Eid-ul Mab’ath – the day that was the start of the Prophetic mission of the final messenger of God, Muhammad – is a day for all justice seeking individuals across the globe.
It comes from the root word bi’thah– which means ‘raising up’- as the Qur’an mentions: ‘Certainly We raised a Prophet in every nation’ (16:36).
It is a reference to something that transitions from being static to dynamic, an example of this word in the Qur’an is the reference to judgement day as yawm al-ba’th – ‘Day of Raising Up’ (30:56).
Bi’thah therefore means a significant change from a lower state to a higher state, and that was the rising of the Prophet to his mission and raising the level of the world.
The primary objective of the rising of the Prophet was Tawhid:
‘Certainly We raised a Prophet in every nation (to command): ‘Worship Allah and shun the false God’s (systems of oppression)’ – The Holy Qur’an (16:36).
Tawhid here is not just on the level of theory- that is believing God is not two but one- rather it is the governance of Allah (swt) in all realms.
Once bi’thah happened, the Prophet (s) entered society with his restless heart and changed its foundations completely, seeking to uproot the corruption. The Prophet destroyed the idols when he entered Makkah after the hudaybiyyah treaty was validated. Prophet’s do their duty and it’s up to the people for how they respond to these calls for change.
Other objectives of Prophethood include:
- The purification (Tazkiyah) of mankind.
- Raising the level of awareness of mankind through educating them.
- The establishment of justice.
- The creation of a good life.
Two practical factors needed to achieve these objectives:
- Planning in according with the greatness of the objective.
- Power and influence
It is not just through giving advice. It is through having the power to implement different factors which help the individual reach those objectives.
All to be done under the judgement of the Divine source:
كَانَ النَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً فَبَعَثَ اللَّـهُ النَّبِيِّينَ مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ وَأَنزَلَ مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ فِيمَا اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ ۚ
‘Mankind were a single community; then Allah sent the prophets as bearers of good news and warners, and He sent down with them the Book with the truth, that it may judge between the people concerning that about which they differed’ – The Holy Qur’an (2:213)
The book is what judges between the people about what is right and wrong. That is what you have to turn to.
The Prophets (s) were the facilitators, leaders and managers of bringing these objectives, through the methods mentioned, to their fruition.
This shows that religion is the manager of all affairs for the individual, whether they be personal or societal.
It is this type of religion that has been a threat and attacked by the oppressors and tyrants of every time.
Either by attacking this region in such a way that people are forced to just focus on personal issues, Or they would come out openly fighting against religion.
If we you look at the propaganda of the enemy they speak about political Islam. Something which has been pursued in the Islamic Republic. They have directed their attacks against such an Islam.
Political Islam meaning that Islam which has been able create the following things by the creation of a government:
- A social system
- A political system
- A military system
And it has been able to give a whole nation an Islamic identity.
In summary, the definition of Religion according to the Quran is not something related to small personal issues and nothing else, rather, it includes taking care of bigger social problems that effect everyone too. We can not limit Islam.
Bi’thah is that event which presents to mankind those guidelines which are to take care of every aspect of this world, for the success in this world and the hereafter.
The divine actions of the Prophets (s) did not mean the people had no responsibility.
The rising of the Prophets (s) is to lead to the rising of the people ultimately.
