This past Monday-Tuesday was an important day for is Islamic community – the celebration/commemoration of Mawlid al-Nabi. Mawlid al-Nabi or the Birth of the Prophet, is the observance of the birthday of Islamic prophet Muhammad which is commemorated in Rabi' al-awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar.
Born Muhammad ibn Abd Allah ibn Abd al-Muttalib in 570 CE in Mecca, Muhammad (PBUH) was orphaned at age 6 and placed with family members. He was a merchant and a shepherd and was known around Mecca s a man of high character. As an adult, Muhammad (PBUH) regularly took a few weeks off to meditate by himself in a nearby cave. During one visit, made when he was 40, Muhammad (PBUH) heard a voice speak to him. It was, he later learned, the angel Gabriel acting as a sort of liaison to Allah (Arabic word for ‘God’) delivering messages intended just for him. Allah, Muhammad said, told him there was only one true Allah, and that Muhammad was to call himself a prophet and deliver that message. Over the next 20 years, he would continue to receive revelations that would become the basis for the holy Qur’an. Muhammad spent the rest of his life preaching the one-ness of Allah and the human need to submit to Allah’s will.
While many Muslims choose to celebrate Mawlid al-Nabi, others do not consider it appropriate to celebrate and instead prefer to mark the day with quiet reflection, prayers and donations to charity. The focus of Mawlid is to remember the life of the Prophet - his teachings, sufferings, and his character.
In his latest encyclical, Fratelli Tutti (On Fraternity and Social Friendship), Pope Francis highlights the need for promoting interreligious dialogue and peacebuilding – especially between Catholics and Muslims. By drawing upon the profound encounter of reverence and hospitality between the twelfth century Sultan al-Kamil and Saint Francis, Pope Francis invites all Catholics to engage in dialogue with our Muslim family. The first step in dialogue is to learn more about each other and honor what is important to each.
In that very spirit, Viterbo University wishes our Muslim community a happy and joyous Mawlid al-Nabi!
Reflection: “Each one of us can be a bridge of encounter between diverse cultures and religions, a way to rediscover our common humanity.” Pope Francis What do we need to learn about others to reach out in dialogue? How we be bridges?
Muhammad's Prayer of Light
O God, give me light in my heart
and light in my tongue, and light in my hearing
and light in my sight, and light in my feeling
and light in all body, and light before me
and light behind me.
Give me, I pray, Light on my right hand
And light on my left hand
And light above me, And light beneath me,
O Lord, Increase light within me, And give me light
And illuminate me.