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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Mawlid al-Nabi (the Prophet’s birthday)


Praise be to Allaah.

There is nothing in the Qur’aan to say that we should celebrate the Mawlid or birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The Prophet himself (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) 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 Allaah and His Messenger.’” (Reported by al-Bukhaari). What has been reported is that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) 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 (may Allaah be pleased with them) 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 (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? Was it reported that ‘Umar, who ruled for twelve years, or ‘Uthmaan, did this? Was it reported that ‘Ali, his relative and foster son, did this? Was it reported that any of the Sahaabah did this? No, by Allaah! Is it because they were not aware of its importance, or did they not truly love the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? 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 Allaah, no! It was not even mentioned during the first and best three centuries. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said in a saheeh hadeeth: “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-Bukhaari, 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 (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? 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’aan tells us is that love of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is demonstrated by following the guidance he brought. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Say (O Muhammad): ‘If you (really) love Allaah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Say: ‘Obey Allaah and the Messenger.’ But if they turn away, then Allaah does not like the disbelievers.” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:31-32]

The first aayah explains that love is just a claim, but the proof of sincerity is following what the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) brought. The second aayah reaffirms the importance and necessity of obeying Allaah and His Messenger. Hence Allaah 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 Allaah to keep us safe from that. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) 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 Allaah, 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).

We ask Allaah to protect us from bid’ah and to bless us by helping us to follow. Allaah knows best. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

10 comments:

  1. May Allah guide all his followers....I live in Mumbai and am really scared to go out on road today as I know there are procession ready to take place... Allah save us from getting influenced by the non muslin acts and geeting engaged in this bidah

    ReplyDelete
  2. “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 Allaah and His Messenger.’” (Reported by al-Bukhaari). What has been reported is that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made the day of his birth a day of worship, which is different to celebration.”

    As per your above quotation:
    Yes we are all the slave of Allah but Huzur (SAW) is our beloved and honorable and respectful Nabi and Rassullah. So you and I are not equal to Rassullah (SAW) Nauzubillah...

    Now Christians also do the birthday celebration but think a little moment minutely that is there any scope for performing birthday or Ofath day? NOT Obiously NOT. But what is the concept…… avoided all decoration part and lighting part and other formalities which is similar to the Christians.

    The CONCEPT is …
    who is HE (SAW) to you???
    How much important person to you HE (SAW) is???
    What he (SAW) did for you and how you want to show gratefulness to him (saw)???
    How do u earn certificate of Haven without his (saw) permission???

    In the ISLAM first is IMAN (Believe), 2nd is SALAT, 3rd is FASTING, 4th is ZAKAT, 5th is HAJJ and so on.

    Without performing 2nd to 5th do u agree that anybody have IMAN????

    Same as here that without performing Doroud and salam to Rasullala (saw) u believe to entry in Haven or u hoping to get his (saw) acceptance. FUNNY!!!! All r u stepping in wrong path rather blaming the right.

    All of ur logic and understanding worrying me. Please understand from ur heart not by searching the authentic records. Show some respect at least. If u do not agree no matter do not divide Muslim. Respect others sympathy and earn right knowledge from more knowledgeable person.

    This not the issue to deviate but if u arguing much then ultimately we r losing our image to other religion.

    STAY UNITY.

    Thanks

    Raquib

    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete
  4. "Please understand from ur heart not by searching the authentic records."
    Brother,
    Mumeen's are to obey Quran and Hadith and not the heart as our heart may be influenced by the Satan. may Allah save us all from the influence of Satan.

    How do we show our love for Prophet(SAW)? Not by celebrating anniversaries but By following the path he showed, and this path definitely goes to heaven.

    Prophet never asked us to celebrate and hence we should not. Its as simple. We should do what is asked by Quran and Hadith and anything that we do extra (by following heart or mind ) is B'daah and is haram.

    Prophet (SAW) never give importance to this date and hence as followers we also should not. That shows our love.

    May Allah give us the right understading and show us the right path.

    Ameen.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I agree on both the comments. What shall I do?

    I believe that its true we should follow Holly Prophet (SAW) We should even fast on 12th rabi-ul-awal. we should fast on mondays and thursdays. But will it be against islam if on 12th day of 3rd month of Islamic calendar we arrange a gathering where We recite darood and zikar.

    i do respect those who decorate thr houses or streets with the hope that may be by doing so they will win the heart of Prophet SAW and ALLAH.

    You never know what single act of yours will lead you to Heaven.

    ReplyDelete
  6. A FRIEND OF MINE WHO IS DOCTOR JUST REPLIED ME AND HERE IS THE ANSWER FROM HIM.

    Ahsan Munir February 17 at 2:55am Report
    That's what scholars call ''innovations (biddat) in Islam'', Following some new cultures which were not done in the first 3 cenruries of the Islam...

    Why do you respect something that is Un-Islamic and no companion, tabieen and taba tabieen celebrated it at their times? Isn't it becoming more like the christians celebrate the christmas?

    How could you win the heart of Prophet SAW by doing something that isn't according to Shariah?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dear all

    I read all of ur comments and discussion. I want to give u another point please remember the act of Bibi Hazira for searching water at SAFA and MAROA. What she was doing there but that is accepted by Allah and Allah told us it is a part of ur Hajj. So what is meant .... Do something by ur heart not only searching records. Allah knows everything so do Rasullah also know.

    U have noting to lose but a chance for acceptance if allah allow ur act.

    Hope no devate but to do Meladun Nabe by hearty way.

    ReplyDelete
  8. for u r kind information please refer this if u r saying that we shuld not celebrate milad
    HUZOOR(S.A.W) ki wiladat k din
    jaangal k jaanwar apas may ek dusray kou khush khabri ur mubarak badi daynay lagthay hai
    KHAAN-E-KABA 3 din thak khushi may joomtha rahtha hai
    farishton kou ALLAH nay hukum diya k tamaam assmanou k aur tamaam jannatoun
    k darwaze khol day aur zameen par hazeer hojaye
    (REFERENCE:khasais kibria jild-1 page-47)
    (REFERENCE:khasais kibria jild-1 page-47)

    ReplyDelete
  9. if u take any proof , only take quraan and sunna
    and dont take other references in islam quran and sunna are the real proof, why u didnt celebrate cristmas ... just study and think

    ReplyDelete
  10. i think we should not celebrate any festival if that is against qur'an or sahi hadith

    ReplyDelete