The Birth of the Noble Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him and his family)
According to the view of Shia scholars, at the break of dawn on the 17th of Rabi al-Awwal, corresponding to a Friday, in Sacred Mecca, the blessed birth of the Master of the Prophets, Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him and his family), took place. His birth coincided with the reign of Anushirvan the Just, and it was in that same year that the Companions of the Elephant perished.
The Prophet’s name was Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family), and his kunya was Abu al-Qasim. His father’s name was Abdullah, and his mother’s name was Aminah bint Wahb.
At the moment of his birth, light shone from his forehead, and the scent of musk emanated from him. A light shone forth that night from the direction of the Hijaz and spread throughout the world. The thrones of kings were overturned, and on that day all of them fell mute, unable to speak. The Archangels and the spirits of the chosen prophets were present at his birth, and Ridwan, the keeper of Paradise, descended together with the maidens of Paradise, bringing ewers and basins of gold, silver, and emerald from Paradise, and bearing drinks from Paradise for Lady Aminah, which she drank. After his birth, he was bathed in the waters of Paradise and perfumed with the fragrances of Firdaws.
Miracles of the Prophet’s Birth
On the day of his birth, every idol in every part of the world fell prostrate, and fourteen battlements of the palace of Khosrow crumbled. Lake Sawah, which was worshipped by its people, dried up and turned into a salt marsh. In the valley of Sawah, where no water had been seen for years, water began to flow. The Fire Temple of Persia, which had not been extinguished in a thousand years, went out on the night of his birth. The knowledge of soothsayers and the sorcery of magicians was rendered void, and the arch of Khosrow’s palace split in two, a mark that remains visible to this day.
At the time of his birth, this call was heard from the heavens: “And say: Truth has come, and falsehood has vanished; indeed, falsehood is ever bound to vanish.” (Surah al-Isra, 81)
Distinguishing Qualities of the Prophet
No fly ever settled upon his blessed body. Whenever his blessed eyes were asleep, his heart remained awake, seeing and hearing. He saw what was behind him just as clearly as what was before him.
Any animal he rode never grew old or thin. He had a donkey named Yafur. Whenever he commanded that a certain man be brought before him, the donkey would go to that man’s door, strike it with its head, and by this signal summon him.
Among the distinguishing features of the Prophet’s birth was that he was born already circumcised, with his umbilical cord severed, and free of blood or other impurity. He also emerged feet-first rather than head-first. At his birth, he fell prostrate facing the Kaaba, and when he raised his head from prostration, he lifted his hand toward the sky and testified to the oneness of God and to his own prophethood. A light then radiated from him, illuminating the east and west of the world.
Miracles of the Prophet
The Prophet performed many miracles, among which are the following:
– His supplications were answered in the raising of the dead, the restoration of sight to the blind, and the healing of the sick.
– He spoke with animals.
– He had knowledge of every language and the ability to speak in all of them.
– The Seal of Prophethood rested upon his blessed back, its light exceeding the light of the sun.
– Water flowed from between his blessed fingers in such abundance that a group of people were able to quench their thirst from it.
– Pebbles in his blessed hand would glorify God, audibly, so that people could hear them.
– His sacred person cast no shadow in the sun.
– Whenever his blessed saliva was cast into a well, that well would be blessed and filled with water. Whoever suffered from an ailment and was touched with his blessed saliva was healed.
– His blessed hand brought blessing to any food it touched, so that a small quantity of food would suffice to feed a large gathering.
– When he walked upon soft ground, his footprints left no trace, yet when he walked upon hard rock, the mark of his blessed foot remained.
The Blessed Birth of the Noble Prophet Muhammad al-Amin (peace be upon him and his family) and Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (peace be upon him)
The Birth of Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him)
On the 17th of Rabi al-Awwal in the year 83 AH, the blessed birth of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq took place in Madinah al-Munawwarah. His blessed name was Jafar, his noble kunya was Abu Abdullah, and his luminous title was al-Sadiq. His noble father was Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, and his esteemed mother was Umm Farwah, of whom Imam al-Sadiq said: “My mother was among the faithful, pious, and righteous women, and God loves the righteous.”
Imam al-Sadiq had seven sons and three daughters: Imam Musa al-Kazim (peace be upon him), Ismail, Abdullah, Muhammad al-Dibaj, Ishaq, Ali al-Uraidhi, Abbas, Umm Farwah, Asma, and Fatimah.
Regarding his appearance, it has been said that he was of medium stature, with a radiant, fair complexion, an aquiline nose, black curly hair, and a black mole upon his cheek.
Deeds for the Blessed Day of the 17th of Rabi al-Awwal
The day of this birth is a noble and blessed day, whose sanctity the righteous among the Family of Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) have upheld since ancient times, honoring its due by observing a fast. Whoever fasts on the 17th of Rabi al-Awwal is granted by God, Exalted is He, the reward of a full year of fasting. On this day, it is recommended to give charity, to visit the sacred shrines, to perform good deeds, and to bring joy to the believers.
