Many people celebrate the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) birthday on a specific day and in a particular month, but the spirit of celebration quickly fades, neglecting the truth that honoring the Prophet (ﷺ) should be a continuous effort throughout the entire year and life itself. The celebration should not only be confined to Muslims, but it should also be an opportunity to introduce non-Muslims to the one whom Allah sent as a guide and mercy to all worlds.
Undoubtedly, the enormous technological advancement calls for innovative ways to commemorate this blessed occasion, in a manner that aligns with modern times while preserving the original Islamic values and principles.
Using Smartphone Apps and Social Media to Highlight the Prophet’s Biography
"Al-Mujtama" magazine raises these questions in the following lines, asking why we stop celebrating our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) and how we can continue reviving this noble memory. What are the tools needed to continuously commemorate the Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) birth, in all languages and every corner of the world?
A life model
Mahmoud Abdullah, who works in Canada, shares with "Al-Mujtama" that he wanted the Prophet’s (ﷺ) birthday to be an opportunity to talk to his neighbors about Islam and its noble Messenger. Since moving to Canada, he has been keen to show his neighbors the beauty of Islam through good treatment, kindness in both word and action, aiming to be a role model before discussing his faith.
He adds that he surprised his neighbors by distributing sweets, which made them ask for the reason. He informed them that it was to celebrate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Everyone remained silent except one person, who asked him to tell more about what the Prophet (ﷺ) brought. This became an opportunity to explain the character of the final messenger and the principles of Islam.
Producing Films, Animated Cartoons, and Video Clips Depicting the History of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)
He then read to them the hadith of the Prophet (ﷺ): “He who believes in God and the last day should not annoy his neighbor; he who believes in God and the last day should honor his guest; and he who believes in God and the last day should say what is good, or keep silent.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim). He pointed out that these discussions opened the door for them to learn about Islam, and by the grace of Allah, two of them embraced the faith.
Modern methods
Dr. Mahmoud Mehna, a member of the Council of Senior Scholars at Al-Azhar and former Vice President of Al-Azhar University, said that it’s not us who revive the memory of the Prophet (ﷺ), but rather it is his memory that revives faith in our hearts. He added that the way we celebrate the birth of the Prophet (ﷺ) has evolved throughout history and differed from one era to another. Since we now live in the world of screens, these tools should be utilized in celebrating the Prophet (ﷺ).
Mehna advises the use of smartphone apps and social media to present the Prophet's biography, his hadiths, and supplications, making it easier for Muslims to access them anytime, anywhere. Additionally, these tools can help introduce non-Muslims to the Prophet (ﷺ) and spread values of tolerance, peace, and love among people.
Creating Specialized Websites in Foreign Languages to Explain the Prophetic Tradition
Dr. Mohsen Jamal, a professor of Aqeedah at Al-Azhar University, agrees with this view and calls for broadcasting religious celebrations and meaningful occasions through various social media platforms, given their wide audience. He also advocates for establishing websites dedicated to spreading the biography of the Prophet (ﷺ) and his ethics in different languages. Moreover, producing films, cartoons, and videos about the Prophet's (ﷺ) history in a simple and modern way can engage children and youth.
Competitions and rewards
Dr. Ibrahim Al-Maidani, a professor of education at Tanta University, stresses the importance of leveraging technology to educate our children about their Prophet's (ﷺ) life. He suggests organizing interactive online workshops targeting different age groups to provide information about the Prophet’s (ﷺ) biography in creative and engaging ways. Additionally, designing interactive cultural competitions in the form of games or knowledge-based challenges with global prizes can encourage participation. For example, participants could be asked to write a short story inspired by events in the Prophet’s (ﷺ) life, such as battles, or share their thoughts on the most admirable quality they see in him.
Organizing Cultural Competitions and Various Activities to Introduce Children to their Prophet (ﷺ)
Al-Maidani proposes creating short video clips, also known as "reels," to explain the biography of the Prophet (ﷺ) in an attractive way. He also suggests using unified hashtags globally to celebrate the Prophet’s (ﷺ) birth.
He emphasizes the importance of avoiding innovations (bid’ah) and ensuring that the primary goal of these celebrations is to spread the true values of Islam, strengthen Islamic unity, and contribute to building a better society. The best way to honor the Prophet’s (ﷺ) birth is by following his example, reviving his Sunnah, and being role models in our work and community. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "The dearest and the closest of you to me on the Day of Resurrection will be those who are the best in behaviour.” (Reported by Al-Tirmidhi).
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