Rabi-ul-Awwal
The month of Rabiul-Awwal is known to one and all as being the month in which Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was born. With the onset of Rabiul-Awwal, programmes and functions to commemorate the noble birth abound. These programmes and functions stem from the love for Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). However, let us examine these programmes from another perspective.
The Ummah of every Messenger of Allah Ta'ala passed through two stages. The first was that period of time when the Ummah was living a life in total accordance to the teachings of their Nabi (Alaihis Salaam). Every action displayed their love and devotion for their Nabi (Alaihis Salaam). Hence they had no need to fix any special occasions wherein this love could be expressed.
The next stage came when the Ummah had abandoned the practical example of their Guide and Prophet. Instead they had adopted a way of life which had little or no resemblance to the way of the Prophet (Alaihis Salaam). Nevertheless, the love for their prophet still existed in their hearts to some degree but there was no practical expression of this love. As a result they began to observe certain special occasions in which this love could be expressed.
The Ummah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has also passed through the first stage. The Sahaaba (R.A.) displayed their total love for Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in every aspect of their lives. Hence no special occasion in the entire year was ever observed by them to commemorate anything in order to express their love. However, with the passing of time the Ummah abandoned the Sunnah and adopted in its place the way of the enemies of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Often one can not even distinguish a Muslim from a disbeliever. Hence Special occasions are now observed in order to express the love for Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). This obviously can never be a substitute for the Sunnah way of life. Therefore the only solution is to practically adopt the Sunnah totally and express the true love for Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in every action of our lives.