What is the significance of the Prophet's Birthday and when and how is it celebrated?

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly, Muhammad (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) is the Messenger of Allaah to all of mankind, the one through whom Allaah leads people from darkness into light, from misguidance to guidance. Please see question no. 11575. Perhaps this question is the start of your research into the religion of Islam and your attempt to learn more and read widely about it. Try to find a translation of the meanings of the Qur’aan so that you can learn more about this pure monotheistic religion. No doubt our joy will be multiplied if you become our sister in Islam by entering this religion.

Secondly, acts of worship in Islam are based on an important principle, which is that no one is permitted to worship Allaah in any way except that which Allaah has prescribed in his Book or which was taught by His Messenger Muhammad (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam). Whoever worships Allaah by doing something that Allaah and His Messenger have not enjoined, Allaah will not accept that from him. The Prophet (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) told us of that, as it was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (radiyAllaho 3anhaa) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) said: ‘Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours [i.e., Islam] that is not part of it will have it rejected.’” (Narrated by al Bukhaari, Kitaab al Sulh, 2499).

Acts of worship include festivals. Allaah has prescribed two festivals or Eids for us to celebrate, and it is not permissible for us to celebrate any others. (Please see question no. 486).

With regard to celebrating the day on which the Prophet (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) was born, it should be noted that he (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) did not tell us to celebrate this day, and he himself (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) did not celebrate it, nor did his companions (radiyAllaho 3anhumaa). They loved the Prophet (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) far more than we do, yet despite that they did not celebrate this day. Hence we do not celebrate this day, in obedience to the command of Allaah Who has commanded us to follow the commands of His Prophet. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it)” [al Hashr 59:7]

And the Prophet (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) said: “I urge you to adhere to my Sunnah [way] and the way of the Rightly-Guided khaleefahs. Adhere to it and cling tightly to it. And beware of newly-invented matters [in religion], for every newly-invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is a going-astray.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, al Sunnah, 3991; classed as saheeh by al Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, no. 3851).

The extent to which a person loves the Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) is to be seen in how he follows him with regard to all that he commanded or forbade. That includes following him in not celebrating the day on which he was born. See question no. 5219, 10070.

Whoever wants to venerate the day on which the Prophet (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) was born should follow the alternative that is based on Islamic evidence, which is that one should fast on Mondays, not just the day that he was born but every Monday.

It was narrated from Abu Qutaadah al Ansaari (radiyAllaho 3anh) that the Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) was asked about fasting on Mondays. He said, “On that day I was born and on that day the Revelation came to me.” (Narrated by Muslim, 1978). On Thursdays deeds are taken up and shown to Allaah.

Conclusion: celebrating the Prophet’s birthday was not prescribed by Allaah or by the Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam), so it is not permissible for the Muslims to celebrate his birthday, in obedience to the command of Allaah and the command of His Prophet (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam).

We ask Allaah to guide you to the Straight Path.

And Allaah knows best.

IslamQA

Shaykh Muhammad Salih Al Munajjid

Mawlid al Nabi

Why do some people accept and some unaccept the celebration of the Prophet? What is your opinion?

Praise be to Allaah.

There is nothing in the Qur’aan to say that we should celebrate the Mawlid or birthday of the Prophet (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam). The Prophet himself (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) 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 (3alayhi salaam). 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 (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) 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 (radiyAllaho 3anhumaa) 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 (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam)? 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 (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam)? 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 (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) 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 (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam)? 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 (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) 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 (salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) 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 salla Allaho 3alayhi wasallam) 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
Shaykh Muhammad Salih Al Munajjid