Mahzala
فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ
Assalamualaikum
Celebrating the Prophet's birthday is bida (an innovation in the religion); the Prophet (saaws) did not instruct others to do it, and he didn't have companions around him doing it and then give any type of permission (including silent permission).
We are not to make distinction between any of the Prophets. Distinction in status, for instance. Like to say one is better than another. This leads to idol worship, similar to what the christians did when they began to worship Jesus instead of treat him as the Prophet he was. They just took it a step too far.. and kept running with it, up to what it is today.
The Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) has said: Do not over praise me as the Christians over-praised the son of Mary. I am His slave so say: 'Allah's slave and messenger' [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
What is important about each Prophet and/or Messenger is the MESSAGE.
THE DANGER OF INNOVATIONS IN THE DEEN
Hadith - Reported by an-Nasaa'ee (3/188).
"… The most truthful speech is the Book of Allaah. The best way is the way of Muhammad. The worst of affairs are the novelties and every novelty is an innovation and every innovation is misguidance and every misguidance is in the Fire." [Saheeh according to Sheikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan in-Nasaa'ee (no. 1487)]
MAKE NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN PROPHETS/MESSENGERS
The Noble Qur'an 2:285
The Messenger (Muhammad ) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allâh, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. They say, "We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers" - and they say, "We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all)."
The Noble Qur'an 2:136
Say (O Muslims), "We believe in Allâh and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibrâhim (Abraham), Ismâ'il (Ishmael), Ishâque (Isaac), Ya'qûb (Jacob), and to Al-Asbât [the twelve sons of Ya'qûb (Jacob)], and that which has been given to Mûsa (Moses) and 'Iesa (Jesus), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islâm)."
The Noble Qur'an 4:152
And those who believe in Allâh and His Messengers and make no distinction between any of them (Messengers), We shall give them their rewards, and Allâh is Ever Oft*!Forgiving, Most Merciful.
The Noble Qur'an 3:84
Say (O Muhammad ): "We believe in Allâh and in what has been sent down to us, and what was sent down to Ibrâhim (Abraham), Ismâ'il (Ishmael), Ishâque (Isaac), Ya'qûb (Jacob) and Al-Asbât [the twelve sons of Ya'qûb (Jacob)] and what was given to Mûsa (Moses), 'Iesa (Jesus) and the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between one another among them and to Him (Allâh) we have submitted (in Islâm)."
THE SHIRK OF EXCESSIVE PRAISE
So, now then, we say to those who insist on celebrating the Prophet's birthday.... with clear proof not to distinguish between the Prophets... why don't you celebrate ALL the Prophet's birthday's? Like Jesus'? You can do it on Dec. 25th or pick another date if you want. Oh, I see, you know better than to celebrate Jesus' birthday?? Maybe the reasons you shouldn't be celebrating Jesus' birthday, are the same reasons not to celebrate Muhammad's birthday?
The Noble Qur'an 7:190
But when He gave them a Sâlih (good in every aspect) child, they ascribed partners to Him (Allâh) in that which He has given to them. High be Allâh, Exalted above all that they ascribe as partners to Him. (Tafsir At-Tabarî, Vol.9, Page 148).
Clear proof. But some call it "love" to go beyond what they were commanded.
Excessive praise of a person is forbidden. It falls into shirk quickly. Doing anything in excess of what we were commanded to do, is exceeding the limits and oppressing oneself.
Hadith - Tirmidhi #417
A desert Arab came to Allah's Apostle and asked him about ablution. He demonstrated (washing each part of his body) thrice, and then said: That is (the method) of the ablution. And he who does more than this has done wrong, transgressed the limit and has oppressed (himself). [Transmitted by Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, and Abu Dawud transmitted something to the same effect.]
The Noble Qur'an - An-Nisa 4:171
O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, nor say of Allâh aught but the truth. ...
THOSE WHO SAY "I WILL LOVE HIM
MORE THAN YOU, BY BEING DISOBEDIENT"
We must not love the Prophet saaws more than other Prophets. And when Allah, swt, says:
Hadith - Bukhari 1:13, Narrated Abu Huraira
Allah's Apostle said, "By Him in Whose Hands my life is, none of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father and his children."
This means to love his WAYS, his SUNNAH - more than any family tie; remember, we show love by being obedient. For instance, you can't go hit someone on the head and then say "but I really love you." Or, like abusers do, beat up a spouse and call it an act of love (yes, some of them actually say that's WHY they did it!).
The Prophet Muhammad brought a great Message. He had a special role. But he, himself, was a man like any other - was poor, couldn't even read ----- except he was unique in piety. That can be said of all the Prophets and Messengers; they excelled in piety. This factor - piety - can be used. No other factor should be used to honor one person over another. So, we can say that all the Prophets were very pious people.
The Noble Qur'an - Al-Hujurat 49:13
O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).
Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #5198, Narrated AbuDharr [Ahmad transmitted it]
Allah's Messenger said to him, "You are not better than people with red or black skins unless you excel them in piety."
A common trait of modern sufism is to "love" the Prophet so much that they engage in shirk with this love. However, it's not really the proper level of love when it outright involves disobedience.
THE TWO EIDS REPLACE ALL HOLIDAYS
Hadith - Abu Dawood #1134, 1/675, Narrated Anas Bin Malik
The Prophet came to Medina with two days they played in.
The Prophet said, ‘What are these two days?’ They said, ‘These are two days we used to play in, in our Jahiliyah.’ The Prophet said, ‘Allah has replaced them with two better days: Eid Al Adhaa and Eid Al-Fitr’.
FATWA FROM SHEIKH BIN UTHAIMEEN
The eminent scholar Muhammad Salih bin Uthaimeen was asked concerning the celebration of the birthday of the Messenger of Allah (r), to which he responded:
To begin with, the exact day of birth of the Messenger of Allah (r) is not known with certainty. Rather, some contemporary researchers have confirmed that he died on the 9th of Rabee’ al-Awal and not the 12th (as is commonly believed), and thus there is no historical basis for specifying the 12th for celebration.
Furthermore, this celebration has no basis in the religious point of view, since if it was legislated, the Prophet would have performed it or informed his nation to do so. If he had performed it or informed his nation to do so, it would be necessary for it to have been preserved, since Allah (I) says:
“Verily It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Remembrance of the Qur`an) and surely, We will guard and preserve it (from corruption).” (al-Hijr: 9)
Since this was not narrated, we come to know that it is not from the religion of Allah. If it is not from the religion of Allah, then it is not allowed for us to worship Allah (U) and seek to come close to Him in this manner. If Allah (I) has made a particular path for us to follow to reach Him (and His pleasure), which is the path of the Messenger of Allah , how can it be permissible for us, while we are only slaves, to make another path which leads to Allah’s Pleasure from our own selves (and not revealed)? Indeed it is a great transgression against the right of Allah (U) to legislate in His religion that which is not part of it. Moreover, this entails a denial of what Allah (I) said in the Qur`an:
“This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion” (al- Ma`idah: 3)
If this celebration was from the Perfection of the Religion, it must have been in existence before the death of the Messenger of Allah (r). If it is not from the Perfection of the Religion, then it is not possible that it be from the religion, since Allah (I) said: “This day I have perfected your religion for you.” Whoever claims that it is from the Perfection of the Religion which occurred after the death of the Messenger of Allah , then his claim amounts to a denial of this verse of the Qur`an. Without doubt those who celebrate the birthday of the Messenger of Allah , only desire to magnify, extol and praise the Messenger , show their love for him, and increase their enthusiasm to bring out their feelings in this celebration for the Prophet . All of this is a form of worship. The love of the Messenger is a worship that is necessary for faith, since one’s faith is not complete until he loves the Messenger more than his own self, his son, his father, and all of humanity. Magnification, exaltation and praise of the Messenger of Allah for Allah’s sake is an act of worship and is from the religion, as is enthusiasm for the Messenger of Allah , since they draw one closer to Allah’s religion.
Thus it follows that celebration of the birthday of the Prophet in order to draw near to Allah and to extol His Messenger is regarded as an act of worship, and since it is an act of worship then it is never allowed to innovate anything new in religion which is not of it. Therefore, the celebration of the birthday is an innovation and prohibited. Also, we hear various reports that these celebrations contain many unlawful acts, which neither the religion, one’s senses, nor any reasonable intelligence deem permissible. They sing rhymes and poems which go to extremes in respect to the Messenger , so much so that they make him greater than Allah, and refuge is sought in Allah. We also hear about the foolishness of some of the participants, that when an orator tells the story of his birth and reaches the part of his delivery, they all stand up in attention together saying and believing that the soul and spirit of the Messenger of Allah , has appeared among them manifest, and that they stand out of respect. This is extreme folly and absurd superstition. Moreover, it is not mannerly to stand up for the Messenger of Allah since he used to dislike that. The Sahaabah, who loved and extolled the Messenger more than anyone else, would not stand for him while he was alive due to his hate for it, so how foolish is this baseless superstition?
The celebration of the birthday of the Messenger of Allah is a blatant innovation which never occurred until after the three righteous generations following the death of the Messenger of Allah , and it is full of undesired and wicked things which oppose the basis of the religion of Islam, moreover the mixing and integration of men and women together in one area and many other objectionable acts.
[Reference: Majmoo‘ah Fataawaa, Muhammad bin Salih al-Uthaimeen vol. 2/ p.297-300]
Stay safe, happy and protected.
Fee Amanillah.
Assalamualaikum
Celebrating the Prophet's birthday is bida (an innovation in the religion); the Prophet (saaws) did not instruct others to do it, and he didn't have companions around him doing it and then give any type of permission (including silent permission).
We are not to make distinction between any of the Prophets. Distinction in status, for instance. Like to say one is better than another. This leads to idol worship, similar to what the christians did when they began to worship Jesus instead of treat him as the Prophet he was. They just took it a step too far.. and kept running with it, up to what it is today.
The Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) has said: Do not over praise me as the Christians over-praised the son of Mary. I am His slave so say: 'Allah's slave and messenger' [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
What is important about each Prophet and/or Messenger is the MESSAGE.
THE DANGER OF INNOVATIONS IN THE DEEN
Hadith - Reported by an-Nasaa'ee (3/188).
"… The most truthful speech is the Book of Allaah. The best way is the way of Muhammad. The worst of affairs are the novelties and every novelty is an innovation and every innovation is misguidance and every misguidance is in the Fire." [Saheeh according to Sheikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan in-Nasaa'ee (no. 1487)]
MAKE NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN PROPHETS/MESSENGERS
The Noble Qur'an 2:285
The Messenger (Muhammad ) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allâh, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. They say, "We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers" - and they say, "We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all)."
The Noble Qur'an 2:136
Say (O Muslims), "We believe in Allâh and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibrâhim (Abraham), Ismâ'il (Ishmael), Ishâque (Isaac), Ya'qûb (Jacob), and to Al-Asbât [the twelve sons of Ya'qûb (Jacob)], and that which has been given to Mûsa (Moses) and 'Iesa (Jesus), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islâm)."
The Noble Qur'an 4:152
And those who believe in Allâh and His Messengers and make no distinction between any of them (Messengers), We shall give them their rewards, and Allâh is Ever Oft*!Forgiving, Most Merciful.
The Noble Qur'an 3:84
Say (O Muhammad ): "We believe in Allâh and in what has been sent down to us, and what was sent down to Ibrâhim (Abraham), Ismâ'il (Ishmael), Ishâque (Isaac), Ya'qûb (Jacob) and Al-Asbât [the twelve sons of Ya'qûb (Jacob)] and what was given to Mûsa (Moses), 'Iesa (Jesus) and the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between one another among them and to Him (Allâh) we have submitted (in Islâm)."
THE SHIRK OF EXCESSIVE PRAISE
So, now then, we say to those who insist on celebrating the Prophet's birthday.... with clear proof not to distinguish between the Prophets... why don't you celebrate ALL the Prophet's birthday's? Like Jesus'? You can do it on Dec. 25th or pick another date if you want. Oh, I see, you know better than to celebrate Jesus' birthday?? Maybe the reasons you shouldn't be celebrating Jesus' birthday, are the same reasons not to celebrate Muhammad's birthday?
The Noble Qur'an 7:190
But when He gave them a Sâlih (good in every aspect) child, they ascribed partners to Him (Allâh) in that which He has given to them. High be Allâh, Exalted above all that they ascribe as partners to Him. (Tafsir At-Tabarî, Vol.9, Page 148).
Clear proof. But some call it "love" to go beyond what they were commanded.
Excessive praise of a person is forbidden. It falls into shirk quickly. Doing anything in excess of what we were commanded to do, is exceeding the limits and oppressing oneself.
Hadith - Tirmidhi #417
A desert Arab came to Allah's Apostle and asked him about ablution. He demonstrated (washing each part of his body) thrice, and then said: That is (the method) of the ablution. And he who does more than this has done wrong, transgressed the limit and has oppressed (himself). [Transmitted by Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, and Abu Dawud transmitted something to the same effect.]
The Noble Qur'an - An-Nisa 4:171
O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, nor say of Allâh aught but the truth. ...
THOSE WHO SAY "I WILL LOVE HIM
MORE THAN YOU, BY BEING DISOBEDIENT"
We must not love the Prophet saaws more than other Prophets. And when Allah, swt, says:
Hadith - Bukhari 1:13, Narrated Abu Huraira
Allah's Apostle said, "By Him in Whose Hands my life is, none of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father and his children."
This means to love his WAYS, his SUNNAH - more than any family tie; remember, we show love by being obedient. For instance, you can't go hit someone on the head and then say "but I really love you." Or, like abusers do, beat up a spouse and call it an act of love (yes, some of them actually say that's WHY they did it!).
The Prophet Muhammad brought a great Message. He had a special role. But he, himself, was a man like any other - was poor, couldn't even read ----- except he was unique in piety. That can be said of all the Prophets and Messengers; they excelled in piety. This factor - piety - can be used. No other factor should be used to honor one person over another. So, we can say that all the Prophets were very pious people.
The Noble Qur'an - Al-Hujurat 49:13
O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).
Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #5198, Narrated AbuDharr [Ahmad transmitted it]
Allah's Messenger said to him, "You are not better than people with red or black skins unless you excel them in piety."
A common trait of modern sufism is to "love" the Prophet so much that they engage in shirk with this love. However, it's not really the proper level of love when it outright involves disobedience.
THE TWO EIDS REPLACE ALL HOLIDAYS
Hadith - Abu Dawood #1134, 1/675, Narrated Anas Bin Malik
The Prophet came to Medina with two days they played in.
The Prophet said, ‘What are these two days?’ They said, ‘These are two days we used to play in, in our Jahiliyah.’ The Prophet said, ‘Allah has replaced them with two better days: Eid Al Adhaa and Eid Al-Fitr’.
FATWA FROM SHEIKH BIN UTHAIMEEN
The eminent scholar Muhammad Salih bin Uthaimeen was asked concerning the celebration of the birthday of the Messenger of Allah (r), to which he responded:
To begin with, the exact day of birth of the Messenger of Allah (r) is not known with certainty. Rather, some contemporary researchers have confirmed that he died on the 9th of Rabee’ al-Awal and not the 12th (as is commonly believed), and thus there is no historical basis for specifying the 12th for celebration.
Furthermore, this celebration has no basis in the religious point of view, since if it was legislated, the Prophet would have performed it or informed his nation to do so. If he had performed it or informed his nation to do so, it would be necessary for it to have been preserved, since Allah (I) says:
“Verily It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Remembrance of the Qur`an) and surely, We will guard and preserve it (from corruption).” (al-Hijr: 9)
Since this was not narrated, we come to know that it is not from the religion of Allah. If it is not from the religion of Allah, then it is not allowed for us to worship Allah (U) and seek to come close to Him in this manner. If Allah (I) has made a particular path for us to follow to reach Him (and His pleasure), which is the path of the Messenger of Allah , how can it be permissible for us, while we are only slaves, to make another path which leads to Allah’s Pleasure from our own selves (and not revealed)? Indeed it is a great transgression against the right of Allah (U) to legislate in His religion that which is not part of it. Moreover, this entails a denial of what Allah (I) said in the Qur`an:
“This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion” (al- Ma`idah: 3)
If this celebration was from the Perfection of the Religion, it must have been in existence before the death of the Messenger of Allah (r). If it is not from the Perfection of the Religion, then it is not possible that it be from the religion, since Allah (I) said: “This day I have perfected your religion for you.” Whoever claims that it is from the Perfection of the Religion which occurred after the death of the Messenger of Allah , then his claim amounts to a denial of this verse of the Qur`an. Without doubt those who celebrate the birthday of the Messenger of Allah , only desire to magnify, extol and praise the Messenger , show their love for him, and increase their enthusiasm to bring out their feelings in this celebration for the Prophet . All of this is a form of worship. The love of the Messenger is a worship that is necessary for faith, since one’s faith is not complete until he loves the Messenger more than his own self, his son, his father, and all of humanity. Magnification, exaltation and praise of the Messenger of Allah for Allah’s sake is an act of worship and is from the religion, as is enthusiasm for the Messenger of Allah , since they draw one closer to Allah’s religion.
Thus it follows that celebration of the birthday of the Prophet in order to draw near to Allah and to extol His Messenger is regarded as an act of worship, and since it is an act of worship then it is never allowed to innovate anything new in religion which is not of it. Therefore, the celebration of the birthday is an innovation and prohibited. Also, we hear various reports that these celebrations contain many unlawful acts, which neither the religion, one’s senses, nor any reasonable intelligence deem permissible. They sing rhymes and poems which go to extremes in respect to the Messenger , so much so that they make him greater than Allah, and refuge is sought in Allah. We also hear about the foolishness of some of the participants, that when an orator tells the story of his birth and reaches the part of his delivery, they all stand up in attention together saying and believing that the soul and spirit of the Messenger of Allah , has appeared among them manifest, and that they stand out of respect. This is extreme folly and absurd superstition. Moreover, it is not mannerly to stand up for the Messenger of Allah since he used to dislike that. The Sahaabah, who loved and extolled the Messenger more than anyone else, would not stand for him while he was alive due to his hate for it, so how foolish is this baseless superstition?
The celebration of the birthday of the Messenger of Allah is a blatant innovation which never occurred until after the three righteous generations following the death of the Messenger of Allah , and it is full of undesired and wicked things which oppose the basis of the religion of Islam, moreover the mixing and integration of men and women together in one area and many other objectionable acts.
[Reference: Majmoo‘ah Fataawaa, Muhammad bin Salih al-Uthaimeen vol. 2/ p.297-300]
Stay safe, happy and protected.
Fee Amanillah. Assalamualaikum
