What is the month of Rebiülevvel, and what activities take place during this month?
The third month in the Hijri calendar is Rebiülevvel. Rebiülevvel is a month filled with mercy and blessings and is also known as the month of Mawlid (Prophet’s Birthday). The name of the month comes from the Arabic word “rebi,” which means “spring, spring rain, abundance, and blessing.” This word also essentially means “to establish or reside in a place.”
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE MONTH OF REBİÜLEVVEL?
The month of Rebiülevvel holds an important place in Islamic history. According to general consensus, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born on Monday, the 12th of Rebiülevvel. The celebration of this birth paved the way for the formation of Mawlid traditions in Muslim communities. The Hijra (migration), a turning point in Islamic history, also took place in Rebiülevvel.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), having sought refuge in the Cave of Sevr with Hz. Abu Bakr at the end of Safar, set out for Madinah on 1st Rebiülevvel and arrived in Quba on Monday, 8th Rebiülevvel. The Quba Mosque was built here. He moved to Madinah on 12th Rebiülevvel, performed the first Friday prayer in the valley of Ranuna, and arrived in Madinah later that same day. Construction of the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid an-Nabawi) also began during this month.
There is a consensus that the passing away (demise) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also occurred in Rebiülevvel. According to a famous narration, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) passed away on Monday, 12th Rebiülevvel. (Ahmad Hassan al-Zayat, XXXII [1961], p. 1).
WHAT SHOULD WE DO IN THE MONTH OF REBİÜLEVVEL?
Imam Kastallani says:
“If the people of Islam (with the joy of being part of his Ummah)
- Revive the month in which the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was born,
- Show generosity in giving food,
- Provide all kinds of assistance to the poor,
- Express joy and increase their good deeds,
And if they strive to benefit from its blessings by paying attention to reciting the Mawlid Sharif,
It has been experienced that those who do so are saved from calamities that year and have their wishes fulfilled.” (Kastallani, Mawāhib-i Ledünniye, I, 147-148, Beirut 2004)
As the Ummah of Muhammad, in order to benefit from the grace of this blessed month in which our Prophet was born, we must increase our righteous deeds and enter into a kind of competition for good/charity. For this purpose;
- Reach out to those who are helpless, destitute, and especially disaster-stricken hearts wherever we can reach,
- Give alms in proportion to our capabilities,
- Exchange gifts,
- Read the Holy Quran abundantly,
- Visit the sick,
- Learn and teach the noble life and beautiful character of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), especially making Him loved by our children,
- Experience and perpetuate the joy and excitement of belonging to the Ummah of the Messenger of Allah, and
- Strive to perform gratitude for this immense blessing.
ACTS OF WORSHIP TO BE PERFORMED IN THE MONTH OF REBİÜLEVVEL
- Giving Sadaqah (Charity)
Giving Sadaqah (Charity)
One of the most important acts of worship in this month is giving charity. We should delight those who are needy, orphans, and destitute according to our ability.
The Most Beloved of All Creation (Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him) taught infaq (spending in Allah’s way) by practicing it himself. On one occasion,
“Giving sadaqah is the duty of every Muslim.”
The Companions said:
“What if someone does not find anything to give in charity?”
“He should do work and it will be beneficial for him and he can also donate from his earnings.”
They said:
“What if he is unable (or cannot find work)?”
“He should help those in distress and needy people.”
They said:
“What if he is not able to do that?”
“Then he should refrain from doing evil. That will be sadaqah for him.”(Bukhari, Zakat, 30, Adab, 33; Muslim, Zakat, 55)
- What is Sadaqah? Verses and Hadiths Related to Sadaqah
- Exchanging Gifts and Making Offerings
Exchanging Gifts and Making Offerings
It is recommended to buy gifts and make offerings for children and those around us to be aware of this month and to fill it with the love of Allah’s Messenger.
According to a narration from Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Allah, for your sake, should give to those who ask you, and respond to those who invite you, and reciprocate those who give you gifts. If you do not find something to reciprocate, then pray for them.”(Tirmidhi, Birr, 30)
- Offering Salawat (Blessings) upon the Prophet
Offering Salawat (Blessings) upon the Prophet
Allah Almighty has commanded us to offer salawat (blessings and peace) upon the Prophet. One of the most important acts of worship in this month, when our Messenger was born, is to offer him salawat. It is also narrated in hadiths that whoever offers salawat will have all their sorrows removed.
- What is Salawat and How to Offer it?
- The Virtues of Offering Salawat
It is stated in a verse:
“Say, ‘If you do not – all of you – offer praise [to Allah], then surely Allah is forgiving and merciful.’”(al-Furqan, 77)
Ubay bin Kab (may Allah be pleased with him) says:
“I asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him):
‘O Messenger of Allah! I send many salawat upon you. How much should I do this?’
He said, ‘As much as you wish.’
‘Should I dedicate a quarter of my supplication to sending salawat upon you?’ I asked.
He said, ‘As much as you wish. But it would be better if you did more.’
‘Then should I dedicate half of the time I set aside for supplication to sending salawat upon you?’ I asked.
He said, ‘As much as you wish. But it would be beneficial for you if you increased it.’
‘Then should I send salawat upon you in all the time I dedicate to supplication?’ I asked.
He said, ‘In that case, Allah will remove all your sorrows and forgive your sins.’” (Tirmidhi, Qiyamah, 23)
- Reading the Holy Quran
Reading the Holy Quran
Allah’s friends have recommended reading the Holy Quran abundantly in this blessed month.
It is narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever reads a letter from the Holy Quran, he will be rewarded with one good deed. And for every good deed there is ten rewards. I do not say ‘Alif Lam Mim’ is a letter; rather, Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter, and Mim is a letter.”(Tirmidhi, Fazailul-Quran 16)
It is narrated from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“A person whose heart contains a portion of the Holy Quran is like a ruined house.”(Tirmidhi, Fazailul-Quran 18)
- Verses and Hadiths Related to the Virtue of Reading the Holy Quran
- Making Dua (Supplication)
Making Dua (Supplication)
These blessed days are times to make supplications and prayers to our Lord.
- Prophet’s Prayers Mentioned in the Holy Quran
- Prayers Mentioned in Hadiths
- A Prayer Covering All Prayers
It is stated in a verse:
“Say, ‘If you do not – all of you – offer praise [to Allah], then surely Allah is forgiving and merciful.’”(al-Furqan, 77)
Again, we must be in a state of gratitude and thanks for the blessings given by our Lord. It has been narrated in a hadith that two conditions for supplication being accepted are praise (hamd) and salawat.
On one occasion, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saw a companion beginning his supplication with praise to Allah and sending blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him), and he praised him by saying:
“O praying person! Make supplication, for your supplication will be accepted as long as you begin it with praise and salawat.”(Tirmidhi, Du’a, 64/3476)
WHAT CAN MOTHERS AND FATHERS DO FOR THEIR CHILDREN IN THE MONTH OF REBİÜLEVVEL?
The month of Rebiülevvel is an important opportunity for mothers and fathers.
- Buying gifts for our children in the nights of celebration, making special offerings for that day,
- Taking our children to blessed places such as Eyüp Sultan, Emir Sultan, Süleyman Çelebi, Hacı Bayram and similar places in our neighborhood,
Will cause them to benefit from Allah’s permission and grace with spiritual excitement and love.
Implanting this love into their hearts at a young age will be like carvings on stone, lasting forever.
The most important duty of compassionate and merciful mothers and fathers today is;
- To raise their children in accordance with the Quran and Sunnah.
- To bequeath them the Islamic character and personality.
- To fill the hearts of their children with the love of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).