What do you say about those who argue for the existence of a "good innovation" (bid'ah hasanah) in celebrating the Prophet's birthday (Mawlid Nabawi) by citing the statements of some scholars, and who refute objections such as the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions not having done so, or the coincidence of the birthday with the day of his passing, or the diminishing of the Prophet's status by singling out one day for celebration?
Celebrating the Prophet's birthday was not done by the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, nor by his Companions, nor by the Tabi'un (followers of the Companions). If it were good, they would have preceded us to it. Their not doing so does not negate their virtue; rather, it indicates its lack of legal validity. Sheikh Atiyyah Salem believes that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, celebrated his birth by fasting, and that the current celebrations and manifestations began in the fourth century. Ibn Taymiyyah considered the Mawlid an innovation, and that true love for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, lies in following and obeying him and reviving his Sunnah. Furthermore, Allah Almighty elevated the remembrance of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, by associating His name with His in the two testimonies of faith, the adhan (call to prayer), the iqamah (call to commence prayer), and the tashahhud (testimony of faith in prayer), in addition to his practical biography in every detail of life. Sincere love for the Prophet is demonstrated by obeying him and avoiding what he disliked, and the accompanying frivolity and unlawful mixing in these celebrations must be abandoned. If the intention is to revive the remembrance, then the entire year is an opportune time for that, and there is no need to restrict it to a specific time.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/160419