Observing the Prophet's birthday

12-4-2005 | IslamWeb

Question:

I read your article about birthday of Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam. I know this is people doing many ways which are not good at all to do. But some Imaams only celebrate in Masjid with some poems and lecture about life of Prophet. Is this is also not good?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds.  I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

We have already issued many Fataawa illustrating that celebrating the birthday of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam , is an innovation. Therefore, please refer to Fatwa 81804, for example.

Some Imaams celebrating this day by reciting certain poems on the occasion is also an innovation. An innovation is not accepted regardless of whether it is done in the mosque or in the house. Intentionally gathering on the birthday of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and reading his biography specifically on this day and not in other days is also not permissible. The Muslims must follow the righteous predecessors as all goodness lies in following them and all the evil lies in following the innovations of those who came after them.

The companions of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and their righteous followers, like the four Imaams, may Allaah have mercy upon all of them, did not single out this day with certain acts of worship, gathering or any other kind of celebration.

Allaah Knows best.