What is the significance of the Prophet's Birthday and when and how is it celebrated?
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly,
Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is the Messenger
of Allaah to all of mankind, the one through whom Allaah leads people
from darkness into light, from misguidance to guidance. Please see
question no. 11575. Perhaps this question is the start of your research
into the religion of Islam and your attempt to learn more and read
widely about it. Try to find a translation of the meanings of the
Qur’aan so that you can learn more about this pure monotheistic
religion. No doubt our joy will be multiplied if you become our sister
in Islam by entering this religion.
Secondly, acts of worship in
Islam are based on an important principle, which is that no one is
permitted to worship Allaah in any way except that which Allaah has
prescribed in his Book or which was taught by His Messenger Muhammad
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Whoever worships Allaah by
doing something that Allaah and His Messenger have not enjoined, Allaah
will not accept that from him. The Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) told us of that, as it was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah
(may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever innovates something
in this matter of ours [i.e., Islam] that is not part of it will have
it rejected.’” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, Kitaab al-Sulh, 2499).
Acts of worship include
festivals. Allaah has prescribed two festivals or Eids for us to
celebrate, and it is not permissible for us to celebrate any others.
(Please see question no. 486).
With regard to celebrating the
day on which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
was born, it should be noted that he (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) did not tell us to celebrate this day, and he himself (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not celebrate it, nor did his
companions (may Allaah be pleased with them). They loved the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) far more than we do, yet
despite that they did not celebrate this day. Hence we do not celebrate
this day, in obedience to the command of Allaah Who has commanded us to
follow the commands of His Prophet. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
“And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it)” [al-Hashr 59:7]
And the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I urge you to adhere to my
Sunnah [way] and the way of the Rightly-Guided khaleefahs. Adhere to it
and cling tightly to it. And beware of newly-invented matters [in
religion], for every newly-invented matter is an innovation and every
innovation is a going-astray.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, al-Sunnah,
3991; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, no. 3851).
The extent to which a person
loves the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) is to be seen in how he follows him with regard to all that he
commanded or forbade. That includes following him in not celebrating
the day on which he was born. See question no. 5219, 10070.
Whoever wants to venerate the
day on which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
was born should follow the alternative that is based on Islamic
evidence, which is that one should fast on Mondays, not just the day
that he was born but every Monday.
]It was narrated from Abu
Qutaadah al-Ansaari (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger
of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about
fasting on Mondays. He said, “On that day I was born and on that day
the Revelation came to me.” (Narrated by Muslim, 1978). On Thursdays
deeds are taken up and shown to Allaah.
Conclusion: celebrating the
Prophet’s birthday was not prescribed by Allaah or by the Messenger of
Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), so it is not
permissible for the Muslims to celebrate his birthday, in obedience to
the command of Allaah and the command of His Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him).
We ask Allaah to guide you to the Straight Path.
And Allaah knows best.
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
