✦ Introduction
This article is derived from the book by Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi, highlighting the lack of authenticity and historical basis for celebrating Eid Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ. It establishes that this practice is not supported by the Qur’an, Hadith, or the actions of the Salaf al-Salihīn.❖ The Absence of Mawlid in the Early Generations
✔ The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ lived for 23 years after the commencement of revelation. Not once did he declare his birthday an occasion of Eid.✔ Neither the Rightly Guided Caliphs, nor the Companions, nor the four great Imams (Abu Hanifa, Malik, Shafi’i, and Ahmad bin Hanbal) commemorated this day as an Eid.
✔ If it had been part of the Deen, the Prophet ﷺ would have instructed its observance, and the early generations would have practiced it.
❖ Historical Origins of Mawlid Celebration
The first institutionalization of Mawlid occurred among the Fatimid rulers, known for their Rafidi beliefs:❖ Al-Maqrizi writes that the Fatimid calendar included multiple "birthdays":
- The Prophet ﷺ
- Ali ibn Abi Talib
- Fatimah al-Zahra
- Hasan and Husayn
- The current ruling caliph
➤ Later, in Erbil, King Al-Muzaffar Abu Sa'id Kokaboori adopted this practice. He was influenced by Omar bin Muhammad al-Mulla, a known Sufi figure.
❖ Character of King Kokaboori
✦ Historians describe him as oppressive and extravagant.✦ He employed Abu al-Khattab Ibn Dihya al-Andalusi to compile a book on Mawlid, rewarding him with 1,000 dinars.
✦ Ibn Dihya is labeled by Hadith scholars as unreliable and a fabricator.
❖ Scholarly Condemnation of Mawlid
✔ Taj al-Din al-Fakihani:"I find no basis in the Book of Allah or the Sunnah for Mawlid... it is a bid'ah (innovation) invented by people seeking worldly pleasures."
(Al-Hawi lil-Fatawi)
✔ Ibn Taymiyyah:
"The early righteous generations never celebrated Mawlid... Had it been good, they would have preceded us. True love for the Prophet ﷺ is through obedience to his Sunnah and propagation of his message."
(Iqtidā’ al-Ṣirāṭ al-Mustaqīm)
❖ Refutation of Arguments in Favor of Mawlid
➤ Argument 1: Abu Lahab and the freeing of Thuwaybah
❖ Hadith Reference: Abu Lahab was seen in a dream claiming to receive relief for freeing Thuwaybah after the Prophet’s birth.Response:
◈ This is a non-prophetic dream, and dreams are not sources of law.
◈ Quran confirms no reward or relief for disbelievers:
﴿وَقَدِمْنَا إِلَىٰ مَا عَمِلُوا مِنْ عَمَلٍ فَجَعَلْنَاهُ هَبَاءً مَّنثُورًا﴾ (Al-Furqan: 23)
﴿تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ﴾ (Al-Lahab: 1)
➤ Argument 2: Rejoicing upon Allah’s mercy
﴿قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهِ فَبِذَٰلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُوا﴾ (Yunus: 58)Response:
◈ The majority of Mufassirun (Ibn Kathir, Al-Tabari, etc.) interpret this verse as referring to the Qur'an, not the Prophet’s birthday.
◈ Rejoicing by dancing, parading, music, and singing is not the interpretation endorsed by any Mufassir.
➤ Argument 3: Expressing gratitude for the Prophet’s birth
﴿وَأَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْ﴾ (Al-Duha: 11)Response:
◈ The Prophet ﷺ expressed this gratitude by fasting on Mondays, not by gatherings, recitations, or celebrations.
“That is the day I was born and revelation came to me.” (Sahih Muslim)
◈ Fasting indicates that the day is not an Eid, as Eid days are exempt from fasting.
❖ Connection to Christian Influence
✔ Mawlid celebrations bear striking resemblance to Christian Christmas.✔ Celebrations, processions, songs, and the concept of divine presence are all borrowed elements, imitating the Nasaara (Christians).
❖ Glorification Beyond Limits
"Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians exaggerated in praising Jesus the son of Mary..." (Sahih Bukhari)✔ The excessive praises in many Mawlid gatherings cross into shirk and un-Islamic practices, including:
- Belief in the Prophet's physical presence
- Asking him directly for aid
- Musical entertainment and gender mixing
❖ The Danger of Innovations
“Every newly invented matter is a bid'ah, and every bid'ah is misguidance.” (Hadith)✔ What begins as love transforms into deviation, as seen in many present-day practices.
❖ Conclusion
✦ True love for the Prophet ﷺ is not shown through unauthentic celebrations, but by following his Sunnah, upholding his teachings, and refraining from innovations.﴿قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي﴾ (Aal Imran: 31)
May Allah protect the Muslim Ummah from all innovations, deviations, and imitations, and grant us sincerity in following the Qur’an and Sunnah. آمین
