Rabi’ al Awwal (رَبِيع ٱلْأَوَّل,) is the third month in the Islamic calendar and the literal meaning of the word is the “First season of spring”. However, not every Rabi al-Awwal is related to the spring season because every Islamic year moves back ten days.
While Moharram and Safar months are spent in deep mourning, Rabi al-Awwal is the culmination of that mourning. The two most important dates for us in this blessed month are the 9th Rabi al-Awwal when we celebrate Eid-e Zehra and 17th Rabi al-Awwal, the birth anniversary of our beloved Prophet (pbuh).
Eid-e Zehra (9th Rabi al-Awwal) – This is the day when after four years of the Karbala tragedy, the news of death of key murderers in the incident, namely Umar ibn Sa’ad and Ubayd-Allah ibn Ziyad by Mukhtar al-Thaqafi reached Imam Zayn-al-‘Abedin (as) in Madina and brought a smile to his face. This day is celebrated by Shi’as and the lovers of the Ahlul Bayt all over the world by holding Milaads and wearing bright clothes, lightening their houses and wishing one another.
9th Rabi al-Awwal is also regarded as the marriage anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and Hazrat Khadija (AS).
And to top it all, this is also the first day of the Imamate of our living Imam, Imam Mehdi ibne Hassan al-Askari [may Allah hasten his return] – a day of rejoicing and celebration.
On the 9th of Rabi al-Awwal, it is highly recommended to Perform Ghusl (Ablution), Wear new clothes, Apply perfume, Hold gatherings to praise Allah, His Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the Ahlul Bayt (as).
Birth Anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) – While the Shi’as celebrate the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad on 17th Rabi al-Awwal, our Sunni brothers and sisters celebrate it on 12th Rabi al-Awwal.
Right from his childhood, the Prophet was known for his virtue, lofty conduct and noble character like no other around him. He was known as ‘as-Sadiq’ (the Truthful) and ‘al-Amin’ (the Honest). People put their complete trust in him and always turned to him as an impartial judge in their frequent disputes even before he was proclaimed a prophet. His pristine purity was indicative of his future greatness when he was introduced as a model of emulation and messenger for all of mankind.
17th Rabi al-Awwal is also the birth anniversary of our 6th Imam, Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (AS) who was also given the title of Sadiq because of his truthfulness just like Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Imam Sadiq was an expert in teaching and interpreting Allah’s words and His revelations in Quran-e Majid.
On the 17th of Rabi al-Awwal, it is highly recommended to: Perform Ghusl (Ablution), Observing fast (It is narrated that to observe fasting on this day brings about the reward of observing fasting for a whole year). Visit the tomb of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) or recite the Ziarat of the Prophet from a distance.
Visit the tomb of Imam Ali Amir al-Mu’minin (AS) or recite the form of Ziyarah that Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq taught to Muhammad ibn Muslim. Offer a two-rakat namaz in the forenoon. In each rakat, recite Surah al-Fatihah once and Surah al-Qadr 10 times and Surah al-Tawhid 10 times. Honor this day by giving alms and doing righteous deeds.
SARA HASSAN
(Noida Expressway)
(For the month of Rabi’al Awwal)