Muslim men and women should epitomize the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in their daily lives. Muslim women can celebrate the Prophet’s birthday by increasing dhikr and offering salutations upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), gathering Muslim ladies and educating them about the manners of the Prophet as well as by studying the Prophet’s seerah.
Zainab Al-`Alwani, Instructor of fiqh and Islamic studies, Graduate School of Islamic and Social Sciences, Leesburg, Virginia, states the following: First of all, we should know that celebrating the Prophet’s birthday is neither a Sunnah nor an obligation. However, people have got used to expressing their love for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in a moderate way on his birthday. If your intention is as such, then I may suggest some activities to do on that day.
Things to Do
1. Increase your dhikr and salutations for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) on that day.
2. Gather Muslim ladies and educate them about the best manners of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), how he was a role model for the whole mankind, how he treated women, etc.
3. Study the seerah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with your family and choose certain incidents that relate to the present time.
4. Increase reading Qur’an and du`aa’ on that day.
While doing all these activities, we should never think they are Sunnah, but always entertain the feeling that you are remembering the greatest legacy the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) left behind and you are showing your love for him.
Things to Avoid
1. Any kind of innovation or exaggerating in expressing the love of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
2. Any song that would describe the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with some shirk concepts.
3. Any violations to his Sunnah or teachings.