Ruling on celebrating the birthday of the Prophet
- Categories: Prohibited Deeds -
Praise be to Allaah the Lord of the Worlds, and blessings and
peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and all his family and
companions.
The commands mentioned in the Qur'aan and Sunnah to follow the laws
of Allaah and His Messenger, and the prohibitions on introducing
innovations into the religion are quite clear. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Say (O Muhammad to mankind): 'If you (really) love Allaah, then
follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur'aan and
the Sunnah), Allaah will love you and forgive you your sins'" [Aal
'Imraan 3:31].
{قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللّهَ
فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ
ذُنُوبَكُمْ}
Transliteration: Qul 'In Kuntum Tuĥibbūna Allāha Fa Attabi`ūnī
Yuĥbibkumu Allāhu Wa Yaghfir Lakum Dhunūbakum
"Follow what has been sent down unto you from your Lord (the
Qur'aan and Prophet Muhammad's Sunnah), and follow not any Awliyaa'
(protectors and helpers who order you to associate partners in
worship with Allaah), besides Him (Allaah). Little do you
remember!" [al-A'raaf 7:3].
{اتَّبِعُواْ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم
مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ مِن دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَاء قَلِيلاً
مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ}
Transliteration: Attabi`ū Mā 'Unzila 'Ilaykum Min Rabbikum Wa Lā
Tattabi`ū Min Dūnihi 'Awliyā'a Qalīlāan Mā Tadhakkarūna
"And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it, and follow not
(other) paths, for they will separate you away from His path"
[al-A'naam 6:153].
{وَأَنَّ هَـذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيماً
فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن
سَبِيلِهِ}
Transliteration: Wa 'Anna Hādhā Şirāţī Mustaqīmāan Fa Attabi`ūhu Wa
Lā Tattabi`ū As-Subula Fatafarraqa Bikum `An Sabīlihi
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
«The most truthful of speech is the
Book of Allaah and the best of guidance is the guidance of
Muhammad, and the most evil of things are those which are
newly-invented», And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: «Whoever innovates
anything in this matter of ours (i.e., Islam), that is not part of
it will have it rejected» [Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no.
2697; Muslim, no. 1718]. According to a version narrated by Muslim,
«Whoever doe anything that is not in
accordance with this matter of ours (i.e., Islam), will have it
rejected».
Among the reprehensible innovations that people have invented is
the celebration of the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) in the month of Rabee' al-Awwal. They
celebrate this occasion in various ways:
Some of them simply make it an occasion to gather and read the
story of the Mawlid, then they present speeches and qaseedahs
(odes) for this occasion.
Some of them make food and sweets etc., and offer them to the
people present.
Some of them hold these celebrations in the mosques, and some of
them hold them in their houses.
Some people do not limit themselves to the actions mentioned above;
they include in these gatherings haraam and reprehensible things,
such as free mixing of men and women, dancing and singing, or
committing actions of shirk such as seeking the help of the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), calling upon him,
seeking his support against their enemies and so on.
Whatever form it takes and whatever the intentions of those who do
this are, there is no doubt whatsoever that it is an invented,
haraam innovation which was introduced by the Shi'a Faatimids after
the three best centuries, in order to corrupt the religion of the
Muslims. The first person to do this after them was the king
al-Muzaffar Abu Sa'eed Kawkaboori, the king of Irbil, at the end of
the sixth century or the beginning of the seventh century AH, as
was mentioned by the historians such as Ibn Khalkaan and others.
Abu Shaamah said: "the first
person to do that in Mosul was Shaykh 'Umar ibn Muhammad al-Malaa,
one of the well-known righteous people. Then the ruler of Irbil and
others followed his example".
Al-Haafiz Ibn Katheer said in
(al-Bidaayah wa'l-Nihaayah,
13/137), in his biography of Abu Sa'eed Kazkaboori: "He used
to observe the Mawlid in Rabee' al-Awwal and hold a huge
celebration on that occasion… some of those who were present at the
feast of al-Muzaffar on some occasions of the Mawlid said that he
used to offer in the feast five thousand grilled heads of sheep,
ten thousand chickens and one hundred thousand large dishes, and
thirty trays of sweets… he would let the Sufis sing from Zuhr until
Fajr, and he himself would dance with them."
Ibn Khalkaan said in (Wafiyaat al-A'yaan, 3/274): "When it
is the first of Safar they decorate those domes with various kinds
of fancy adornments, and in every dome there sits a group of
singers and a group of puppeteers and players of musical
instruments, and they do not leave any one of those domes without
setting up a group (of performers) there.
The people give up work during this period, and they do no work
except going around and watching the entertainment. When there are
two days to go until the Mawlid, they bring out a large number of
camels, cows and sheep, more than can be described, and they
accompany them with all the drums, songs and musical instruments
that they have, until they bring them to the square… On the night
of the Mawlid there are performances of nasheed after Maghrib in
the citadel."
This is the origin of this celebration on the occasion of the
Prophet's birthday. More recently idle entertainment, extravagance,
and wasting of money and time have become associated with an
innovation for which Allaah has not sent down any authority.
What Muslims should do is to revive the Sunnah and put an end to
bid'ah (innovation); they should not do any action until they know
the ruling of Allaah concerning it.
Ruling on celebrating the Prophet's
birthday:
Celebrating the occasion of the birthday of the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) is forbidden and is to be rejected
for a number of reasons:
1 - it is not part of the Sunnah of the Messenger
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or of the khaleefahs
who succeeded him. Since this is the case, then it is a forbidden
innovation, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: «I urge you to follow
my Sunnah and the way of the rightly-guided khaleefahs after me;
adhere to it and cling to it firmly. Beware of newly-invented
things, for every newly-invented thing is an innovation (bid'ah)
and every innovation is a going-astray» (Narrated by Ahmad,
4/126; al-Tirmidhi no. 2676].
Celebrating the Mawlid is an innovation introduced by the Shi'a
Faatimids after the three best centuries in order to corrupt the
religion of the Muslims. If a person does anything in order to draw
closer to Allaah which was not done by the Messenger (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) or enjoined by him, and was not
done by the khaleefahs who succeeded him, this action implies that
he is accusing the Messenger of not explaining the religion to the
people, and that he disbelieves in the words of Allaah
(interpretation of the meaning):
"This day, I have perfected your religion for you" [al-Maa'idah
5:3].
{الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ
دِينَكُمْ}
Transliteration: Al-Yawma 'Akmaltu Lakum Dīnakum
because he is adding something extra and claiming that it is a part
of the religion, but the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) did not bring this.
2 - Celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is an imitation of the
Christians, because they celebrate the birth of the Messiah (peace
be upon him). Imitating them is extremely haraam. The hadeeth tells
us that it is forbidden to imitate the kuffaar, and we are
commanded to differ from them. The Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: «Whoever
imitates a people is one of them» [narrated by Ahmad, 2/50;
Abu Dawood, 4/314]. And he said, «Be
different from the mushrikeen» [narrated by Muslim, 1/222,
no. 259] - especially with regard to things that are the symbols or
rituals of their religion.
3 - Besides being bid'ah and an imitation of the
Christians, both of which are haraam, celebrating the birthday of
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is also a
means that leads to exaggeration and excess in venerating him,
which even goes as far as calling upon him (making du'aa' to him)
and seeking his help, instead of calling upon Allaah, as happens
now among many of those who observe the bid'ah of the Mawlid, when
they call upon the Messenger instead of Allaah, and ask him for
support, and sing qaseedahs (odes) of shirk praising him, like
Qaseedat al-Burdah etc. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) forbade going to extremes in praising him, as he said:
«Do not extol as the Christians
extolled the son of Maryam. For I am just His slave, so say, the
slave of Allaah and His Messenger» [narrated by al-Bukhaari,
4/142, no. 3445; al-Fath, 6/551], i.e., do not exaggerate in
praising me as the Christians exaggerated in praising the Messiah
and venerated him until they worshipped him instead of Allaah.
Allaah forbade them to do that when he said (interpretation of the
meaning):
"O people of the Scripture (Christians)! Do not exceed the limits
in your religion, nor say of Allaah aught but the truth. The
Messiah 'Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), was (no more than) a
Messenger of Allaah and His Word, ("Be!" - and he was) which He
bestowed on Maryam (Mary) and a spirit (Rooh) created by Him"
[al-Nisaa' 4:171].
{يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لاَ تَغْلُواْ
فِي دِينِكُمْ وَلاَ تَقُولُواْ عَلَى اللّهِ إِلاَّ الْحَقِّ
إِنَّمَا الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ اللّهِ
وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلْقَاهَا إِلَى مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌ
مِّنْهُ}
Transliteration: Yā 'Ahla Al-Kitābi Lā Taghlū Fī Dīnikum Wa Lā
Taqūlū `Alá Allāhi 'Illā Al-Ĥaqqa 'Innamā Al-Masīĥu
`Īsá Abnu Maryama Rasūlu Allāhi Wa Kalimatuhu 'Alqāhā
'Ilá Maryama Wa Rūĥun Minhu
Our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade us
to exaggerate concerning him lest the same thing happen to us as
happened to them, so he said: «Beware
of exaggeration, for those who came before you were destroyed
because of exaggeration» [narrated by al-Nasaa'i, 5/268;
classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Sunan al-Nasaa'i, no.
2863].
4 - Observing the innovation of the Prophet's birthday opens the
door to other kinds of bid'ah and being distracted by them from the
Sunnah. Hence you find that the innovators are very active when it
comes to bid'ah and very lazy when it comes to the Sunnah; they
hate it and regard those who follow it as enemies, until their
entire religion is innovated anniversaries and Mawlids. They have
split into various groups, each of which commemorates the
anniversary of its imaam's birth, such as the births of al-Badawi,
Ibn 'Arabi, al-Dasooqi and al-Shaadhili. No sooner do they end the
celebration of one birthday but they start the celebration of
another. This results in exaggeration concerning these dead people
and others, and in calling upon them instead of Allaah, believing
that they can bring benefit and cause harm, until they deviate from
the religion of Allaah and go back to the religion of the people of
the Jaahiliyyah of whom Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"And they worship besides Allaah things that harm them not, nor
profit them, and they say: 'These are our intercessors with
Allaah'" [Yoonus 10:18].
{وَيَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللّهِ مَا
لاَ يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلاَ يَنفَعُهُمْ وَيَقُولُونَ هَـؤُلاء
شُفَعَاؤُنَا عِندَ اللّهِ}
Transliteration: Wa Ya`budūna Min Dūni Allāhi Mā Lā Yađurruhum Wa
Lā Yanfa`uhum Wa Yaqūlūna Hā'uulā' Shufa`ā'uunā `Inda Allāhi
"And those who take Awliyaa' (protectors, helpers, lords, gods)
besides Him (say): 'We worship them only that they may bring us
near to Allaah'" [al-Zumar 39:3].
{وَالَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِهِ
أَوْلِيَاء مَا نَعْبُدُهُمْ إِلَّا لِيُقَرِّبُونَا إِلَى اللَّهِ
زُلْفَى}
Transliteration: Wa Al-Ladhīna Attakhadhū Min Dūnihi 'Awliyā'a Mā
Na`buduhum 'Illā Liyuqarribūnā 'Ilá Allāhi
Zulfá
Discussing the specious arguments of those who celebrate
the Mawlid:
Those who think that this bid'ah should be continued produce
specious arguments which are flimsier than a spider's web. These
specious arguments may be dealt with as follows:
1 - Their claim that this is veneration of the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him):
The response to that is that the way to venerate him is to obey
him, do as he commanded and avoid that which he forbade, and to
love him; he is not to be venerated through innovations, myths and
sins. Celebrating his birthday is of this blameworthy type because
it is a sin. The people who venerated the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) the most were the Sahaabah (may
Allaah be pleased with them), as 'Urwah ibn Mas'ood said to
Quraysh: "O people, by Allaah I have visited kings. I went to
Caesar, Chosroes and the Negus, but by Allaah I never saw a king
whose companions venerated him as much as the companions of
Muhammad venerated Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him). By Allaah, whenever he spat it never fell on the ground, it
fell into into the hand of one his companions, then they wiped
their faces and skins with it. If he instructed them to do
something, they would hasten to do as he commanded. When he did
wudoo', they would almost fight over his water. When he spoke they
would lower their voices in his presence; and they did not stare at
him out of respect for him." [al-Bukhaari, 3/178, no. 2731, 2732;
al-Fath, 5/388]. Yet despite this level of veneration, they never
took the day of his birth as an 'Eid (festival). If that had been
prescribed in Islam they would not have neglected to do that.
2 - Using as evidence the fact that many people in
many countries do this.
The response to that is that evidence consists of that which is
proven from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him), and what is proven from the Prophet is that innovations are
forbidden in general, and this is an innovation. What people do, if
it goes against the evidence (daleel), does not prove anything,
even if many of them do it.
"And if you obey most of those on the earth, they will mislead you
far away from Allaah's path" [al-An'aam 6:116 - interpretation of
the meaning].
{وَإِن تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَن فِي
الأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللّهِ}
Transliteration: Wa 'In Tuţi` 'Akthara Man Fī Al-'Arđi Yuđillūka
`An Sabīli Allāh
Nevertheless, in every age, praise be to Allaah, there have always
been those who denounce this bid'ah and state clearly that it is
false. Those who persist in following it after the truth had been
explained to them have no proof.
Among those who denounced the celebration of this occasion was
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah, in Iqtidaa' al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem;
Imaam al-Shaatibi in al-'I'tisaam; Ibn al-Haaj in al-Madkhil;
Shaykh Taaj al-Deen 'Ali ibn 'Umar al-Lakhami who wrote an entire
book denouncing it; Shaykh Muhammad Basheer al-Sahsawaani al-Hindi
in his book Siyaanah al-Insaan; al-Sayyid Muhammad Rasheed Ridaa
wrote a separate essay on this topic; Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem
Aal al-Shaykh wrote a separate essay on it; Shaykh 'Abd al-'Azeez
ibn Baaz; and others who are still writing and denouncing this
bid'ah every year in the pages of newspapers and magazines, at the
time when this bid'ah is being done.
3 - They say that by celebrating the Mawlid they
are keeping the memory of the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) alive.
The answer to that is that the memory of the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) is constantly kept alive by the
Muslim, such as when his name (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) is mentioned in the adhaan and iqaamah and in khutbahs,
and every time the Muslim recites the Shahaadatayn after doing
wudoo' and in the prayers, and every time he sends blessings upon
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in his
prayers and when he is mentioned, and every time the Muslim does a
waajib (obligatory) or mustahabb (recommended) action that was
prescribed by the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him). In all of these ways (the Muslim) remembers him and the
reward equivalent to the reward of the one who does that action
goes back to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him). Thus the Muslim constantly keeps the memory of the Messenger
alive and has a connection with him night and day throughout his
life through that which Allaah has prescribed, not only on the day
of the Mawlid and things which are bid'ah and go against the
Sunnah, for that puts one at a distance from the Messenger (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the Messenger will disown
him because of that.
The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) has no
need of this innovated celebration, because Allaah has already
bestowed veneration and respect upon him, as He says:
"and raised high your fame" [al-Sharh 94:4].
{وَرَفَعْنَا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَ},
Transliteration: Wa Rafa`nā Laka Dhikraka
For Allaah is not mentioned in the adhaan, iqaamah or khutbah, but
the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is
mentioned after Him; this is sufficient veneration, love and
renewal of his memory, ad sufficient encouragement to follow
him.
Allaah did not refer to the birth of the Messenger (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) in the Qur'aan, rather He referred
to his Mission, and says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Indeed, Allaah conferred a great favour on the believers when He
sent among them a Messenger (Muhammad) from among themselves" [Aal
'Imraan 3:164].
{لَقَدْ مَنَّ اللّهُ عَلَى
الْمُؤمِنِينَ إِذْ بَعَثَ فِيهِمْ رَسُولاً مِّنْ
أَنفُسِهِمْ}
Transliteration: Laqad Manna Allāhu `Alá Al-Mu'uminīna
'Idh Ba`atha Fīhim Rasūlāan Min 'Anfusihim
"He it is Who sent among the unlettered ones a Messenger (Muhammad)
from among themselves" [al-Jumu'ah 64:2].
{هُوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي
الْأُمِّيِّينَ رَسُولاً مِّنْهُمْ}
4 - They may say that the celebration of the
Prophet's birthday was introduced by a knowledgeable and just king
who intended thereby to draw closer to Allaah.
Our response to that is that bid'ah is not acceptable, no matter
who does it. A good intention does not justify a bad deed and even
if a person died as a knowledgeable and righteous person, this does
not mean that he was infallible.
5 - They say that celebrating the mawlid comes
under the heading of bid'ah hasanah ("good innovation") because it
is based on giving thanks to Allaah for the Prophet!
Our response to that is that there is nothing good in innovation.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: «Whoever innovates anything in this matter
of ours (i.e., Islam), that is not part of it will have it
rejected» [Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 2697; al-Fath,
5/355]. And he said, «Every innovation
is a going astray» [narrated by Ahmad, 4/126; al-Tirmidhi,
no. 2676). The ruling on innovations is that they are all
misguidance, but this specious argument suggests that not every
bid'ah is a going astray, rather there are good innovations.
Al-Haafiz ibn Rajab said in
(Sharh al-Arba'een): "The words
of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), «every innovation is a going astray' is a
concise but comprehensive comment which includes everything; it is
one of the most important principles of religion. It is like his
words 'Whoever innovates anything in this matter of ours (i.e.,
Islam), that is not part of it will have it rejected»
[Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3/167, no. 2697; al-Fath, 5/355]. Whoever
innovates anything and attributes it to Islam when it has no basis
in the religion, this is a going astray and is nothing to do with
Islam, whether that has to do with matters of belief ('aqeedah) or
outward and inward words and deeds." (Jaami' al-'Uloom wa'l-Hakam, p.
233)
These people have no proof that there is any such thing as a "good
innovation" apart from the words of 'Umar (may Allaah be pleased
with him) concerning Taraaweeh prayers, «What a good innovation this is»
[Saheeh al-Bukhaari, 2/252, no. 2010 mu'allaqan; al-Fath
4/294].
They also said that things were innovated which were not denounced
by the salaf, such as compiling the Qur'aan into one volume and
writing and compiling the hadeeth.
The response to that is that these matters had a basis in Islam, so
they were not newly-invented.
'Umar said: "What a good
bid'ah" meaning innovation in the linguistic sense, not in the
shar'i sense. Whatever has a basis in Islam, if it is described as
an innovation, is an innovation in the linguistic sense, not in the
shar'i sense, because innovation in the shar'i sense means that
which has no basis in Islam.
Compiling the Qur'aan into one book has a basis in Islam, because
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had
commanded that the Qur'aan be written down, but it was scattered,
so the Sahaabah compiled it in one volume so as so protect and
preserve it.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) led his
companions in praying Taraaweeh for a while, then he stopped doing
that, lest that become obligatory on them. The Sahaabah (may Allaah
be pleased with them) continued to pray it separately during the
life of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and
after his death, until 'Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased
with them) gathered them behind one imaam as they used to pray
behind the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
This was not an innovation introduced into the religion.
Writing down the hadeeth also has a basis in Islam. The Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) ordered that some
ahaadeeth should be written down for some of his companions when
they asked him for that. In general terms writing it down during
his lifetime was not allowed, for fear that the Qur'aan might be
mixed with things that were not part of it. When the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) died, this fear was no longer
a factor, because the Qur'aan had been completed and arranged in
order before he died. The Muslims compiled the Sunnah after that in
order to preserve it and keep it from being lost. May Allaah reward
them with good on behalf of Islam and the Muslims, because they
preserved the Book of their Lord and the Sunnah of their Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) from being lost or
being tampered with.
We may also say to them: why was this act of thanksgiving, as they
call it, not done by the best generations, the Sahaabah, Taabi'een
and followers of the Taabi'een, who loved the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) most and who were most keen to do
good and give thanks? Are those who introduced the innovation of
the Mawlid more rightly-guided than them? Do they give more thanks
to Allaah? Definitely not!
6 - They may say that celebrating the birthday of
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is
indicative of their love for him; this is one way of showing that,
and showing love of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) is prescribed in Islam!
The answer to that is that undoubtedly loving the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is obligatory for every
Muslim; he should love him more than he loves himself, his child,
his father and all the people - may my father and mother be
sacrificed for him - but that does not mean that we should
introduce innovations for doing so that have not been prescribed
for us. Loving him dictates that we should obey him and follow him,
for that is one of the greatest manifestations of love, as it is
said:
"If your love is sincere then obey him; for the lover obeys the one
whom he loves."
Loving the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
implies keeping his Sunnah alive, adhering firmly to it, and
avoiding words and deeds that go against it. Undoubtedly everything
that goes against his Sunnah is a reprehensible innovation (bid'ah)
and a manifest act of disobedience. That includes celebrating his
birthday and other kinds of bid'ah. A good intention does not mean
that it is permissible to introduce innovations into the religion.
Islam is based on two things, purity of intention and following
[the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)]. Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Yes, but whoever submits his face (himself) to Allaah (i.e.
follows Allaah's religion of Islamic Monotheism) and he is a Muhsin
(a doer of good) then his reward is with his Lord (Allaah), on such
shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve" [al-Baqarah 2:112].
{بَلَى مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُ لِلّهِ
وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ فَلَهُ أَجْرُهُ عِندَ رَبِّهِ وَلاَ خَوْفٌ
عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ}
Transliteration: Balá Man 'Aslama Wajhahu Lillāhi Wa
Huwa Muĥsinun Falahu 'Ajruhu `Inda Rabbihi Wa Lā Khawfun `Alayhim
Wa Lā Hum Yaĥzanūna
Submitting one's face to Allaah means being sincere towards Allaah,
and doing good means following the Messenger and implementing the
Sunnah.
7 - Another of their specious arguments is when
they say that by celebrating the Mawlid and reading the biography
of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) on this
occasion, they are encouraging people to follow his example!
We say to them that reading the biography of the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) and following his example are
required of the Muslim all the time, all year long and throughout
his life. Singling out a specific day for that with no evidence for
doing so is an innovation, and every innovation is a going astray."
(Narrated by Ahmad, 4/164; al-Tirmidhi, 2676). Bid'ah does not bear
any fruit but evil and it leads to a person distancing himself from
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
In conclusion, celebrating the birthday of the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), whatever form
it takes, is a reprehensible innovation. The Muslims should put a
stop to this and other kinds of bid'ah, and occupy themselves with
reviving and adhering to the Sunnah. They should not be deceived by
those who promote and defend this bid'ah, for these types of people
are more interested in keeping innovations alive than in reviving
the Sunnah; they may not even care about the Sunnah at all. Whoever
is like this, it is not permissible to imitate him or follow his
example, even if the majority of people are like this. Rather we
should follow the example of those who follow the path of the
Sunnah, among the righteous salaf and their followers, even if they
are few. Truth is not measured by the men who speak it, rather men
are measured by the truth.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: «Whoever among you lives (for a long time)
will see many differences. I urge you to follow my Sunnah and the
way of the rightly-guided khaleefahs who come after me. Hold on to
it firmly. Beware of newly-invented matters, for every innovation
is a going astray» [Narrated by Ahmad, 4/126; al-Tirmidhi
no. 2676]. So the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) explained to us in this hadeeth what we should do when there
are differences of opinion, just as he explained that everything
that goes against his Sunnah, be it words or deeds, is a bid'ah,
and every bid'ah is a going astray.
If we see that there is no basis for celebrating the birthday of
the Prophet, whether in the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or in the way of the
rightly-guided khaleefahs, then it is one of the newly-invented
matters, one of the bid'ahs which lead people astray. This
principle is what is implied by this hadeeth and is what is
indicated by the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):
"O you who believe! Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad),
and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you
differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allaah and His
Messenger, if you believe in Allaah and in the Last Day. That is
better and more suitable for final determination" [al-Nisaa'
4:59].
{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ
أَطِيعُواْ اللّهَ وَأَطِيعُواْ الرَّسُولَ وَأُوْلِي الأَمْرِ
مِنكُمْ فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللّهِ
وَالرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ
ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلاً}
Transliteration: Yā 'Ayyuhā Al-Ladhīna 'Āmanū 'Aţī`ū Allāha Wa
'Aţī`ū Ar-Rasūla Wa 'Ūlī Al-'Amri Minkum Fa'in Tanāza`tum Fī
Shay'in Faruddūhu 'Ilá Allāhi Wa Ar-Rasūli 'In Kuntum
Tu'uminūna Billāhi Wa Al-Yawmi Al-'Ākhiri Dhālika Khayrun Wa
'Aĥsanu Ta'wīlāan
Referring to Allaah means referring to His Book, and referring to
the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) means
referring to his Sunnah after he has passed away. The Qur'aan and
Sunnah are the reference point in cases of dispute. Where in the
Qur'aan or Sunnah does it indicate that it is prescribed in Islam
to celebrate the Prophet's birthday? Whoever does that or thinks
that it is good must repent to Allaah from this and from other
kinds of bid'ah. This is the attitude of the Muslim who is seeking
the truth. But whoever is too stubborn and arrogant after proof has
been established, then his reckoning will be with his Lord.
We ask Allaah to help us adhere to His Book and the Sunnah of His
Messenger until the Day when we will meet Him. May Allaah grant
blessings and peace to our Prophet Muhammad and his family and
companions.
Huqooq al-Nabi (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) bayna al-Ijlaal wa'l-Ikhlaal, p. 139
Shaykh Dr. Saalih ibn Fawzaan al-Fawzaan
Member of the Committee of Senior Scholars, Saudi
Arabia.