Rabi'ul Awwal 12 H
Celebrating & participating in Mawlid out of love for the Prophet
There is nothing in the Qur’aan to say that we should celebrate the Mawlid or birthday of the Prophet SallAllaahu Alayhi wa Sallam. The Prophet himself SallAllaahu Alayhi wa Sallam did not do this or command anyone to do it, either during his lifetime or after his death.
The Sahaabah (may Allah be pleased with them) were the people who loved the Prophet SallAllaahu Alayhi waSallam most. They had a greater love and respect for him, and were more aware of his rights, than those who came after them....
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 Alayhi wa Sallam?
Was it reported that Umar, who ruled for twelve years, or Uthmaan, did this?
Was it reported that Alee, his relative and son-in-law, 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 SallAllaahu 3Alayhi 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-Shaafi3ee, 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 SallAllaahu 3Alayhi wa Sallam 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).” (1)
The celebration of the Prophet’s birthday appeared many centuries later, when many of the features of true religion had vanished and bid3ah had become widespread. Thus this celebration became a sign of one’s love for the Prophet SallAllaahu 3Alayhi 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’aan tells us is that love of the Prophet SallAllaahu 3Alayhi wa Sallam is demonstrated by following the guidance he brought.
Allaah says:
قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“Say, [O Muhammad], “If you (really) love Allaah , then follow me, [so] Allaah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving and Merciful”
قُلْ أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْكَافِرِينَ
Say, “Obey Allaah and the Messenger.” But if they turn away – then indeed, Allaah does not like the disbelievers. (2)
The first aayah explains that love is just a claim, but the proof of sincerity is following what the Prophet SallAllaahu 3Alayhi wa Sallam 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. (3)
As the above infographics shows, our beloved Prophet (SAS) has advised us to remember the day he was born not just annually but every week by expressing joy through fasting on Mondays, nothing less nothing more! And look at the innovators, in trying to make excuses for their unsanctioned celebrations, they failed to realize from this hadith about fasting on Mondays as a choice given by the Prophet himself to those who wish to do an extra act of gratitude to Allah for gifting us with this loving Messenger, as 'Rahmatullil 'Alameen' - Mercy for Mankind and thereby celebrate ever week rather than only once in a year!
The Prophet SallAllaahu 3Alayhi 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 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.” (4)
Related Posts:
Refutation to claims that mawlid is permissible [must read]
References:
(1) Reported by al-Bukhaari, Muslim and al-Tirmidhi
(2) soorah Aal Imraan, v:31-32
(3) http://islamqa.info/en/249
(4) Reported by Muslim and al-Nisaa’i
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