Prof Quraish Shihab explains history of mawlid celebration

Jakarta, NU Online
Indonesian prominent scholar Prof. Quraish Shihab said that the commemoration of the Birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in festive events was only celebrated during the Abbasid dynasty, especially during Caliph Al-Hakim Billah.

"He celebrated the birtday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by going out with his queen by wearing beautiful clothes," Prof Quraish said in a video uploaded by Mata Najwa's YouTube account, Monday (19/11).

Prof. Quraish added that since then the mawlid celebration had been held to this day in different ways. He gave an example, in Egypt for example, the so-called maulid nabi was celebrated by making dolls from sweets.

"Named Araisil Mawlid (Arouset El-Moulid). There is depicted a queen with her white clothes. There is a caliph on a horse," he said, adding that all this was done as a form of gratitude and educating children to love Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

According to Prof. Quraish, the mawlid celebration has still be celebrated to this day. Muslims have their own ways on how to celebrate it. In South Sulawesi, for example. The mawlid is celebrated by making lights from so-called simpron then decorated with various accessories.

"So what does that mean? Indeed, Allah commands "qul wabifadlillahi wabirohmati fabidzalika falyafrahu wa khairum mimma yajma’un," he explained.

"This is what is used by Muslim scholars to celebrate the maulid," he added.

The birthday of Prophet Muhammad, also known as Mawlid, is being celebrated across the world. In some Muslim countries, the day is a public holiday. In more conservative countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the practice is forbidden as there is no record of the Prophet observing the day.

The Prophet is revered by Muslims as the final messenger sent by God to spread the Abrahamic faith to the world. To non-Muslims, he is considered the founder of Islam. (Muchlishon/Masdar)