Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) specifically mentioned the day of his birth in relation to his fasting on Mondays, stating: "That is the day on which I was born and the day on which I received Revelation."
While the statement doesn't explicitly address birthday celebrations as practiced today, it does provide insight into the significance the Prophet placed on the day of his birth and the day he began receiving divine revelations. This statement is recorded in Sahih Muslim.
Here's a breakdown of the key aspects:
- Fasting on Mondays: The Prophet Muhammad was observed to fast on Mondays. When questioned about this practice, he gave the aforementioned explanation. This implies that he saw the day as blessed due to these two important events.
- Day of Birth: His acknowledgement of the day of his birth indicates a recognition of its importance in his life and, consequently, in Islamic history.
- Day of Revelation: Equally important, he linked it to the commencement of receiving divine revelations, further elevating the significance of the day.
It is important to note that there is varying scholarly opinion on the permissibility of celebrating the Prophet's birthday (Mawlid). Some consider it a permissible act of expressing love and gratitude to the Prophet, while others view it as an innovation (bid'ah) not practiced by the Prophet or his companions. The diversity of opinion highlights the complexity surrounding birthday celebrations in Islam.
