Source: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
What is the Islamic ruling on celebrating ‘Eid al-Umm (Mother’s Day)?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd!
All such festivals that contradict the prescribed Islamic Eids are innovations (bidʿah) and newly introduced practices. These Eids were unknown during the era of the pious predecessors (Salaf Ṣāliḥīn). Some of these celebrations may have originated among non-Muslim nations, containing an element of imitating the enemies of Allah.
In Islam, only three Eids are recognised and legislated:
❀ Eid al-Fiṭr
❀ Eid al-Aḍḥā
❀ Jumuʿah (the weekly Eid)
Anything besides these three is not permissible in Islam. Any newly introduced Eid is rejected and invalid, as the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«مَنْ اَحْدَثَ فِی اَمْرِنَا هٰذَا مَا لَيْسَ مِنْهُ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-ʿIlm, Ḥadīth: 2697; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Aqḍiyah, Ḥadīth: 1718)
“Whoever introduces into this matter of ours that which is not from it, it is rejected.”
And in another narration:
«مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلًا لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ اَمْرُنَا فَهُوَ رَدٌّ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Aqḍiyah, Ḥadīth: 1718)
“Whoever does an action that is not in accordance with our matter (Shari'ah), it is rejected.”
From the above, it is clear that celebrating ‘Eid al-Umm (Mother’s Day) is not permissible in Shari'ah. Treating this day as an Eid by showing joy, exchanging gifts, and giving congratulatory messages is not allowed.
❀ A Muslim must take pride in his religion.
❀ Follow only those ways and limits that Allah ﷻ and His Messenger ﷺ have prescribed.
❀ Hold firmly to the religion that Allah ﷻ has chosen for His servants.
❀ Neither add to it nor subtract from it.
❀ Avoid blind imitation and refrain from following others; instead:
◈ Strengthen one’s personality according to the Shari'ah.
◈ Become an example for others rather than their follower.
Allah’s law is complete in every respect, as He says:
﴿اليَومَ أَكمَلتُ لَكُم دينَكُم وَأَتمَمتُ عَلَيكُم نِعمَتى وَرَضيتُ لَكُمُ الإِسلـمَ دينًا﴾
(Sūrat al-Māʾidah, 3)
“Today I have perfected for you your religion, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.”
Limiting the honour of the mother to a single day in the year is in fact diminishing her great right. In Islam, the mother’s due is that:
❀ The child should always show her respect and reverence.
❀ Take care of her needs at all times.
❀ Make obedience and service to her a lifelong practice — so long as it does not involve disobedience to Allah ﷻ.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
Question
What is the Islamic ruling on celebrating ‘Eid al-Umm (Mother’s Day)?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd!
All such festivals that contradict the prescribed Islamic Eids are innovations (bidʿah) and newly introduced practices. These Eids were unknown during the era of the pious predecessors (Salaf Ṣāliḥīn). Some of these celebrations may have originated among non-Muslim nations, containing an element of imitating the enemies of Allah.
In Islam, only three Eids are recognised and legislated:
❀ Eid al-Fiṭr
❀ Eid al-Aḍḥā
❀ Jumuʿah (the weekly Eid)
Anything besides these three is not permissible in Islam. Any newly introduced Eid is rejected and invalid, as the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«مَنْ اَحْدَثَ فِی اَمْرِنَا هٰذَا مَا لَيْسَ مِنْهُ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-ʿIlm, Ḥadīth: 2697; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Aqḍiyah, Ḥadīth: 1718)
“Whoever introduces into this matter of ours that which is not from it, it is rejected.”
And in another narration:
«مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلًا لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ اَمْرُنَا فَهُوَ رَدٌّ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Aqḍiyah, Ḥadīth: 1718)
“Whoever does an action that is not in accordance with our matter (Shari'ah), it is rejected.”
Ruling on Mother’s Day
From the above, it is clear that celebrating ‘Eid al-Umm (Mother’s Day) is not permissible in Shari'ah. Treating this day as an Eid by showing joy, exchanging gifts, and giving congratulatory messages is not allowed.
Responsibilities of a Muslim
❀ A Muslim must take pride in his religion.
❀ Follow only those ways and limits that Allah ﷻ and His Messenger ﷺ have prescribed.
❀ Hold firmly to the religion that Allah ﷻ has chosen for His servants.
❀ Neither add to it nor subtract from it.
❀ Avoid blind imitation and refrain from following others; instead:
◈ Strengthen one’s personality according to the Shari'ah.
◈ Become an example for others rather than their follower.
Allah’s law is complete in every respect, as He says:
﴿اليَومَ أَكمَلتُ لَكُم دينَكُم وَأَتمَمتُ عَلَيكُم نِعمَتى وَرَضيتُ لَكُمُ الإِسلـمَ دينًا﴾
(Sūrat al-Māʾidah, 3)
“Today I have perfected for you your religion, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.”
The True Right of the Mother
Limiting the honour of the mother to a single day in the year is in fact diminishing her great right. In Islam, the mother’s due is that:
❀ The child should always show her respect and reverence.
❀ Take care of her needs at all times.
❀ Make obedience and service to her a lifelong practice — so long as it does not involve disobedience to Allah ﷻ.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
