text:
On Celebrating The Prophet's Birthday ﷺ – Shaykh Abdullah Bin Bayyah
Answered by Dr. Abdullah bin Bayyah | Translated by Suhaib Webb
The celebration of the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is an issue of controversy amongst the scholars. Thus, there were some who considered it a disliked innovation, a few even saying it reached the level of prohibition, and there were others who considered it a praiseworthy innovation.
This difference is traced back to a divergence concerning the division of innovation (bid'ah). Some scholars recognized the validity of such innovations and this was, primarily, the school of Imam Al-Shafi'i (May Allah have mercy upon him) and the head of this thought was Al-'Izzi Adin Abdul Salam (May Allah have mercy upon him). In addition, Imam Al-Qarafi (May Allah have mercy upon him) who was a Maliki, carried this same opinion, giving it great attention , explaining it in an exhaustive manner. In his discussion Al-Qarafi (ra) expanded the concept of innovation to included innovations that were commendable, highly recommended, obligatory and a disliked nature. Thus, he divided innovation into five parts: (obligatory, recommended, permissible, disliked and forbidden).
There were some scholars who failed to accept this division contending that, "Any innovation, if it appears, then it is repulsive in nature." They did this by restricting the statement of 'Umar (ra), regarding the tarawih prayers, "This is a good innovation" to its linguistic meaning. There was a large body of scholars who held this opinion such as Taqi al-Din Ahmad Ibn Taymiyyah, Al-Shatibi, in his book Al-'Itisam, and many scholars from the Maliki and Hanbali schools (may Allah have mercy upon all of them).
Finally, there were scholars who wrote in support of celebrating the Mawlid such as Al-Suyuti (May Allah have mercy upon him) and, at the same time, there were others who wrote against it. Thus, in my opinion, there is no need to drag this discussion out, nor continue to argue about it any longer.
The Ruling:
Whoever wants to celebrate the Prophet's (sa) birthday should celebrate it and avoid doing any action contrary to Islamic Law. This act should be done with an intention that it is not a sunna nor an obligatory act. If these conditions are observed, and one is careful not to contradict Islamic Law, out of sincere love for the Prophet (Peace and blessing of Allah upon him), then, Allah willing, there is nothing wrong with this action and this person will be rewarded.
Commenting on this, the Shaykh of Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (May Allah have mercy upon him) said, "Indeed, such a person will be rewarded because of his intention." Likewise, for the one who shuns this celebration, seeking to cling to the sunna out of fear of falling into innovation, then this person will also be rewarded, Allah willing. It is important to note that this is not a big issue. Nor is it necessary to give it more attention then it deserves.
The Methodology:
Our attention towards this issue is directed towards uniting the Muslims and curbing these differences. We base this understanding on facilitation (for both sides) and ease. This ease is not founded on an empty premise, but is referenced directly back to the Quran, traditions of the Prophet (sa), the fundamental objectives of Islamic law, and the order of the Prophet (sa) to work towards unity between others. If a contentious issue arises pertaining to a matter, we exercise great consideration and respect for both sides. This consideration is not simply an act of being overly accommodative, as some contend, or attacking those who hold weak opinions. But, this respect and consideration for differences is guided by the fact that both opinions are based on proofs from Islamic Law. In some regards these proofs are clear, and in other regards the opposite holds true. Thus, some (scholars) have provided evidences for these acts' legitimacy, and others hold proofs for the opposite. In conclusion, our stance is that both are on goodness, Allah willing, as long as this act is not mixed with some type of evil and the intention is correct.
Allah knows best.
79 Comments
That's as scholarly of an analysis as you can get. May Allah preserve our beloved teacher Abdullah bin Bayah and increase amongst our younger generation scholars of his likeness.
I personally follow the position that it is a frowned upon innovation no different than celebrating Christmas. I believe that religious holidays which are based in a type of worship and people gather together as Muslim's every year to celebrate it should be narrrowed to those 2 revealed by Allah. That being said, I am no one to say that Ibn Hjar, Imam As-Suyooti, al-Haythami and others are wrong. Who ever follows those scholars who I pray to reach a tenth of their level before i die are no doubt following Islam. I just feel comfortable with the purity of worship through sticking with the Prophet (pbuh) and his companions (ra) rather than relying on a later Ijtihad by our scholars who are indeed inheritors of the Prohethood.
And Allah knows best
Assalamo alaykum Sheikh. Jazak Allahu Kheiran – nice and timely article. I would like to add a couple of facts:
1. Mawlid was never celebrated by the first 3 generations/Salaf – who are our role models.
2. Infact the first time that Mawlid was celebrated was 4-5 centuries after the best generation that ever lived viz. the Sahabas by somebody in the Fatimid dynasty (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatimid_Caliphate)
May Allah give us wisdom and courage to hold on tight to the Quran and the Sunnah.
Mohamed, the fact that the "salaf" didn't celebrate it is not good enough of an excuse NOT to do it. There are thousands of items in our daily rituals and life that were adopted after our Beloved Messenger (SAW) departed. The fact is that the Mawlid is done out of love to commemorate the life of the greatest man (SAW) who ever lived. You have to know true love to understand it.
Dear Rehan,
We can look at it from another perspective as well. Perhaps one has such true love to where he doesn't want to do anything that the Prophet nor his companions abstained from?
Love can be expressed in a number of ways.
Brother Osman
u said there are no of ways to show your love for the Prophet (peace be upon him). we do agree and who forbids you that dont follow those no of ways, i am of the opinion that beside all those ways if a person become happy on that day so what is wrong with it nothing. let him be happy and you don`t want to be so its your choice. but it does not mean that the one who becomes happy on that day he does not follow foot-steps of the Prophet or he rejects the other ways of showing his love to Prophet or he does not want to follow the Prophet except being happy on that day.
we all love our Prophet and always try to follow him and become happy on 12th of Rabiulawwal and one more thig as i mentioned that we become happy on 12th so it does not mean that we only become happy on that day, with the grace of Allah and His and his Last Prophet we are always happy that we are in the Ummah of Allah`s last Prophet and it is also honor for us.
If you want to show love to the Prophet SAW, then what better way to do it than the way he told us to?
That is by clinging on to his Sunnah, the one who loves him the most is the one who trys to follow his Sunnah the most, and oviously, celebrating his birthday was not from his Sunnah so therefore by doing that, you are infact deviating from his Sunnah so you are not showing love to him at all by doing this
Dear Mohamamd:
Asalamu alaykum wa rahamatullahi wa barakatuh,
I appreciate your comments. However, I would like to remind you of the important agreed upon usoli principle that, "al-tark la yufid al-hukum bi dhatihi." Meaning, that the Prophet or his companions (ra), leaving something does not make its absence forbidden ( a ruling in itself) unless it was clearly addressed by revelation as being forbidden or disliked.
As for the salaf, then the only thing that is binding upon those who come after them is what they agreed upon definitively with no doubt (Ijm'a) and that, as noted by most scholars of Usol, is rare. In short, leaving an action is not proof within itself according to the majority of ahl-sunna.
Every innovation is going astray isn't it?
Then keeping an alarm-clock to wake-up for fajr is an innovation (bidah), listening to Al'Quran on i-pod and other gadgets is an innovation.
If we go by that rule that bidah is classifed as all other innovation that the salaf (first three generations didn't followed) didn't adhere to – then we probably are nowhere close being there.
I love this part, even though I think the mawlid is a little too much.
"Shaykh of Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (May Allah have mercy upon him) said, "Indeed, such a person will be rewarded because of his intention." Likewise, for the one who shuns this celebration, seeking to cling to the sunna out of fear of falling into innovation, then this person will also be rewarded, Allah willing."
The Fatwa regarding the Mawlid from Ibn Taymiyyah does exist but if we look at the complete context of what he says he actualy refutes it but has a concept that if those that celebrate it will end up doing something more evil than celebrate the mawlid then no one should stop such people celebrating the Mawlid.
Thats how they interprate the Fatwa and thats how it seems to me to, Probably the main point of the fatwa for those who accept the Mawlid is where he says that Allah will reward them for there good intentions and for their love.
Anyway here is the complete fatwa:
Ibn Taymiyyah says, "…because the Eeds are legislated laws from amongst the laws, so it is necessary to follow them, and not to innovate them, and the Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) had many lectures, treaties, and great events that happened on a number of (documented) days such as the Day of Badr, Hunain, al-Khandaq, the Conquest of Mecca, the occurrence of his hijrah, his entry to Madeenah…and none of this necessitated that these days be taken as days of Eed.
Rather this sort of thing was done by the Christians who took the days in which great events happened to Jesus as eeds, or by the Jews. Indeed the Eed is a legislated law, so what Allaah legislates is followed, otherwise do not innovate in this religion that which is not part of it.
And like this is what some of the people have innovated, either in opposition to the Christian celebration of the birthday of Jesus, or out of love for the Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) and in honour of him.
And Allaah will reward them for this love and ijtihaad, but NOT FOR THE BID'AH of taking the day of the birth of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) as an eed – this along with the difference of the people as to when he was born.
For indeed this (celebration) was not done by the salaf, despite the existence of factors that would necessitate it and the lack of any factors that would prevent them from doing so if it were indeed good. And if this was genuinely good or preferable then the salaf, may Allaah be pleased with them, would have more right to doing so then us, for they had more severe love and honour of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) in following him, obeying him, and following his command, and reviving his sunnah inwardly and outwardly, and spreading that which he was sent with, and performing jihaad for this in the heart, with the hand and upon the tongue. So indeed this was the way of the Saabiqeen al-Awwaleen from the Muhajiroon and the Ansaar, and those that followed them in good.
And you will find the majority of these (who celebrate the birthday) in ardent desire of these sort of innovations – alongwith what they have of good intention and ijtihaad for which reward is hoped for – but you would find them feeble in following the command of the Messenger, that which they have been commanded to be eager and vigorous in, indeed they are of the position of one who adorns the Mushaf but does not read what is in it or reads what is in it but does not follow it. Or the position of one who decorates the mosques but does not pray in them, or prays in them rarely…
And know that from the actions are those that have some good in them, due to their including types of good actions and including evil actions such as innovation etc. So this action would be good with respect to what it includes of good and evil with respect to what it contains of turning away from the religion in it's totality, as is the state of the hypocrites and faasiqeen. This has what has afflicted the majority of the ummah in the later times. So upon you is two manners (of rectification):
that your desire be to follow the sunnah inwardly and outwardly, with respect to yourself specifically and those that follow you, and you enjoin the good and forbid the evil.
that you call the people to the sunnah in accordance to ability, so if you were to see someone doing this (celebration) and he were to not leave it except for an evil greater than it, then do not call him to leaving the evil so that he may perform something more evil than this….[a page omitted in which he explains this principle]
So honouring the mawlid, and taking it as a festive season (mawsam) which some of the people have done, there is a great reward in it due to the good intention and the honouring of the Messenger (sallallaahu `alaihi wasallam) because of what I have previously stated to you – that it is possible that something be good for some of the people and be denounced/considered to be ugly by the strict believer. This is why it was said to Imaam Ahmad about some of the leaders, that he spent 1000 dirhams upon the mushaf or similar to this. So he replied, 'leave them, for this is better than them spending it on gold (jewellery).' This despite the fact that the madhhab of Imaam Ahmad was that it is abhorrent to decorate the mushafs, and some of the companions (of Ahmad) interpreted this to mean that the money was spent in renewing the pages and writing. But this is not the intent of Ahmad here, his intention here was that this action had a benefit in it, and it also contained corruption due to which it became abhorrent. But these people, if they did not do this, would have substituted this for a corruption that contained no good whatsoever, for example spending upon one of the books of evil…" [Iqtidaa Siraat al-Mustaqeem 2/618+ my copy has the tahqeeq of Shaykh Naasir al-Aql]
asalamu alaikum,
jazakullahu khairan for the translation shaykh. Truly an informative piece. My question is, what constitutes acceptable ways of celebrating the mawlid? Is holding parties and feasts acceptable? Or is celebrating limited to fasting, praying, dua etc.
jazakullahu khairan,
This was mentioend by the sheikh towards the end of his answer.
I had two questions:
1. What does this sentence mean? "They did this by restricting the statement of 'Umar (ra), regarding the tarawih prayers, "This is a good innovation" to its linguistic meaning."
2. Also, some of my relatives often talk about how they don't understand how it was okay for `Umar (ra) to get everyone to start doing tarawih in jam`at. They say, wasn't this a bid`ah? Why do we need to do something the Prophet (salla Allahu `alayhi wa sallam) did not do (though we know he prayed tarawih at home)? And why have the masjids given it such a status such that it seems almost compulsory now? Does anyone have an explanation for these relatives? I have never been able to provide them with a sufficient one.
Jazakum Allahu khayran.
About Umar RA and the Tarawih prayers, the reason why this is not regarded as a Bid'ah is because he was amongts the rightly guided Khalifs, and the Prophet SAW told us to follow him and his companions, as Umar RA was a companion, him starting to the tarawih in Jamaa'ah is not regarded as a Bid'ah that leads to hellfire, rather, it is regarded as a rewarded act of worship
What I've heard about the first statement i.e. "..by restricting … to its linguistic meaning" is that is may be referring to the definition of the word bid'ah; which is translated as something that is new but they add to this definition and say that it is something new (innovated) at the time of the event that is occurring but it doesn't necessarily mean that it is something that is unique and that it has never occurred in the past.
So one way of interpreting this statement may be by thinking of this event as being resurrected or being brought into practice once again while at that time people may not have been aware of it or they may have forgotten about it.
The prophet (s.a.w) did pray trawih prayers but as I understand it he didn't pray regularly with the jama'ah in fear that it may be made obligatory and that his (s.a.w) ummah may fail to uphold this obligation. (Subhannallah he (s.a.w) was always thinking about us) so in a way this practice was re-introduced by 'Umar (r.a.) after the death of the prophet (s.a.w) when wahy stopped and there was no way for it to become compulsory.
Allahu a'lam.
I love the article posted above. I think it is best that we respect each others views and don't question the opinions of the great people that have preceded us, thinking that somehow we are better positioned to understand the religion then them. If the four madhahibs have agreed on this matter but you choose to follow a different opinion then that is your prerogative but don't take an extreme stance in your opinion and try to force it on others. As I've alluded to above you end up ignoring the opinion of great scholars when vehemently defending a different opinion of another great scholar.
The above article has explained the matter well I believe and the post by brother Abu Dhul-Kifl (especially the last paragraph) adds to this article and further clarifies this issue.
his order for congregation taraweh prayers is not considered an innovation as it was based on Prophet Muhammad SAW sunnah,as he SAW did it himself during his life time.
We can say that he organized it and made it more regular. if you want sahih hadees for the reference let me know. however i am sure you must have read or heard about this reference.
I hope this helps
Hadees given reference of Prophet Muhammad read taraweeh or night prayers in congregation..i hope this helps:
Bukhari :: Book 3 :: Volume 32 :: Hadith 229
Narrated 'Urwa:
That he was informed by 'Aisha, "Allah's Apostle went out in the middle of the night and prayed in the mosque and some men prayed behind him. In the morning, the people spoke about it and then a large number of them gathered and prayed behind him (on the second night). In the next morning the people again talked about it and on the third night the mosque was full with a large number of people. Allah's Apostle came out and the people prayed behind him. On the fourth night the Mosque was overwhelmed with people and could not accommodate them, but the Prophet came out (only) for the morning prayer. When the morning prayer was finished he recited Tashah-hud and (addressing the people) said, "Amma ba'du, your presence was not hidden from me but I was afraid lest the night prayer (Qiyam) should be enjoined on you and you might not be able to carry it on." So, Allah's Apostle died and the situation remained like that (i.e. people prayed individually). "
masahaAllah this was a good read.
jazakAllah for the translation.
I love the part where it says that 'intention' counts.
i think that we should all read as much darood we can this month, i mean we should read the darood frequently too, regardless of the fact whether its Muharram, or Safar or Rabiul awwal.
In the Name of Allah, the Possessor of Mercy, the Disposer of Mercy.
Assalaamu'alaikum wr wb
I pray this reaches you all in the best of health and the highest of imaan insha'Allah.
Br Abu Majeed: Aameen!
Br Rehan: Alhamdulillah it is a good thing that you 'know true love' for the Prophet Muhammad (saw) as he (saw) said [powerphrasing] that 'none of you truely believe until you love me more than yourself' but you should be careful to make such statements as 'the fact that the salaf didn't celebrate it isn't a good enough excuse for is NOT to do it' because these (salaf) are the people who were the closest to the deen of Allah 'Azza wa Jall and these people had the best access to knowledge; subhanAllah they had the Prophet saw and Sahaabah right there and therefore the fact that they didn't do it is an excellent reason for us not to. You mentioned that there are 'a thousand items…..' if this is the case then it is worrying because as a general principle 'the ruling concerning all 'ibaadah is that of prohibition unless there is some textual evidence to prove it' and therefore we shouldn't be adding anything new to our 'ibaadah.
I think despite whether or not you celebrate the mawlid, sending salutations upon Rasoolullah saw should be done all the time and if we all had true love for him saw, and I pray that Allah swt allows me to truely reach that status one day, then we would try our best to emulate his (saw) ways, practice his sunnah, study his seerah and defend his blessed status. This is an obligation upon us in all months, not just this one, though no doubt we should increase in this month as we have proof that it was in this month that Rasoolullah (saw) passed away.
Ureed al-Jannah:
Asalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
As for the principle, "the origin of acts acts of worship is hurma" although agreed upon in the general sense, is differed upon regarding its specifics: the majority note that if there is a basis for an act worship is found in Shariah, then its origin is permissibility and not hurmah, This was the conclusion of the the majority and his held onto by the four major schools, in their normative articulations:
One of their Proofs
Aajzani Dr. Muhammad Akram Nadawi, who heard it from Sh. Wahaba Zuhayli from Mamoud Yasin Sheikh Muhamamd Fatih al-Katani and a group of scholars who stated, we heard it from Sheikh Muhamamd in Yusuf al-Husayni, the eurudite scholar, who heard it from al-Burhan Ibrahim bin 'Ali al-Saqa al-Misri from the great scholar and muhadith Muhammad bin Salim bin Nasir known as al-Thuaylib, from Ahmad in Abdul al-Fatah al-Muluwi; from Ahmad bin Hussein al-Jawhar;i both who heard it from the Imam and Hafidh, Abdullah bin Salim al-Basri who heard it from al-Shams, Muhammad bin al-Ala al-Babali, from Salim Muhammad al-Sanhuri, from al-Nagim Muhamamd bin Ahmad al-Ghayti from Sheikh al-Islam Zakariyah bin Muhammad al-Ansari; from al-Khatib Muhammad bin Abdullah al-Rushdy, from al-Qadi Majd al-Din Isma'il bin Ibrahim al-Hanafi; from the Muhadith and scholar Muhammad bin Ismail, know as bin al-Khabaz from the Imam, Abu Zakariyah Yahya bin Sharf al-Nawawi with his sanad to Aiesha who said, "I heard the Prophet (sa) says, "Whoever invents something in this religion of ours, which is not from it, will have it rejected."
This hadith was related to me with a different chain from my teacher Sh. Muhammad Wissam al-Azhari al-Shaf'i from Sheikh al-Islam, Dr. 'Ali Gomma al-Azhari al-Shafi from the Leader of the believers in hadith of the last century, Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Ghumari with his sanad to 'Aiesha to the Prophet (sa) who said the same as mentioned above.
Fiqh of the Hadith:
The majority understand this hadith in a few ways (save the Hanafis who have issues with Mafhum al-Mukhalafa):
Mantuq: Anything invented in this din that has no origin in it, is rejected
Mafhum (here Mukhalafa) -anything that is invented in the din that has a basis, is accepted.
They hold that the statement of the Prophet (sa), "Every invented matter is misguidance." is a universal statement restricted by the hadith of 'Aiesha above.
Thus, the axiom mentioned by our brother requires more explanation than given. For this reason great scholars such as al-Suyutti, Ibn Rajab, Ibn Hajar al-Haythami and others as well as the four madhabs held the mawlid to be a permissible act.
I did not post this to go toe to toe with anyone, but felt it was from the amanah of the knowlege to explain that often misued axiom.
Allah knows best,
Anything good that I mentoned is from Allah and anything incorrect is from my ownself.
wassalaamu'alaikum wr wb
Stay awayy from mawlid
Abuubakar who loved the prophet most did not do this and the sahaba. People lets celebrate prophets birthday by fasting.
May Alah guides us to following the salaf salih
as salamu alaikum,
Without commenting on everything else because i have class soon…
akhi, did you take this other narration from the arabic or is this something you found somewhere? If you took it from the Arabic can you post it? JAK.
You wrote:
"There is another report by her with different wordings:
"Whoever invents something in our faith which does not originally exist, has nothing to do with us.""
I tried looking for something like this in the Arabic of Sahih Muslim and I couldn't find anything. As far as I can tell it's a translation and if so it's one of the worst translations I have ever seen because of the blatant, foul, changing of the meaning. Basically, the end of the hadith says, "he/it is rejected." This refers to the action of the person not the one who did it, according to scholars of hadith like Imam al-Nawawi.
However, if you got it from an Arabic source then that would be different.
Salaam aleikoem wr wb,
Yes its not the best translation in English. Here you have the arabic one.
وفي اللفظ الثاني : ( من عمل عملاً ليس عليه أمرنا فهو رد )(242) وهو أشد من الأول ؛ لأنه قوله : ( من عمل عملاً ليس عليه أمرنا ) يعني لابد أن نعلم بأن كل عمل عملناه عليه أمر الله ورسوله وإلا فهو مردود ، وهو يشمل العبادات ويشمل المعاملات ، ولهذا لو باع الإنسان بيعاً فاسداً ، أو رهن رهناً فاسداً، أو أوقف وقفاً فاسداً ، فكله غير صحيح ومردود على صاحبه ولا ينفذ ، والله أعلم .
أخرجه مسلم ، كتاب الأقضية ، باب الأحكام الباطلة ، رقم (1718)
As salam u alaikum wa rhamatullah,
How are you akhee? InshAllah this finds you in the best state of health and Iman.
"Basically, the end of the hadith says, "he/it is rejected." This refers to the action of the person not the one who did it, according to scholars of hadith like Imam al-Nawawi."
I think some commentators have mentioned that it can also refer to the person who did it. I remember our teacher mentioning something like that and also reading it in the hashiya of Mishkaat. He said that the pronoun "huwa" either goes back to the action itself or it can also go back to the person. I don't have my books with me right now, but I'll check it up and get the exact quotes InshAllah.
May Allah (swt) grant you success in your studies and increase us in knowledge.
Assalamu alaikum,
Jazakallah Shaykh for posting this excellent fatwah. Unlike all the haters here I'll be celebrating the Mawlid and it's refreshing to see a salafi-leaning shaykh (at least in aqidah) such as yourself showing both sides of the argument.
The concept of "holidays" is a part of the Deen, because of the fact that ALLAH sent down the two Eids:
—The Prophet Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him said, 'What are these two days?' They said, 'These are two days we used to play in, in our Jahiliyah.' The Prophet Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him said, 'Allah has replaced them with two better days: Eid Al Adhaa and Eid Al-Fitr'.—
By doing this, the scholars say, Allah made holidays part of the Deen, under His jurisdiction, and so it should be treated just like Worship. i.e. if it wasn't done by the Prophet saws or his companions, we leave it. This is why Rehan's statement "There are thousands of items in our daily rituals and life that were adopted after our Beloved Messenger (SAW) departed." is irrelevant, since Mawlid doesn't fall into the category of Dunya in which there can be Bidah like technology, etc. But this is an issue of DEEN meaning we only take that which there is Daleel for.
This is also why Br. Suhaib's comment, "Meaning, that the Prophet or his companions (ra), leaving something does not make its absence forbidden ( a ruling in itself) unless it was clearly addressed by revelation as being forbidden or disliked." doesn't apply because by this principle I can start praying a 6th Salah between Dhuhr and Asr daily, saying that just because it doesn't appear in the Quran or Sunnah or ways of the Salaf, doesn't mean it's forbidden!
I think we forget that in terms of general actions, everything's Halal unless otherwise proven.
BUT in terms of Worship, it's the exact opposite!
"Whosoever innovates in our religion, then it is rejected." [Saheeh al-Bukharee]
Asalamu alaykum,
Brother al-Syuufi:
A good place to start would be al-Suyutti's Ashbah wa al-Nadhair under the axiom al-tark laysa bi hujah. There one will find the point I mentioned above addressed in great detail. Another place to look is al-Baydawi's Manjah or any major book of Usol under the chapter regarding orders and prohibitions. And Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali's writings on the Mawlid in Lataif al-M'arif are worth noting as well.
The understanding articulated above is that of all four schools and found in their works, though some scholars from amongst them differed on certain issues.
Here's a quick poem on it by Sh. Abdullah al-Ghumari:
يستدل كثير من المتشددين على عدم جواز أمور كثيرة يقوم بها المسلمون بحجة أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم لم يفعلها وأصحابه رضي الله عنهم، فهل ترك النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وأصحابه لأمر يدل على عدم جواز فعله ؟
إن موضوع هذا السؤال ألف فيه الشيخ العلامة السيد عبد الله بن الصديق الغماري رسالة سماها : «حسن التفهم والدرك لمسألة الترك»، وقد افتتحها بأبيات جميلة ؛حيث قال :
الترك ليس بحجة في شرعنا
لا يقتضي منعا ولا إيجابا
فمن ابتغى حظرًا بترك نبينا
ورآه حكمًا صادقًا وصوابا
قد ضل عن نهج الأدلة كلها
بل أخطأ الحكم الصحيح وخابا
لا حظر يمكن إلا إن نهي أتى
متوعدا لمخالفيه عذابا
أو ذم فعل مؤذن بعقوبة
أو لفظ تحريم يواكب عابا
As for holidays, then your understanding contradicts the majority. For more on that, please see the fatwa on this site on Independence Day.
Finally, let me remind our dear brothers and sisters of the following important usoli principle:
إنما يُنكَر المتفق عليه ولا يُنكَر المختلف فيه
"Rebuking an opinion is reserved for what is agreed upon, and not where there exists (legitimate) differences."
The concept of Bida'ah is a serious source of conflict. I am the most confused now in regards to this. Can you possibly have a post focused on this concept?
Same here, after what Abu Adam posted.
Asalamu alaykum,
I'm really bogged down with things here and will not have much time until next year, when I move back home, to invest in these type of discussions. In the future, I plan to translate some important words of Sh. Ibn Ashur and Sh. Muhammad Khidr Hussein, the former Sheikh of al-Azhar, that will address some of these issues, causing us to focus on our brotherhood and not where we differ.
Assalaamu'alaikum WR WB,
Bimillah Al-Rahmaan Al-Raheem,
First of All, in terms of "celebrating" like the Christians and Jews is in no doubt strictly Disapproved in Islam. "Celebrating" like them includes, spending $100 on party matereal. $20 on a cake Wasting more and more time calling friends to celebrate the birthday of our prophet, etc. All of this when you could be doing Dhikrullah on that day. In a Hadith recorded by Imam Abu Dawud (Allah have Mercy on him) and others, Rasulullah ﷺ said: Whosoever imitates a nation is amongst them. (Sunan Abu Dawud,) So basically if we celebrate Rasulullah's ﷺ birthday in a manner similar to the kuffars, then no doubly what we are doing is simply wrong.
I think along side to what Imam Suhaib said about the principle of how shariah works and how if the Sahaba and the taabieen left something out, it doesnt mean that it is forbidden, the following should also be taken into consideration:
1. Did Rasulullah ﷺ celebrate his or other people's birth? no
2. Did The Sahaba celebrate his or even their own birthdays? no
3. Did the Tab'ieen celebrate his or even their own birthdays? no
4. Did the crystians celebrate Jesus's or even their own birthdays? yes
5. Do the Chrystiens still worship Jesus's birthday and their own to this day? yes
So If we celebrate Rasullullah's ﷺ birthday, who, in a similer form, are we immitating indirectly and unintentionally? Another way to put this is: are we the only ones who are celebrating a human being;s (Rasulullah's ﷺ) birthday? I'm pretty sure the kuffaar also celebrate crystmas, and martin lutherking's day.
Now there are other forms of Celebrating such as honoring and remembering someone on an assigned day. To this case, could we honour and remember rasulullah on his birthday? Yes, by listening to him and remembering his words. Such as: Fast on Mondays and Thursday, pray on time, do not waste time.
So then the best and more obvious correct form of celebrating Rasullullahs birthday would be to live to his word: Fast on Mondays and Thursday from now on until your death. I think it is an insult to choose to celebrate Rasullullah's birth day, and not to honor his tradition and teachings any other day (which many people out of ignorance do today).
Celebrating Rasullullah's birthday by immitating him (fasting on Mondays and Thursdays and praying tahajjud, etc.) is: NOT IMMITATING THE KUFFAR (i'm pretty sure the kuffar do not increase there ibada of God and Fast on Chrystmas), therefore it is permissible and even recommended to celebrate in this form. Celebrating Rasulullah's birthday by doing what he (Rasulullah ﷺ) and the sahaba didn't do, but rather what the kuffaar do IS NOT OKAY.
So if you intend to celebrate on Feb 26, then make sure you fast on that day and the next coming Mondays and Thursdays. This is the true celebration that a muslim can do of a person who is our role model.
Celebrating the birthday of Rasulullah in the way the kuffaar do with other beings, is, from what I believe, a wrong innovation that leads oneself, one step closer to worshipping Rasullullah (May allah forbid this to happen).
But as the statement of ibn Taymiyyah Said, the one with the right intention is rewarded. May Allah reward everyone who proceeds with this issue under a right and positive intention. Ameen.
Forgive me If I have said anything offensive, Correct me if I have said anything incorrect.
And If there is any good in what I wrote, it is from Allah (STW). If there is anything wrong in what I wrote, It is from Me and I ask allah to forgive me, Ameen.
In relation to 4 and 5 do christians etc…the answer is in fact yes and no. Some Christians do not celebrate birthdays or the birthday of the prophet isa a.s. So please if you are presenting an argument at least present all sides.
Secondly I am astounded that you are throwing the word kuffar around in such a way. SubhanAllah!
Imam Suhaib Webb has presented two rulings in accordance with Mawlids, and these were from GREAT SCHOLARS, mujtahids! I'm astounded as a convert that muslims today who aren't even comparable to the layman in the time of these great scholars have the audacity to start arguing with their rulings!
You take one opinion and let others take theirs! This is the most ridiculous argument I've ever come across. If you don't agree then take that opinion.
Perhaps someone more learned than me can comment on the following hadith, which I believe is Sahih:
"If the Hakim (ruler or judge) made his Ijtihad or the extraction of the verdict from original sources of legislation and he reached the correct verdict he will get two rewards. And if he reached the wrong verdict he will only get one reward."
On that basis what's the issue here?
What I see here is 2 opposite angles …
1 angle — this Mawlid, nay, even celebrating birthdays altogether was something unknown to the Muslim Ummah for the 1st 600 years. None of the four Imams even spoke of this matter, or the Prophet's Birthday.
So this angle – mostly backed up by the Saudi Scholars & not just in S.A. but the so-called "Salafis" at large – views birthdays in general as a Reprehensible Innovation (بدعة), and they condemn it sternly. Those who do it are doing wrong.
Angle # 2 — Some of the later scholars of Islam, plus Al-Azhar University & its Shaykhs … they view birthdays (الإحتفال بالموالد) to be "permissible", and the annual gathering and celebration of Mawlid An-Nabiyy to be permissible, rather something praiseworthy!
With this clash and conflict between the two ends of the spectrum …I see that the common masses of Muslims are in a state of confusion. Some are saying حلال, some are telling them, no! حرام *
Salam alaikoem wr wb,
Dear brothers there are in noway only Selafie groups that think in this way.
Are we here to understand the truth or are we here to put others in groups. This is a major within Muslims today. We arguing a point of view and hopefully we still have love for each other after that. I also do not agree with people that call themselves Selafies or other Ies. We are called Muslims stick to that. Folowing the manhadj of the selaf and being a selafie is a big difference. Lets stick to the topic. When we talk about Madhahib, what does it mean. A scholar from this mathab agrees and the other agrees and an other scholar of another mathab agrees than its ok. This is not the way of the founders of the Mathahieb. They agreed upon the sahih ahadith, they agreed upon the truth. We could point out from any other Mathab scholars that will clarify that it is Bid'ah. It's upon the evidence. If the evidence is presented, than there will be an agreement. Why are we going for the weakest evidence. Islam is simpel, why do we not love Allah and the prophet enough to follow theyre guidance. MAy Allah instill real love in our hearts.
This ummah will never unite upon falsehood.
Assalamu alaiykum,
One of the issues with modern-day mawlid celebrations is that most of the participants or supporters of such events tend to look-down upon those who do not take part in the mawlid. If one looks at some of the comments above, such as "You have to know true love to understand it.". This is problematic. Is this way of thinking rampant amongst the mawlid celebrators? If yes, then this fits the definition of a bid'ah.
In addition to this there are two more points to consider. (1) Why restrict the mawlid to the month of rabi al-awwal? The usual response to this is that 'Oh we do it all year around'. Oh really? For some reason I've hardly ever come across such a mawlid! (2) If mawlid is not an obligation upon Muslims, do these mawlid celebrators ever skip the mawlid? If they skip it will it be considered blameworthy? Will their fellow mawlid-goers consider it blameworthy?
And there's a lot more which can be said about the problems arising from the modern-day mawlid gatherings. This requires much more analysis than what the esteemed Shaykh Bin Bayyah has provided above.
Fantastic. I'ma mass photocopy this and distribute it throughout England.
I love reading the comments after. =] 'I think, you think, in my opinion, but I still feel… moral panic!'.
*talks to self* So stripping to the core the innovation-rule is split into 5 by A-Qarafi (r) to separate the potentially dangerous from the permissible. Intentions are important so know your shirk from your 'ishq. Let those who wish to make du'a' and 'celebrate' the Prophet's (pbuh) life in dhikr and shukr do so, and tolerate those who do not 'wish to go that far, dude'.
Where was this knowledge when I needed it 15yrs ago?! This will cause chaos for the masjid committee that *used* to take to the streets. Ah, well, al'hamdulillah. A print worthy topic for social relations. Jazak'Allah khairan ya akhi/imaam/sheykh/shuyukh et al.
Asalamu alaykum,
Abdul Basit:
This is was addressed in more than one place on this site. I would encourage you to take a look at those articles. It is well known that Imam Malik had, at times, 2 opinions for one issue. In fact, this occurs on a large scale in the school. Take it easy akhi, and engage with more than a cut and paste job.
Excellent article!! Thank you for addressing this very disputed issue in a wonderful way.
*Prays for unity in Ummah*
"In every durood (salawat) a milad in our hearts."
Love of the Prophet salallahu alayhi wasalam is the key to loving his Sunnah- without that, its just guesswork or blind following (even though they think they are following someone freely). I strongly suggest going and seeing what actually happens in a mawlid gathering.
One thing sociologists noted about our times was there is an excessive fixation and obsession on marginal issues…comments here are a clear example of that.
as salaamu alaikum
Just for clarification purposes. If it is permissable to celebrate the prophet's (peace be upon him) birthday, is it permissable to gather and celebrate the birthday of Hussain or any other sahaba in a manner like the mawlid is celebrated? Why or why not?
"the majority note that if there is a basis for an act worship is found in Shariah, then its origin is permissibility and not hurmah, This was the conclusion of the the majority and his held onto by the four major schools, in their normative articulations".
The majority opinion is not a proof by itself. (It being the opinion of the hanbali school is also contested)How is the hadith of the prophet (peace be upon him) (man 'amala 'amalan laysa 'alaihi amruna fahuwa raddun)previously mentioned as proof of this maxim to be understood? Imam as Shatibi stated in regards to this hadith, "This is the foundation for the principle that the basis for 'ibada is abstinance (unless one has proof for it)." Also, in al Baihaqi's Sunan AL Kubra and al Khateeb's Al faqeeh wal mutafaqeeh, they bring the narration that Saeed ibn Musayyib saw a man pray two additional raka'ts ( which is a matter that has its foundation in the shar'e, rather the best of deeds- prayer) after the sunna of 2, making long sajdas and rukus, then Saeed rebuked him and said to him, "you have contradicted the sunna!" Also, in regards to this principle Ibn Taymiya in al fataawa states itifaaq of the salaf that the basis for 'ibadah is abstinance(unles one has daleel for it). There are several actions from the prophet peace be upon him in which he censured individuals for doing something whose basis is in the shariah but because it was done in a manner differing from the sunna, it was censured. Like the hadith of the three men in who came to the prophet after doing actions all legislated in the shariah but in a manner other that the prophets sunna , leading the prophet to say, "man raghiba an sunnati fa lays minni." or the hadith of ibn masood where he rebuked people for the manner of theri dhikring which has its basis in shar'e. In regards to the Prophet's leaving an action whose reasons were apparant during his time is considered to be a sunna (sunna tarkiya) was the opinion of both Ibn Taymiya and Ibn Al Qayyim who note several proofs for this principle unlike the previoulsy mentioned poem.
When Imam Mahdi arrives and triumphs- Muslims will celebrate and create a new celebration. It is inevitable. No mufti will dare make a fatwa against it and no one will stop them then because it will be far too momentous an occasion. You can't stop something that comes from the love of Islam just like no one stopped the singing of Talal Badru alayna when Nabi salallahu alayhi wasalam arrived in Madinah. "The hearts are in between the fingers of ar-Rahman."
We need another Mujadid, who can unite us upon that what is consistent and do not lead the muslim to inconsistency. This the main problem we have in Holland, when we debate or having dialoqu with people of christianity and Judaism. People leave Kufr and other faiths to be Muslims, because of the fact that it is straight, simpel, logic and rational. Why is it when we have rules in Islam that are clear, we go for that whats doubtfull and for surely an innovation. I have read all the socalled refutations on the net and listen from the Shujoogh theyre explanations, but they all where very weak and farfetched. Truly its not only about this celebration, I am worriend about, but there are more innovations. What will the prophet say to us when he was allive and saw all these changes in Islam. May Allah unites us all upon truth and instill love and Ghiraa about our deen El Islam.
Celebrate The prophet everyday in your heart and actions.
Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful says;
قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
قُلْ أَطِيعُواْ اللّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ فإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْكَافِرِينَ
اتَّبِعُواْ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ مِن دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَاء قَلِيلاً مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ
(7: 3)
"Say, [O Muhammad], 'If you should love Allaah, then follow me, [So] Allaah will love you and forgive you your sins.'" (Aal 'Imraan: 31).
"Follow, [O Mankind], what has been revealed to you from your Lord and do not follow other than Him any allies. Little do you remember." (Al-A'raaf: 3)
"And [Moreover], this is My path, which is straight, so follow it; and do not follow [other] ways, for you will be separated from His way." (Al-An'aam: 153)
وَأَنَّ هَـذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيماً فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِ ذَلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُم بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
(6: 153)
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ أَطِيعُواْ اللّهَ وَأَطِيعُواْ الرَّسُولَ وَأُوْلِي الأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلاً
This what Allah the most high commandes us to do, so stay simpel and follow the guidance of Allah and follow the sunnah of Allah and not the sunnah of the Shia Fatimiden or Christian celebrations.
Aleikoem salaam wr wb,
Abu Adam, Ibrahim Dahou
Amsterdam, Holland
Jazakallah Shaykh for this post.
I don't get it, the Shaykh does something beautiful to try and unite the Ummah and people are still trying to prove their opinion to be right and condemn everyone else. When we have had such great scholars differ on this, who is you and me to get involved in this debate? Why can we not just follow what we think is correct using our intellect and heart and work for the cause of unity like Shaykh Suhaib. Shaykh ul Islam Ibn Taymiyya says "Indeed, such a person will be rewarded because of his intention." But suddenly we know better than him and better than Imam as Suyuti etc! I mean come on get over it! We need to busy ourselves in working for unity. On that terrible day it's not going to matter if you were Salafee , Asharee, Sufee or whatever else ..ee. Allah says: "But only he (will prosper) that brings to Allah a sound heart" This is where we need to start Inshallah.
May Allah unite our heart on the truth and protect us from the plans of the cursed one. Ameen Ya Rubalaalameen.
Indeed there has already come to you a Messenger from (among) yourselves. Mighty (i.e., burdensome) to him is whatever distresses you. Most eager is he for your (welfare), to the believers (he is) constantly compassionate, constantly merciful. (Quran 9:128)
Salam Alaykum,
My sentiments EXACTLY! As a convert this is the most ridiculous thing I've ever come across SubhanAllah! Some scholars agreed some didn't!
As-salamu ´alaykum,
"I don't get it, the Shaykh does something beautiful to try and unite the Ummah and people are still trying to prove their opinion to be right and condemn everyone else."
So true, and I cannot agree more. Many of those who comment seem to miss the entire point of this great fatwa.
The nufus of the Muslims of today are out of control, to the point where it becomes impossible to see beyond one's own affiliation. It is more important to deem this and that as a bida´ah and these and those Muslims as mubtadi´in, instead of striving to better the condition of one's self, family and then, perhaps, the local community.
Seriously, we have married brothers without a job who are sitting and debating on forums, Facebook, and so forth about issues that they are not authorized to speak on. There are brothers and sisters with no knowledge of usul and the principles of the shari´ah who are spending hours babbling about issues they do not fully comprehend and could definitely live without, all the while they hardly crack a smile or give a proper salam at the masjid. There are Muslims who have memorized a bunch of texts on the refutation of the "Sufis", "Salafis", and so on, but they have read like one book of sirah and half a book on the history of Islam and Muslims.
If you feel that I have attacked or insulted you, I honestly apologize and I hope that you can forgive this lousy brother. Salam.
JAK! We have too many "Wiki-scholars" commenting on here. (some dude actually cited Wikipedia in one of his comments from above ).
It seems like many (or at least those who comment) already have a superior grasp on the deen sciences that affords them the credibility to refute renowned scholars, scholars that would run circles around them. Some people need a reality check.
JAK to Imam Suhaib and the Webb Team for all the time and effort you sacrifice to let us benefit from this excellent knowledge. May Allah reward you greatly and increase you in resolve and perseverance.
I wish you would come and see how it is celebrated in my country India
and my city pune
streets are decorated, rallies are taken out, people dress up usually as arabs and ride on camel
at many places loud music is played, usually qawalis and at some places Hindi film songs! and some people dance on the streets.
now you should come and tell these people "avoid doing any action contrary to Islamic Law. "
because elders over here are either scared or in agreement, Allah(swt) knows best.
In my humble,un-scholarly, unqualified, opinion innovation is disliked precisely for avoiding such situations developing. so why go for something which can turn nasty.
there are hundreds of ways to show your love for the prophet(saw).
now as for Taraweeh if I'm not wrong the holy prophet(saw) did pray Taraweeh in congeration for 3 days.
Allah(swt) knows best.
Assalaamu 3laykum
Jazakallaahu khayran. I think this article is succint: tis all about the intention.
Personally we should be careful to make the birth of the Prophet Mu7ammad (peace be upon him) a too massive of a deal as not only are dividing over petty things but it leaves open the door of doubt. Just have the correct intention and be careful about the actions that result from it is what I've learned.
Assalaam alaykum wr wb,
i had gone thru the article and even comments, i agree to Ajazz Shake that here in India, (Pune) there are couple of ppl celebrating prophet (saw)'s B'day with Qwalli's and Songs on the road. The innovation leads to more innovations which cannot be stopped later; it becomes an argument. Instead not to do it, if u know its not written anywhere.
Just had a question :
If you love a person very much whole heartedly, example any of your family member or wife or kids and that person is no more with us (died). so On his/her b'day – will you celebrate and play music or go to the grave yard and recite some darud's etc.
i don;t know if i am able to explain it or not. but Allah know's best and would pray to Allah for some guidance to me and our Ummah.
Jazzak Allah hu khair.
Some simple logic:
Scholars are inheritors of the prophet,
…..so, their opinions even if contrary are 100% correct
We are not scholars,
…so, our personal opinions are baseless
…therefore we must follow the opinion of a scholar
Scholars disagree on this matter (mawlid) from calling it "bidah" or "praise worthy"
…so, each opinion is 100% correct in its own right
…therefore, if your own akhira isn't enough of a concern for you and your gaze falls on the brother next to you who is celebrating the mawlid, know that he too is 100% correct.
Let us stop trying to be scholars ourselves and trying to decipher daleels and what not – b/c guess what… it's been done a thousand times over by men and women far more qualified than any of us.
what an argument, may Allah bless.
All the scholars agree that it is an innovation. Ijma
The scholars dissagree if it is a good or bad innovation.
Anyways its still an" innovation "and everyone who does it is on slipery ice. Who plays with fire will be get burned.
Just like the Shaich bin Bajjah said "This act should be done with an intention that it is not a sunna nor an obligatory act. If these conditions are observed, and one is careful not to contradict Islamic Law, out of sincere love for the Prophet (Peace and blessing of Allah upon him), then, Allah willing, there is nothing wrong with this action and this person will be rewarded.
The whole ruling make no sence at all.
the shaich says here.
1. Its in no way a sunnah.
2. Its no Fard.
With other words its no 3eebadah and how in the world you want to be rewarded. It makes no sence at all. Come on here lets stick to the Quran en Sunnah. Where are the basic rules we use to get to a ruling like this.
Lets give a big dhikr party on the day our Prophet Muhammad pbuh died the scholars.
I can put so much scholars that agree with my findings that your head will toll, but you as a lay person also has to know what you do is right. Don't follow blind every scholar.
I will never listen to scholar if he tells me to steel.
I will not listen to a scholar when he tells me to celebrate the prophets birthday without justifications.
Dear brothers and sisters this is the bog problem with this ummah nowadays.
Do you really think that Allah will ask the scholar or ask you what you did.
You have to serve Allah with clear knowledge and not with gurafaat.
And please stay on topic, when discussing a topic. We are all in no way a scholar.
I f you mean by Scholar being A proffesor or a doctor in Islam.
No, perhaps when Allah will it in the near future, Insja Allah God Willing.
I am just a servant of Allah that's trying to uphold his deen in the purest way.
Abu Adam, Ibrahim Dahou
Amsterdam, Holland
Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah.
I appreciate the comment of Shaikh regarding mawlid. The formal way of celebrating Mawlid is not an obligatory. But nobody should say it is Haram, Shirk or Kufr.
Every one please visit the link below and read the comments of Scholars.
Jazakallah Khair
asSalaam'alaykum wa Rahmatullah,
jazakum Allahu khayran Imam Suhaib for this translation, and May allah reward Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayyah.
Is there any *authentic* proof to tell us that the Prophet (SAW) was born on this particular day. From what I remmeber the main reason this date became popular was because of the people that started doing this celebration chose this date, and the date was chosen because it was mentioned to be the date in the Seerah of Ibn Ishaq.
And as we know, seerah isn't always based on authentic proof, rather it has authentic as well as other than authentic sources that can fill in the gaps.
Could you please shed some light on this Imam Suhaib?
Secondly, it would be a different or less aggressive argument from those who oppose its celebration if the same methods of praising and celebrating the life of the Prophet (SAW) were employed at other times besides this particular date. Just by employing the extensive physical, mental, and financial efforts to celebrate this particular day, it seems that those who do celebrate it, do consider it to be a blessed day. If they are just employing these efforts to take advantage of the people's interests at this particular time for the purpose of da'wah then that would be a different story.
Beautiful article and very informative.Mufti Taqi Usmani also has a good article he has wtitten on this.He gives the history and how this celebration came about.
assalamu alaykum
Here is an article refuting some of the claims made about ibn taymiya etc. in the blog post.
It's in Indonesian, but here's a Google translation of it (so it won't be gramatically perfect but it should make sense at least):
Some people are always looking for arguments to justify the practice without the guidance that he did. Among the ways that make the words of scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah as an argument to support their heresy. This is what happens in the celebration of Mawlid Nabi. In the words of the scholars of Ahlus Sunnah Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, misunderstood by some that he was suspected of supporting the celebration of Mawlid. Similarly, there are other words of Ibn Hajar al-Asqolani about this. Ibn Hajar is among the scholars who have slippage in the Birthday problem. Later we will also discuss syubhat (confusion) others deliberately voiced by sympathizers as pemutarbalikkan Birthday Birthday of the alleged history pioneered by Salahuddin Al Ayubi. May Allah make it easy to uncover the true and the false. Allahumma wa Yassir a'in (Oh God, easier and help).
First confusion: One Understand the Words of Ibn Taymiyyah
In one of our web site search, there are words of Shaykh al-Islam as follows, "Celebrating Maulid and make it as a routine activity within a year as has been done by some people, will get a great reward for a good purpose and glorify the Prophet Muhammad."
The words he is at the basis of some who claim that Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah supports Birthday. [1]
Sentences contained in the book more Iqtidho 'Ash Shirothil Mustaqim as follows.
فتعظيم المولد واتخاذه موسما قد يفعله بعض الناس ويكون له فيه أجر عظيم لحسن قصده وتعيظمه لرسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم كما قدمته لك أنه يحسن من بعض الناس ما يستقبح من المؤمن المسدد ولهذا قيل للامام أحمد عن بعض الأمراء إنه أنفق على مصحف ألف دينار ونحو ذلك فقال دعه فهذا أفضل ما أنفق فيه الذهب أو كما قال مع أن مذهبه أن زخرفة المصاحف مكروهة وقد تأول بعض الأصحاب أنه أنفقها في تجديد الورق والخط وليس مقصود أحمد هذا وإنما قصده أن هذا العمل فيه مصلحة وفيه أيضا مفسدة كره لأجلها فهؤلاء إن لم يفعلوا هذا وإلا اعتاضوا الفساد الذي لا صلاح فيه مثل أن ينفقها في كتاب من كتب الفجور ككتب الأسماء أوالأشعار أو حكمة فارس والروم
"As for glorifying Maulid and make an annual event, this is sometimes done by some people. They also can get a great reward for a good cause and to the Messenger of Allaah pengagungannya 'alaihi wa sallam, as I've mentioned before that the case was considered good by some people but not considered good by the believers who have strength.
Therefore, Ahmad told the priest about some of the leaders (umaro ') that they menginfaqkan 1000 dinars for printing Manuscripts. So he said, "Let them do it, that's the best infaq they can do with a gold" or as Imam Ahmad said. According to Imam Ahmad schools, beautifying its legal makruh Mushaf. But some followers of Imam Ahmad, Imam Ahmad interpreted the intent is to renew his paper memakruhkan and khothnya. But the truth is not the intention of Imam Ahmad interpreted as this. Imam Ahmad meant that adorn this Mushaf have mashlahat (benefit) on one side and there is also mafsadatnya (danger). This is what he makruhkan.
However, please note that if they (the UMARA ') do not do this (ie beautify Mushaf), surely they will do other things that are not worthwhile. For example the UMARA 'is instead channeled their infaq to print the books are not immoral: a story book that just spending time, sya'ir book (the futile) and a book of philosophy from the Persian and Roman. "[2] The words of his vol.
If someone read the text on the whole, God willing, he does not have a false understanding. Take a good look at the words of his: "They can get a great reward for a good cause and to the Messenger of Allaah pengagungannya 'alaihi wa sallam, as I've mentioned before that the case was considered good by some people but not considered good by the believer who have taufik ". From these words he shows that the celebration of Mawlid is not considered good by people who have strength. If one thinks it is good practice Birthday, so he is the wrong person. So this shows that the Mawlid is not a good practice.
Let us see again the words of another Shaykh al-Islam in the same book (Iqtidho 'Ash Shirothil Mustaqim) so we are not wrong by saying he was wrong above. In some previous sheet, Shaykh al-Islam said,
وكذلك ما يحدثه بعض الناس إما مضاهاة للنصارى في ميلاد عيسى عليه السلام وإما محبة للنبي صلى الله عليه و سلم وتعظيما له والله قد يثيبهم على هذه المحبة والاجتهاد لا على البدع من اتخاذ مولد النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم عيدا مع اختلاف الناس في مولده فإن هذا لم يفعله السلف مع قيام المقتضى له وعدم المانع منه ولو كان هذا خيرا محضا أو راجحا لكان السلف رضي الله عنهم أحق به منا فإنهم كانوا أشد محبة لرسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم وتعظيما له منا وهم على الخير أحرص وإنما كمال محبته وتعظيمه في متابعته وطاعته واتباع أمره وإحياء سنته باطنا وظاهرا ونشر ما بعث به والجهاد على ذلك بالقلب واليد واللسان فإن هذه هي طريقة السابقين الأولين من المهاجرين والأنصار والذين اتبعوهم بإحسا
"Similarly, custom made by some people. Maybe they act like behavior as Christians were Christians commemorate the birth (Milad) 'Isa' alaihis greetings. Perhaps their intention is to love and glorify the Prophet alaihi wa sallam. It may be God's reward to them because of their love and sincerity, and not a prophet heresy maulid their inventions as a celebration. And please note that the scholars have disagreed about the date of his birth. Moreover celebrate Maulid were never done by the Salaf (Companions, and tabi'ut Tabi'in Tabi'in). Though there drivers (to glorify the prophet) and no factor at the time barrier. If there are benefits maulid celebrate pure or greater benefits, then the Salaf would deserve it more than us. Because we already know that they are the most loving and glorifying the Messenger of Allaah 'alaihi wa sallam than we are. They are also certainly better than the good spirit in us. And also need to understand that love and glorification of the Prophet 'alaihi wa sallam is the perfect ittiba' (to follow) and obey him is to follow every command, he started teaching in physical and spiritual, he spread the teachings and striving (jihad) for it all with heart, hands and oral. This is a way of life of the main generation of these people, namely among immigrants, Anshor and those who followed them well. "[3]
We think it's obvious if we consider him a second explanation of this. Obviously he stated that the celebration of Mawlid no salafnya (predecessor) means that there are no deeds tuntunannya, even celebrate the birth of Christmas as well as celebrated by Christians. Then with an explanation of whether he is still accused him support maulid vol?!
Please do not menukil him partially words, try to understand his words in full on the other pages in the book Iqtidho '. Listen carefully on his words: "Perhaps God to reward them because of their love and sincerity, and not a prophet heresy maulid their inventions as a celebration." From here, he was classified as heretical because maulid was never held by the Salaf used to (friends, Tabi'in and tabi'ut Tabi'in). But this celebration is turned on and follow newly-invented by Dynasty 'Ubaidiyyun [4]. And remember, he said that hopefully they get a reward because he mengangungkan and loving, but not at the event which innovated maulid their inventions. Please understand carefully these words of his. May God give understanding.
More assertive again Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said about birth of the Prophet can be seen in Majmoo 'al-Fataawa as follows.
وأما اتخاذ موسم غير المواسم الشرعية كبعض ليالي شهر ربيع الأول التي يقال: إنها ليلة المولد أو بعض ليالي رجب أو ثامن عشر ذي الحجة أو أول جمعة من رجب أو ثامن شوال الذي يسميه الجهال عيد الأبرار فإنها من البدع التي لم يستحبها السلف ولم يفعلوها والله سبحانه وتعالى أعلم.
"As for carrying out a particular celebration of the holiday in addition to the disyari'atkan (ie Eid ul Adha and Eid Fithri) as part of celebrations on the night of the month Rabi'ul Awwal (the so-called birth of the Prophet's night), a celebration of some Rojab night, day-to – 8 Dhu al-Hijjah, the beginning of the month Friday Rojab or celebration day 8 Shawwal-called smart people (aka fools) with 'Eid Abror (Lebaran diamond) -; these are all innovations that are not recommended by the Salaf (friends who are the best generation of these people) and they also never do it. Allaah Subhanahu wa ta'ala knows best. "[5]
Think about the words he was fine. Is it possible to understand from this last statement that he supports the Mawlid? May Allah give us all taufiknya in order to distinguish what is right and what is wrong.
Confusion Second: Ibn Hajar al-Nabi Mawlid Allow Asqolani
The following words of our nukil From Al Hawiy written by Imam As Suyuti. [6]
وقد سئل شيخ الإسلام حافظ العصر أبو الفضل بن حجر عن عمل المولد فأجاب بما نصه: أصل عمل المولد بدعة لم تنقل عن أحد من السلف الصالح من القرون الثلاثة ولكنها مع ذلك قد اشتملت على محاسن وضدها فمن تحرى في عملها المحاسن وتجنب ضدها كان بدعة حسنة وإلا فلا قال وقد ظهر لي تخريجها على أصل ثابت وهو ما ثبت في الصحيحين من أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قدم المدينة فوجد اليهود يصومون يوم عاشوراء فسألهم فقالوا هو يوم أغرق الله فيه فرعون ونجى موسى فنحن نصومه شكرا لله تعالى فيستفاد منه فعل الشكر لله على ما من به في يوم معين من إسداء نعمة أو دفع نقمة ويعاد ذلك في نظير ذلك اليوم من كل سنة والشكر لله يحصل بأنواع العبادة كالسجود والصيام والصدقة والتلاوة وأي نعمة أعظم من النعمة ببروز هذا النبي نبي الرحمة في ذلك اليوم وعلى هذا فينبغي أن يتحرى اليوم بعينه حتى يطابق قصة موسى في يوم عاشوراء ومن لم يلاحظ ذلك لا يبالي بعمل المولد في أي يوم من الشهر بل توسع قوم فنقلوه إلى يوم من السنة وفيه ما فيه – فهذا ما يتعلق بأصل عمله, وأما ما يعمل فيه فينبغي أن يقتصر فيه على ما يفهم الشكر لله تعالى من نحو ما تقدم ذكره من التلاوة والإطعام والصدقة وإنشاد شيء من المدائح النبوية والزهدية المحركة للقلوب إلى فعل الخير والعمل للآخرة وأما ما يتبع ذلك من السماع واللهو وغير ذلك فينبغي أن يقال ما كان من ذلك مباحا بحيث يقتضي السرور بذلك اليوم لا بأس بإلحاقه به وما كان حراما أو مكروها فيمنع وكذا ما كان خلاف الأولى
Shaykh al-Islam Hafiz at this time, Abul Fadl Ibn Hajar was asked about the birth of practice, he was answered by the editor as follows:
"Just do maulid is heresy, not narrated from the Salaf in the first three centuries, however, contained therein virtues and faults. Whoever does good in it and avoid the mistakes, then he has done a good buid'ah (heresy hasanah). I have seen a strong foundation in authentic hadith reported by Bukhari and Muslim that the Messenger of Allaah 'alaihi wa sallam came to Medina, he found the Jews fasting on the day of' Ashura, so he asked them, and they replied, "That's the day when Allah drowned Pharaoh , saved Moses, we are fasting to be grateful for it all. "From there it can be concluded that the gratitude should do on certain days there occurred a great favor or place rescue from peril, and do it every comes in the day. Thanks be to do with various kinds of worship, such as prostration, fasting, charity, reading the Koran, etc.. What greater pleasure than the presence of the Messenger of Allaah 'alaihi wa sallam on this earth. So should celebrate Maulid to read the Koran in the form of gratitude, giving feed one poor, virtuous and good to tell the Prophet who can move hearts to do good and charitable Salih. As for what is done by listening to music and play musical instruments, then returned to the legal ruling on the job. If things are done when the law was celebrating Mubah Mubah , if it is haraam is haraam, and if it was not good then it goes ". [7]
Rebuttal to confusion over:
First: What must be understood by every word of the clergy that they are not Ma'shum, meaning they are not infallible and slippage. Therefore, should that be the handle of the rationale. Do not be taking their opinions based on the peculiar tastes and desires. If slippage and their errors are taken, then surely we will reap evil.
At Sulaiman Taimi saying,
لو أخذت برخصة كل عالم اجتمع فيك الشر كله
"If you take any slippage clerics, then certainly you will collect dirt." After this remark suggests, Ibn 'Abd al-Barr said, "This is a scholarly consensus' (agreement) of the scholars, I am not aware of any dispute in this case."
Al Auza'i said,
من أخذ بنوادر العلماء خرج من الإسلام
"Whoever takes a peculiar opinions of the scholars, then he could be out of Islam." Ash told Syatibi consensus' (consensus of the scholars) that the search for the odd opinion of the scholars without any handles syar'i theorem is a wickedness, and this is clearly not allowed. [8]
Second: Ibn Hajar, vol've said above: "Just do Maulid is heresy, not narrated from the Salaf in the first three centuries", the words he actually is enough to declare tercelanya Birthday celebration. Quite as sanggahannya,
لو كان خيرا لسبقونا إليه
"If these practices (celebration Maulid) good, course they (the friends and Tabi'in) has led us to do it."
Third: That the proposition of fasting on Ashura can turn pro at the Mawlid. If the fast of Ashura is to commemorate the birth of the argument, then surely the salaf used to make a proposition. It was confirmed that they had berijma '(consensus) did not celebrate Maulid because none of the early generations of Muslims who celebrate it. The argument put forward by Ibn Hajar, vol menyelisihi actually ijma '(consensus) of the Salaf of the understanding and practice. Anyone who menyelisihi ijma 'salaf, meaning he was wrong. Because the salaf are united but it is not possible in the instructions.
Fourth: Sums permissibility of Mawlid celebration of Ashura is fasting too pendalilan become heavy-beratkan themselves and such pendalilan rejected. Because remember that the birth of a religious and social practices rather than as some people say. The proof is that celebrate Maulid to realize the love of the Prophet alaihi wa sallam, but through the wrong path. And also any who would want to celebrate for the reward. How could this not be said of worship?! If it is a religious celebration, the foundation is the proposition and follow the guidance of the Prophet 'alaihi wa sallam, is not only a good suspicion alone. If you still claim that the birth of a heresy hasanah, then we simply disagreed with the words of Ibn Mas'ud radi 'anhu,
وكم من مريد للخير لن يصيبه
"How many people who want good, but do not get it." [9]
Ibn 'Umar said,
كل بدعة ضلالة, وإن رآها الناس حسنة
"Every heresy is a heretic, even though both men consider it." [10]
Fifth: Remember that the fast of Ashura no encouragement from the Prophet alaihi wa sallam to do so. This is far different from the celebration of the birth of the Prophet 'alaihi wa sallam did not push to do so. [11]
Confusion Third: Salahuddin Al Ayubi spearhead Birthday Warning
In this country more famous if Salahuddin Al Ayubi is the pioneer birth of the Prophet in order to encourage the youth.
We found it strange why the anti-Sunni fighters Rafidhah (Shia) actually claimed to be the initiator of the celebration of Mawlid. Please note that Salahuddin Al Ayubi was a king and commander of Islam. He even eliminate the actual Birthday celebration initiated by the Dynasty Fatimiyyun as stated by many historians. Here are the words of the historian of the birth of the Prophet.
Al Maqriziy, an expert on the history says, "The Caliph Fatimiyyun have many celebrations throughout the year. There's a new year celebrations, the day 'Ashura, Maulid (day of birth) of the Prophet, Maulid Ali bin Abi Talib, Maulid Hasan and Husayn, Fatimah al Zahra Maulid, Maulid caliph in power, the celebration of the first night of Rajab month, mid-night celebration of the month of Rajab, celebration of the first month of Sha'ban night, mid-night celebration of the month of Rajab, the celebration of the first night of Ramadan, the celebration of the closing night of Ramadan, the celebration of 'Eid Fithri, the celebration of' Eid al-Adha, the celebration of 'Eid Ghadir, a celebration of winter and summer, night celebration of Al Kholij, day Nauruz (Persian New Year), Al Ghottos day, day of Milad (Christmas), the day Al Khomisul 'Fennel (3 days before Easter), and the day Rukubaat. "[12]
Ash-Shaykh Al Bakhit Muti'iy, mufti of Egypt Ahsanul Kalam in his book (p. 44) says that the first celebration held six maulid namely: the celebration of Mawlid (birthday) Prophet alaihi wa sallam, Maulid 'Ali, Fatimah maulid , Maulid Al-Hassan, Hussain maulid-radi ', and maulid anhum ruling caliph at the time of Al Mu'izh Lidinillah (descendants' Ubaidillah Fatimiyyun dynasty) in the year 362 AH
Similarly, Ash Shaykh 'Ali Al Mahfuzh in his book Ibda' Madhoril Ibtida fi '(p. 251) and Al Ustadz Ali Al Fikriy in Muhadhorot Al Fikriyah (p. 84) also said that the celebration was the first Birthday' Ubaidiyyun ( Fatimiyyun). [13]
Then who the 'Ubaidiyyun (Fatimiyyun)?
Al Qodhi Al Baqillaniy write a special book to argue that he Fatimiyyun called "Hatkul wa Kasyful Asror Astar (Exposure confidential and tore the curtains)". In the book, he Fatimiyyun unmasked by saying, "They are a people who show understanding Rafidhah (Shiite) and hide the infidelity alone."
Ahmad ibn 'Abd al-Halim al Haroni Ad Dimasqiy said, "No doubt about it, if we look at the history of the kingdom Fatimiyyun, most of the kings (rulers) they are the ones who zholim, often charging the unlawful things, far from making the case that compulsory , the spirit of innovation, which appeared menyelisihi As the Book and Sunnah, and a supporter of the hypocrites and innovation expert. Keep in mind, the scholars have agreed that the Umayyads Daula, Bani Al-Abbas ( 'Abbasid) closer to the teachings of Allah and His Messenger, more knowledgeable, more superior in faith than Fatimiyyun Daula. Two daulah had done less than heretical and immoral Fatimiyyun Daula. Similarly, the second caliph had daulah superior Fatimiyyun Daula. "
He may Allaah also says, "Children of Fatimiyyun is among the most wicked men (many engage in immoral acts) and the Kufr." [14]
Bani Fatimiyyun or 'Ubaidiyyun also stated that they have nasab (genealogical descent) to Fatima. It is simply a lie. Not a single scholar who said so.
Ahmad bin 'Abdul Halim also said the same page, "It is well known with and can not doubt that anyone who thought they were on the faith and piety, or think they have a genealogical descent to Fatima, this really is an assumption without any scientific basis at all . Allaah says (which means), "And follow not that which ye have no knowledge about it." (Surat Al-Israa: 36). Similarly Allaah says (what means), "Except those who testify to the truth while they know it." (Surah Az Zukhruf: 86). Allaah also says brother of Joseph (which means), "And we just witnessed what we know." (Surah Yusuf: 81). Please note that none of the scholars who expressed their true genealogical descent to the Fatima. "[15]
Similarly, Ibn Khallikan said, "The scholars nasab investigators in denying their claim nasab [which he said came to Fatima]." [16]
'At Tuwaijiriy Abdullah said, "Al Qodhi Abu Bakr al Baqillaniy in his book' which reveals the secrets and tore the curtains Banu Ubaidiyyun ', he mentions that the Israelites are descendants of Zoroastrians Fatimiyyun. Their religious way worse than Jews and Christians. Even the most extreme among them claim 'Ali as a god (God exists) or have some people who claim to' Ali has a prophecy. It is more Fatimiyyun Bani kufr of Jews and Christians.
Al Qodhi Abu Ya ^ la in his book Al Mu'tamad explained at length about the hypocrisy and infidelity Fatimiyyun Bani. So did Abu Hamid Al Ghozali denied aqidah Fadho them in his book-ihul Bathiniyyah (Revealing mistakes Batiniyyah flow). "[17]
How could Saladin Birthday celebrations started his own while the crush 'Ubaidiyyun?! Ahmad ibn 'Abd al-Halim al Haroni may Allaah says,
صلاح الدين الذي فتح مصر; فأزال عنها دعوة العبيديين من القرامطة الباطنية وأظهر فيها شرائع الإسلام
"Sholahuddin who conquered Egypt. He deleted da'wah 'Ubaidiyyun embracing Qoromithoh Bathiniyyah flow (flow is clearly misguided, pen). Saladin was the Islamic shariah turn on at the time. "[18]
In other words, Ahmad ibn 'Abd al-Halim al Haroni may Allaah says,
فتحها ملوك السنة مثل صلاح الدين وظهرت فيها كلمة السنة المخالفة للرافضة ثم صار العلم والسنة يكثر بها ويظهر
"Affairs of Egypt later conquered by the king who hold fast to the Sunnah of Saladin. He is revealing the authentic teachings of the Prophet at the time, contrary to the doctrine Rafidhah (Shiite). At the time he, finally science and teaching Prophet alaihi wa sallam [19] [20] the largest growing area. "
From this explanation, it is impossible if we say that Saladin Al Ayubi who has pioneered the celebration of Mawlid, when he himself is crush 'Ubaidiyyun. Indeed, if there are states that the birth of Saladin as a pioneer, is the same then reverse the historical plays. The true history, Saladin was crushed 'Ubaidiyyun before the crusade was held because the' real Ubaidiyyun weaken the Muslims with their maulid inventions. But this is a historical fact that diputarbalik engineered and deployed in this country. Only God give strength.
Confusion Fourth: The argument with fasting Birthday Commemoration Monday Thursday
Here is another confusion among pro Birthday. They say, "the Prophet Muhammad himself grateful for the birth. Stated in a hadith:
عن أبي قتادة الأنصاري رضي الله عنه: أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم سئل عن صوم الإثنين فقال فيه ولدت وفيه أنزل علي. رواه مسلم
"From Abi al-Anshori Qotadah real RA Rasulullah was asked about fasting on Monday. Rasulullah SAW said: On that day I was born and the revelation sent down to me". (Reported by Muslim, abud Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nisaa'i, Ibn Majah, Ahmad, Ibn Khuzaymah, Ibn Hibban, Ibn Abi Abi Shaybah and Baghawi). "[21]
Syubhat rebuttal to the above:
First: How could the above proposition supporters to celebrate the birthday of his [?] This was not exactly in the postulate. Look at the Prophet alaihi wa sallam never carry out fast on her birth date is the date 12 Rabi 'al-Awwal, and that if true on that date he was born. Because the issue date of his birth there are still disputes. The Messenger of Allaah alaihi wa sallam to do is fasting on a Monday rather than on 12 Rabi 'al-Awwal [!] It should if you want to commemorate the birthday of the Prophet with the argument above, then the Birthday celebrations have every week rather than every year.
Two: Remember that the Prophet alaihi wa sallam not only to make on Monday to fast but also Thursdays. From 'A'ishah radi' anha, he said,
إن رسول الله – صلى الله عليه وسلم – كان يتحرى صيام الاثنين والخميس.
"The Messenger of Allaah 'alaihi wa sallam used to put the option to fast on Monday and Thursday." [22] So the hadith is mentioned among the pro Maulid not indicate that he wanted to commemorate the day of his birth.
Third: If commemorate Maulid is in order thanks to God for the birth of Prophet 'alaihi wa sallam, then the way is by fasting warned as he demonstrated. But we do not know is that gratitude in this way. Existing form of gratitude is to read the peace without guidance, some are even warned the music ria. [23]
Thus our discussion of some existing syubhat sympathizers of the pro Birthday. But many other syubhat and confusion, hopefully next time we can complete Inshallah. In essence, raised syubhat not be separated from the two possibilities, which may be a good assumption alone (without arguments) and may be with the proposition but one of understanding.
Hopefully what we present is useful for all Muslims. Enough of this we mean that sebagaimanan Shu'ayb Prophet said.
إن أريد إلا الإصلاح ما استطعت وما توفيقي إلا بالله عليه توكلت وإليه أنيب
"I do not mean to except (bring) the improvement as long as I berkesanggupan. And not my success but with the (help of) Allah. Only in God I trust and unto Him I return. "(Surah Hud: 88)
Praise be to God that with His blessings be perfect all the good things.
Enhanced thanks to the help of God in Pangukan-Sleman, Friday – 12 Jumadil Awwal 1431 AH (26/02/2010)
Jazak Allahu Khayr for this explanation!
Reminds me of Shaykh Suhaib's Purification of the Soul series in which he states that if there is a scholarly disagreement on an issue then it doesn't fall under something we can prohibit, but rather something we can defer with adhab, so let's all try to do that inshaAllah!
Over the years there were critical comments made about those who are involved in the observance /celebrating of the Holy Prophet's(AS) birthday and mawlid functions.That the Holy Prophet (SA) nor His Sahaba did. We must bear in mind that immediately after He passed away , His companions started fighting amongst themselves ,and goes on until this day in the arab world.
Islam was revealed to the Holy Prophet (AS) in Arabia and not in Saudi Arabia .In those Arabia was a central point of trading and people used to go there from India to trade spices and some became muslims and went back to India preached , practiced preserved and propagated Islam as was done by the Holy Prophet (AS) .In the meantime even the Calphs(RA) WERE MARTYRED. I read in one of the questions whether He or His companions ever observed their's . Can that person say on what occasion did the Holy Prophet(AS) sacrificed the two rams.? What was He observing ,?.Any how before Arabia became Saudi Arabia the Turks were rulers in Arabia .I have read in a book ,"Advice for the Wahabi"by Huseyn Hilmi Isik, Waqf Ikhlas Publications . Address Hakikat Kitabevi ,Darussefaka Cad. No:57, Fatih-Istanbul . Turkey.Page 139 states " Rasa=ulullah (sallallahu alayi wa sallam) Used to Give Feast to as- Sahaba on the Mawlid nights and tell the events that had happened when he honored the world and during his childhood. Hadrat Abu Bakr , when he was the Khalifa , used to call as- Sahaba to assemble on Mawlid night , and they USED to talk about the miraculous events happened when Rasulallah honored the world ".( This kind of information existed in Arabia and not in Saudi Arabia.)Rasulullah had His companions poets, who used to refute the slanders of the enemy and elogize Rasulullah . Rasulullah ( sallallahu alahi wa sallam) liked the poetry of Hassan ibn T habit the most . He put a pulpit in the masjid for Hassan , who would censure the enemy and praise Rasulullah on that pulpit.Rasulullah used to say ," Hassan's words are more harmful to the enemy than the arrow-wounds are". In this information the words USED TO were used . There fore this happened more than one occasion. Since mostly all of the criticisms are coming from the post Arabia Islamic Believe . Let us see what information comes out from the Saudi Arabia which is Arabia changed into Saudi Arabia in 1973 . In a journal named " The Journal Rabitat Al – Alam AL- Islam " (Muslim World League , Mrcca) vol. 7 Safar 1400. page30 states . "When Sayyidna Muhammad ( peace be on hiom )performed Hajj, He offered one hundred camels as his "HADDI". With his own blessed hands , he slaughtered 63 camels(the same numbers of years of his blessed life) and ordered Sayyidna Ali ( may Allah be pleased with him ) to slaughter the rest . A portion of each camel's liver and meat was taken off and cooked, and every body around feasted on this. The rest of the meat was distributed among the people of Mecca. Suppose the camel's price , in present time , was equivalent to 5,00 Riyals . The total price of the Holy Prophet's Haddi was 500,000 riyals , offered as an expression of gratitude to Allah Almighty ." Let me publication of another magazine "Risalat Al – Jihad"A monthly islamic cultural magazine published by ; The Islamic Call Society1983, Main Office Tripoli page 12, " A two-day seminar was held in Tripoli ( that is in Libya)on Saturday and Sunday , 10 – 11Rabi al-Awal, 1392 after the death of the Prophet, to mark the birth of the Ptophet Mohammad." In 1982 , In Iran Ayatullah Montazeri gave 6 days celebrations beginning from the 12th of Rabi -awwal to the 17 th of the same month (January8-13, 1982)marking the anniversary of the birthday of the Prophet of Islam so that it will help Muslims to strengthen their unity. But even then you see a pseudo mullah and a stranger to the topic of Islam has raised a hue and cry claiming that giving respect to the Prophet Muhammad is an act of polytheism and he has announced this to condemn Iran. He is a mullah associated with the Saudi royal court. As I stated in the beginning that the Indain muslims were the one who preserved practiced and propagate Islam according to the Quran and Sunnat of the holy Prophet(AS) when they migrated to South America and the Caribbean, they brought with them the Quran,` Hadith and other supporting books including a book called the Milad Akbar ,written in urdu which is used at a mawlid function.Suffice it to say that this book was approved by the Shaikhs and Mullahs of the Shafai ,Maliki ,Hanballi,and Hanafi school of thought in Jedda , Mecca and Medina and they all put their seal and attestation to it before it was sent out to the general public. Much more can be said on this topic to support that to celebrate the birthday of the Holt Prophet (SA) . Before I close I would like the critics to explain the following verses of the Holy Quran xxx111-56: ::V11-157::: XLIX-14-15 LVII-5-11 ;;; LVII-18-22. Hoping to hear and have some answers . Was Salaam. ,
as-salaamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullaah, I hope you are all well inshaaAllah.
Firstly, jazaakullahu khairaa to the brother for posting the fatwa of shaykhul islaam ibn taymiyyah (raheemahullah), looking at things in context really does have its benefits.
Secondly, brother it would be nice if you could provide evidences from the Qur'aan and the Sunnah to support what you're saying, it all seems very vague.
Further to this, these indian scholars who you say preserved the religion from the early days after the death of the Prophet (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam), did they also support the use of 786? I heard this was an innovation for which there is no evidence in the Qur'aan and Sunnah.
Also, it'd be nice to know who the indian scholars who you are referring to are. I know there are some great scholars in the indian subcontinent, but I hope it's not those who hold it permissible to build tombs over the graves of the pious people in contradiction to the hadith reported by imaam Muslim (raheemahullah);
Imam Muslim narrated in his Sahih via Abu al-Hayyaj al-Asadi (Allah be pleased with him) that he said,`Ali b. Abi Talib asked me, "Shall I not send you to do what the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) sent me to do?—That you leave no figure except that you erase it, nor an elevated grave except that you level it."
Take Care
as-salaamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah
This is the complete quote by Ibn Taymiyyah.
"And Allah MIGHT reward them for this love and ijtihad,
NOT for the *BIDAH*". Then the rest of the text he clearly said:
"And if this was complete goodness or the most correct, the Salaf radiyallahu anhum would have had more right doing it than us, for they had greater love for the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and glorified him more than us, and they (Salaf) were more eager to doing good than us."
I just want to say that we should celebrate maulid nabi (salal laho aleihe wassalam) because this was the event which kept the world out from darkness to the lights of correct religion i.e. ISLAM (the best religion in the world).
In addition, there are many controversies about our prophet Muhammad (salal laho aleihe wassalam)is going on especially in the western countries and these are increasing day by day. By celebrating maulid nabi (salal laho aleihe wassalam) we can show the world as true believer, follower and lover of ALLAH and his holy Prophet (salal laho aleihe wassalam).
"A person will be rewarded because of his intention"
I want to ask something from all of your different comments that
"How many good deeds as taught us by Prophet Muhammad (salal laho aleihe wassalam) performed by you in your life?"
Even in the occasions of two Eids, many non-islamic activities are found among muslims. Why don't you people comment about this? Why just maulid is always a contentious issue among muslims? Why don't we remember Islamic rules while our daily chore of life? Think about this…………
Loving this article Masha Allah. Its not fardh nor is it a part of sunnah. I personally stay away from it because I feel it is safer not to celebrate it. And in that way…I deffo stay away from falling into bid'ah.
However me saying its bid'ah will not stop… our brothers from celebrating mawlid. So we have to take a different approach now. So what I say…instead of potential shirk and potential bid'ah…eliminate the wrong actions and exagurated acts of worship. Instead just do a lecture or something to do with his life. Or talk about something that's relates to him. Use it as a means of educating people. Replace the bid'ah with practicality.
However even that can be dangerous. Because a new celebration changes from generation to generation along with cultural changes. I had someone say to me that if I fast on milad un nabi ill get rewarded greatly. So now…this fasting is related with milad un nabi. Which is obviously not right. I wonder what it would be next? Maybe few years from now it would build into something ridiculous. But seen as people do celebrate mawlid. We have to make the best out of it. Wallahu 'alam
Hope i aint offended no one. Salam
Brother Tamim
The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) used to keep fast on every monday. some one asked him the reason to keep fast on monday so he said that i was born on monday that`s why i keep fast on every monday.
so no problem that if a person keeps fast on 12th because the Prophet was born so he is not wrong ok
we must celebrate our prphet Muhummad's birthday becuse he show us the reality from ALLAH
what is the verdict on the correct translation of what ibn Tamiyyah said?
That reminds me also while in Madenah, SA one of the kibar of the Ulemah was addressing a delgation of english speakers and he stated how long are you brothers going to allow someone else to translate your religon to you. Learn Arabic!
every innovated thing in religion is murdood or error and leads to shirk. anything that we add for sake of Allah or with objective of loving allah more than any other entity to show love of Prophet muhammad SAW who we must love more than any other muqlooq (Creation), or in order to full fill Commandants of Allah by intentionally adding to or changing sunnah of Prophet Muhammad SAW is rejected and are actions wasted. They may carry penalty or not, but nevertheless wasted.
Let us not waste time on unordered activities and make our deen and life simple. Sahabads use to take utmost care not to ask excessive questions as not to make deen harder for themselves and for coming future generations as ordered by Allah in surah Baqarah 99-103 ayats. sometimes Angel Jibrael Ameen AS use to come to ask questions so as to make deen better for us as Sabahas use to restrict themselves out of fear. In total it is said Sahabas asked 12 questions and I suggest that we stick to our original deen and learn about what is already there and leave rest to Blessing of Allah. Let's stay on the moderate stance and take middle path to our destination that is jannah insha-allah as ordered by Allah.
I sincerely hope that my fellow muslim brothers and sisters stay focus on what is given requirement and keep deen simple without added more responsibilities to it. Insha-allah if allah liked us to celebrate His Prophet birthday He would have commanded it or would have been done by Prophet SAW or Sahabas, but none did it, so why do it now..
I pasting below hadees reference to make us understand what Prophet SAW said about INNOVATION:
Muslim :: Book 4 : Hadith 1885
Jabir b. Abdullah said: When Allah's Messenger (may peace he upon him) delivered the sermon, his eyes became red, his voice rose. and his anger increased so that he was like one giving a warning against the enemy and saying:" The enemy has made a morning attack on you and in the evening too." He would also say:" The last Hour and I have been sent like these two." and he would join his forefinger and middle finger; and would further say:" The best of the speech is embodied in the Book of Allah, and the beet of the guidance is the guidance given by Muhammad. And the most evil affairs are their innovations; and every innovation is error." He would further say:, I am more dear to a Muslim even than his self; and he who left behind property that is for his family. and he who dies under debt or leaves children (in helplessness). the responsibility (of paying his debt and bringing up his children) lies on me."
Muslim :: Book 30 : Hadith 5686
Umm Salama, the wife of Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him), said I used to hear from people making a mention of the Cistern, but I did not hear about it from Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him). One day while a girl was combing me I heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) say:" O people." I said to that girl: Keep away from me. She said: He (the Holy Prophet) has addressed the men only and he has not invited the attention of the women. I said: I am amongst the people also (and have thus every right to listen to the things pertaining to religion). Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: I shall be your harbinger on the Cistern; therefore, be cautious lest one of you should come (to me) and may be driven away like a stray camel. I would ask the reasons, and it would be said to me: You don't know what innovations they made after you. And I would then also say: Be away.
Muslim :: Book 30 : Hadith 5690
'Abdullah reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying; I shall be there at the Cistern before you, and I shall have to contend for some people, but I shall have to yield. I would be saying: My Lord, they are my friends, they are my friends, and it would be said: You don't know what innovations they made after you.
We have people dying in Gaza, we have people walking 300 miles for water in East Africa, we have corrupt imams, we have muslims vying for the Dunya, we have muslims worshiping money, we have diseases of the heart….the list goes on, but instead every 'wiki scholar' and ardent lecture goer wants to argue with Mujtahids who are in a different league to even great scholars of today!
The Audacity! It seems to me the REAL PROBLEM is desire to be right, an egotistical issue, pride and from Iblis. Anyone who argues with a muslim for celebrating the Mawlid, any muslim who argues with another for not celebrating the Mawlid is DISTRACTED!
Those who celebrate should take note of what is approved of, and those who do not should encourage fasting and dua's etc.
As a convert, I am so shocked at this, we should be ashamed and embarrassed! Some of the comments on this page is a testament to the disastrous state the Ummah is in! Iblis has walked all over us, we have no power because of these shahawat.
You're arguing about Mawlids, when the rulers of the Haramain are allies to the enemies of Islam, the real Kuffar! Our deen is being infiltrated by the enemies of islam, we are puppets in the hands of those who wish to disgrace us and we only help them by disgracing ourselves.
I am infuriated for the sake of Allah and His Messenger! That this is a cause of division amongst the Muslims. This should be a cause for us to UNITE, that even in our differences we can say La ilaha il Allah Muhammad ar RasoulAllah!
How many of you can assure me that you will die upon the kalamat! I dare you to comment with assurity that you will die a Muslim!
We need to pray that we dies as Muslims brothers and sisters, like those great scholars you dare to argue with.
Sister Asiyah,
I agree with your comment on uniting the ummah.
The only way to do this is to refer to Qala Allah Qala Rasool SAW, meaning Says Allah and Says Rasool SAW…
also allah orders us to bring our disagreement to Allah and His Rasool SAW, therefore on such a pitty issue of birthday, let us refer to rasool SAW life and the life of Sahabas. None celebrated it and none ordered it…also note the Rasool SAW hadees:
The Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) used to say when delivering a sermon:
To proceed: Indeed, the best speech is the Book of Allaah and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad and the worst of affairs are the newly-invented matters, every newly-invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is misguidance, and every (instance of) misguidance is in the Fire.
Sahih. Reported by al-Nasa'i, al-Bayhaqi, al-Aajurree and others.
Thus let us keep the deen simple as Allah Sent from Above…let's us not innovate new things and focus on other bigger issues like state of ummah and problems that we face…let us be one and let us be like an embodiment of single soul…this cannot be achieved if we all think and make different paths.
Rasool SAW warned us that deen is such and deviation in it, will lead us astry and are the paths of ibless murdood…
I would imam suyuti's opinion over yours any day. I would love to see you both in a room together presenting your evidences. Interesting thing is these scholars weren't afraid of admitting they were wrong, or accepting another opinion.
I don't engage in pointless banter brother. Apologies for any offense, here's something we can both agree on…
…Allah knows Best.
Salam Alekom Dear brother Shaikh Suhaib,
Jazak Allah Khayr for translating this great scholarly take on this matter and for your comments…
I hope im not having soo2 Zan in our brothers and sisters but reading the comments i feel that so many people are posting comments thinking that they have the scholarly tools to do so.
Is it not enough for us that a great mujtahid like AbdAllah Bin Beyyah and a qualified Azhary Scholar like Suhaib Webb have answered the question. the solution to the issue was beautifuly articulated in few words; why do people need to type responses longer than the actual article??? :s
Why do we keep running around in circles. If only we put this effort in to learning and serving our communities…
May Allah unite us in this world and the next.
Jazaak Allah Khayr.
Brother Marcus…you have mentioned that Abdullah Bayyah and Br. Suhaib Webb have answered the questions. And we are all grateful for their input. however, what lacks in their responses is the STRONG A'DEELA that makes celebrating the PROPHET SAW birthday Permissible? What brother Atif again and again had repeated.."ANd every NEWly invented matter is innovation and every innovation leads astray and everything that is astray leads to the hell fire" as the Prophet SAW mentioned in his HAdeeth. and like brother atif have asked…where does it say in the Quran for us to celebrate it..where does it say in the hadeeth..where in the Aqwal (sayings) and actions of the Sahabah can we find this. and the next two generations after them have yet to ever narrate or practice such a thing. As shaikh bin baz rahimahuAllah said so eloquently paraphrashing:( "Are we better than the last 3 generations after the PRophet SAW whom he had mentioned as being the best of the Ummah? By Allah, NO! if anyone of us know the characteristics of the sahabah and their love for the Prophet, would know that they will not have fallen short to full filling this right)Ameen to your duas…May Allah SWT forgive us for our Shortcomings..and make us among the Mutaqeen and the amongst the DA;leen
Assalaamu 'alaikum
What about the principle of sunnah at-Tark. I.e. that if there was a reason to perform an act of worship, and nothing to prevent it (as in the case of tarawih in congregation), yet the act was not performed, then that means that the sunnah is to leave that act off…?
Salam brothers and sisters in Islam,
Who ever is not happy with the birth of the prophet( S.A.W) is not among us and then let him be sad about the birth of the prophet(S.A.W), cos if you are not happy about it the you can't be in between you must be among the sad.
The argument is not whether a person is happy or sad about the Prophets birthday. Of course every muslim is happy & proud about the Prophets birth.
But the issue is whether muslims should annually celebrate his birth.
The response is very simple & straight-forward for those who are honest about upholding the Prophets sunnah & who are free from following their desires & the people: Of course muslims should NOT celebrate his birth. Neither the Prophet himself did this or ordered this and neither did his beloved sahaba.
So those who celebrate it & say it is a good thing and should (or must) be done must answer a few questions:
1.Do they love the Prophet more than he loves himself?
2.Do they love the Prophet more than the sahaba?
3.Did the Prophet ever lay the grounds for its permissibility? e.g. did he ever celebrate anyone elses birthday?
Be honest to yourself and the answer to the problem is simple.
Aslaam aleykum,
i have followed the very good arguments of the brothers and sisters as given above. Iam a Tanzanian. Anybody in East Africa will tell you Mawlid is well celebrated here. However, what should be noted is that it is almost the only event i that have witnessed muslims sometimes being escorted by their non-muslims friends and neighbors to celebrate it.It is probably for this reason that mawlids have served the convertion of many people into the religion of Islam.
It is hence common sense that a mawlid is not obligatory nor is it an ibada as the sheikh said in his first thread, otherwise how would non muslims accompany muslims into this "ibada"? I dont know the experience in other countries.
It is illogical to suggest and indeed insultive that Rasullalah (SAW) would have taught muslims how to "commemorate" his birthday. Even more ridiculous would have been HIS attempt to justify it. If we cant dare demand it from our own present children that they make remembrance for us after we pass away, then how on earth would a God sent prophet dare do it? My take is that your children may make some commemoration of you after your passing based on how they loved you and if there are issues to be lived on. This is the dividing line. Anybody suggesting/arguing as to why the prophet did not do it is just not getting it. If the sahabas did not do it, so what? does that make it haram? We have Islamic banks, sahabas did not have them. So, who is at fault? Every generation has its needs.
It is suddening to note that the thrust has always been to attack the commemoration of the Prophet. No one ever seems to note or post loud dislikes that offering a joint dua behind an imam after the completion of the Koran during the month of ramadhan as a qunuut is equally a bidah. No one seems to mention the truth that the now fashionable al-misyar marriages were never there during the early generations of muslims, no one seems to accept that dividing the hadiths into sahih all the way to "dhaif" was not taught by the prophet and hence also a bidah. The list is countless inclusive of burrying muslims in totally unmarked graves. Did the prophet teach it? In conclusion, if that word "kul bidah" trully means "every single thing" then the respected sahabas who initiated the islamic calendar have a grave case to answer. Because they need to tell the powers that be who taught them.
Narrated by Anas, that "The Prophet slaughtered a `aqiqa [sacrifice for newborns] for himself after he received the prophecy," although it has been mentioned that his grandfather `Abd al-Muttalib did that on the seventh day after he was born, and the `aqiqa cannot be repeated. Thus the reason for the Prophet's action is to give thanks to Allah for sending him as a mercy to the worlds, and to give honor to his Umma, in the same way that he used to pray on himself. It is recommended for us, therefore, that we also show thanks for his birth by meeting with our brothers, by feeding people, and other such good works and rejoicing." This hadith confirms the aforementioned hadith of the Prophet's emphasis of Monday as the day of his birthday and that of his prophethood.
[Husn al-Maqsad fi Amal al-Mawlid Page No. 64-65]