[SOURCE]Source: Sermons of Hafiz Muhammad Ishaq Zahid, compiled by: Tauheed.com[/SOURCE]
The true success of a Muslim lies in obeying and complying with Allah Almighty and His Messenger ﷺ, following the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Prophetic Hadiths regarding Allah and the Holy Prophet ﷺ, and not violating or disobeying them.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَمَن يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ يُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ ﴿١٣﴾ وَمَن يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيَتَعَدَّ حُدُودَهُ يُدْخِلْهُ نَارًا خَالِدًا فِيهَا وَلَهُ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ ﴿١٤﴾
"Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, He will admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. And that is the great success. But whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger ﷺ and transgresses His limits, He will admit him to the Fire, wherein they will abide forever, and for them is a humiliating punishment."
In these noble verses, observe that Allah Almighty has given the glad tidings of Paradise to the person who obeys and complies, and conversely, has warned the person who disobeys and violates with the threat of Hell. Therefore, every Muslim should introspect and examine themselves to see which path they are on: the path that leads to Paradise or, God forbid, the path that leads to Hell?
How will one obey Allah Almighty? His obedience will be through reading, teaching, learning, instructing the Quran, reflecting upon it, and making it the way of life.
And how can the obedience of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, be achieved? It is by studying the blessed hadiths of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and acting upon them. Whether it is beliefs, acts of worship, transactions, or morals and character, in every field, the Prophet, peace be upon him, should be followed. His pure biography should be read and efforts should be made to practically implement it in one’s life.
It is well known to everyone that obedience to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, is actually obedience to Allah, because He sent the Prophet, peace be upon him, to us as a Messenger and made him a perfect example for us, commanding us to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet, peace be upon him.
And it is certain that the success and prosperity in this world and the hereafter lie in obeying Allah Almighty and His Messenger صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and in following the Quran and Hadith. But the question is, in this regard, whom should we consider as our standard? And whom should we regard as the ideal?
We must consider those persons as the standard and ideal whom Allah Almighty Himself has declared as the standard and ideal, and they are the first Muslims of this Ummah who believed upon seeing the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. Those to whom Allah Almighty gave the glad tidings of Paradise, whose pleasure He declared, whom He chose alongside His most beloved Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, and who were granted the honor of seeing the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and directly hearing the words of Allah and the blessed Hadith from his lips... that is, the Companions of the Prophet رضی اللہ عنہم.
◄ Those Companions رضی اللہ عنہم whose sincere faith Allah Almighty has declared as the standard for others. Allah the Exalted says:
﴿فَإِنْ آمَنُوا بِمِثْلِ مَا آمَنتُم بِهِ فَقَدِ اهْتَدَوا ۖ وَّإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّمَا هُمْ فِي شِقَاقٍ﴾
"So if these people also believe as you have believed, they will be rightly guided; but if they turn away (and do not believe), they are only opposing you.
◄ Those noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) who, after abandoning their path and choosing another, were warned by Allah Almighty with the threat of Hellfire. Allah's command is:
﴿وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ الرَّسُولَ مِن بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ الْهُدَىٰ وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ نُوَلِّهِ مَا تَوَلَّىٰ وَنُصْلِهِ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ وَسَاءَتْ مَصِيرًا ﴿١١٥﴾
"And whoever opposes the Messenger after the right path has become clear to him and follows a way other than that of the believers, We will let him go on in the way he has chosen, and cast him into Hell—what an evil destination!
In this noble verse, the path of the believers refers to the path of the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), because at the time of the revelation of the Qur'an, they were the only believers."
The summary of this brief introduction is that Muslims should keep the Quran and Hadith before them in practical life and, in this regard, seek guidance from the conduct of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) regarding how they acted upon the Quran and Hadith, because Allah Almighty has designated these personalities as the standard of truth.
Especially in contentious issues, it is necessary that these matters be resolved in the light of the Quran, Hadith, and the conduct of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and the decision should not be made according to one’s desires or specific opinions, but solely and only according to the Quran and Hadith. Just as the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would humble themselves before the Quran and Hadith in contentious matters, and as they considered argument and dispute impermissible after clear texts were known, similarly, we should also adopt this approach and bow in submission before the Quran and Hadith.
Allah Almighty has mentioned this very principle for resolving disputed matters in His final Book. It is stated:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ ۖ فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا ﴿٥٩﴾
"O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result."
In this verse, ﴿ فِی شَیْیٔ﴾ is indefinite and it comes after the condition ﴿فَإِنْ تَنَازَعْتُمْ﴾. In the Arabic language, when this style is used, it implies generality. It means that if there is a disagreement on any issue of principles or branches, the solution should be sought by referring to the Book and the Sunnah. Otherwise, if the solution to all disputed issues was not in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet, Allah would never have commanded to refer to them.
Similarly, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also emphasized this point. The noble saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is:
(( أُوْصِیْکُمْ بِتَقْوَی اللّٰہِ وَالسَّمْعِ وَالطَّاعَةِ وَإِنْ عَبْدًا حَبَشِیًّا فَإِنَّہُ مَنْ یَّعِشْ مِنْکُمْ بَعْدِیْ فَسَیَرَی اخْتِلَافًا کَثِیْرًافَعَلَیْکُمْ بِسُنَّتِی وَسُنَّةِ الْخُلَفَاءِ الْمَہْدِیِّیْنَ الرَّاشِدِیْنَ تَمَسَّکُوْا بِہَا وَعَضُّوْا عَلَیْہَا بِالنَّوَاجِدِ وَإِیَّاکُمْ وَمُحْدَثَاتِ الْأُمُوْرِ َإِنَّ کُلَّ مُحْدَثَةٍ بِدْعَةٌوَکُلَّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ ))
"I command you to fear Allah, to listen and obey, even if an Abyssinian slave is placed over you. And after me, whoever among you lives long will see much discord. So hold firmly to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of my rightly guided caliphs. Hold onto it tightly and do not let it go. And avoid innovating new matters in the religion, for every innovation is a misguidance."
When both
In this hadith, reflect that our beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, first mentioned his Sunnah and the method of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, may Allah be pleased with them, then forbade the invention of new practices and declared every new practice as an innovation and misguidance. This is evidence that when Muslims abandon the Prophetic Sunnah and the practices of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, they will invent new practices in religion, fall into innovations, and stray from the straight path. This is the current state of Muslims. واﷲ المستعان
One of the controversial issues is the celebration of the Prophet’s birth on the twelfth of Rabi' al-Awwal. Accordingly, many Muslims celebrate the blessed birth of the Prophet, peace be upon him, every year on the twelfth of Rabi' al-Awwal as Eid Milad-un-Nabi and hold festivities. Buildings are illuminated, flags are hoisted, gatherings for reciting naats are organized, and in some countries, it is observed as an official holiday.
Keeping in mind the preliminary points we have just mentioned in the light of the Quran and Hadith, we need to see whether there is any evidence of the 'Mawlid celebration' in the Quran and Hadith? Did the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ celebrate his own birth or encourage it? Did any of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, may Allah be pleased with them, celebrate the Mawlid during their caliphate or declare the day of birth as an Eid? Was there any concept of this 'Eid' in the early centuries?
If the Quran, Hadith, and the history of the early centuries are studied with complete honesty, the answers to all these questions are found as follows:
◄ There is no evidence of a Mawlid celebration or Eid of birth in the Quran and Hadith.
◄ Neither did the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ celebrate his own birth nor did he encourage it.
◄ Then, none of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, may Allah be pleased with them, during their caliphate celebrated the blessed birth of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, officially or unofficially, nor did they declare the day of birth as an Eid. Although there is no doubt that they loved the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, the most, and if they had wished, they could have done so because the government was in their hands.
◄ The early centuries, meaning the time of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, the Followers (Tabi‘in), may Allah have mercy on them, and the Followers of the Followers (Taba‘ Tabi‘in), may Allah have mercy on them, whom the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, described as the best people, in that era, people had no concept of this Eid and they did not celebrate this festival.
Moreover, the respected Imams of the religion of this Ummah, may Allah have mercy on them, also had no concept of this Eid, nor did they celebrate it, nor did they instruct their students to do so.
The celebration of Eid Milad-un-Nabi was initiated by Abu Saeed Kokaburi bin Abi al-Hasan Ali bin Muhammad, titled Al-Malik al-Mu'azzam Muzaffar al-Din Arbil (Mosul), who died on 18 Ramadan 630 AH. This king spent money lavishly on these gatherings and organized musical and entertainment sessions with instruments.
Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi writes: Historians have explicitly stated that the king gathered jesters and singers, listened to singing with musical instruments, and danced himself. There is no doubt about the immorality and misguidance of such a person. How can the actions of such a person be considered permissible, and how can his words be trusted!
They also say: The brief nature of this immorality and the invention of this innovation is that in the arrangement of the Milad gathering, twenty large, splendid wooden pavilions were built, and each pavilion had five tiers. From the beginning of the month of Safar, they would decorate them, and in each tier, a group of singers of raags, singers of tappeh and khayal, musicians, performers of plays and spectacles, and dancers would be seated. The king, Muzaffaruddin, himself, along with thousands of people from the vicinity, would go to these pavilions every day after Asr prayer, listen to the dances and performances, enjoy himself, and dance himself. Then, in his own pavilion, he would remain engaged all night in entertainment and amusement. Two days before the days of Milad, he would bring out countless camels, cows, goats, along with drums and musical instruments that he had, slaughter them in the field, prepare all kinds of food, feed the gatherings of amusement, and on the night of Milad, he would have numerous raags sung in the fort.
This was its originator. And as for the person who issued the fatwa permitting it, his name is Abu al-Khattab Umar ibn al-Hasan, known as Ibn Wahyah al-Kalbi, who died in 633 AH.
Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, writes:
"Ibn Najjar says that I found all people unanimous on its falsehood and weakness."
"He was one who insulted the Imams of the religion and the pious predecessors and had a foul tongue. He was very foolish and arrogant and very careless in matters of religion."
This was the person who, when he saw the gathering of Milad being held in the country of Arbil, not only issued a fatwa permitting it but also collected material for it and wrote a book called "At-Tanweer fi Mawlid as-Siraj al-Muneer." He presented it to the king of Arbil, who rewarded him with a thousand Ashrafis as a gift.
All these facts prove that the celebration of the blessed birth of the Holy Prophet ﷺ began approximately six hundred years after his passing. Therefore, consider this carefully: when there is no evidence of this celebration in the Quran and Hadith, nor is it seen in the practices of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), nor is there any concept of it in the entire early history, and the Imams of the religion (may Allah have mercy on them) were not in favor of it, then why are today's Muslims so insistent on celebrating it? Did all those people not have love and devotion for the Holy Prophet ﷺ, as the people of this era claim? If they did, and certainly their love was far greater than these people, then why did they not celebrate the birth of the Prophet ﷺ?
Here, another very important point is that whatever the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did not perform as an act of worship cannot be a part of the religion, nor is it befitting for any Muslim to consider it as part of the religion or as a good deed. For example, the Prophet ﷺ did not call the Adhan for the Eid prayers or the funeral prayer, nor did the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, have any such practice. When the Prophet ﷺ did not call it and the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, did not have it, then it is not permissible for any Muslim until the Day of Judgment to consider it part of the religion or an act of worship. What is the reason for this? Is there not glorification of Allah and mention of Allah in the Adhan? Certainly, the Adhan contains glorification and exaltation of Allah, but it is not prescribed before the Eid prayers and the funeral prayer. Similarly, regarding the issue of the 'Mawlid celebration,' when the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did not celebrate this festival, nor did the Rightly Guided Caliphs, may Allah be pleased with them, then it is not correct to consider it part of the religion or a rewarding act until the Day of Judgment.
That is why Hazrat Hudhaifa (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
(کُلُّ عِبَادَۃٍ لَمْ یَتَعَبَّدْهَا أَصْحَابُ رَسُوْلِ اللّٰہِ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم فَلاَ تَعْبُدُوْهَا)
Do not consider any act of worship as worship if the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) did not practice it.
And Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
(اِتَّبِعُوْا وَلاَ تَبْتَدِعُوْا فَقَدْ کُفِیْتُمْ عَلَیْکُمْ بِالْأَمْرِ الْعَتِیْقِ) "You should only follow and do not innovate new things in the religion because you have been protected from that, and you must adhere to what was already established (from the time of the noble Companions, may Allah be pleased with them)."
What we have discussed so far, although sufficient to make a serious and honest person understand that the established Shariah does not recognize the festival of Milad-un-Nabi (peace be upon him), for further clarification, we now want to state some principles agreed upon by all Muslims, based on which it will not be difficult to conclude that the established festival of Milad-un-Nabi (peace be upon him) is a new innovation (bid'ah) in the religion.
One of the important characteristics of Islam is that it is a complete religion, and it contains clear teachings regarding all issues that arise in every aspect of life. Therefore, the Lawgiver has left no room for anyone to make additions or omissions in it… But it is regrettable that today Muslims are not only deviating from the established teachings of Islam but are also incorporating unproven things into it and considering them to be the true Islam. Whereas when the religion is complete and its instructions are clear, universal, and everlasting, how can it be correct to invent new practices and make them a part of it?
The command of Allah the Exalted is:
﴿الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا ۚ ﴾
“Today I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved Islam as religion for you.”
So it is a great favor of Allah, the Lord of Glory, that He has completed our religion for us; otherwise, if it had been left incomplete, everyone would have altered it as they wished, and thus the religion would have become a toy in the hands of people. You can understand the value of this great favor of Allah, the Lord of Glory, from a narration in the Sahihayn
Similarly, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: ((مَا بَقِیَ شَیٌْ یُقَرِّبُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ وَیُبَاعِدُ مِنَ النَّارِ إِلَّا وَقَدْ بُیِّنَ لَکُمْ ))
"Every matter that brings one closer to Paradise and distances one from Hell has been explained to you."
He also said: (( مَا تَرَکْتُ شَیْئًا مِمَّا أَمَرَکُمُ اللّٰہُ بِهِ إِلَّا قَدْ أَمَرْتُکُمْ بِهِ وَمَا تَرَکْتُ شَیْئًا مِمَّا نَہَاکُمْ عَنْہُ إِلَّا قَدْ نَہَیْتُکُمْ عَنْہُ))
"Whatever deeds Allah has commanded you to do, I have also commanded you to do all of them. And whatever deeds Allah has forbidden you from, I have also forbidden you from all of them."
From these blessed hadiths, it is understood that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did not leave any good or righteous deed without commanding the Ummah to perform it. Nor did he leave any evil or sinful act without forbidding the Ummah from it.
Therefore, after knowing this, it is not difficult to reach the conclusion that every action which people consider to be an act of goodness and welfare cannot be considered as such until there is a proven command or encouragement from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ regarding it. Similarly, an act is not considered bad unless there is a proven statement from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about it. In other words, the criterion for recognizing good and evil is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ; no one has the taste or desire to include any act in religion as good according to their own opinion or to declare any act bad according to their own will.
Then one should also consider whether by inventing new practices and including them in the religion, it does not necessarily imply that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, (God forbid) did not convey the entire religion to the people, and that some good deeds were left out by him and those who followed him, which leaves room for deficiency and excess in the religion even now? Certainly, this implication arises.
That is why Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
"Whoever innovates in Islam an innovation which he considers good, has claimed that Muhammad, peace be upon him, betrayed the message. Recite the statement of Allah, the Blessed and Exalted: ﴿الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا ۚ ﴾ 'And the religion of this nation will not be rectified except by that which rectified its first.' What was not religion at that time will not be religion today."
’’Whoever innovates something in Islam and then thinks that it is a good deed, it is as if he claimed that Muhammad ﷺ was negligent in conveying the message of prophethood (i.e., he did not deliver the complete religion). Read Allah’s command: (Translation) ’’Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen Islam as your religion.’’ … Then Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, said: The last people of this Ummah can only be correct with what the first people of this Ummah were correct. And an act that was not part of the religion at that time cannot be part of the religion today.
Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "An act which was not part of the religion at that time cannot be part of the religion today either." People until the Day of Judgment should keep this in mind and seek evidence for every religious issue from the early generations. If evidence is found from that time, then it should be acted upon; otherwise, it should absolutely not be considered part of the religion.
No one can deny the fact that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, was the most pious and the greatest worshipper. Therefore, one should only act upon the acts of worship established from him, and should not dare to include any new form of worship in the religion to surpass him.
When these words reached the Prophet (peace be upon him), he came to them and said:
(( اَنْتُمُ الَّذِیْنَ قُلْتُمْ کَذَا وَکَذَا ؟ أَمَا وَاللّٰہِ إِنِّی لَأَخْشَاکُمْ لِلّٰہِ وَأَتْقَاکُمْ لَہُ لٰکِنِّی أَصُوْمُ وَأُفْطِرُوَأُصَلِّیْ وَأَرْقُدُوَأَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَائَ فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِی فَلَیْسَ مِنِّی ))
"Is it you who have said these things? You should know that I am the most God-fearing and the most pious among you. I fast and I also break my fast, I stand in prayer at night and I also sleep, and I marry women. Therefore, whoever turns away from my way will not be from me."
In this hadith, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, first mentioned his status that he is the most pious and the greatest worshipper among all people. Then he explained his method of practice and after that declared that anyone who turns away from this method and adopts another way has no relation with him. This proves that one should only practice those acts of worship that are proven from the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and no act should be considered worship unless it is established from him, peace be upon him.
These three principles are sufficient to make us understand that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, left no room for any deficiency or addition in the religion. And that innovating new acts in the religion and practicing them is forbidden.
And based on these three principles, we say that the commonly practiced Eid Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ has no status in Shariah and is not a part of the religion. Because if it were a part of the religion, there would definitely be evidence of it in the Quran, Hadith, and the practices of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and the Holy Prophet ﷺ would have given clear instructions to his Ummah regarding it, just as he gave clear instructions about Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
If the Milad gathering is examined from another perspective, it is not only an innovation but also encompasses many immoralities, such as the mixing of men and women, the use of musical instruments, the dancing of young people to the beats of the tabla and dholak, and dozens of such vices that are adopted thinking they are rewarded under the name of Milad gathering. And then, in these gatherings, many scenes of committing the greatest sin (shirk) can also be seen.
Exaggeration is used in the praise of the Prophet ﷺ. Help and assistance are sought from someone other than Allah. And this belief is loudly proclaimed that the Prophet ﷺ also knew the unseen. Whereas this is an attribute of Allah and His exclusive characteristic.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( إِیَّاکُمْ وَالْغُلُوَّ فِی الدِّیْنِ فَإِنَّمَا أَھْلَكَ مَنْ کَانَ قَبْلَکُمُ الْغُلُوُّ فِی الدِّیْنِ))
"Beware of exaggeration in religion, for those before you were destroyed because of exaggeration in religion."
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
(( لَا تُطْرُوْنِیْ کَمَا أَطْرَتِ النَّصَارٰی ابْنَ مَرْیَمَ إِنَّمَا أَنَا عَبْدٌ فَقُوْلُوْا عَبْدُ اللّٰہِ وَرَسُوْلُہُ))
"Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians exaggerated in praising the son of Mary (Jesus, peace be upon him). Indeed, I am only a servant, so say, 'The servant of Allah and His Messenger.'"
The Arrival of the Noble Prophet ﷺ
Those who celebrate the Milad believe that the Noble Prophet ﷺ himself appears in the Milad gathering, and therefore they stand up to greet and welcome him ﷺ.
Whereas this is a great lie and the worst ignorance. Because the Messenger of Allah ﷺ has passed away and his blessed soul is with his Great Lord in the highest noble abode. And he will not come out of his blessed grave before the Day of Judgment.
As Allah Almighty has stated in
﴿ ثُمَّ إِنَّكُم بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ لَمَيِّتُونَ ﴿١٥﴾ ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ تُبْعَثُونَ﴾
"Then indeed, after that you are to die. Then indeed you, on the Day of Resurrection, will be resurrected."
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( أَنَا سَیِّدُ وَلَدِ آدَمَ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَةِ وَأَوَّلُ مَنْ یَّنْشَقُّ عَنْہُ الْقَبْرُ وَأَوَّلُ شَافِعٍ وَأَوَّلُ مُشَفَّعٍ ))
"On the Day of Resurrection, I will be the leader of the children of Adam (peace be upon him), and the first to have my grave opened. I will be the first to intercede, and my intercession will be accepted first."
Is there such a thing as a good innovation (Bid’ah Hasanah) in religion?
Some people believe that if the celebration of Eid Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ is an innovation, then it is not a bad innovation but a good innovation! Whereas our belief is that every new act in religion is a bad innovation and misguidance, no matter how good it may appear outwardly.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to say in every sermon of need:
(( أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ خَیْرَ الْحَدِیْثِ کِتَابُ اللّٰہِ وَخَیْرَ الْہَدْیِ هَدْیُ مُحَمَّدٍ صلي الله عليه وسلم وَشَرَّ الْأُمُوْرِ مُحْدَثَاتُہَاوَکُلَّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ ))
After praise and thanks! Indeed, the best speech is the Book of Allah, and the best way is the way of Muhammad ﷺ. And the worst of matters are those which are newly invented in the religion, and every innovation is misguidance.
From this hadith, it is proven that any act which has no proof in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger ﷺ and is newly introduced in the religion is the worst act, no matter how good it may seem to people. And every new act in religion is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance.
Just think, if it were permissible to invent any new act of goodness in religion, then why did the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ admonish those three individuals, one of whom vowed to stay up all night in prayer, the second to fast continuously, and the third to never marry women? Were their intentions not related to good deeds? Did these three people intend to commit any bad act that the Prophet ﷺ had to severely warn them against? Certainly, they intended good deeds, but the Prophet ﷺ rejected their intentions because, although they were related to good deeds, they deviated from the Prophet’s method and seemed to be trying to surpass him. This proves that there is no such thing as a "good innovation" (bid‘ah hasanah) in Islam. And until a good deed is established according to the method of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, it can neither be called good nor be considered part of the religion.
And Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
(( مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِیْ أَمْرِنَا هَذَا مَا لَیْسَ مِنْہُ فَہُوَ رَدٌّ ))
"Whoever introduces into this religion of ours something new which is not part of it, it is rejected."
"Whoever does an action which is not commanded by us, it is rejected."
From this hadith, it is also established that every new act and every new method in the religion is rejected and unacceptable.
Once, Hazrat Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the house of Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) and said: I have just seen something in the mosque which I do not consider correct, although, Alhamdulillah, I have seen good things as well! He asked: What is it? Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) said: When you go to the mosque yourself, you will see it too. I saw some people sitting in different circles waiting for the prayer; they had pebbles in their hands, and in each circle, one man would tell the others to recite "Allah Akbar" one hundred times, so they would recite "Allah Akbar" one hundred times. Then he would say, "Recite La ilaha illa Allah one hundred times," and they would recite it one hundred times. Then he would say, "Now recite Subhan Allah one hundred times," and they would recite it one hundred times!
Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: After seeing all this, what did you say to them? He replied: I did not say anything to them while waiting for your opinion.
Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Did you not command them to count their sins (not their good deeds) and guarantee them that none of their good deeds would be lost?
Then Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the mosque and went to one of those circles and said: What are you doing?
The people said: Abu Abdur Rahman! These are pebbles with which we are counting the tasbihs of Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah, and Subhanallah!
Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Count your bad deeds, and I guarantee you that none of your good deeds will be lost. Then he said:
(وَیْحَکُمْ یَا أُمَّةَ مُحَمَّدٍ مَا أَسْرَعَ هَلَکَتُکُمْ هٰؤلَاءِ صَحَابَةُ نَبِیِّکُمْ صلي الله عليه وسلم مُتَوَافِرُوْنَ وَهٰذِہٖ ثِیَابُہُ لَمْ تَبْلُ وَآنِیَتُہُ لَمْ تُکْسَرْوَالَّذِیْ نَفْسِی بِیَدِہٖ إِنَّکُمْ لَعَلٰی مِلَّةٍ هِیَ أَهْدٰی مِنْ مِلَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ صلي الله عليه وسلم أَوْ مُفْتَتِحُو بَابَ ضَلَالَةٍ )
’’It is a pity for you, O Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ, how quickly you have headed towards destruction! The companions of your Prophet ﷺ are still present in large numbers, and the clothes of the Prophet ﷺ have not yet worn out, nor have his utensils broken. By the One in Whose hand is my life! Do you think that you have a better way of conduct than that of Muhammad ﷺ, or are you opening a door to misguidance!‘‘
The people said: ( وَاللّٰہِ یَا أَبَا عَبْدِ الرَّحْمٰنِ مَا أَرَدْنَا إِلَّا الْخَیْرَ )
Abu Abdur Rahman! By Allah, we only intended good.
He said: (وَکَمْ مِنْ مُرِیْدٍ لِلْخَیْرِ لَن یُّصِیْبَہُ)
’’How many are those who intend good but they never attain that good.
Just think, was reciting tasbihs a bad act? Certainly, it was not a bad act, nor did Hazrat Abdullah Masood (may Allah be pleased with him) speak ill of them for reciting tasbihs. Rather, the severity in his tone was because he saw people reciting tasbihs in a manner that deviated from the pure Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and the practice of the noble companions (may Allah be pleased with them). This is because the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the companions (may Allah be pleased with them) counted tasbihs on the fingers of their right hand, not with pebbles. Moreover, they did not sit in circles and recite tasbihs collectively but recited them individually and separately. So, although their act was considered a good deed by the people, since it deviated from the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (may Allah be pleased with him) admonished them in very strong words. He did not say, "Okay, it is fine, no problem, because it is a good deed," but rather he equated it to opening a door to misguidance. Therefore, it is proven that there is no good innovation (bid'ah hasanah) in religion; every innovation is bad, and every innovation is misguidance.
Those who hold Milad usually give five arguments:
① Milad is an annual commemoration, and celebrating it increases love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The answer to this is that if a Muslim does not remember the Messenger of Allah ﷺ dozens of times a day, then annual or monthly commemorative gatherings should be held in which he can remember his Prophet and express his love for him ﷺ. But if a Muslim remembers him ﷺ dozens of times day and night and continuously sends blessings and salutations upon him, then what is the meaning of holding annual gatherings for this purpose?
② In Milad, the Shama'il Muhammadiyah and the knowledge of the noble lineage of the Prophet ﷺ are obtained.
The answer to this argument is that hearing about the characteristics and virtues of the Prophet ﷺ once a year is not sufficient; how can hearing it once be enough when the life of the Prophet ﷺ is such that it is necessary and indispensable to listen to and learn about it throughout the year.
③ Expressing happiness on the birth of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is a proof of faith.
This argument is also completely meaningless because the question is whether the happiness is for the Prophet ﷺ or for the day on which he was born? If the happiness is for the Prophet ﷺ, then it should be continuous and not limited to one day. And if the happiness is for the day on which he was born, then this is the same day on which the Prophet ﷺ passed away, so what wisdom is there in celebrating happiness on the day of the beloved’s death?
④ Food is served to people during Milad, which carries great reward and blessings.
This argument is the weakest because the encouragement to feed (the poor) is not for just one day in the year but for the entire year.
⑤ During Milad, the Quran is recited and blessings and salutations are sent upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
This argument is also invalid like the first four because gathering specifically for the recitation of the Quran and sending blessings and salutations upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is itself an innovation (bid'ah). Moreover, reciting eulogies and poems in a melodious voice and exaggerating in praising the Prophet (peace be upon him) is also wrong.
These five arguments are also insufficient because if they were accepted as correct, it would imply that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was negligent (may Allah protect us) and did not encourage such things on the day of his birth, which those who celebrate Milad try to compensate for!!
① An incident is narrated that the unfortunate Abu Lahab was seen in a dream. When asked about his well-being, he said that he is afflicted with the torment of fire, but every Saturday night the punishment is lessened. He pointed between his two fingers towards the fingertip and said that he drinks that much water. The reason given was that when his slave girl Thuwaybah informed him of the birth of the Prophet ﷺ, he happily freed her.
The answer to this is that (1) no Shariah ruling is established from anyone's dream. (2) Secondly, this narration is mursal (disconnected), which is not authoritative. (3) Thirdly, the Salaf and Khalaf agree that if a disbeliever dies in a state of disbelief, he will not receive the reward for his good deeds. (4) Fourthly, Abu Lahab's happiness was a natural happiness, not an act of worship, and if the happiness is not for the sake of Allah, then no reward is given for it. (5) Fifthly, a believer should always be happy about the birth of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ; it is not correct to designate a special day for the birth of the Prophet ﷺ.
② It is narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed his own Aqeeqah, and since his grandfather had also performed his Aqeeqah and Aqeeqah is not done twice, the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed Aqeeqah to express gratitude for his birth. Therefore, the Ummah should also specially arrange food and drink on the day of his birth.
The answer to this is:
◄ This narration is weak, and Imam Nawawi has declared it (a fabricated hadith).
◄ And even if it is accepted as authentic, where does it say that the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed this Aqeeqah to express gratitude for his birth? This is merely based on assumption, and assumptions have no value. {إِنَّ الظَّنَّ لاَ یُغْنِی مِنَ الْحَقِّ شَیْئًا }
◄ The third answer is that the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) performed Aqeeqah only once, not every year! Whereas those who celebrate Milad do so every year!
③ It is in an authentic hadith that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ fasted on the day of Ashura and also commanded it. When he was asked about it, he replied that it is a good day; Allah Almighty saved Musa (Moses) عليه السلام and the Children of Israel from Pharaoh on this day... etc. Therefore, when the Prophet ﷺ fasted on this day in gratitude for the salvation of Musa عليه السلام and the Children of Israel and commanded the Muslims to do so as well, should we then make the day of the Prophet’s ﷺ birth not a day of fasting but a day of eating, drinking, and celebration!!
How strange is this matter? If this hadith was to be used as evidence, then it would have mentioned fasting, but it was left out because fasting involves enduring hunger and thirst, which is a very difficult matter for ordinary people. And what was mentioned was eating, drinking, and celebrating. Does the gratitude to Allah Almighty consist of indulgence and feasts?
④ The authentic hadith states that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to fast on Mondays and Thursdays, and he explained the reason that Monday is the day on which I was born and on which I was sent... etc.
The answer to this is that
◄ The gratitude for the blessing of the birth of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) should be of the same kind as the gratitude that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) himself showed.
◄ Secondly, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did not fast on the day of his birth, which is the twelfth of Rabi' al-Awwal, but he fasted on Monday, which occurs four to five times every month. On this basis, to designate the twelfth of Rabi' al-Awwal for a special act and to neglect the Monday that comes every week is actually a correction of the Prophet (peace be upon him) — something no Muslim can even imagine.
◄ Thirdly, when the Prophet (peace be upon him) fasted on Monday in gratitude for his birth, did he hold any gathering or ceremony along with the fast, as these Mawlid people do, where crowds gather, praise poetry and songs are recited, and special food and drink are served?
Those who celebrate Milad consider the blessed day of the birth of the Prophet ﷺ as an 'Eid' day, whereas from the earliest period of this Ummah, the Muslims have only had two annual Eids. As Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه narrates, when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to Madinah, the people had two days in the year on which they played (celebrated). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked them: What are these two days? They said: Since the time of ignorance, we have been playing and celebrating on these days. He said:
(( وقَدْ أَبْدَلَکُمُ اللّٰہُ بِہِمَا خَیْرًا مِنْہُمَا : یَوْمَ الْفِطْرِ وَیَوْمَ الأضْحٰی))
Allah Almighty has given you two better days in their place, and they are the days of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
From this blessed hadith, it is understood that the only two legitimate Eids to be celebrated as Islamic festivals in the year are these two, and Allah Almighty has appointed them for the Muslims.
Besides, Friday has been declared the weekly Eid for Muslims. As Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
(( إِنَّ هَذَا یَوْمُ عِیْدٍ جَعَلَہُ اللّٰہُ لِلْمُسْلِمِیْنَ فَمَنْ جَائَ إِلَی الْجُمُعَةِ فَلْیَغْتَسِلْ وَإِنْ کَانَ طِیْبٌ فَلْیَمَسَّ مِنْہُ وَعَلَیْکُمْ بِالسِّوَاكِ))
Indeed, this is the day of Eid which Allah has made only for the Muslims. Therefore, whoever comes for the Friday prayer should take a bath, and if perfume is available, he should apply it. And it is obligatory upon you to use the miswak.
In the end, we pray to Allah Almighty to grant us the ability, by His grace and generosity, to understand the truth and act upon it. Ameen.
Respected gentlemen! Innovating new practices in religion for which there is no evidence in the Quran, Hadith, or the practice of the noble companions (may Allah be pleased with them) is a very dangerous matter.
It is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) once stood up to give advice and among other things, he said:
(( أَلَا وَإِنَّہُ سَیُجَاءُ بِرِجَالٍ مِنْ أُمَّتِی فَیُؤْخَذُ بِہِمْ ذَاتَ الشِّمَالِ فَأَقُوْلُ : یَارَبِّ أَصْحَابِی؟ فَیُقَالُ : إِنَّكَ لَا تَدْرِیْ مَا أَحْدَثُوْا بَعْدَكَ))
"Beware! Some people from my Ummah will be brought on the Day of Judgment and will be pushed to the left side (towards Hell). I will say: O Lord! These are my companions? It will be said: You do not know what new things they innovated in the religion after you!
And it is narrated from Hazrat Anas (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
(( لَیَرِدَنَّ عَلَیَّ نَاسٌ مِّنْ أَصْحَابِیْ الْحَوْضَ حَتّٰی إِذَا عََرفْتُہُمْ اِخْتَلَجُوْا دُوْنِیْ فَأَقُوْلُ: أَصْحَابِیْ،فَیُقَالُ لِیْ : لَا تَدْرِیْ مَا أَحْدَثُوْا بَعْدَكَ))
Some of my companions will surely come to me at the Pond, until I recognize them, then they will be pushed away from me. I will say: These are my companions! It will be said to me: You do not know what new things they innovated in the religion after you.
It has been learned that those who innovate new practices in religion will be deprived of the water of the Pond of Kawthar by the hands of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ on the Day of Judgment. Therefore, it is obligatory upon every Muslim to avoid innovating in religious matters and to follow the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Whether in happiness or sorrow, one should not deviate from the way of the Prophet ﷺ in any circumstance, for therein lies their good and well-being. May Allah grant us all the ability to do so. Ameen.
The true success of a Muslim lies in obeying and complying with Allah Almighty and His Messenger ﷺ, following the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Prophetic Hadiths regarding Allah and the Holy Prophet ﷺ, and not violating or disobeying them.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَمَن يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ يُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ ﴿١٣﴾ وَمَن يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيَتَعَدَّ حُدُودَهُ يُدْخِلْهُ نَارًا خَالِدًا فِيهَا وَلَهُ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ ﴿١٤﴾
"Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, He will admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. And that is the great success. But whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger ﷺ and transgresses His limits, He will admit him to the Fire, wherein they will abide forever, and for them is a humiliating punishment."
Reference: Surah An-Nisa: 13-14
In these noble verses, observe that Allah Almighty has given the glad tidings of Paradise to the person who obeys and complies, and conversely, has warned the person who disobeys and violates with the threat of Hell. Therefore, every Muslim should introspect and examine themselves to see which path they are on: the path that leads to Paradise or, God forbid, the path that leads to Hell?
How will one obey Allah Almighty? His obedience will be through reading, teaching, learning, instructing the Quran, reflecting upon it, and making it the way of life.
And how can the obedience of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, be achieved? It is by studying the blessed hadiths of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and acting upon them. Whether it is beliefs, acts of worship, transactions, or morals and character, in every field, the Prophet, peace be upon him, should be followed. His pure biography should be read and efforts should be made to practically implement it in one’s life.
It is well known to everyone that obedience to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, is actually obedience to Allah, because He sent the Prophet, peace be upon him, to us as a Messenger and made him a perfect example for us, commanding us to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet, peace be upon him.
And it is certain that the success and prosperity in this world and the hereafter lie in obeying Allah Almighty and His Messenger صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and in following the Quran and Hadith. But the question is, in this regard, whom should we consider as our standard? And whom should we regard as the ideal?
We must consider those persons as the standard and ideal whom Allah Almighty Himself has declared as the standard and ideal, and they are the first Muslims of this Ummah who believed upon seeing the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. Those to whom Allah Almighty gave the glad tidings of Paradise, whose pleasure He declared, whom He chose alongside His most beloved Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, and who were granted the honor of seeing the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and directly hearing the words of Allah and the blessed Hadith from his lips... that is, the Companions of the Prophet رضی اللہ عنہم.
◄ Those Companions رضی اللہ عنہم whose sincere faith Allah Almighty has declared as the standard for others. Allah the Exalted says:
﴿فَإِنْ آمَنُوا بِمِثْلِ مَا آمَنتُم بِهِ فَقَدِ اهْتَدَوا ۖ وَّإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّمَا هُمْ فِي شِقَاقٍ﴾
"So if these people also believe as you have believed, they will be rightly guided; but if they turn away (and do not believe), they are only opposing you.
Reference: Surah Al-Baqarah:137
◄ Those noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) who, after abandoning their path and choosing another, were warned by Allah Almighty with the threat of Hellfire. Allah's command is:
﴿وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ الرَّسُولَ مِن بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ الْهُدَىٰ وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ نُوَلِّهِ مَا تَوَلَّىٰ وَنُصْلِهِ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ وَسَاءَتْ مَصِيرًا ﴿١١٥﴾
"And whoever opposes the Messenger after the right path has become clear to him and follows a way other than that of the believers, We will let him go on in the way he has chosen, and cast him into Hell—what an evil destination!
Reference: Surah An-Nisa:115
In this noble verse, the path of the believers refers to the path of the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), because at the time of the revelation of the Qur'an, they were the only believers."
The summary of this brief introduction is that Muslims should keep the Quran and Hadith before them in practical life and, in this regard, seek guidance from the conduct of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) regarding how they acted upon the Quran and Hadith, because Allah Almighty has designated these personalities as the standard of truth.
Especially in contentious issues, it is necessary that these matters be resolved in the light of the Quran, Hadith, and the conduct of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and the decision should not be made according to one’s desires or specific opinions, but solely and only according to the Quran and Hadith. Just as the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would humble themselves before the Quran and Hadith in contentious matters, and as they considered argument and dispute impermissible after clear texts were known, similarly, we should also adopt this approach and bow in submission before the Quran and Hadith.
Allah Almighty has mentioned this very principle for resolving disputed matters in His final Book. It is stated:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ ۖ فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا ﴿٥٩﴾
"O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result."
Reference: Surah An-Nisa:59
In this verse, ﴿ فِی شَیْیٔ﴾ is indefinite and it comes after the condition ﴿فَإِنْ تَنَازَعْتُمْ﴾. In the Arabic language, when this style is used, it implies generality. It means that if there is a disagreement on any issue of principles or branches, the solution should be sought by referring to the Book and the Sunnah. Otherwise, if the solution to all disputed issues was not in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet, Allah would never have commanded to refer to them.
Similarly, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also emphasized this point. The noble saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is:
(( أُوْصِیْکُمْ بِتَقْوَی اللّٰہِ وَالسَّمْعِ وَالطَّاعَةِ وَإِنْ عَبْدًا حَبَشِیًّا فَإِنَّہُ مَنْ یَّعِشْ مِنْکُمْ بَعْدِیْ فَسَیَرَی اخْتِلَافًا کَثِیْرًافَعَلَیْکُمْ بِسُنَّتِی وَسُنَّةِ الْخُلَفَاءِ الْمَہْدِیِّیْنَ الرَّاشِدِیْنَ تَمَسَّکُوْا بِہَا وَعَضُّوْا عَلَیْہَا بِالنَّوَاجِدِ وَإِیَّاکُمْ وَمُحْدَثَاتِ الْأُمُوْرِ َإِنَّ کُلَّ مُحْدَثَةٍ بِدْعَةٌوَکُلَّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ ))
"I command you to fear Allah, to listen and obey, even if an Abyssinian slave is placed over you. And after me, whoever among you lives long will see much discord. So hold firmly to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of my rightly guided caliphs. Hold onto it tightly and do not let it go. And avoid innovating new matters in the religion, for every innovation is a misguidance."
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood: 4607
When both
Reference: this verse of Surah An-Nisa
and
Reference: this authentic hadith of Sunan Abi Dawood
are considered together, it fully supports the point we mentioned earlier, which is that for the resolution of all disputed issues, it is necessary to refer only to the Quran and Hadith. And according to the advice of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, differences will only end when all Muslims firmly hold on to the Sunnah of the Prophet and the Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Caliphs. If every person clings to their own desires or specific views, then certainly differences will not end but will increase, as is the current situation of the Muslims.In this hadith, reflect that our beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, first mentioned his Sunnah and the method of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, may Allah be pleased with them, then forbade the invention of new practices and declared every new practice as an innovation and misguidance. This is evidence that when Muslims abandon the Prophetic Sunnah and the practices of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, they will invent new practices in religion, fall into innovations, and stray from the straight path. This is the current state of Muslims. واﷲ المستعان
One of the controversial issues is the celebration of the Prophet’s birth on the twelfth of Rabi' al-Awwal. Accordingly, many Muslims celebrate the blessed birth of the Prophet, peace be upon him, every year on the twelfth of Rabi' al-Awwal as Eid Milad-un-Nabi and hold festivities. Buildings are illuminated, flags are hoisted, gatherings for reciting naats are organized, and in some countries, it is observed as an official holiday.
Keeping in mind the preliminary points we have just mentioned in the light of the Quran and Hadith, we need to see whether there is any evidence of the 'Mawlid celebration' in the Quran and Hadith? Did the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ celebrate his own birth or encourage it? Did any of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, may Allah be pleased with them, celebrate the Mawlid during their caliphate or declare the day of birth as an Eid? Was there any concept of this 'Eid' in the early centuries?
If the Quran, Hadith, and the history of the early centuries are studied with complete honesty, the answers to all these questions are found as follows:
◄ There is no evidence of a Mawlid celebration or Eid of birth in the Quran and Hadith.
◄ Neither did the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ celebrate his own birth nor did he encourage it.
◄ Then, none of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, may Allah be pleased with them, during their caliphate celebrated the blessed birth of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, officially or unofficially, nor did they declare the day of birth as an Eid. Although there is no doubt that they loved the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, the most, and if they had wished, they could have done so because the government was in their hands.
◄ The early centuries, meaning the time of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, the Followers (Tabi‘in), may Allah have mercy on them, and the Followers of the Followers (Taba‘ Tabi‘in), may Allah have mercy on them, whom the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, described as the best people, in that era, people had no concept of this Eid and they did not celebrate this festival.
Moreover, the respected Imams of the religion of this Ummah, may Allah have mercy on them, also had no concept of this Eid, nor did they celebrate it, nor did they instruct their students to do so.
The celebration of Eid Milad-un-Nabi was initiated by Abu Saeed Kokaburi bin Abi al-Hasan Ali bin Muhammad, titled Al-Malik al-Mu'azzam Muzaffar al-Din Arbil (Mosul), who died on 18 Ramadan 630 AH. This king spent money lavishly on these gatherings and organized musical and entertainment sessions with instruments.
Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi writes: Historians have explicitly stated that the king gathered jesters and singers, listened to singing with musical instruments, and danced himself. There is no doubt about the immorality and misguidance of such a person. How can the actions of such a person be considered permissible, and how can his words be trusted!
They also say: The brief nature of this immorality and the invention of this innovation is that in the arrangement of the Milad gathering, twenty large, splendid wooden pavilions were built, and each pavilion had five tiers. From the beginning of the month of Safar, they would decorate them, and in each tier, a group of singers of raags, singers of tappeh and khayal, musicians, performers of plays and spectacles, and dancers would be seated. The king, Muzaffaruddin, himself, along with thousands of people from the vicinity, would go to these pavilions every day after Asr prayer, listen to the dances and performances, enjoy himself, and dance himself. Then, in his own pavilion, he would remain engaged all night in entertainment and amusement. Two days before the days of Milad, he would bring out countless camels, cows, goats, along with drums and musical instruments that he had, slaughter them in the field, prepare all kinds of food, feed the gatherings of amusement, and on the night of Milad, he would have numerous raags sung in the fort.
This was its originator. And as for the person who issued the fatwa permitting it, his name is Abu al-Khattab Umar ibn al-Hasan, known as Ibn Wahyah al-Kalbi, who died in 633 AH.
Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, writes:
"Ibn Najjar says that I found all people unanimous on its falsehood and weakness."
"He was one who insulted the Imams of the religion and the pious predecessors and had a foul tongue. He was very foolish and arrogant and very careless in matters of religion."
This was the person who, when he saw the gathering of Milad being held in the country of Arbil, not only issued a fatwa permitting it but also collected material for it and wrote a book called "At-Tanweer fi Mawlid as-Siraj al-Muneer." He presented it to the king of Arbil, who rewarded him with a thousand Ashrafis as a gift.
All these facts prove that the celebration of the blessed birth of the Holy Prophet ﷺ began approximately six hundred years after his passing. Therefore, consider this carefully: when there is no evidence of this celebration in the Quran and Hadith, nor is it seen in the practices of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), nor is there any concept of it in the entire early history, and the Imams of the religion (may Allah have mercy on them) were not in favor of it, then why are today's Muslims so insistent on celebrating it? Did all those people not have love and devotion for the Holy Prophet ﷺ, as the people of this era claim? If they did, and certainly their love was far greater than these people, then why did they not celebrate the birth of the Prophet ﷺ?
Here, another very important point is that whatever the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did not perform as an act of worship cannot be a part of the religion, nor is it befitting for any Muslim to consider it as part of the religion or as a good deed. For example, the Prophet ﷺ did not call the Adhan for the Eid prayers or the funeral prayer, nor did the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, have any such practice. When the Prophet ﷺ did not call it and the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, did not have it, then it is not permissible for any Muslim until the Day of Judgment to consider it part of the religion or an act of worship. What is the reason for this? Is there not glorification of Allah and mention of Allah in the Adhan? Certainly, the Adhan contains glorification and exaltation of Allah, but it is not prescribed before the Eid prayers and the funeral prayer. Similarly, regarding the issue of the 'Mawlid celebration,' when the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did not celebrate this festival, nor did the Rightly Guided Caliphs, may Allah be pleased with them, then it is not correct to consider it part of the religion or a rewarding act until the Day of Judgment.
That is why Hazrat Hudhaifa (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
(کُلُّ عِبَادَۃٍ لَمْ یَتَعَبَّدْهَا أَصْحَابُ رَسُوْلِ اللّٰہِ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم فَلاَ تَعْبُدُوْهَا)
Do not consider any act of worship as worship if the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) did not practice it.
Reference: Jami' Turath al-'Allamah al-Albani fi al-Manhaj wa al-Ahdaath al-Kubra:187/8
And Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
(اِتَّبِعُوْا وَلاَ تَبْتَدِعُوْا فَقَدْ کُفِیْتُمْ عَلَیْکُمْ بِالْأَمْرِ الْعَتِیْقِ) "You should only follow and do not innovate new things in the religion because you have been protected from that, and you must adhere to what was already established (from the time of the noble Companions, may Allah be pleased with them)."
Reference: Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Da'ifah:533
What we have discussed so far, although sufficient to make a serious and honest person understand that the established Shariah does not recognize the festival of Milad-un-Nabi (peace be upon him), for further clarification, we now want to state some principles agreed upon by all Muslims, based on which it will not be difficult to conclude that the established festival of Milad-un-Nabi (peace be upon him) is a new innovation (bid'ah) in the religion.
(1) Islam is a Complete Religion
One of the important characteristics of Islam is that it is a complete religion, and it contains clear teachings regarding all issues that arise in every aspect of life. Therefore, the Lawgiver has left no room for anyone to make additions or omissions in it… But it is regrettable that today Muslims are not only deviating from the established teachings of Islam but are also incorporating unproven things into it and considering them to be the true Islam. Whereas when the religion is complete and its instructions are clear, universal, and everlasting, how can it be correct to invent new practices and make them a part of it?
The command of Allah the Exalted is:
﴿الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا ۚ ﴾
“Today I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved Islam as religion for you.”
Reference: Surah Al-Ma'idah: 3
So it is a great favor of Allah, the Lord of Glory, that He has completed our religion for us; otherwise, if it had been left incomplete, everyone would have altered it as they wished, and thus the religion would have become a toy in the hands of people. You can understand the value of this great favor of Allah, the Lord of Glory, from a narration in the Sahihayn
Reference: during the caliphate of Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), a Jewish scholar came to him and said: O Commander of the Faithful! There is a verse in the Book of Allah (the Holy Quran) which, if it had been revealed to our Jewish community, we would have celebrated the day of its revelation as a festival. Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked: Which verse is that? He said:
﴿الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا ۚ ﴾
Then Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: This verse was revealed on the day of Eid when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was at Arafat, and that day was Friday.
Why did the Jewish scholar say that if this verse had been revealed to us, we would have considered the day of its revelation as a day of Eid and celebrated it? It is because he understood the value of the completion of the religion, while many Muslims are unaware of it and have become engrossed and busy in matters which they consider part of the religion, whereas the religion is completely free from them.
It is known to everyone that Allah’s complete religion was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and undoubtedly, he ﷺ conveyed it fully to his Ummah. The prophetic instruction is:
(( مَا تَرَکْتُ شَیْأً یُقَرِّبُکُمْ إِلَی اللّٰہِ وَیُبْعِدُکُمْ عَنِ النَّارِ إِلَّا أَمَرْتُکُمْ بِهِ وَمَا تَرَکْتُ شَیْئاً یُقَرِّبُکُمْ إِلَی النَّارِ وَیُبْعِدُکُمْ عَنِ اللّٰہِ إِلَّا وَنَہَیْتُکُمْ عَنْہُ ))
"I have commanded you with every matter that brings you closer to Allah and distances you from Hellfire, and I have forbidden you from every matter that brings you closer to Hellfire and distances you from Allah."
﴿الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا ۚ ﴾
Then Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: This verse was revealed on the day of Eid when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was at Arafat, and that day was Friday.
Why did the Jewish scholar say that if this verse had been revealed to us, we would have considered the day of its revelation as a day of Eid and celebrated it? It is because he understood the value of the completion of the religion, while many Muslims are unaware of it and have become engrossed and busy in matters which they consider part of the religion, whereas the religion is completely free from them.
(2) The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ commanded every good deed
It is known to everyone that Allah’s complete religion was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and undoubtedly, he ﷺ conveyed it fully to his Ummah. The prophetic instruction is:
(( مَا تَرَکْتُ شَیْأً یُقَرِّبُکُمْ إِلَی اللّٰہِ وَیُبْعِدُکُمْ عَنِ النَّارِ إِلَّا أَمَرْتُکُمْ بِهِ وَمَا تَرَکْتُ شَیْئاً یُقَرِّبُکُمْ إِلَی النَّارِ وَیُبْعِدُکُمْ عَنِ اللّٰہِ إِلَّا وَنَہَیْتُکُمْ عَنْہُ ))
"I have commanded you with every matter that brings you closer to Allah and distances you from Hellfire, and I have forbidden you from every matter that brings you closer to Hellfire and distances you from Allah."
Reference: Jami' Turath al-'Allamah al-Albani fi al-'Aqeedah: 107/2
Similarly, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: ((مَا بَقِیَ شَیٌْ یُقَرِّبُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ وَیُبَاعِدُ مِنَ النَّارِ إِلَّا وَقَدْ بُیِّنَ لَکُمْ ))
"Every matter that brings one closer to Paradise and distances one from Hell has been explained to you."
He also said: (( مَا تَرَکْتُ شَیْئًا مِمَّا أَمَرَکُمُ اللّٰہُ بِهِ إِلَّا قَدْ أَمَرْتُکُمْ بِهِ وَمَا تَرَکْتُ شَیْئًا مِمَّا نَہَاکُمْ عَنْہُ إِلَّا قَدْ نَہَیْتُکُمْ عَنْہُ))
"Whatever deeds Allah has commanded you to do, I have also commanded you to do all of them. And whatever deeds Allah has forbidden you from, I have also forbidden you from all of them."
From these blessed hadiths, it is understood that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did not leave any good or righteous deed without commanding the Ummah to perform it. Nor did he leave any evil or sinful act without forbidding the Ummah from it.
Therefore, after knowing this, it is not difficult to reach the conclusion that every action which people consider to be an act of goodness and welfare cannot be considered as such until there is a proven command or encouragement from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ regarding it. Similarly, an act is not considered bad unless there is a proven statement from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about it. In other words, the criterion for recognizing good and evil is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ; no one has the taste or desire to include any act in religion as good according to their own opinion or to declare any act bad according to their own will.
Then one should also consider whether by inventing new practices and including them in the religion, it does not necessarily imply that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, (God forbid) did not convey the entire religion to the people, and that some good deeds were left out by him and those who followed him, which leaves room for deficiency and excess in the religion even now? Certainly, this implication arises.
That is why Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
"Whoever innovates in Islam an innovation which he considers good, has claimed that Muhammad, peace be upon him, betrayed the message. Recite the statement of Allah, the Blessed and Exalted: ﴿الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا ۚ ﴾ 'And the religion of this nation will not be rectified except by that which rectified its first.' What was not religion at that time will not be religion today."
’’Whoever innovates something in Islam and then thinks that it is a good deed, it is as if he claimed that Muhammad ﷺ was negligent in conveying the message of prophethood (i.e., he did not deliver the complete religion). Read Allah’s command: (Translation) ’’Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen Islam as your religion.’’ … Then Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, said: The last people of this Ummah can only be correct with what the first people of this Ummah were correct. And an act that was not part of the religion at that time cannot be part of the religion today.
Reference: الإحكام في أصول الأحكام ابن حزم:58/6
Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "An act which was not part of the religion at that time cannot be part of the religion today either." People until the Day of Judgment should keep this in mind and seek evidence for every religious issue from the early generations. If evidence is found from that time, then it should be acted upon; otherwise, it should absolutely not be considered part of the religion.
(3) The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was the most pious and the greatest worshipper
No one can deny the fact that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, was the most pious and the greatest worshipper. Therefore, one should only act upon the acts of worship established from him, and should not dare to include any new form of worship in the religion to surpass him.
Reference: In the two Sahihs
, it is narrated from Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that some people came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and asked about his worship from his purified wives (may Allah be pleased with them). When he informed them about it, they began to consider the worship of the Prophet (peace be upon him) as less (according to their own perspective) and said: How can we be equal to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)? Allah, the Lord of Glory, has forgiven all his past and future sins! Then one of them said: I will always stand in prayer all night. Another said: I will always fast and never break my fast. And the third said: I will stay away from women and never marry.When these words reached the Prophet (peace be upon him), he came to them and said:
(( اَنْتُمُ الَّذِیْنَ قُلْتُمْ کَذَا وَکَذَا ؟ أَمَا وَاللّٰہِ إِنِّی لَأَخْشَاکُمْ لِلّٰہِ وَأَتْقَاکُمْ لَہُ لٰکِنِّی أَصُوْمُ وَأُفْطِرُوَأُصَلِّیْ وَأَرْقُدُوَأَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَائَ فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِی فَلَیْسَ مِنِّی ))
"Is it you who have said these things? You should know that I am the most God-fearing and the most pious among you. I fast and I also break my fast, I stand in prayer at night and I also sleep, and I marry women. Therefore, whoever turns away from my way will not be from me."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari:5063
In this hadith, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, first mentioned his status that he is the most pious and the greatest worshipper among all people. Then he explained his method of practice and after that declared that anyone who turns away from this method and adopts another way has no relation with him. This proves that one should only practice those acts of worship that are proven from the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and no act should be considered worship unless it is established from him, peace be upon him.
These three principles are sufficient to make us understand that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, left no room for any deficiency or addition in the religion. And that innovating new acts in the religion and practicing them is forbidden.
And based on these three principles, we say that the commonly practiced Eid Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ has no status in Shariah and is not a part of the religion. Because if it were a part of the religion, there would definitely be evidence of it in the Quran, Hadith, and the practices of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and the Holy Prophet ﷺ would have given clear instructions to his Ummah regarding it, just as he gave clear instructions about Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
If the Milad gathering is examined from another perspective, it is not only an innovation but also encompasses many immoralities, such as the mixing of men and women, the use of musical instruments, the dancing of young people to the beats of the tabla and dholak, and dozens of such vices that are adopted thinking they are rewarded under the name of Milad gathering. And then, in these gatherings, many scenes of committing the greatest sin (shirk) can also be seen.
Exaggeration is used in the praise of the Prophet ﷺ. Help and assistance are sought from someone other than Allah. And this belief is loudly proclaimed that the Prophet ﷺ also knew the unseen. Whereas this is an attribute of Allah and His exclusive characteristic.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( إِیَّاکُمْ وَالْغُلُوَّ فِی الدِّیْنِ فَإِنَّمَا أَھْلَكَ مَنْ کَانَ قَبْلَکُمُ الْغُلُوُّ فِی الدِّیْنِ))
"Beware of exaggeration in religion, for those before you were destroyed because of exaggeration in religion."
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i:3059
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
(( لَا تُطْرُوْنِیْ کَمَا أَطْرَتِ النَّصَارٰی ابْنَ مَرْیَمَ إِنَّمَا أَنَا عَبْدٌ فَقُوْلُوْا عَبْدُ اللّٰہِ وَرَسُوْلُہُ))
"Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians exaggerated in praising the son of Mary (Jesus, peace be upon him). Indeed, I am only a servant, so say, 'The servant of Allah and His Messenger.'"
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari:3445
The Arrival of the Noble Prophet ﷺ
Those who celebrate the Milad believe that the Noble Prophet ﷺ himself appears in the Milad gathering, and therefore they stand up to greet and welcome him ﷺ.
Whereas this is a great lie and the worst ignorance. Because the Messenger of Allah ﷺ has passed away and his blessed soul is with his Great Lord in the highest noble abode. And he will not come out of his blessed grave before the Day of Judgment.
As Allah Almighty has stated in
Reference: Surah Al-Mu’minun
:﴿ ثُمَّ إِنَّكُم بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ لَمَيِّتُونَ ﴿١٥﴾ ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ تُبْعَثُونَ﴾
"Then indeed, after that you are to die. Then indeed you, on the Day of Resurrection, will be resurrected."
Reference: Surah Al-Mu’minun:15-16
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( أَنَا سَیِّدُ وَلَدِ آدَمَ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَةِ وَأَوَّلُ مَنْ یَّنْشَقُّ عَنْہُ الْقَبْرُ وَأَوَّلُ شَافِعٍ وَأَوَّلُ مُشَفَّعٍ ))
"On the Day of Resurrection, I will be the leader of the children of Adam (peace be upon him), and the first to have my grave opened. I will be the first to intercede, and my intercession will be accepted first."
Reference: Sahih Muslim:2278
Is there such a thing as a good innovation (Bid’ah Hasanah) in religion?
Some people believe that if the celebration of Eid Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ is an innovation, then it is not a bad innovation but a good innovation! Whereas our belief is that every new act in religion is a bad innovation and misguidance, no matter how good it may appear outwardly.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to say in every sermon of need:
(( أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ خَیْرَ الْحَدِیْثِ کِتَابُ اللّٰہِ وَخَیْرَ الْہَدْیِ هَدْیُ مُحَمَّدٍ صلي الله عليه وسلم وَشَرَّ الْأُمُوْرِ مُحْدَثَاتُہَاوَکُلَّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ ))
After praise and thanks! Indeed, the best speech is the Book of Allah, and the best way is the way of Muhammad ﷺ. And the worst of matters are those which are newly invented in the religion, and every innovation is misguidance.
From this hadith, it is proven that any act which has no proof in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger ﷺ and is newly introduced in the religion is the worst act, no matter how good it may seem to people. And every new act in religion is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance.
Just think, if it were permissible to invent any new act of goodness in religion, then why did the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ admonish those three individuals, one of whom vowed to stay up all night in prayer, the second to fast continuously, and the third to never marry women? Were their intentions not related to good deeds? Did these three people intend to commit any bad act that the Prophet ﷺ had to severely warn them against? Certainly, they intended good deeds, but the Prophet ﷺ rejected their intentions because, although they were related to good deeds, they deviated from the Prophet’s method and seemed to be trying to surpass him. This proves that there is no such thing as a "good innovation" (bid‘ah hasanah) in Islam. And until a good deed is established according to the method of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, it can neither be called good nor be considered part of the religion.
And Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
(( مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِیْ أَمْرِنَا هَذَا مَا لَیْسَ مِنْہُ فَہُوَ رَدٌّ ))
"Whoever introduces into this religion of ours something new which is not part of it, it is rejected."
Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah:14
Reference: In a narration of Muslim
, these words are mentioned: (( مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلًا لَیْسَ عَلَیْہِ أَمْرُنَا فَہُوَ رَدٌّ ))"Whoever does an action which is not commanded by us, it is rejected."
Reference: Sahih Muslim:1718
From this hadith, it is also established that every new act and every new method in the religion is rejected and unacceptable.
Once, Hazrat Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the house of Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) and said: I have just seen something in the mosque which I do not consider correct, although, Alhamdulillah, I have seen good things as well! He asked: What is it? Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) said: When you go to the mosque yourself, you will see it too. I saw some people sitting in different circles waiting for the prayer; they had pebbles in their hands, and in each circle, one man would tell the others to recite "Allah Akbar" one hundred times, so they would recite "Allah Akbar" one hundred times. Then he would say, "Recite La ilaha illa Allah one hundred times," and they would recite it one hundred times. Then he would say, "Now recite Subhan Allah one hundred times," and they would recite it one hundred times!
Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: After seeing all this, what did you say to them? He replied: I did not say anything to them while waiting for your opinion.
Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Did you not command them to count their sins (not their good deeds) and guarantee them that none of their good deeds would be lost?
Then Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the mosque and went to one of those circles and said: What are you doing?
The people said: Abu Abdur Rahman! These are pebbles with which we are counting the tasbihs of Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah, and Subhanallah!
Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Count your bad deeds, and I guarantee you that none of your good deeds will be lost. Then he said:
(وَیْحَکُمْ یَا أُمَّةَ مُحَمَّدٍ مَا أَسْرَعَ هَلَکَتُکُمْ هٰؤلَاءِ صَحَابَةُ نَبِیِّکُمْ صلي الله عليه وسلم مُتَوَافِرُوْنَ وَهٰذِہٖ ثِیَابُہُ لَمْ تَبْلُ وَآنِیَتُہُ لَمْ تُکْسَرْوَالَّذِیْ نَفْسِی بِیَدِہٖ إِنَّکُمْ لَعَلٰی مِلَّةٍ هِیَ أَهْدٰی مِنْ مِلَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ صلي الله عليه وسلم أَوْ مُفْتَتِحُو بَابَ ضَلَالَةٍ )
’’It is a pity for you, O Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ, how quickly you have headed towards destruction! The companions of your Prophet ﷺ are still present in large numbers, and the clothes of the Prophet ﷺ have not yet worn out, nor have his utensils broken. By the One in Whose hand is my life! Do you think that you have a better way of conduct than that of Muhammad ﷺ, or are you opening a door to misguidance!‘‘
The people said: ( وَاللّٰہِ یَا أَبَا عَبْدِ الرَّحْمٰنِ مَا أَرَدْنَا إِلَّا الْخَیْرَ )
Abu Abdur Rahman! By Allah, we only intended good.
He said: (وَکَمْ مِنْ مُرِیْدٍ لِلْخَیْرِ لَن یُّصِیْبَہُ)
’’How many are those who intend good but they never attain that good.
Reference: Silsilat al-Ahadith as-Sahihah:3420
Just think, was reciting tasbihs a bad act? Certainly, it was not a bad act, nor did Hazrat Abdullah Masood (may Allah be pleased with him) speak ill of them for reciting tasbihs. Rather, the severity in his tone was because he saw people reciting tasbihs in a manner that deviated from the pure Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and the practice of the noble companions (may Allah be pleased with them). This is because the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the companions (may Allah be pleased with them) counted tasbihs on the fingers of their right hand, not with pebbles. Moreover, they did not sit in circles and recite tasbihs collectively but recited them individually and separately. So, although their act was considered a good deed by the people, since it deviated from the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (may Allah be pleased with him) admonished them in very strong words. He did not say, "Okay, it is fine, no problem, because it is a good deed," but rather he equated it to opening a door to misguidance. Therefore, it is proven that there is no good innovation (bid'ah hasanah) in religion; every innovation is bad, and every innovation is misguidance.
Those who hold Milad usually give five arguments:
① Milad is an annual commemoration, and celebrating it increases love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The answer to this is that if a Muslim does not remember the Messenger of Allah ﷺ dozens of times a day, then annual or monthly commemorative gatherings should be held in which he can remember his Prophet and express his love for him ﷺ. But if a Muslim remembers him ﷺ dozens of times day and night and continuously sends blessings and salutations upon him, then what is the meaning of holding annual gatherings for this purpose?
② In Milad, the Shama'il Muhammadiyah and the knowledge of the noble lineage of the Prophet ﷺ are obtained.
The answer to this argument is that hearing about the characteristics and virtues of the Prophet ﷺ once a year is not sufficient; how can hearing it once be enough when the life of the Prophet ﷺ is such that it is necessary and indispensable to listen to and learn about it throughout the year.
③ Expressing happiness on the birth of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is a proof of faith.
This argument is also completely meaningless because the question is whether the happiness is for the Prophet ﷺ or for the day on which he was born? If the happiness is for the Prophet ﷺ, then it should be continuous and not limited to one day. And if the happiness is for the day on which he was born, then this is the same day on which the Prophet ﷺ passed away, so what wisdom is there in celebrating happiness on the day of the beloved’s death?
④ Food is served to people during Milad, which carries great reward and blessings.
This argument is the weakest because the encouragement to feed (the poor) is not for just one day in the year but for the entire year.
⑤ During Milad, the Quran is recited and blessings and salutations are sent upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
This argument is also invalid like the first four because gathering specifically for the recitation of the Quran and sending blessings and salutations upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is itself an innovation (bid'ah). Moreover, reciting eulogies and poems in a melodious voice and exaggerating in praising the Prophet (peace be upon him) is also wrong.
These five arguments are also insufficient because if they were accepted as correct, it would imply that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was negligent (may Allah protect us) and did not encourage such things on the day of his birth, which those who celebrate Milad try to compensate for!!
① An incident is narrated that the unfortunate Abu Lahab was seen in a dream. When asked about his well-being, he said that he is afflicted with the torment of fire, but every Saturday night the punishment is lessened. He pointed between his two fingers towards the fingertip and said that he drinks that much water. The reason given was that when his slave girl Thuwaybah informed him of the birth of the Prophet ﷺ, he happily freed her.
The answer to this is that (1) no Shariah ruling is established from anyone's dream. (2) Secondly, this narration is mursal (disconnected), which is not authoritative. (3) Thirdly, the Salaf and Khalaf agree that if a disbeliever dies in a state of disbelief, he will not receive the reward for his good deeds. (4) Fourthly, Abu Lahab's happiness was a natural happiness, not an act of worship, and if the happiness is not for the sake of Allah, then no reward is given for it. (5) Fifthly, a believer should always be happy about the birth of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ; it is not correct to designate a special day for the birth of the Prophet ﷺ.
② It is narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed his own Aqeeqah, and since his grandfather had also performed his Aqeeqah and Aqeeqah is not done twice, the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed Aqeeqah to express gratitude for his birth. Therefore, the Ummah should also specially arrange food and drink on the day of his birth.
The answer to this is:
◄ This narration is weak, and Imam Nawawi has declared it (a fabricated hadith).
◄ And even if it is accepted as authentic, where does it say that the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed this Aqeeqah to express gratitude for his birth? This is merely based on assumption, and assumptions have no value. {إِنَّ الظَّنَّ لاَ یُغْنِی مِنَ الْحَقِّ شَیْئًا }
◄ The third answer is that the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) performed Aqeeqah only once, not every year! Whereas those who celebrate Milad do so every year!
③ It is in an authentic hadith that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ fasted on the day of Ashura and also commanded it. When he was asked about it, he replied that it is a good day; Allah Almighty saved Musa (Moses) عليه السلام and the Children of Israel from Pharaoh on this day... etc. Therefore, when the Prophet ﷺ fasted on this day in gratitude for the salvation of Musa عليه السلام and the Children of Israel and commanded the Muslims to do so as well, should we then make the day of the Prophet’s ﷺ birth not a day of fasting but a day of eating, drinking, and celebration!!
How strange is this matter? If this hadith was to be used as evidence, then it would have mentioned fasting, but it was left out because fasting involves enduring hunger and thirst, which is a very difficult matter for ordinary people. And what was mentioned was eating, drinking, and celebrating. Does the gratitude to Allah Almighty consist of indulgence and feasts?
④ The authentic hadith states that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to fast on Mondays and Thursdays, and he explained the reason that Monday is the day on which I was born and on which I was sent... etc.
The answer to this is that
◄ The gratitude for the blessing of the birth of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) should be of the same kind as the gratitude that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) himself showed.
◄ Secondly, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did not fast on the day of his birth, which is the twelfth of Rabi' al-Awwal, but he fasted on Monday, which occurs four to five times every month. On this basis, to designate the twelfth of Rabi' al-Awwal for a special act and to neglect the Monday that comes every week is actually a correction of the Prophet (peace be upon him) — something no Muslim can even imagine.
◄ Thirdly, when the Prophet (peace be upon him) fasted on Monday in gratitude for his birth, did he hold any gathering or ceremony along with the fast, as these Mawlid people do, where crowds gather, praise poetry and songs are recited, and special food and drink are served?
Those who celebrate Milad consider the blessed day of the birth of the Prophet ﷺ as an 'Eid' day, whereas from the earliest period of this Ummah, the Muslims have only had two annual Eids. As Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه narrates, when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to Madinah, the people had two days in the year on which they played (celebrated). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked them: What are these two days? They said: Since the time of ignorance, we have been playing and celebrating on these days. He said:
(( وقَدْ أَبْدَلَکُمُ اللّٰہُ بِہِمَا خَیْرًا مِنْہُمَا : یَوْمَ الْفِطْرِ وَیَوْمَ الأضْحٰی))
Allah Almighty has given you two better days in their place, and they are the days of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i:1557
From this blessed hadith, it is understood that the only two legitimate Eids to be celebrated as Islamic festivals in the year are these two, and Allah Almighty has appointed them for the Muslims.
Besides, Friday has been declared the weekly Eid for Muslims. As Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
(( إِنَّ هَذَا یَوْمُ عِیْدٍ جَعَلَہُ اللّٰہُ لِلْمُسْلِمِیْنَ فَمَنْ جَائَ إِلَی الْجُمُعَةِ فَلْیَغْتَسِلْ وَإِنْ کَانَ طِیْبٌ فَلْیَمَسَّ مِنْہُ وَعَلَیْکُمْ بِالسِّوَاكِ))
Indeed, this is the day of Eid which Allah has made only for the Muslims. Therefore, whoever comes for the Friday prayer should take a bath, and if perfume is available, he should apply it. And it is obligatory upon you to use the miswak.
Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah: 1098
In the end, we pray to Allah Almighty to grant us the ability, by His grace and generosity, to understand the truth and act upon it. Ameen.
Respected gentlemen! Innovating new practices in religion for which there is no evidence in the Quran, Hadith, or the practice of the noble companions (may Allah be pleased with them) is a very dangerous matter.
It is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) once stood up to give advice and among other things, he said:
(( أَلَا وَإِنَّہُ سَیُجَاءُ بِرِجَالٍ مِنْ أُمَّتِی فَیُؤْخَذُ بِہِمْ ذَاتَ الشِّمَالِ فَأَقُوْلُ : یَارَبِّ أَصْحَابِی؟ فَیُقَالُ : إِنَّكَ لَا تَدْرِیْ مَا أَحْدَثُوْا بَعْدَكَ))
"Beware! Some people from my Ummah will be brought on the Day of Judgment and will be pushed to the left side (towards Hell). I will say: O Lord! These are my companions? It will be said: You do not know what new things they innovated in the religion after you!
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari:6526
And it is narrated from Hazrat Anas (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
(( لَیَرِدَنَّ عَلَیَّ نَاسٌ مِّنْ أَصْحَابِیْ الْحَوْضَ حَتّٰی إِذَا عََرفْتُہُمْ اِخْتَلَجُوْا دُوْنِیْ فَأَقُوْلُ: أَصْحَابِیْ،فَیُقَالُ لِیْ : لَا تَدْرِیْ مَا أَحْدَثُوْا بَعْدَكَ))
Some of my companions will surely come to me at the Pond, until I recognize them, then they will be pushed away from me. I will say: These are my companions! It will be said to me: You do not know what new things they innovated in the religion after you.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari:6582
It has been learned that those who innovate new practices in religion will be deprived of the water of the Pond of Kawthar by the hands of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ on the Day of Judgment. Therefore, it is obligatory upon every Muslim to avoid innovating in religious matters and to follow the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Whether in happiness or sorrow, one should not deviate from the way of the Prophet ﷺ in any circumstance, for therein lies their good and well-being. May Allah grant us all the ability to do so. Ameen.
