The Holy Prophet of Islam as a Father
Today
is Friday the 12 Rabi'ul Awwal 1439 AH. The majority of the Muslim World is
celebrating Yaum-un-Nabi - the Day of the Prophet (pbuh), while others
call it Milad-un-Nabi - the birthday of the Prophet (pbuh). While
celebrating birthdays was not a Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh), each Muslim must bear in mind that celebrations which resemble the practices
of the non-Muslims (e.g. cake cutting and blowing on candle and making wishes,
partying with dancing, music and alcoholic drinks etc.) are strictly forbidden
in Islam.
As
for us, we prefer to commemorate the Seerat-un-Nabi, i.e. the life story
of the Prophet (pbuh) so that we may remind ourselves of his perfect character
as a human being and prophet.
Muhammad
literally means much praised. Even before he made claim to prophethood, his own
people knew him to be truthful and trustworthy. The Holy Prophet of Islam (pbuh)
was the father of three sons and four daughters. Two sons, Qasim and Abdullah,
named in the family Tayab and Tahir were born from Hazrat Khadija. Another son,
Ibrahim, later on, was born from Hazrat Maria, his Coptic wife (who later
became Muslim).
The
first born was Qasim after whom, according to the Arab custom, the Holy Prophet
himself was called Abul Qasim, i.e. father of Qasim. Qasim died at the age of
two before the advent of Islam. Next to Qasim was his eldest daughter named
Zainab. Next to her were daughters Ruqayya, Umme Kulsoom, and the youngest of
all daughters was Fatima. The youngest offspring of the Holy Prophet and Hazrat
Khadija was Abdullah, who passed away as an infant before the advent of Islam.