Al-Azafioun and Their Role in Innovating the Celebration of Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) Birth in Western Parts of Arabic Homeland

Abstract

Al-Azafioun are an Arabian family ruled city of Sabta for (81) years from (647-728 A.H. / 1249 –1327 A.D.). this family was famous of knowledge, jurisprudence, and literature besides politics and running the affairs of Sabta city and (Tangier and Salah for a period of time). The most significant achievements and traces of Al-Azafioun in the history of Moroccan and Andalusia is innovating the celebration of the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be upon Him) Birth which was not known to them. Abu Al-Abbas Al-Azafe wrote a book about Prophets Birth inviting Ahlu Sunnah especially, and the people of Moroccan and Andalusia generally to give interest in celebrating Prophets Birth. After noticing the interest of the people of Moroccan and Andalusia of celebrations and festivals of Christians and asking about Jesus Christ (Peace on Him) and leaving the questioning about the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) Birth and showing interest in it. Abu Al-Abbas Al-Azafe died before finishing the book and his son Abu Al-Qasim finished it which is the book (Al-Dur Al-Munatham. He worked to achieve the invitation of his father in celebrating the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) Birth and by this Abu Al-Qasim celebrated the Prophet's Birth in Sabta on (648 A.H. / 1250 A.D.), the celebration spread until it became an official holiday in Moroccan and Andalusia countries. The governors the are contemporary to Al-Azafioun from (Combiners, Hafsaioun, and others), and governors of Bini Al-Ahmar in Andalusia. This celebration accompanied Al-Azafioun