❀ Source: Monthly Al-Hadith, Hazro
❀ The Celebration of “Eid Milad”
In the present era, followers of Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi (d. 1921) — who consider him their guide — celebrate the birth of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) every year in the lunar month of Rabi‘ al-Awwal. They hold processions and adorn places with flags and electric lights, regarding it as an act of merit. However, this practice is not established by the Qur’an, Hadith, consensus (ijma‘), the best generations, or the reports of the pious predecessors (salaf salihin). In fact, the celebration of Mawlid was innovated several centuries after the passing of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم).
The esteemed Saudi Mufti and jurist, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-‘Uthaymeen (رحمہ اللہ), stated:
“The innovation of ‘Eid Milad’ began in the fourth century Hijri. There was no trace of it in the first three and best centuries. If celebrating the Prophet’s birth had truly been a matter of truth, then the Muslims of the earliest generations would surely have observed it even more fervently than us. If you are sincere in your claim of love for the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم), then follow him, because his following is the true embodiment of goodness and well-being. Therefore, my Muslim brother! Adopt the following of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and abandon these innovations.”
(Fatawa Islamiyyah, vol. 1, p. 148)
He further remarked that it is astonishing how some people regard this innovation with such great emphasis, as if it were the most important obligation and duty — yet they show extreme negligence towards those sound Sunnahs that are authentically established from the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). Hence, one should repent from this behavior in the court of Allah and declare:
“سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا”
(“We hear and we obey”) etc.
It is worth noting that even the prominent figures of the Barelvi scholars themselves acknowledge that this practice is an innovation, although they label it as a “good innovation (bid‘ah hasanah)” in an attempt to mislead common and simple-minded Muslims. For example, consider the book Jashn-e-Milad-un-Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم A’immah wa Muhaddithin ki Nazar Mein (p. 15) by Muhammad Tahir al-Qadri Barelvi.
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
“وكل بدعة ضلالة”
“Every innovation is misguidance.”
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Jumu‘ah, Bab Takhfif al-Salah wa al-Khutbah, Hadith 867/43; Dar al-Salam: 2005)
Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (رضی اللہ عنہما) stated:
“كل بدعة ضلالة وإن رآها الناس حسنة”
“Every innovation is misguidance, even if the people regard it as good.”
(As-Sunnah by al-Marwazi: 82, with a sound chain)
❀ A Respectful Appeal
To all Barelvi scholars and preachers, it is respectfully submitted: Can you present any evidence, in word or deed, from Sayyiduna Rasulullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم), his noble Companions (رضی اللہ عنہم اجمعین), the eminent Tabi‘in (رحمہم اللہ), or the pious predecessors (salaf salihin) supporting the customary practice of celebrating Eid Milad? If there is none, then why do you persist in this practice?
❀ The Celebration of “Eid Milad”
In the present era, followers of Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi (d. 1921) — who consider him their guide — celebrate the birth of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) every year in the lunar month of Rabi‘ al-Awwal. They hold processions and adorn places with flags and electric lights, regarding it as an act of merit. However, this practice is not established by the Qur’an, Hadith, consensus (ijma‘), the best generations, or the reports of the pious predecessors (salaf salihin). In fact, the celebration of Mawlid was innovated several centuries after the passing of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم).
The esteemed Saudi Mufti and jurist, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-‘Uthaymeen (رحمہ اللہ), stated:
“The innovation of ‘Eid Milad’ began in the fourth century Hijri. There was no trace of it in the first three and best centuries. If celebrating the Prophet’s birth had truly been a matter of truth, then the Muslims of the earliest generations would surely have observed it even more fervently than us. If you are sincere in your claim of love for the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم), then follow him, because his following is the true embodiment of goodness and well-being. Therefore, my Muslim brother! Adopt the following of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and abandon these innovations.”
(Fatawa Islamiyyah, vol. 1, p. 148)
He further remarked that it is astonishing how some people regard this innovation with such great emphasis, as if it were the most important obligation and duty — yet they show extreme negligence towards those sound Sunnahs that are authentically established from the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). Hence, one should repent from this behavior in the court of Allah and declare:
“سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا”
(“We hear and we obey”) etc.
It is worth noting that even the prominent figures of the Barelvi scholars themselves acknowledge that this practice is an innovation, although they label it as a “good innovation (bid‘ah hasanah)” in an attempt to mislead common and simple-minded Muslims. For example, consider the book Jashn-e-Milad-un-Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم A’immah wa Muhaddithin ki Nazar Mein (p. 15) by Muhammad Tahir al-Qadri Barelvi.
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
“وكل بدعة ضلالة”
“Every innovation is misguidance.”
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Jumu‘ah, Bab Takhfif al-Salah wa al-Khutbah, Hadith 867/43; Dar al-Salam: 2005)
Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (رضی اللہ عنہما) stated:
“كل بدعة ضلالة وإن رآها الناس حسنة”
“Every innovation is misguidance, even if the people regard it as good.”
(As-Sunnah by al-Marwazi: 82, with a sound chain)
❀ A Respectful Appeal
To all Barelvi scholars and preachers, it is respectfully submitted: Can you present any evidence, in word or deed, from Sayyiduna Rasulullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم), his noble Companions (رضی اللہ عنہم اجمعین), the eminent Tabi‘in (رحمہم اللہ), or the pious predecessors (salaf salihin) supporting the customary practice of celebrating Eid Milad? If there is none, then why do you persist in this practice?
