Monday 13 January 2014

Moulid Celebrations: Is it Sunnah?





Followers of Sufism have today, 13th of January 2013 celebrated what they call ‘’Mawlid al-Nabi’’ - Birthday of Prophet Mohamed, Peace be upon him. Those who celebrate this day, stand up for him, send salaam (greetings) upon him and read surahs from the Qur’an during the celebrations, holding gatherings of dhikr, doing various things to show their joy, reciting qaseedahs and poems, and other things that are done to commemorate "Mawlid" This day is normally celebrated on the 12th day of Rabee’ al-Awwal each Hijri year.


Many people have asked about the ruling concerning celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
 The answer is that it is not permitted to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), or the birthday of any other person, because this is a matter that has been innovated in the religion. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not do this, neither did his successors, the Rightly-Guided Khaleefahs (al-khulafaa’ al-raashidoon), or others among his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), or those who followed them exactly (in faith) during the best centuries – these are the people who had the best knowledge of the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), who loved him the most and followed the Shari'ah most perfectly, better than any who came after them. It is proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours (i.e., Islam), will have it rejected" i.e., it will be thrown back at him. In another hadith, he said: "I advise you to adhere to my Sunnah and the way of the rightly-guided successors (al-khulafaa’ al-raashidoon) who will come after me, and to cling stubbornly to it. Beware of newly-invented things (in religion), for every newly-invented thing is an innovation and every innovation is a going astray." These two ahaadeeth contain a very stern warning against coming up with innovations (bid’ah) and acting on them. Allah says in His clear Book (interpretation of the meaning):
"… And whatsoever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain from it…" [al-Hashr 59:7]
"… And let those who oppose the Messenger’s commandment beware, lest some fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, etc.) befall them, or a painful torment be inflicted on them." [al-Noor 24:63]
"Indeed in the Messenger of Allah you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much." [al-Ahzaab 33:21]
"… This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…" [al-Maa’idah 5:3]

Allah knows best.

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