ABUNDANT LOVE IN THE MONTH OF RABI'UL AWWAL -- BY: SHABRUN JAMIL BAHARUN (AN ORDINARY MAN WORKING AS ISLAMIC COUNSELOR FOR RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS MINISTRY OF TANGERANG DISTRICT, INDONESIA)

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Al-Hamdu Lillaahi Rabbil 'Aalamiin.
Wasshalaatu Wassalaamu 'Alaa Asyrafil Anbiyaai Wal Mursaliin, Sayyidinaa Wa Mawlaana Muhammadin, Sayyidil Khalaaiqi Wal Basyar, Wa 'Alaa Aalihii Wa Shahbihii Ajma'iin.

 Ammaa Ba'du.

What month is this month? November? Sorry, I don't mean that month of AD, although you HAVE answered correctly.  I mean the Lunar or Hijriyah month. Thus, the appropriate answer is RABI'UL AWWAL.

What's on in Rabi'ul Awwal?

This month is the third month in the Islamic calender. The majority of Muslims believe the date of birth of Muhammad Shallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam to have been on the twelfth of this month. Rabi' Al-Awwal or Rabi'ul Awwal means First Spring (Rabi' = Spring and Awwal = First). So the Prophet Muhammad shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam is believed to have been born on the first spring.

The Prophet Muhammad shallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam was born in state of full of love, peace, and mercy. Everything in this universe is greeting him. The Almighty ALLAH Ta'ala attributes His Greeting as special blessing for the ultimate Prophet. His Angels also convey their greetings to Muhammad shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam. What about us? We are completely told to convey our greetings to our beloved Prophet Muhammad shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam. Even trees, stones, and animals know that Muhammad is the chosen creature to be the ultimate Prophet with all the love and peace in the universe.

If we really want to reach Allah's love, we have to follow the Prophet Muhammad shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam. That is truly definite. Denying the ultimate Prophet is such a big sin? It is impossible to love Allah Ta'ala without loving Muhammad shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam. The mercy of Allah Ta'ala cannot reach us except by means of the Prophet Muhammad, by believing in him, loving him, being loyal to him and following him. This is the means by which Allah Ta'ala will save us from punishment in this world and The Hereafter. In other words, the good and the safe life in this world and the Hereafter is merely reached by means of loving Muhammad shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam.

Have we loved Muhammad shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam until he is dearer to our own selves?
How many times do we recite Shalawat upon Muhammad shallallahu 'alahi wa sallam a day?
Have we applied his Sunnahs (his teachings) in our daily life?

O our beloved Prophet....we are really missing you.....
SHALLUU 'ALANNABIYY.....

SUBHAANAKALLAAHUMMA WA BI HAMDIKA ASYHADU ALLAA ILAAHA ILLAA ANTA ASTAGHFIRUKA WA ATUUBU ILAIKA.