Many Muslims celebrate not only the two Eids (Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha) but the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Some even celebrate other people's birthdays, such as famous leaders or family members. Is this Islamic? Author Umm Muhammad attempts to analyze this in her book, The Observance of Al-Mawlid An-Nabawi and Other Birthdays.
Umm Muhammad was born in the U.S. in 1940 and embraced Islam in 1974 in Syria after completing intensive courses in Arabic. In 1981 she moved to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. She authored several books for Abul-Qasim Publications since 1989 and edited many others. Her most popular and acclaimed work is the English translation of the corresponding meanings of the Qur'an, best known as the Saheeh International translation, published by Abul-Qasim Publications. Other titles include "Realities of Faith," adapted from the writings of early scholars such as Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, "The Path to Prayer," "From the Guidance of Surah Yaa Seen," "A Brief Introduction to Tajweed," "The Prophets Appointed by Allah" and "Cultural Crisis."She currently teaches Tafseer and Fiqh to non-Arabic speaking sisters at the Islamic Education Center in Jeddah.
