Title: “A Clarification on the Ruling of Celebrating (Mawlid)”
By Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, Imam and Khateeb of Masjid al-Haram
• A Muslim is commanded to follow (the Prophet ﷺ) and forbidden from innovations and introducing matters contrary to the religion. Allah said: “O you who believe, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger”. And the Prophet ﷺ said: “Beware of newly invented matters, for every newly invented matter is a bid‘ah, and every bid‘ah is misguidance.” He ﷺ also said: “Whoever lives among you will see many differences, so hold on to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs after me. Hold on to it tightly with your molar teeth. And beware of newly invented matters.”
• The righteous predecessors (may Allah have mercy on them) strongly warned against innovations and commanded adherence to the Sunnah and leaving all forms of bid‘ah. Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “Follow and do not innovate, for you have been sufficed. Hold fast to the old way, for it is enough for you.” And Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “Every innovation is misguidance, even if people see it as good.”
• Bid‘ah changes the religion, distorts the truth, and replaces the Sunnah with innovation. It takes root in hearts and spreads among people, weakening their bond with Allah and leading them astray.
• Among the most famous innovations is what is done in Rabi‘ al-Awwal in celebrating the birthday of the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet and his companions did not do it, nor did the rightly guided caliphs, nor those who followed them with excellence.
• Mawlid celebrations include many violations such as mixing of genders, extravagance, raising voices with singing and poetry, and using frivolous words.
• Imam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “If a season is taken as a religious season without basis in the Shariah, like celebrating nights of Rabi‘ al-Awwal which they call ‘the Prophet’s birthday,’ it is an innovation that was never practiced by the pious predecessors. Gathering for the Mawlid contains no religious benefit but rather resembles Christian practices.”
• The truth is that Mawlid celebrations today have become gatherings of dancing, eating, unlawful mixing, and invitations to misguidance. People claim to love the Prophet ﷺ while engaging in innovations he never commanded.
• True love of the Prophet ﷺ is not by innovating, but by following his Sunnah. Allah said: “Say, if you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.”
• There is no benefit in innovations; rather, they are misguidance. Whoever calls to them is reviving falsehood and extinguishing the light of the truth. The authentic texts clearly forbid such gatherings, which only open doors of misguidance and ignorance.
• Message to the Ummah: Fear Allah regarding yourselves. Abandon these innovations and misguidances. Hold fast to the Sunnah of your Prophet ﷺ. Islam began as something strange, and it will return to being strange, so glad tidings to the strangers.
