The Quran instructs
Muslims to verbally send peace and blessings upon the Prophet
(p), and all scholars agree upon the importance and benefits of
doing so. It pleases God, and draws the hearts closer to the Prophet
(p), which in turn we pray will help us to emulate him even more.
The
primary prayer that Muslims say for salawat is: 'O Allah! Send
your blessings (Salawat) on Muhammad and his family, the same
way as You sent Your blessings on Abraham's family. O Allah! Bestow
Your favors on Muhammad and on Muhammad's family, the same way
as You bestowed Your favors on Abraham's family. You are indeed
worthy of all praise, full of glory.'
We
send salawat on the Prophet (p) to thank him for all the trials
and tribulations he went through as a messenger of God, for the
beautiful guidance he left us, for the example he set for us which
constantly inspires us to improve our moral and spiritual state.
Salawat
can take multiple forms. Someone can simply repeat it during the
day, as they are working, driving or engaged in any activity.
Or people may take a special part of the day, typically after
one of the five mandatory prayers, to meditate and send salawat.
Yet another form is by singing the salawat in different forms,
perhaps with a group.
Whatever
the manifestation, salawat on the Prophet (p) is a source of much
joy for Muslims to engage in. Constant salawat serves as a constant
reminder through the day for us to strive to achieve the character
of the Prophet (p) as we go about our life…
Visiting
Madina
The Prophet (p) is buried in Madina in the eastern part of the
Arabian Peninsula, the city that welcomed him with open arms when
his native city persecuted him. For all Muslims this is a holy
site, second only to Makkah. All Muslims aspire to visit Madina,
and trace the steps of their beloved and send salawat and prayers
upon him in the city where he is buried.
In Madina it is common to see people who have spent their life
savings in order to make the trip (usually in conjunction with
Hajj, the mandatory pilgrimage), and their sincere love for the
Prophet (p) is inspiring. Their eyes fill with tears as they reflect
upon the greatest of creation, the one who was sent by God as
a mercy to humanity, the one whose teachings and character serve
as the best example for Muslims throughout the world.
Ask any Muslim who has visited Madina and you are likely to get
a consistent answer: they had a beautiful experience, ‘felt’
the connection with the Prophet (p) and look forward to going
again.
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Grave of Prophet (P)
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Madina Masjid (Grave is below green dome) |
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