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What is the conclusive response to those who claim to be Sayyids from the Household of the Prophet and celebrate the Prophet's birthday (Mawlid) under the pretext that they are negligent and wish to remember the Prophet, despite the Companions not having celebrated it?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The celebration of the Prophet's birthday (Mawlid) is a reprehensible innovation (bid'ah munkarah). The Companions and the Tabi'un (followers) from the early generations (salaf) of this Ummah, despite their intense love for the Messenger and their knowledge and fear of Allah, did not celebrate the Prophet's birthday. Rather, they followed what was legislated for them and did not innovate in religion. Imam Malik said: "What was not considered religion then will not be considered religion today." Imam Al-Shafi'i said: "Whoever considers something good [without textual basis] has legislated." Our shortcomings in knowledge and obedience do not justify introducing innovations into the religion, for if innovation in religion were permissible, those with more knowledge and fear of Allah would have been more deserving of it. Remembering the Messenger is achieved by studying his Sunnah, following his guidance, and frequently invoking blessings upon him at all times, not on a specific day or a few days in the year.

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

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