Mawlid-un-Nabi (saws) in Makkah al-Mukkarma

Birthplace-Mawlid al-Nabi (saws),now a library

Mawlid-un-Nabi (saws) in Makkah al-Mukkarma
Celebrations of great happiness & joy were held in Makkah al-Mukkurma on the Birthday of Gracious Nabi (saws) and this day was called "Eid Youm-e- Wiladat-e- Rasul’Allah",Festival of Birhday of Prophet of God (saws). Beautiful carpets were laid down in the Haram Sharif behind Hanafi Musalla. Sharif of Mecca and Commander of Hijaz and their Staff who were appropriatly dressed for the occasion were present.They just returned after reciting Naats & Qasidas at the Birthplace of Prophet (saws).The lamps were lighted in two rows from Haram Sharif to the Birthplace, Mawlid al-Nabi (saws). The birthplace was illuminated with lights. Mawlid Celebration (Mehfil e Milad) was held in Haram Sharif after Isha Prayers on 11th Rabi al-Awwal.The Turkish Artillary gave 21 gun salute from Jiyad Fortress at the each prayer time from Maghrib of 11th Rabi al-Awwal to the Asr of 12th Rabi al-Awwal. A report of Mawlid Celebration in Mecca was published in March ,1917 issue of Monthly Journal “ Tariqat”, Lahore:
“Mecca and its surroundings echoed with loud noise of Gun Salute and the Adhan Caller (Mu'adhdin) started calling Allahu Akbar ,Allahu Akbar, for the Asr Prayers. The people started congratulating each other on the happy ocassion of Eid Mawlid un Nabi (saws) .Sharif Hussain offered Maghrib prayers with a large crowd at the Hanafi Musalla. After the prayers the Chief Justice (Qadi al Qudat) congratulated the Sharif of Mecca. Then all ministers, Government officials & City Notables left with a large crowd to the Birthplace of Prophet (saws).The entire pathway to the Mawlid un Nabi was illuminated and colorful lights at the Birthplace looked heavenly. The visitors stood with respect and the speaker started narrating the events about the life of Prophet (saws).All present listened with humility. After this Shaykh Fawad,Deputy Foreign Minister gave a speech , shedding light on the Greatest Human Revolution brought by birth of the Prophet(saws). After this another speaker recited devotional poetry in the honor of the Prophet (saws),then everyone visited the birthplace and returned to Haram Sharif for Isha Prayers. After Isha,all gathered in Haram Sharif to listen to the Mawlid Narratives. The speaker discussed Spiritual and Physical qualities & characteristics of beloved Prophet (saws).On the occasion of Mawlid un Nabi (saws) all the courts, offices and schools were closed.”
Many Islamic Scholars have mentioned about Celebration of Mawlid un Nabi (saws) in Mecca in their books,for example: Allama Ibn Jouzi (al-Milad al-Nabwi),Hazrat Shah Wali’Allah Dehlvi (Fayuth al-Harmaiyn),Shaykh Qutub al-Din al-Hanafi ( al-Aalam ba Alam Bait' Allah al-Haram), Jamal al-Din Muhammad bin Jarr’Allah bin Zaheer (in Minhaj al Quran Lahore.Nov,1987) ,Mufti Enayat Ahmad Kaukorvi ( TawarikhHabib’Allah ) and Shaykh Muhammad Misri ( Muhammad Rasul’Allah).The tradition of visiting Birthplace of Prophet (saws) has been practiced by People of Mecca for Centuries. Imam Abu al-Hussain Muhammad bin Ahmad popularly known as Ibn e Jubair Andalusi (d.614 AH) writes about tradition of visiting Birthplace of Prophet (saws) in his Travel Journal (Rihla Ibn e Jubair):
“Birthplace of Prophet (saws) is one of the Ziyara of Mecca. The ground of this site is honored because it has touched the holy body of Beloved of God (saws)as the first thing in this universe. This is the place where greatest personality was born and he is the Mercy for the Ummah. We rubbed our cheeks at this site as we entered because, at this place the most blessed (mubarik )and pure ( tayyab )child of this universe was born and we were graced with the blessings ( barakat) because of our visit.
Referring to the blessings of visiting the Birthplace (Barakat e Mawlid un Nabi (saws)),Imam Qutub al-Din Hanafi (d.988AD), writes “Birthplace (Mawlid e Pak) is a famous place. It is visited until now. Prayers are accepted here. The People of Mecca (Ahle Mecca) hold Remembrance of God ‘s Gathering (Mehfil-e-Dhikr ) every Monday and the Muslims visit this holy site every year during the night of 12th Rabi al-Awwal, ”
Source: Mawlid un Nabi (saws) in Urdu: Research, Analysis and History by Muhammad Muzaffar Javed Alam Siddiqui ( Pages-919),Publisher-Fiction House,18 Mazang Road,Lahore,Pakistan