What is meant by the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, saying: "Do not praise me excessively as the Christians praised Jesus, son of Mary"? And does it mean praising him by reciting the Qur'an, glorifying God, fasting, and giving charity, but not like the Christians' excessive praise of Jesus? And how did the Christians excessively praise Jesus, son of Mary? And what is the wisdom behind not celebrating the Prophet's birthday, following the example of the Christians' celebration of Christmas? And what is your advice to those who insist that the Prophet said, "Praise me, but not as the Christians excessively praised me," knowing that he passed away on the same day as his birth?

The forbidden praise of the Prophet is the exaggeration in his praise by elevating him to the status of divinity or attributing divine qualities to him, such as claiming that he knows the unseen, which is one of Allah's unique attributes, or seeking aid from him, or praising him with falsehood. For he (peace be upon him) said: "Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians exaggerated in praising the son of Mary, for I am only a slave, so say: 'The slave of Allah and His Messenger'." Meaning, do not exceed the limits in praising me. Celebrating the birth of prophets and saints is an exaggeration, and their glorification is by following them. However, praising and commending him without exaggeration is permissible and required, as Allah Almighty said: "That you may believe in Allah and His Messenger and support him and venerate him."