What is the ruling on participating in annual celebrations and events, such as the International Day of Families, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and the International Year of Older Persons, as well as religious celebrations like the Isra’ and Mi’raj, the Prophet’s Birthday (Mawlid), and the Hijra, by preparing publications or holding Islamic lectures and seminars to remind and admonish people?

Recurring annual gatherings are considered innovations and newly introduced rituals for which Allah has sent down no authority. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade them saying: "Beware of newly invented matters, for every newly invented matter is an innovation, and every innovation is a misguidance." Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah explained that these innovated occasions corrupt the religion, and that the obligation is to follow the Book and the Sunnah (definition). It is noted that dedicating a specific day to a certain act necessitates believing in its فضl (merit), and that an 'Eid (festival) encompasses time, place, and gathering. In these aspects, various types of innovations have been introduced, including: days that the Sharia (definition) did not glorify, and days when incidents occurred that did not necessitate their glorification, which resembles the actions of Christians and Jews. As for days that are ritually glorified, it is forbidden to introduce anything that is believed to be of merit on them, and it is a reprehensible act. Therefore, instituting unsanctioned periodic gatherings resembles sanctioned acts of worship and is considered an innovation, and what Allah has legislated is sufficient for His servants. Consequently, it is not permissible for a Muslim to participate in these recurring days due to their resemblance to Muslim 'Eids, unless they are non-recurring and the Muslim is able to clarify the truth therein.