When Was the Prophet of Islaam - SalaLlaahu alayhi wa sallam - Born?

Popular but Unreliable Stories Series III

By Aboo Naasir - Hafidhahu-Llaah


There is hard evidence in the books of hadeeth and history that the Prophet, Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam), was born on a Monday and that he was born in the Year of the Elephant. As such, no known difference occurs among the people of knowledge on these points. However, that he was born in the month of Rabiu al-Awwal and specifically on its 12th day, although popular, is unreliable! The problem is compounded by the difference in the dates cited in the books of history.

Imam Ibn Katheer (d. 774 AH) – the author of the widely read book of Tafseer – has uniquely compiled the various dates that have been mentioned: Some say he was born on 17th Rabiu al-Awwal, others cite 2nd Rabiu al-Awwal and some others gave 8th Rabiu al-Awwal. 10th Rabiu al-Awwal, 17th Rabiu al-Awwal and 22nd Rabiu al-Awwal were also given in different sources. Other sources even said he was born in the month of Ramadan! Yet, no one of these dates – not any – is transmitted with an authentic chain!

The most deserving of attention is that collected by Ibn Abee Shaybah in his Musannaf from ‘Affan on the authority of Sa’eed bin Meenaa from Jabir bin Abdullah and Abdullah bin Abbass that: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) was born in the Year of the Elephant on the 12th day of Rabiu al-Awwal...” [al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah 2/260]. Apart from the fact that giving the chain of report includes a declaration that this report is weak and unreliable, Imam Ibn Katheer expressly said, “It has a broken chain.” [al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah 3/109]. And this is clear. ‘Affan bin Muslim as-Saffaar, a 10th category reporter cited the report from Sa’eed bin Meenaa, a tabi’ee in the 3rd category. [See Taqreeb at-Tahdheeb no. 2649 and 5200]. Shaykh Muhammad bin Abdullah al-‘Ushan included this date in his book on Maa shaa’a walam yathbut fee as-Seerat an-Nabawiyyah (Popular But Unreliable Reports Cited in the Prophet’s Biography) pg. 5-10, and Dr. Akram Diyaa al-‘Umaree who stipulated to give only reliable reports in his book about the Prophet’s biography did not even mention any of the dates at all.

So, that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) was born on 12th Rabiu al-Awwal lacks evidence. He - sallallaahu alayhi wasallam - had said, “It suffices for a man to prove himself a liar when he goes on narrating whatever he hears”. (Muslim 7).

Dear reader, the fact remains that our religion is based on proven facts and Allah the Mighty and Sublime has promised and actually preserved it from any inclusions and deletions. If the actual date of birth of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) has any act of worship consequent upon it, it would have been authentically preserved. The message of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) is centred upon rejecting every other deity and giving servitude to Allah Alone, FOLLOWING the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam), not upon baseless suppositions and religious innovations.

Allahu al-Musta’an.

Source

Also read In Madeenah Singing And Drumming Welcomed The Prophet Salallaahu'Alayhi Wasallam

VictorNoni797:

You shameless scammer. It's shall never be well with you

I've to take another compulsory oath to comment..did you see what l saw? BIBLE was write on tablets,scroll and all available archiac methods.He came to the world when paper have not been invented.With a lot borrowing history that made up their books,...here they are with another concortion story.

Telling lies about the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is a great evil and a serious sin, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Telling lies about me is not like telling lies about anyone else. Whoever tells lies about me deliberately, let him take his place in Hell.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1229. It was also narrated by Muslim in the Introduction to his Saheeh, without the phrase “Telling lies about me is not like telling lies about anyone else.”

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not tell lies about me, for whoever tells lies about me will enter Hell.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 106.

Thank you brother for this educative topic. Birth of Arrasulullah Muhammad (SAW) searched in Hadith is just like searching first 20 elements in dictionary. Brother how many sirah books have u consulted?... May Allah be with you(OP) for this kind of educative topic. Let's unite ourselve as good followers of Islam. No hate speeches no violence. No no no no..............We are all one!

Maa Sha Allah , may الله bless you as you share this piece with us
May the darkness of ignorance never overtake you
نسعل الله لن ولكم عافية