The Unique Birth

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is a transcript of discourse given by Mawlana Wafi’ Muhammad. 

Jesus (a.s.) was Sent in this world in a unique way.  He did not come through the usual process of conception as a normal human being.  Allah (s.w.t.) Sent the soul of Jesus (a.s.) into Maryam (a.s.), and, gradually, the body was formed.  That is why he was formed and fashioned without a male agent.  Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) also came into this world in a special way, albeit not like Jesus (a.s.).  He came into this world as a normal human being.  Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الکهف

قُلۡ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۟ بَشَرٌ۬ مِّثۡلُكُمۡ ... (١١٠) 

Say: “I am but a man like yourselves ...” (Surah al-Kahf:110) 

However, every human being upon conception, the foetus grows and forms, and it is only after four months then Allah (s.w.t.) Unites the soul with the body.  Only then will it be regarded as a perfect human being.  In the interim, it is not a human being in the true sense of the word; it is a creature.  This was not the case with Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.).  He was a perfect, complete human being from the time of conception because of the special light that was there on the forehead of Sayyidina ‘Abdullah ibn Hashim (r.a.), before he got married to Sayyidatina Aminah bint Wahb (r.a.), and after marriage, the light went into Aminah (r.a.). 

We find evidence of this of when his father, Sayyidina ‘Abdullah (r.a.) was going to marry Sayyidatina Aminah (r.a.).  As the record shows, that when the wedding was going to take place, a woman by the name of Qutaylah, saw him approaching and was struck by the radiance which lit his face, and which seemed to her to shine from beyond this world.  When he was passing by her, she said, “O ‘Abdullah, take me now as your wife and you shalt have as many camels as those that were sacrificed in your stead.” 

To this, Sayyidina ‘Abdullah (r.a.) replied, “I am with my father; I cannot act against his wishes, and I cannot leave him.”  The marriage eventually took place at the home of Sayyidatina Aminah (r.a.). 

Sometime after, Sayyidina ‘Abdullah (r.a.) went to fetch something from his own house, and again he met Qutaylah.  Her eyes searched his face with such earnestness that he stopped beside her expecting her to speak.  When she remained silent, he asked her why she did not say to him what she had said the day before.  She answered him, saying, “The light has left you that was with you yesterday.” 

I believe that the light spoken about was the soul of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.).  And what we gather is that the soul of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) and his blessed body began growing together.  We can further substantiate this with the fact that while Sayyidatina Aminah (r.a.) was carrying the child in her womb she saw a light issue from her which illuminated even the castles of Baswra, in Sham.  And even after his birth, and throughout his life, the light never separated from him.  For example, when he was young and in the care of Sayyidina Halimah bint Abu Dzu’ayb as-Sa’diyyah (r.a.), he went missing one day.  When they searched for him, they saw a bright light on a tree, unlike any they ever saw.  Upon further investigation that light was where young Muhammad (s.a.w.) was. 

And we know of the popular narrations where his companions swore that, at times, his personality was brighter and more beautiful than the full Moon.  This can possibly by why the children of Madinah once sung “Thala’a al-Badru ‘Alayna,” “Oh the Full Moon has Risen over Us.” 

We are very fortunate that this perfect person is our guide and model.  And not only that, part of his job is to share that light with us; “Siraj al-Munirah “A lamp that gives light.”  Perhaps that is why Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ المَائدة

... قَدۡ جَآءَڪُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ نُورٌ۬ وَڪِتَـٰبٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ (١٥) 

… there has come to you, from Allah, a (new) Light and a Perspicuous Book. ― (Surah al-Ma’idah:15) 

The Prophet’s (s.a.w.) mission can be identified as two dimensions; one is to invite to Allah (s.w.t.) and the next is to share the light.  Allah (s.w.t.) is Constantly Sending the light on him.  The night of the Mi’raj was the occasion when he was Invited by his Lord to make that connection.  And from then onwards, he is distributing the light that Allah (s.w.t.) is Sending on him.  And if we connect with him, we can also share and benefit from it.  Why do we send swalawat upon the Prophet (s.a.w.)?  Allah (s.w.t.) has already Blessed him.  When we engage in swalawat, we share in the Blessings that Allah (s.w.t.) is Constantly Sending on him.  If we want our light to grow, we must connect to him by reciting swalawat abundantly.  When we are pure and clean, we can see Allah (s.w.t.).  That is why one shaykh once said, “I saw my Lord in my dream.”  If we purify ourselves, we can see our Lord.  How will we see Him?  Allah (s.w.t.) Knows. 

Why say this?  What is my proof?  It is recorded that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said that when the people of Paradise enter Paradise, it will be Asked of them, “Do you need something more? 

They will reply, “Have You not Whitened our faces?  Have You not Entered us in Paradise and Protected us from Hell?” 

Then, Allah (s.w.t.) will Remove the veil.  Looking to their Lord will be more lovely to them than anything else given to them.  The more we purify ourselves, the nearer we will get to our Lord.  That is the recipe for ascent.  We must remove all the blemishes from our personality and brighten our countenance.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ عَبَسَ

وُجُوهٌ۬ يَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ۬ مُّسۡفِرَةٌ۬ (٣٨) 

Some faces, that Day, will be beaming. (Surah ‘Abasa:38) 

We beg Allah (s.w.t.) to Help us, Guide us and Give us something of His vision in this life so we will be Blessed to get more in the next.  May He Take Care of us, Guide us and Take us Closer to Him, insha’Allah.