Why did you issue a fatwa prohibiting the Mawlid (Prophet's Birthday) even though Ibn Taymiyyah permitted it in "Iqtidā’ al-Ṣirāṭ al-Mustaqīm," saying: "The veneration of the Mawlid and taking it as an occasion may be done by some people, and they will have a great reward for it due to their good intention and their veneration of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him"? And is the Mawlid part of the veneration of the Prophet that Allah Almighty commanded us to do by saying: "And venerate Him"?

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah was of the view that celebrating the birth of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is an innovation (bid'ah) that was not practiced by the righteous predecessors (Salaf As-Salih). He likened it to the actions of Christians in their celebrations of events related to Jesus, peace be upon him. Despite this, he might hope for reward for the doer due to their good intention, and this aligns with his methodology of finding excuses for those who fall into innovation due to interpretation or ignorance. He considered that honoring the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, lies in following his Sunnah and guidance, not in instituting celebrations that were not practiced by the Companions, who were the most loving towards him and the most eager for good. Finally, there is no verse explicitly stating "and honor him," but there are verses that convey the meaning of honoring him, such as His (Allah's) saying: {So those who believe in him, honor him, support him, and follow the light which was sent down with him – it is those who will be the successful.}