Procession (of Milaad)

The Story of Little Zayd

Procession (of Milaad)

Abu Ubayd Attari Madani

After performing the Asr Salah, little Zayd was returning from the Masjid with his father when suddenly he said to his father: ‘Dad, do you know! Today at school, my friend Saleem was saying that it will be the 12^th of Rabi’-ul-Awwal after two days.’

‘Yes son! What your friend has said is right. It actually will be the 12^th of Rabi’-ul-Awwal after two days.’

Little Zayd then said, ‘Dad! Saleem was also saying that he had gone to the procession with his father last year. Some people were giving sweets, biscuits and cans of juice to the children there. Saleem also collected a lot of things and then came home and ate them with great pleasure. He was saying that he will go to the procession this year too. Dad, will you take me to the procession with you this time?’

His father replied: I wanted to take you to the procession last year but you fell ill. If Allah wills, I will definitely take you to the procession of Eid Milaad-un-Nabi this year.’

After entering the house, little Zayd went straight to his Grandmother and after giving her Salam, said: ‘Grandma! Dad has said that he will take me to the procession on 12^th of Rabi’-ul-Awwal.’مَاشَــآءَالـلّٰـه! That is a very good thing, but what will you go there and do?’

When Grandmother asked, little Zayd replied: ‘Grandma! You know there are other children there too, people distribute sweets, chocolates and biscuits to these children.’

Grandmother then asked: ‘And what else happens there?’

Little Zayd said: ‘The children also receive juice there.’

Grandmother then asked: ‘Won't you fall sick by eating so many things?’

Little Zayd said: ‘Hey! I didn't even think about that, you tell me Grandma! Shouldn't I go to the procession with Dad then?’

Grandmother explained to little Zayd: ‘You should definitely go to the procession, eat one or two of the things that you receive there but bring the rest home with you and eat from them little by little. In this way, your teeth will not get ruined either and you will stay healthy too. But here, I will tell you an important matter. You should not go to the procession because you will receive so many things there.’

Grandmother paused to take a breath and little Zayd immediately asked a question: ‘Then why should we go to the procession?’

Grandmother replied: ‘Our Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was born on the 12^th of Rabi’-ul-Awwal and we love our Noble Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم immensely. Whenever the blessed day of the 12^th of Rabi’-ul-Awwal arrives, Muslims celebrate this day with great joy, they decorate their house, street, neighbourhood and Masajid, worship Allah Almighty at night, recite Salat upon the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and organise processions for the next day and send Salat and Salam upon the Prophet in the processions too. If there are any religious scholars in the procession, they continue mentioning good things about our Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم which increases love for him and in the end, beautiful Du’as are also made for all the Muslims. During this time, some people continue to distribute things among children and the elderly in order to gain reward.’

Listening to his grandmother's words, little Zayd said whilst nodding his head: ‘Ok, so that’s why we go to the procession. Grandma! I will tell these things you have told me to Saleem in school tomorrow and I will tell him not to go to the procession just to receive things, but to go there and keep reciting Salat upon the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.’

In the meantime, his father’s voice was heard: ‘Where are you little Zayd? Let's go to the Masjid to offer Salat-ul-Maghrib.’ As soon as he heard his father’s voice, little Zayd immediately came out of the room.