Difference Between Observance of Milad un Nabi (sws) and

Seerat un Nabi (sws)

by: Syed Mujtaba Quader

What is the difference between those who follow 'Seerat un Nabi' (biography or
study of the life journey of the Prophet ) and those who celebrate 'Milad un Nabi'
(birth of the Prophet) ? This may not be a fair question because there are those
who follow and participate in both activities and they are true followers and
'ashiqs' (lovers) of Rasulullah. But it seems that there is a clear distinction
between the two because a silent and subtle controversy is raging among the
Islamic intelligentsia about the transcendence and acceptability of one concept
over the other.

The followers of 'Milad un Nabi' or `Mawlid, observe and celebrate the birth of
the Prophet on the 12th day of Rabiul Awal each year with vigour and fervour.
This is done in a manner similar to Christians who celebrate the birth of their
Saviour, Jesus Christ on Christmas Day each year as their greatest religious
festival. Celebrating 'Mawlid', involves merrymaking, parading, offering gratitude
to the Almighty for having sent the Prophet and importantly, showering praise
and honour upon the Prophet as if he was alive and physically present. Fostering
an emotional and spiritual bond to the Prophet is a vital element of 'Mawlid'
rituals. Recounting the glorious life of the Prophet and discussing various aspects
and phases of his life, as is the object of 'Seerat un Nabi', or 'Seerah', are also
some of the methods of 'Mawlid'. In this respect 'Mawlid' encompasses the
objectives of 'Seerah' observance, and yet, is different from it in fundamental
ways.

'Seerat un Nabi' observance on the other hand demands rituals and rites of a
different nature, since it is mainly a contemplation and study of the Prophet's life
for the purpose of emulation and ultimate absorption and incorporation in one's
own life. This is done in the thought that molding ones life in the character and
practices of the Prophet would earn one the favour of the Almighty and therefore
guarantee him a place in Paradise. Personal, emotional attachment to the
persona of the Prophet is not considered a necessity because the Prophet is not
thought of as being alive, present or amenable to being reached. The will of
Almighty Allah is all important and the only focal point. However, followers of
'Seeratun Nabi' also hold parades and assemblies specially in the month of the
Prophets birth, Rabiul Awal, which is somehow inconsistent with the fundamental
purpose of 'Seeratun Nabi' observance, which is not bound by monthly or time
constraints. It is possible that the followers of the 'Seerah' use these ceremonies
only to differentiate themselves from Mawlid followers specifically in the month
of Rabiul Awal, but by following the very practices of 'Mawlid' followers who they
oppose.

The efforts of some Islamic Ullema, of the 'Seerat un Nabi' fold, to assert and
establish a different approach to the understanding of the role of the Prophet in
Islam is actually a manifestation of how they perceive the persona of the Prophet,
past and present. The Prophet is thought of as being dead and irrelevant to the
present time except in the context of the legacy that he had left behind in the
journey of his life which if followed meticulously in the present time would
automatically lead Muslims to Paradise. The followers of 'Mawlid' on the other
hand consider the Prophet alive spiritually, if not in other corporeal ways, and
desire to cultivate a spiritual proximity to him as a means of obtaining Paradise,
but also as a goal on its own merit, ultimately achieving merger with the
Prophets being itself.

The matter of the celebration of Miladun Nabi and Seeratun Nabi in its present
context actually goes into the core values and beliefs of the religion of Islam.
Followers of Miladun Nabi believe that the Prophet of Islam played in the past,
and also plays in the present an active role in the Muslims effort to reach
salvation in the world of Allah, whereas the followers of Seeratun Nabi believe
that an active role of the Prophet in the life of Muslims has ceased, and the only
benefit that they can derive from him is from his legacy alone, in the form of the
Hadees literature and otherwise. The physical manifestation of these two forms of
thought is seen in the behavior of its followers : the Milad un Nabi followers
being propelled towards Sufiism and its manifestations, and the Seerat un Nabi
followers being drawn to Wahabism, Salafism and its manifestations.