What is the ruling on supplicating by the Prophet's ﷺ prestige, and is it permissible to involve the Messenger as an intermediary in supplication? And does the Prophet's spirit appear to a saint as a miracle? And how do we differentiate between a saint and a pretender? And what is the ruling on celebrating the Prophet's birthday and observing it on occasions, and what is the response to those who say it is to remind people of the Prophet's biography?

Supplication (Du'a) is an act of worship based on divine command (Tawqif), and there is no authentic evidence for seeking intercession (Tawassul) through the Prophet's (peace be upon him) status or right. Rather, the Companions refrained from this and resorted to seeking intercession through the supplication of Al-Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him). As for the hadith regarding seeking intercession through his status, it is fabricated. Legitimate intercession is through Allah's beautiful names and attributes, or through righteous deeds.

The appearance of the Prophet's (peace be upon him) spirit to a saint (wali) has no basis except in dream visions. As for seeing him while awake, it contradicts the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and the consensus of the Ummah. A saint is a pious believer, and saintliness does not necessitate the occurrence of miracles (karamat), nor is it permissible for him to claim sainthood.

Among the false concepts regarding sainthood are: believing that a saint can dispose of matters in the universe, that he is infallible, that he knows the unseen, or that he can appear in different forms, or that it is permissible for him to violate the Sharia, or that sainthood is bestowed, or that sainthood has a seal, or that a saint has the ability to strip away knowledge and guidance.

Celebrating the Prophet's birthday (Mawlid) is an innovation (bid'ah). The Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions did not do so, despite the presence of the motive and the absence of any impediment. Reminding oneself of the Prophet's biography should be through studying and explaining it, not through celebrations that may involve religious transgressions.