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Sizzling Pakistan: Part III
The Milad Cult
By Mohammad Ashraf Chaudhry
Pittsburg, CA
The birth of the Blessed Nabi, Sallallahu
Alaihi wa Sallam, as in all historical occurrences,
is remembered by commemoration. The Noble Quran,
concerning Hazrat Yahya, says, “And Peace
be upon him the day he was born”, 19:15,
and concerning Hazrat Isa, (Isa said), “And
peace is on me the day when I was born”
19:33.
The discussion here is not whether it is commendable
to hold Milad Mehfils, and remember the sayings
and deeds of the Holy Prophet, or to commemorate
the birth, life and the deeds of the Holy Prophet
by emulating them. The writer wants to share with
the readers what he saw happening in the holy
land of Pakistan in the name of the Holy Prophet.
One retired lady Professor of History living in
Islamabad reported this to me. “When the
Begums of high-ups get bored, they think of doing
something, really ‘holy, and good’.”
Holding a Milaad Mehfil is one such event.
In a special meeting, the color theme of the event
is decided, say it is chosen as light-blue. The
mini cards announcing the day and time of the
Mehfil are picked as light blue; the pouches with
nuts and sweets in them, for the occasion are
also of light-blue color. The tablecloths are
also to be of light-blue color. The curtains hanging
in that hall are also replaced with the ones that
are light blue. The dress code for all ladies
who are formally invited to attend this celestial
meeting demands that they should attire themselves
in light-blue dresses, with the dopatta, having
a light-blue effect.
The climax point of all the preparations is the
make-up phase. It is done by professionals in
trendy beauty parlors, and is supposed to be of
light-blue reflection. The professional Naat Khawans
are also asked to wear turbans and other wherewithal
of the same color. Money spent on such a ‘pious
and holy gathering’ is not the issue at
all. The husbands, be they in the army or in the
civil, as the practice is equally popular, have
enough resources to meet such needs.
As if this were not enough, the lady professor
narrating the details shocked the writer totally
when she threw the last bumper. She said there
are professional D’wa reciters who at the
end of the session ask all to stand up and raise
their hands. These D’wa makers are wordsmiths.
They can put one in awe; and they also have the
potential to make you cry. In most cases, she
said, they are cautioned before hand by the host
Begum not to get “too emotional” to
raise the feelings of the assemblage to a pitch
that they begin to cry. All this spoils their
make-up. “Keep the D’wa to a modest
pitch”. Thus they commemorate the birth
and the deeds of the Holy Prophet.
While millions in Pakistan run for a few drops
of clean drinking water; for a kilo of flour which
sells over 16 rupees; for a few tea spoons of
sugar that sells over 42 rupees per kilo; for
a piece of goat-meat which sells over 280 rupees
per kilo; for taking their sick child to the doctor
who charges no less than 120 rupees per visit;
these high and rich celebrate Milad in such an
elaborate way, and all on peoples’ money.
The government, in most cases plays host to such
Mehfils. Still, as one can see, God is happy with
the rich in Pakistan. But mark what the Prophet
once said, “Beware of matters newly begun,
for every matter newly begun is innovation, every
innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance
is in Hell”.
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