Rabi’ Al-Awwal is a significant month for Muslims because of the great events that happened during this month. The month marks the birth of the beloved Prophet Muhammad, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, his migration from Makkah to Medina, and his ascent to the Supreme Companion. It is also the month when the Prophet passed away.
When Is Rabi’ Al-Awwal?
It is the third month of the year in the Hijri calendar. Several narrations have mentioned naming it by this name. Including that the Arabs were beginning to benefit from what they plundered in Safar; Since Safar was the first month of the raid on the tribes after Muharram [this was in the pre-Islamic period, but after Islam came, these pre-Islamic concepts changed and blood was preserved, except in accordance with what is required by the legal rulings of retribution and the like].
The month of Rabi`al-Awwal had several names, Thamud called him Mawrid, while the rest of the Arabs used to call him Taliq. Among the most famous of the other names by which he was known, the name of Juan; that is, a lot of betrayals; This is because the war was intensifying, so it would betray them, and they would lack lives and money.
Why is Rabi’ Al-Awwal significant?
Here are some significant events that happened during Rabi’ Al-Awwal
The Birth of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH
The Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, was born in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, in the month of Rabi al-Awwal on Monday, at the time of dawn, in the year of the elephant. It corresponds to the 22nd of April in the year 572 AD, in the spring season. the evidence of his birth with the onset of dawn: the words of his grandfather Abdul Muttalib: “I was born to me tonight with the morning, a child.
The biography books unanimously agreed that his birth, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, was on Monday, and he, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, used to fast on it, thanks to God. Why was he asked about that? He said: “That is the day on which I was born and the day on which I was sent or sent down.” [Narrated by Muslim.
When his mother gave birth to him, she sent news to his grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib, of his grandson, so he rejoiced and entered the Kaaba with him, prayed to God and thanked him, and chose the name Muhammad for him.
The birth of the Prophet Muhammad, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, was a great event in the life of all mankind, an indication of the descent of God’s revelation to reform humanity and bring it out of darkness into light. And to single out God alone for worship, and to leave polytheism, peers and idols. God Almighty destined the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, to bring up a poor orphan, so that God, the Lord of the worlds, would take care of him and raise him so that he would be made according to his eyes,
So God prepared him for the mission, disciplined him, and strengthened him, so he brought out a generation that condemned them to the world and turned from shepherds of camels and sheep to masters of nations, and they built a civilization and established a nation that spread in the horizons and spread the Islamic religion.
The Migration of the Prophet
The migration took place in Rabi`al-Awwal, when our master Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace, migrated from Makkah Al-Mukarramah and entered Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah on the 12th of Rabi` Al-Awwal, fifty-three years after his birth, June 28, 622 AD, on Monday noon.
The Prophet’s migration is a great event in the history of the Islamic nation. Because it was the first step in building the Islamic state. Therefore, the Quraysh were keen not to do so, and struggled to try to prevent the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, from reaching Medina. but God repelled their plot and completed it well by His grace. Migration is one of the greatest events for the Companions, as they chose it as a calendar to date with.
The Death of the Prophet
The death of the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, was a great event that affected the companions and the entire nation, and there was no disagreement on the day of his death, as it was Monday, the twelfth of the month of Rabi al-Awwal. The death of the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, was the greatest calamity that ever befell the nation, and it had a great impact on the souls and condition of the companions. Until Aisha’s description, may God be pleased with her, was true to them: “The Muslims became like rainy sheep on a winter night because of the loss of their Prophet.”
The revelation was interrupted by the death of the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace. the revelation that was descending on the prophets and messengers from the day Adam descended to earth. To the mission of the Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace, and he was cut off with his death, may God bless him.
It was narrated on the authority of Anas, may God be pleased with him, that he said: Abu Bakr, may God be pleased with him, said after the death of the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, to Umar: let’s go to Umm Ayman, to visit her as the Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, used to visit her. When we reached her, she cried. They said to her: What makes you cry? What is with God is better for His Messenger. She said: I am not crying because I do not know that what is with God is good for His Messenger, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, but I am crying because the revelation has been cut off from the sky, so I made them cry. Narrated by Muslim (2454) and Ibn Majah (1635).
Anas, may God be pleased with him, says: When it was the day on which the Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, entered the city, everything became lit from it, and when it was the day on which he died, everything became darker in it. and we did not shake our hands from the Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, until we denied our hearts.” (Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi (3618).
What do Muslims do during Rabi’ Al-Awwal?
There is no specific deed indicated by the Qur’an or the Sunnah that can be done in the month of Rabi al-Awwal, except for fasting on Monday, the day of the birth of the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, as he used to do. However, it is certainly possible to draw closer to God by doing all good deeds such as fasting, giving alms, and helping others.
How can I celebrate Rabi’ Al-Awwal?
You can celebrate Rabi’ Al-Awwal by reading and learning more about the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, and his life and teachings. You can also participate in gatherings where the seerah (biography) of the Prophet is discussed and shared, and you can share your knowledge and love of the Prophet with others. Additionally, you can perform good deeds and acts of kindness, and increase your worship and devotion to God.
What should one avoid during Rabi’ Al-Awwal?
As with all months, one should strive to avoid sins and bad deeds as much as possible during Rabi’ Al-Awwal. While there are no specific prohibitions related to this month, it is always important to avoid anything that may lead to harm or injustice to oneself or others.
Conclusion
In this article, we talked about the significance of the month of Rabi’ Al-awwal. and we talked about the most important events that occurred in it, the most important of which are the birth of the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, the honorable migration, and the death of the beloved, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him.
Recommended reading: The 4 Sacred Months in Islam
Rabi’ Al-Awwal FAQs
How do you celebrate the 12th of Rabi ul Awwal?
There is no legal text regarding the celebration of 12 Rabi` al-Awwal. There is no doubt that the Companions, may God be pleased with them, are the most loving people to the Messenger, may God bless him and grant him peace. They are most keen to follow him, and the most knowledgeable of people in the Sunnah. Peace be upon him, and it did not affect the first preferred centuries that anyone celebrated the birth. Not a single incident was recorded in the history books indicating the existence of such a matter in those centuries. Rather, any of the good deeds can be done, such as night prayers, feeding food, and striving to fulfill people's needs.