Praise be to Allah.
Celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) is an innovation (bid’ah) which goes against the guidance of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and of the Rightly Guided Khaleefahs (al-khulafaa’ al-raashidoon) and the Sahaabah, may Allah be pleased with them. It is proven that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whoever does anything that is not part of this matter of ours (i.e., Islam), will have it rejected.”
And it has been confirmed on the authority of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) that he said: Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours (i.e. Islam) that which is not from it, will have it rejected, [Sahih al-Bukhari/2697 and Sahih Muslim/1718].
There is nothing in the Qur’an to say that we should celebrate the Mawlid or birthday of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). The Prophet himself (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) did not do this or command anyone to do it, either during his lifetime or after his death.
Indeed, he told them not to exaggerate about him as the Christians had exaggerated about Jesus (upon whom be peace). He said: “Do not exaggerate about me as the Christians exaggerated about the son of Maryam. I am only a slave, so say, ‘The slave of Allah and His Messenger.’” (Reported by al-Bukhari).
What has been reported is that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) made the day of his birth a day of worship, which is different to celebration. He was asked about fasting on Mondays, and he said: “That is the day on which I was born and the day on which I was entrusted with the Mission or when I was first given Revelation.” (Reported by Muslim, al-Nisaa’i and Abu Dawood).
Moreover, we know that the Sahaabah (radiallahu ‘anhum) were the people who loved the Prophet most. Was it reported that Abu Bakr, who was the closest of people to him and the one who loved him the most, celebrated the birthday of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam)? Was it reported that ‘Umar, who ruled for 12 years, or ‘Uthmaan, did this? Was it reported that ‘Ali, his relative, did this? Was it reported that any of the Sahaabah did this? No, by Allah! Is it because they were not aware of its importance, or did they not truly love the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam)? No one would say such a thing except one who has gone astray and is leading others astray. Did any of the imaams – Abu Haneefah, Maalik, al-Shaafi’i, Ahmad, al-Hasan al-Basri, Ibn Seereen – do this or command others to do it or say that it was good? By Allah, no! It was not even mentioned during the first and best three centuries.
The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said in a sahih hadith: “The best of mankind are my generation (or my century), then those who come after them, then those who come after them. Then there will come a people who will not care if their testimony comes before their oath or vice versa (i.e., they will not take such matter seriously).” (Reported by al-Bukhari, Muslim and al-Tirmidhi).
The celebration of the Prophet’s birthday appeared many centuries later, when many of the features of true religion had vanished and bid’ah had become widespread. Thus this celebration became a sign of one’s love for the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam)? But can it be possible that the Sahaabah, the imaams and the people of the best three centuries were unaware of it, and it was only those who came later who were aware of its importance?!
What the Qur’an tells us is that love of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) is demonstrated by following the guidance he brought.
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Say (O Muhammad): ‘If you (really) love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Say: ‘Obey Allah and the Messenger.’ But if they turn away, then Allah does not like the disbelievers.” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:31-32]
Hence Allah ended the aayah with a very stern warning in which those who refuse to obey are described as kaafirs, and Allah does not love the disbelievers. We ask Allah to keep us safe from that. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) told us of the danger of not obeying him, and the danger of adding to what he brought.
The celebration of Mawlid or his birthday is indeed an addition to what he brought – as all the scholars agree. He said: “The best of speech is the Book of Allah, and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. The most evil of things are those which are newly-invented (in religion), and every innovation is a going astray.” (Reported by Muslim and al-Nisaa’i).
Establishing the celebration of the Prophet’s birthday or (the birthday of) other than him is an innovation. Furthermore, Gathering the people on the night of the birthday and the reading of his life story is not legislated, rather it is an innovation. And their insisting that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) attends their sitting is a lie, and the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) being alive in his grave is the life of barzakhiyyah enjoying the bliss and comfort of paradise, and not like his life in this world, since he died and was washed and covered in the burial shroud and the funeral prayer was performed over him and he was buried like others (are).
And he will be the first who shall rise from his grave on the Day of Resurrection, and Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala) has said, addressing him:
Verily, you will die and verily, they will die. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will be disputing before your Lord [Surah az-Zumar, Aayahs 30 and 31].
And He (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala) said: After that, surely, you will die. Then, surely you will be resurrected on the Day of Resurrection [Surah al-Mu’minoon, Aayahs 15 and 16].
We ask Allah to protect us from bid’ah and to bless us by helping us to follow. Allah knows best. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad.
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