TheAuthenticBase
Assalaamu 'alaykum!
To celebrate the birthday of the Prophet (saw) is indeed an innovation, not practised by any of the Salaf. It was invented much later around 600 years after the death of the prophet 9saw) as Ibn Katheer mentions.
A definition of biddah:
Imaam ash-Shaatibee (rahima-hullaah) mentions:
One of te best articles I have read so far regarding the celebration of the Prophet's birthday:
Ruling On Celebrating The Birthday Of The Prophet, By Shaykh Dr. Saalih Bin Fawzaan Al-Fawzaan
Another article by Bin Baaz:
The Milaad – A Caution Against Innovation
Know dear brothers, that in Islaam there are only two 'eids, not three:
In Islaam There Are Only Two Eids: Eidul Fitr And Eidul Adhaa. By Sh. Mashhoor Hasan Aal-Salmaan
Some people claim that the great Ibn Taymiyyah was for the mawlid. Is this true? click this link to find out:
Was Ibn Taymiyyah For The Mawlid (Celebration Of The Prophet’s Birthday (saw))?
What about eating the food that is distributed on the milaad? Is it lawful to eat?
Eating Food That Is Distributed On The Prophet’s Birthday (Mawlid)
Salvation, lies in following the sunnah and not in innovated practises that were not done in the time of the prophet(saw):
Salvation Lies In Following The Sunnah
And just because majority of the people do it, it does NOT validate it (as we, and even them(!) admit, that it was not done during the lifetime of the prophet(saw)):
Who Are The Saved Sect? Are They The Majority?
But is it good? Is it a good innovation?
Every Innovation Is A Misguidance
Know, that the sunnah is sufficient for you!
The Sunnah Is Sufficient For You
Imaam Al-Awzaa’ee’s Advice On Clinging Firmly Upon The Sunnah
And there are many evil dangers of biddah!
The Evil Dangers Of Bid’ah
So follow the sunnah and avoid biddah:
Commandments Of The Imams Of Ahle Sunnah Concerning Following The Sunnah And Avoiding Bid’ah
As Imaam Abu Haneefah (rahimahullaah) said:
[Reported by As-Suyootee in Sawn al-Mantaq Wal -Kalaam, p. 32.]
It was narrated that Nooh al-Jaami’ said:
Refuting the people of innovation is indeed a good deed:
Engaging in Ibaadah Or Speaking About Ahl Al-Bid’ah?
And know that there is great evil which comes about from practising biddah:
The Consequences Of Bidda & Extremism In The Religion
And know that all of the salaf warned against innovations:
Dealing With Innovation
A definition of biddah:
Imaam ash-Shaatibee (rahima-hullaah) mentions:
"Linguistically bid’ah (innovation) means ‘a newly invented matter’.
The Sharee’ah definition of bid’ah is: “A newly invented way [beliefs or action] in the religion, in imitation of the Sharee’ah (prescribed Law), by which nearness to Allaah is sought, [but] not being supported by any authentic proof – neither in its foundations, nor in the manner in which it is performed." [al-I’tisaam of ash-Shaatibee, 1/37]
The Sharee’ah definition of bid’ah is: “A newly invented way [beliefs or action] in the religion, in imitation of the Sharee’ah (prescribed Law), by which nearness to Allaah is sought, [but] not being supported by any authentic proof – neither in its foundations, nor in the manner in which it is performed." [al-I’tisaam of ash-Shaatibee, 1/37]
One of te best articles I have read so far regarding the celebration of the Prophet's birthday:
Ruling On Celebrating The Birthday Of The Prophet, By Shaykh Dr. Saalih Bin Fawzaan Al-Fawzaan
Another article by Bin Baaz:
The Milaad – A Caution Against Innovation
Know dear brothers, that in Islaam there are only two 'eids, not three:
In Islaam There Are Only Two Eids: Eidul Fitr And Eidul Adhaa. By Sh. Mashhoor Hasan Aal-Salmaan
Some people claim that the great Ibn Taymiyyah was for the mawlid. Is this true? click this link to find out:
Was Ibn Taymiyyah For The Mawlid (Celebration Of The Prophet’s Birthday (saw))?
What about eating the food that is distributed on the milaad? Is it lawful to eat?
Eating Food That Is Distributed On The Prophet’s Birthday (Mawlid)
Salvation, lies in following the sunnah and not in innovated practises that were not done in the time of the prophet(saw):
Salvation Lies In Following The Sunnah
And just because majority of the people do it, it does NOT validate it (as we, and even them(!) admit, that it was not done during the lifetime of the prophet(saw)):
Who Are The Saved Sect? Are They The Majority?
But is it good? Is it a good innovation?
Every Innovation Is A Misguidance
Know, that the sunnah is sufficient for you!
The Sunnah Is Sufficient For You
Imaam Al-Awzaa’ee’s Advice On Clinging Firmly Upon The Sunnah
And there are many evil dangers of biddah!
The Evil Dangers Of Bid’ah
So follow the sunnah and avoid biddah:
Commandments Of The Imams Of Ahle Sunnah Concerning Following The Sunnah And Avoiding Bid’ah
As Imaam Abu Haneefah (rahimahullaah) said:
“Adhere to the Athaar (narrations) and the Tareeqah (way) of the Salaf and beware of newly invented matters, for all of it is innovation.”
[Reported by As-Suyootee in Sawn al-Mantaq Wal -Kalaam, p. 32.]
It was narrated that Nooh al-Jaami’ said:
“I said to Abu Haneefah (may Allah have mercy on him), ‘What do you say about the philosophical issues that people have innovated?‘ He said, ‘That is just the words of philosophers. you should adhere to the way of the Salaf, and beware of every newly invented thing, for it is an innovation (bid’ah).“ [ Al-Khateeb in Al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih.]
Refuting the people of innovation is indeed a good deed:
Engaging in Ibaadah Or Speaking About Ahl Al-Bid’ah?
And know that there is great evil which comes about from practising biddah:
The Consequences Of Bidda & Extremism In The Religion
And know that all of the salaf warned against innovations:
Dealing With Innovation