Celebrating the Mawlid (birthday of the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ)
Question:
Is the celebrating of the Prophet’s birthday a Sunnah or Bid’ah? When did this celebration become known? When did it begin?
Answer by Shaykh Muhammad Amaan al Jaamee (Rahimahullaah)
Before we speak about the of rhetorical speech and the sects, it is incumbent upon us to know when this celebration began in the name of “Mawlid an-Nabi”. All of us know when the Prophet ﷺ was born, how long he lived for and when he passed away.
celebrating his birthday, when did it begin? When was the first time the Prophet’s birthday was celebrated? This is the question. If we go back to history – according to my knowledge; the first celebration took place by the name of Mawlid an-Nabi then that which followed was the birthday of Ali bin Abi Talib then Fatimah (may Allaah be pleased with them both), then for Hassan and Hussain (may Allaah be pleased with them both). Likewise for the Caliph that was present in that time. Six celebrations. When did this all begin?
It began during the reign of the Ubaidites from the Fatimite dynasty – upon the most correct of statements; The Ubaidis were a people that wanted to raise themselves above what they actually were. They claimed that they are Fatimites (individuals that go back to Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet) and they wanted to affirm this fabricated ascription by flattering Ahlul-Bayt and from flattery was reviving these celebrations.
If we go back to history, with researching the meaning behind this celebration and its intent. If the intent of celebrating the birthday of the Prophet ﷺ is showing his love then as believers we all believe that there ceases to have existed an individual that loved the Prophet more than Abu Bakr as-Sidiq (may Allaah be pleased with him), his companion in the cave.
Abu Bakr, the one whom you know his virtues and biography. The believers were granted firmness by Allaah through this individual after the passing away of the Prophet ﷺ. After the believers [unclear] from his death until Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said; “He went to speak to his Lord and he will return and whoever says he is dead, then his head will be cut off with my sword!”
Astonishment overcame them to this degree, but Allaah kept firm the companion of the cave. That very same man, the solemn Shaikh, Allaah kept him firm and kept the believers firm and steadfast through him.
Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him) didn’t celebrate and these are some of his attributes, neither did Uthmaan, nor Ali or did the Sahabah altogether. As well as the Taabi’een or their successors.
The four Imaams that leadership (of this religion) was witnessed to, didn’t know of celebrating the birthday (of the Prophet) . The rightly guided Khulafaa, and the Caliphs of Banu Umayah and the Abasi dynasty altogether up until the time of the Ubaidis, didn’t know such a thing of celebrating (Prophets birthday).
Therefore it is an Ubaidi innovation or Fatimite innovation. (According to what they call themselves because they are the ones who called themselves this.)
A questioner may ask; we don’t want anything else, all we want is remembrance. The Sahabah didn’t celebrate because they were close (to the Messenger) in terms of time, as for us after this long history, we want to remember, remember the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ.
We begin to ask:
“When did the Muslims begin forget the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ to a degree that we need to hold celebrations in his remembrance by coming together upon food, drink and scents on the 12th night of Rabi’ al Awal annually?
Did the Muslims forget the Messenger of Allaah? Is it permissible for them to forget him?”
NO!
Not a Mu’athin from amongst them (Muslims) gives the Athaan and say; “I bear witness that there is no Diety worthy of worship except Allaah’
EXCEPT THAT HE SAYS;
“I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”
A Muslim does not enter a Masjid except that he says;
“Bismillaah was Salaatu was-Salaamu Alaa Rasulilaah”
Whoever prays much other than the obligatory prayers, in every prayer he sends prayers of peace upon the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ.
A student of Knowledge doesn’t read his lesson and a teacher does not teach except that he sends prayer of peace upon the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ.
In one lesson or numerous times, therefore speaking of the favours of Allaah we have not forgotten the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ nor have the rest of the Muslims. Hence why we are not in need of what is called ‘Rememberance of Birthday’