Teach Your Child About Rabi Al Awwal
It is related from Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) who said about the Prophet PBUH:
"I once saw the messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) on the night of a full moon. On that night, he wore red clothing. At times I looked at the full moon and at times at the messenger of Allah. Ultimately I came to the conclusion that the messenger of Allah was more handsome, beautiful, and more radiant than the full moon."
Subhanallah - our beloved Prophet SAW was beautiful inside and out!
The blessed month of Rabi al Awwal is upon us. It is the third month of the Islamic calendar - five months away from Ramadan. An extraordinary and noble human being was born in this blessed month, on the 12th of Rabi al Awwal, to be exact. He was our most beloved Rasool and a perfect human being created, the final messenger, Muhammed SAW. Allah SWT Says in the Quran:
"We sent thee not but as a Mercy for all creatures." (Quran 21:107)
He SWT also Says:
"You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah the best example for anyone whose hope is in Allah in the Final Day, and who engages much in the praise of Allah." (Quran 33: 21)
Rabi al Awwal is an excellent month for reflection and renewal as a Muslim. It is a time wherein we should take a closer look at ourselves to see how we are faring as individuals in our actions and words. We can also reflect on our efforts towards the community and the ummah of the Prophet SAW. By asking ourselves questions, we can determine how much we need to improve or head in the right direction. Questions such as:
How well am I trying to emulate the Prophet PBUH in my life?
How much am I helping my community to thrive?
What am I doing to help those less fortunate?
How would I feel if the Prophet PBUH were to visit us today?
Would the Prophet SAW be happy to see the way I am living?
Could I invite him to my home and show him my social network pages?
Or will I feel embarrassed and want to hide certain things about my life?
As for making it a month of renewal, once we have reflected on our lives, we can pinpoint what we need to improve about ourselves. The best tribute we can do for our beloved Messenger PBUH would be for us to emulate him as close as possible, even in these troubled times of fitna and corruption. We can make a new commitment to be true to our Creator's laws because our salvation lies in following the straight path and being of good character.
No matter whom we are dealing with and our environment, we can still be the best version of ourselves as Allah SWT Knows our circumstances more than we do. The only way we can save ourselves when shaytan is trying to mess with our heads at every turn and lead us astray, is to keep to our prayers and dua and live our life following the footsteps of the Prophet SAW.
Some Other Significant Events in Rabi’ al awwal
The marriage of the Prophet PBUH and Lady Khadija R.A. took place.
The Prophet PBUH made Hijrah from Makkah to Madina.
The first masjid in Islam was established in Quba and then Masjid Nabawi in Madina.
The Prophet PBUH also passed away in this month.
Why Learn About the Prophet PBUH?
When we learn about the Prophet PBUH, like how he lived, how he treated others, how he dressed, ate, walked, spoke, prayed, etc., we will learn how a true believer is supposed to act. Allah SWT sent Prophet Muhammed SAW as a mercy to humanity - without the Prophet's SAW example; we would feel so lost! Through this, we learn how an actual Muslim behaves, thinks, and lives their life because the Prophet SAW followed Allah's laws through the Quran, so his Sunnah is the Quran put into action.
Some people think that they can be good Muslims by merely reading and following the Quran without considering the Sunnah. Unfortunately, those people will find their lives to be much more difficult because Allah sent the Prophet PBUH as a mercy to humankind. This means that through the Prophet's SAW actions and example, we can better understand what Allah expects from us as His servants and implement the path towards becoming a person of Jannah.
So take advantage of the month of Rabi al Awwal to open your heart to receive the divine outpouring and attain closeness to Allah and His beloved Rasool. This is the month of ennoblement – the month in which the Prophet SAW emerged into the world, and the earth was illuminated. So do not place anything above the Prophet SAW, not your parents, siblings, friends - no one. We have not been permitted to love anyone or anything else on earth, however great, as much as him. Let us make a short dua:
"Oh Allah, make us amongst those who receive this month in the best way, ameen!"
Some Ways to Make the Most of Rabi Al Awwal
1. Be Thankful to Allah SWT
It is a good time to reflect and be grateful to Allah SWT for sending our beloved Rasullullah as a perfect example for us. It could be a great time to implement reading a Hadith a day or making intentions to read more often from the Quran and Ahadith.
2. Increase Salawat Upon the Prophet PBUH
The Prophet PBUH said: “Whoever sends blessings upon me, Allah will send blessings upon him tenfold”. (Muslim)
It is a good time to increase our salawaat upon our beloved Prophet SAW or begin this habit if you haven’t started. Not only are we praising the Prophet SAW, we are receiving the blessings back ten times alhumdulillah. It is the simple act of saying:
ٱللَّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ ٱللَّٰهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Allahumma Salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammadin, kama sallaita ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala aali Ibrahima innaka Hamidum-Majeed. Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammadin kama barakta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala aali Ibrahima innaka Hameedum-Majeed.
O Allah, send your grace, honor and mercy upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your grace, honor and mercy upon Ibrahim, You are indeed Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. O Allah, send Your blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your blessings upon Ibrahim, You are indeed Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.
3. Read the Seerah
“Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah often. Quran 33:21
Set aside some time to read to younger children or encourage older kids to read the Seerah of the Prophet PBUH. To know him is to love him as he is greatest man that ever lived. We highly recommend the author Hesham al-Awadi’s books books for young and old to enjoy.
4. Practice More Sunnahs
This is a great time for parents to remind their children about the Sunnah by sharing how the Prophet PBUH behaved. Another good idea would be to read some Prophetic duas that keep our iman strong and help us during our times of turmoil and stress. A simple ad-free app to use on any device is the Dhikr & Du’aa app.
5. Be Charitable
It is always a good time to practice more charitable acts. We can teach our children to do simple acts of kindness towards their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or siblings. Even calling or texting someone an appreciative message is a charity, or smiling and being kind to your family when you see them. Giving our time is nowadays harder to do than giving money, so teaching our kids to serve others without benefit is another way to be charitable.
May Allah SWT accept our intentions, ameen.
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Salam, I’m Zakeeya!
I believe being a wife, a mother, and making our homes a sanctuary for our families brings us tremendous blessings, fulfillment, and improves society. Since 2011, I've been committed to helping Muslimas find tranquility in their roles, take better care of themselves, and attain contentment within. Our journey is not an easy one, but I pray the resources and mentoring I offer, will assist in navigating you through your everyday challenges with mindfulness and gratitude, inshallah. Join me as I share wifehood, motherhood, homemaking, and lifestyle solutions that make life more fulfilling for you as a woman! READ MORE
