The Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam
The Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of God be upon him, was born in Mecca on the 12th of the month of Rabiu-l-Awal in the year 570 CE. The Prophet’s birthday was not celebrated by Sunni Muslims en masse until the 13th century A.D. and today is celebrated as a national holiday in most Muslim countries, except for Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Our community gathers every year to celebrate this auspicious occasion and we take care to prevent shirk (worshipping anything living or inanimate as if he/she is God). Our intention is always to connect with Allah Most High in the deepest way, in all of our worship and daily activities, and in that spirit we approach this day with conscious awareness and care. During this time we always thank Allah for the blessing of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad, recognizing that Allah is the Creator and Originator of All.
During this time, SSC offers teachings on the Prophet’s life and opportunities for beloveds to share stories about him. We also have a “salawat-athon” in which we have a goal for reciting a certain number of salawat, and the community does its best to meet it.
In 2022 we expect the Prophet’s birthday to fall on Saturday, October 8th, insha’allah. From October 2 – October 9 we will have daily teachings available, as always, by donation. Click here to see the Mawlid programming schedule.
A Fundamental Spiritual Practice: Salawat
Salawat is a fundamental practice in the Sufi way. It offers the beloved many benefits and is the template Allah gave us for healthy giving and receiving from Him. If you’d like to try making salawat, follow the instructions below, insha’allah. May Allah bless you in all of your worship. Amin.
What is Salawat?
Salawat is any prayer that you make asking Allah to bless the Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.
How Does One “Make” Salawat?
Salawat can be as simple as saying:
Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad
O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad
It can be a little longer, as it is in al-wird:
Allahumma salli ‘ala sayyidina muhammadin
wa ‘ala alihi wa sahbihi wa sallim
O Allah! Send prayers and peace upon our Master Muhammad and his family and his companions
You can use the salawat at the end of salah:
Allahumma salli ‘ala sayyidina muhammadin
wa ‘ala ali sayyidina muhammad;
kama salayta ‘ala sayyidina ibrahima
wa ‘ala ali ibrahim;
fil ‘alamin
innaka hamidun majid
O Allah! Send prayers on our Master Muhammad
and upon the family of our Master Muhammad;
just as You prayed upon our Master Ibrahim
and upon the family of our Master Ibrahim;
in all the worlds, You are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious!
Even a prayer as long as The Wadhifa of Ibn Mashish is a form of salawat!
3 Benefits of Salawat
These are just a few of the many reasons to send your prayers for Allah to give the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, peace and blessings, and to his family and followers as well.
1. It brings us closer to the Prophet Muhammad on the Day of Judgment (a day we will all need all of the mercy and support we can get!).
The Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:
“On the Day of Judgment the person closest to me will be the one who has made the most salawat for me.” (Tirmidhi).
2. For every time you make salawat on the Prophet Allah sends you 10 blessings.
The Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:
“He who invokes blessings on me once, Allah sends ten blessings upon him.”
Sahih Muslim narrated by Abu Hurairah, radiyallahu anhu
3. Your prayers traverse the heavens until they reach Allah Most High, without being stalled or stopped.
“Indeed, supplications are stalled between the heavens and the earth and are not lifted up until the supplicant invokes blessings upon the Prophet.”
Tirmidhi
u reach it.
