Moulood Un Nabi (the Prophet’s birthday) Why some people accept and some do not accept the celebration of the prophet (saw)? What is your opinion? Praise be to Allah. There is nothing in the Qur’aan to say that we should celebrate the Mawlid or birthday of the Prophet(saw). The Prophet himself(saw) 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(as). 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(saw) 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-Nasa’i and Abu Dawud). Moreover, we know that the Sahaabah(ra) were the people who loved theProphet most. Was it reported that Abu Bakr(ra), who was the closest of people to him and the one who loved him the most, celebrated the birthday of the Prophet(saw)? Was it reported that ‘Umar(ra), who ruled for twelve years, or ‘Uthmaan(ra), did this? Was it reported that ‘Ali(ra), his relative and foster son, did this? Was it reported that any of the Sahaabah(ra) did this? No, by Allah! Is it because they were not aware of its importance, or did they not truly love the Prophet (saw)? 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 (saw) 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 (saw)? But can it be possible that the Sahaabah, the imams 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 (saw) 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] The first ayah explains that love is just a claim, but the proof of sincerity is following what the Prophet (saw) brought. The second ayah reaffirms the importance and necessity of obeying Allah and His Messenger. Hence Allah ended the ayah 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(saw) told us of the danger of not obeying him, and the danger of adding to what he brought. The celebration of Moulood 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-Nasa’i). We ask Allah to protect us from bid’ah and to bless us. Allaah knows best. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad(saw). Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 13:36:11 +0000
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