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Is celebrating the Prophet's birthday an innovation (bid'ah), especially since there are reports indicating that King Al-Muzaffar was the first to celebrate it, and scholars did not condemn him for it; rather, they praised him and his action, as mentioned by Al-Dhahabi, Ibn Kathir, and Ibn Taymiyyah in their books?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Celebrating the Prophet's Birthday is an innovated Bid'ah. The praise of Al-Dhahabi and Ibn Kathir for King Al-Muzaffar does not constitute proof, for everyone's statements can be accepted or rejected except those of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. The imams are not pleased with anything unless it conforms to the Qur'an and Sunnah, and there is no evidence to support its permissibility.

Moreover, Imams Al-Dhahabi and Ibn Kathir do not approve of the reprehensible acts that occur during the celebration. As for Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, he did not praise the celebration; rather, he applied the principle of fairness with the opponent and explained that they might be rewarded for their love and effort, but not for the innovation. The Salaf did not do it, even though their love for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was more intense.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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