Commemorating Maulid al-Rasul: Honoring the Birth of Knowledge and Its Continuity

Rabi' al-Awwal is a month long awaited by Muslims across the world, for its 12th day marks the birth of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, an occasion often referred to as Maulid al- Rasul.

While in many communities it is observed through the celebration of the birth anniversary of the Last Messenger, it is equally meaningful to view this occasion as a commemoration. To commemorate is more than simply to remember or to celebrate; it is to internalize the significance of the Prophet's life and message, allowing it to shape our thoughts, stir our feelings, and guide our actions.

Regarding the person whose birth we commemorate, it is not merely the birth of a great figure, but the birth of divine knowledge into human history. His coming marked the dawn of light that dispelled the darkness of ignorance (jāhiliyyah). The Prophet's mission was to illuminate hearts and minds with guidance, as Allah declares: "Indeed, there has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book" (Qur'an 5:15).

This "light" is knowledge, and the Prophet was its teacher and transmitter. The Qur'an and Sunnah provide comprehensive guidance on managing oneself, building just relationships, caring for creation, and preparing for the eternal life of the Hereafter (Al-Attas, 1980).

The light of knowledge did not end with him but was entrusted to his companions, scholars, and successive generations, forming an unbroken chain of transmission that continues to guide Muslims today. Thus, commemorating Maulid al-Rasul is also an affirmation of this living legacy of knowledge, reminding us to sustain it, embody it, and pass it on to future generations.

The commemoration of Maulid al-Rasul, hence, may be understood as a moment of reflection and renewal of commitment to the Prophet's ﷺ teachings. It offers an opportunity to draw timeless lessons from his life and message, and to reflect more deeply on the guidance he imparted. It is also a time to strengthen our efforts to internalize his example, by reflecting on his life, nurturing love and reverence for him, as well as committing our actions to the knowledge and guidance he conveyed.

True commemoration, therefore, entails intellectual remembrance, spiritual attachment, and ethical embodiment. In other words, the commemoration of Maulid al- Rasul is a moment to deepen our knowledge of the Prophet's life and teachings, and to translate them into practice. It is not merely about knowing his story in theory or speaking of his roles and challenges, but about taking his example as guidance for our actions, decisions, and interactions.

Knowledge as the Core of Prophethood

Allah reminds us "And who is better in speech than one who calls to Allah, does righteous deeds, and says, 'Indeed, I am of the Muslims'" (Qur'an 41:33). Imām Ibn al-Mubārak emphasized that after prophethood, no deed is greater than the dissemination of knowledge (al-Dhahabī, 1998).

This means, as the final Prophet, Muhammad ﷺ directly received revelation and delivered divine guidance to humanity. This represents the highest form of knowledge transmission, a rank that will never be repeated. The closest deed in value is to continue his mission by spreading knowledge.

For knowledge is not meant to be hoarded but shared, safeguarding people from ignorance and guiding them toward truth. In this light, the commemoration of Maulid al-Rasul finds its fullest expression in teaching, learning, and living the Prophet's guidance, as beautifully practiced in many Muslim communities today.

Thus, commemorating Maulid requires us to not only remember his birth but to carry forward his mission of knowledge transmission, teaching with wisdom, sincerity, and compassion. Commemorating Maulid al-Rasul is an effort to ensure that the Prophet Muhammad's legacy of knowledge remains alive and impactful.

The Prophet himself nurtured the first generation of Muslims in the Prophet's Mosque of al-Masjid al-Nabawi, which was not only a place of worship but also the first madrasah and community center (Nasr, 2002).

The Prophet's Mosque remains a living testament to this legacy, embodying his vision of a place where faith, knowledge, and community continue to flourish. Millions of people visit the mosque annually, not only to pray near the Prophet's resting place but also to connect with the heritage of Islamic scholarship. The Library of Masjid al-Nabawi (Maktabat al-Masjid al-Nabawī al-Sharīf) is one of the many institutions that represents this continuity. Established formally in 1352H/1933CE, the library was created to preserve the sacred heritage of Islamic scholarship while serving the learning needs of pilgrims and the wider Muslim community (al-ʿUthaymīn, 2000).

The Library of Masjid al-Nabawi (Maktabat al-Masjid al-Nabawī al-Sharīf) is situated on the eastern side of the mosque, to the right of the mosque-goers facing the qiblah.

The library houses a rich collection that includes ancient manuscripts of the Qur'an, tafsīr, fiqh, ḥadīth, and history, alongside extensive modern print and digital resources.

The Library ensures that the flow of sacred knowledge remains unbroken in the modern era (Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, 2023). This heritage demonstrates that knowledge in Islam is not static but dynamic, preserved through texts and lived through communities. The Prophet's birth inaugurated this stream, and its preservation in places like Masjid al-Nabawi is a reminder that our commemoration must translate into renewed commitment to seeking, spreading, and living knowledge.

The library is easily accessible to visitors and researchers. It functions as a center for the preservation of rare manuscripts, the study of Islamic sciences, and the provision of modern research resources.

Just as the Prophet's Mosque became a beacon of knowledge in the 7th century, its library today symbolizes the continuity of that mission into the 21st century. The library does not only serve pilgrims who visit the Prophet's Mosque but also continues its mission as a hub of faith, learning, and knowledge dissemination.

In this context, commemorating the Prophet's birth means celebrating the birth of knowledge. It is a call to carry forward his mission of enlightenment, ensuring that ignorance does not overpower truth. May our commemoration do not end in remembrance alone, but inspire us to live as beneficiaries and heirs of his knowledge and light.

It is therefore pertinent to commemorate Maulid al-Rasul by reflecting on the central role of knowledge in the Prophet's mission and by recognizing our responsibility to sustain it. In doing so, we deepen our love and reverence for the Prophet, expressed through gratitude for the guidance he brought. The commemoration should serve as a moment to strengthen our commitment to learning, teaching, and embodying knowledge that uplifts individuals and communities, ultimately drawing us nearer to Allah.

On this blessed occasion of Maulid al-Rasul, may our love for the Prophet deepen and our commitment to his guidance be renewed. May Allah grant us sincerity in seeking and spreading knowledge so that we may continue the Prophet's mission of guiding humanity. May He make us among those who call to truth with wisdom and goodness, and may the knowledge we learn enable us to bring people closer to their Creator.

Shukran Abd Rahman is a Professor of Industrial and Organisational Psychology at the Department of Psychology, AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia. He is currently a Fellow Researcher at the Imam Bukhari International Scientific Research Center in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.