There is nothing in the Quraan to say that we should celebrate the Mawlid or birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The Prophet himself (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not do this or command anyone to do it, either during his lifetime or after his death. Indeed, he told them not to exaggerate about him as the Christians had exaggerated about Jesus (upon whom be peace).
He said: “Do not exaggerate about me as the Christians exaggerated about the son of Maryam. I am only a slave, so say, ‘The slave of Allaah and His Messenger.’” (Reported by al-Bukhaari).
What has been reported is that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made the day of his birth a day of worship, which is different to celebration.
He was asked about fasting on Mondays, and he said: “That is the day on which I was born and the day on which I was entrusted with the Mission or when I was first given Revelation.” (Reported by Muslim, al-Nisaa’i and Abu Dawood).
Moreover, we know that the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) were the people who loved the Prophet most. Was it reported that Abu Bakr, who was the closest of people to him and the one who loved him the most, celebrated the birthday of the Prophet (pbuh) (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? Was it reported that Umar, who ruled for twelve years, or Uthmaan, did this? Was it reported that Ali, his relative and foster son, did this? Was it reported that any of the Sahaabah did this? No, by Allaah! Is it because they were not aware of its importance, or did they not truly love the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? No one would say such a thing except one who has gone astray and is leading others astray.
Did any of the imaams – Abu Haneefah, Maalik, al-Shaafi, Ahmad, al-Hasan al-Basri, Ibn Seereen – do this or command others to do it or say that it was good? By Allaah, no! It was not even mentioned during the first and best three centuries.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said in a saheeh hadeeth: “The best of mankind are my generation (or my century), then those who come after them, then those who come after them. Then there will come a people who will not care if their testimony comes before their oath or vice versa (i.e., they will not take such matter seriously).” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, Muslim and al-Tirmidhi).
The celebration of the Prophet birthday appeared many centuries later, when many of the features of true religion had vanished and bid’ah had become widespread.
Thus this celebration became a sign of one’s love for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? But can it be possible that the Sahaabah, the imaams and the people of the best three centuries were unaware of it, and it was only those who came later who were aware of its importance?! What the Quraan tells us is that love of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is demonstrated by following the guidance he brought. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Say (O Muhammad): ‘If you (really) love Allaah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Say: ‘Obey Allaah and the Messenger.’ But if they turn away, then Allaah does not like the disbelievers.” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:31-32]
The first aayah explains that love is just a claim, but the proof of sincerity is following what the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) brought.
The second aayah reaffirms the importance and necessity of obeying Allaah and His Messenger.
Hence Allaah ended the aayah with a very stern warning in which those who refuse to obey are described as kaafirs, and Allah does not love the disbelievers. We ask Allaah to keep us safe from that. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us of the danger of not obeying him, and the danger of adding to what he brought.
The celebration of Mawlid or his birthday is indeed an addition to what he brought – as all the scholars agree. He said: “The best of speech is the Book of Allaah, and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. The most evil of things are those which are newly-invented (in religion), and every innovation is a going astray.” (Reported by Muslim and al-Nisaa’i).
Valentines Day : Its Reality and Ruling
The religion of Islam is complete, so there is absolutely no need for invented opinions, innovated desires or man-made legislation. The blessings and favours that have been given to us by Islam are all-inclusive and so we do not have any need for seasons and occasions to be invented so that we may celebrate them.
Allaah Says (what means): "This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as a religion." [Quran 5: 3]
Our religion is supreme, it is the most perfect one. It combines the good of this life and the Hereafter; it addressed the soul and was not heedless of the body; it gave preference to the Hereafter but did not neglect our needs in this life. Allaah Says (what means): "But seek, through that which Allaah has given you, the home of the Hereafter." [Quran 28: 77]
Our religion is a moderate religion that is neither negligent of any matter, nor does it exaggerate any issue beyond its rightful status. There is no monasticism in Islam, nor blind-materialism,
Allaah Says (what means): "Thus We have made you a median (i.e. just) community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you." [Quran 2: 143]
How is it that the believers can squander this position, which Allaah granted them and become humiliated while they still have the Quran and the Sunnah to refer to? Why would we be pleased with becoming mere followers after enjoying the position of leadership ? How can we go astray and become blind-imitators after being guides ? What possesses a person to become a slave who carries out orders, after being a master?
The answer to these questions lies in the saying of the Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam as narrated by Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri : "You will follow in the footsteps of those who came before you hand-span by hand-span and (the length of an) arm by arm, such that even if they enter into the dwelling place of a lizard you would still follow them." The Companions asked: "O Messenger of Allaah, do you mean (by 'those who came before you') the Jews and the Christians?" He sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam replied: "Who else ?" [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
So, once again, we have the army of disbelief attacking us, propagating the celebration of a holiday - and what a deceitful and treacherous holiday it is! A holiday which they have given a name other than its actual one in order to mislead people, they gave it a noble name to deceive the pure and the chaste. They called it the day of love, while it is actually the day of immorality, prostitution and drinking. They spread immorality dressed in the garment of virtue and this is the age-old method that Satan uses.
Allaah exposed this tactic in His Book when He says regarding the deception of Satan of our father Aadam and our mother Hawwaa' (what means): "And he swore (by Allaah) to them both: 'Indeed, I am to you from among the sincere advisors'" [Quran 7: 21]
Beware of the deceiver who approaches you with an advising tongue, for he knows that if he were to openly state his intention, he would never attain his objectives. Allaah Says (what means): "But they plan, and Allaah plans. And Allaah is the best of planners." [Quran 8: 30]
It is claimed that pagan Greece used to celebrate on the fifteenth day of February every year which coincided with a spring holiday. At that time Christianity was new to the area. The emperor Claudius II forbade marriage for his soldiers. Valentine, a Christian priest challenged this command and used to conduct secret marriage sermons. He was soon discovered and was sentenced to death. While in prison he fell in love with the daughter of a prison guard, but this was a secret since Christianity forbade priests to marry or have romantic relations with women, but since he remained steadfast on Christianity, the people overlooked his crime of falling in love.
The emperor offered to forgive him and make him one of his close companions and marry one of his daughters to him, on the condition that he gave up Christianity, but Valentine favoured Christianity and was executed on the fourteenth of February, 270 CE - the night before the celebration of the Greek spring holiday of the fifteenth of February. Ever since then, it was called Priest Valentine's holiday. After the spread of Christianity throughout Europe, February the fourteenth was re-named 'Valentine's Day' in his memory because (they claim) he sacrificed himself for Christianity and fostered those in love.
That was the story behind this holiday. Unfortunately many young men and women were deceived by this, due to the weakness of their faith, ignorance of Islam, heedlessness and the lack of guidance by the Muslim scholars and leaders. The ignorant youth were hoodwinked into celebrating this holiday.
Among the manifestations of this holiday are the giving of red roses, the wearing of red dresses, and exchanging special greetings, cards and gifts. This is a day where one is 'supposed' to remember their wives or lovers.
This holiday is so ingrained in western culture that remembering this day and celebrating it has become a sign of 'true and sincere love' and it is not uncommon for one who forgets about this day to be thought of as 'insincere' and 'untrue' in his or her love!
Every Muslim must know that this holiday was invented by the disbelievers and it is therefore unlawful to celebrate it according to the religion of Islam. There is no difference of opinion among the Muslim scholars regarding this.
In fact, even if this holiday was invented by the Muslims it would still be unlawful to celebrate it. Aaishah narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam said: "He who innovates something in our matter (i.e. the religion of Islam), will have it rejected." [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
Anas Ibn Maalik narrated that when the Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam came to Madeenah, he sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam found people celebrating a two-day memorial which dated back to the time of Jaahiliyyah (the pre-Islamic era). He sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam said: "Allaah Has replaced these for you with two better days; the day of Eedul-Adh-haa (sacrifice) and the day of Eedul-Fitr (following Ramadhaan)." [Ahmad, An-Nasaai & Abu Daawood)]
Shaykh Abu Hafs An-Nisfi went as far as to say: 'He who offers an egg as a gift to a disbeliever in glorification of their day of celebration becomes a disbeliever'".
Allaah warned us from following the disbelievers or supporting them and commanded us to differ from them. He Almighty Says (what means): "O you who have believed! Take not those who have taken your religion in ridicule and amusement among the ones who were given the Scripture before you nor the disbelievers as allies. And fear Allaah if you should (truly) be believers." [Quran: 5: 57]
The Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam said: "He who resembles a group of people will be with them (in the Hereafter)." [Ahmad and others]
How can it be that a Muslim accepts for himself and his family the celebration of an immoral holiday innovated by disbelievers; Valentines Day, the claimed celebration of love? How can he allow his family to celebrate the holiday of a Christian priest, Valentine, who was cursing Allaah day and night by saying: "He is one of three, He had a wife, He had begotten a son etc." ?
Allaah is exalted far above what they attribute to Him.
Allaah Says (what means): "And they say: 'The Most Merciful (Allaah) has taken (for Himself) a son. You have done an atrocious thing. The heavens almost rupture therefrom and the earth splits open and the mountains collapse in devastation. That they attribute to the Most Merciful a son. And it is not appropriate for the Most Merciful that He should take a son. There is no one in the heavens and earth but that he comes to the Most Merciful as a servant. He has enumerated them and counted them a (full) counting. And all of them are coming to Him on the Day of resurrection alone." [Quran 19: 88-95]
Allaah Says (what means): "Be not deceived by the (uninhibited) movement of the disbelievers throughout the land, (It is but) a small enjoyment; then their (final) refuge is Hell, and wretched is the resting place!" [Quran 3: 196-197]
Do not be deceived by them and what they doing because this life is a temporary one and it is vanishing fast. Allaah Says (what means): "But the Hereafter is better and more lasting" (Al-A'laa: 17)
and also: "It will be, on the Day they see it, as though they had not remained (in the world) except for an afternoon or a morning thereof." [Quran 79: 46]
Beware of these holidays which have been invented by the disbelievers and warn people against them; be proud of your religion; be distinct from the misguided; do not follow in their footsteps or be affected by their ideas; ask Allaah to guide you and keep you steadfast.
Do not allow the uncertain to fool you; dont allow the disbelievers to misguide you; be proud of your religion and your celebrations; preserve your identity; and do not resemble or imitate the disbelievers because it leads to destruction and Hell.
Allaah Says (what means): "This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as a religion." [Quran 5: 3]
Our religion is supreme, it is the most perfect one. It combines the good of this life and the Hereafter; it addressed the soul and was not heedless of the body; it gave preference to the Hereafter but did not neglect our needs in this life. Allaah Says (what means): "But seek, through that which Allaah has given you, the home of the Hereafter." [Quran 28: 77]
Our religion is a moderate religion that is neither negligent of any matter, nor does it exaggerate any issue beyond its rightful status. There is no monasticism in Islam, nor blind-materialism,
Allaah Says (what means): "Thus We have made you a median (i.e. just) community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you." [Quran 2: 143]
How is it that the believers can squander this position, which Allaah granted them and become humiliated while they still have the Quran and the Sunnah to refer to? Why would we be pleased with becoming mere followers after enjoying the position of leadership ? How can we go astray and become blind-imitators after being guides ? What possesses a person to become a slave who carries out orders, after being a master?
The answer to these questions lies in the saying of the Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam as narrated by Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri : "You will follow in the footsteps of those who came before you hand-span by hand-span and (the length of an) arm by arm, such that even if they enter into the dwelling place of a lizard you would still follow them." The Companions asked: "O Messenger of Allaah, do you mean (by 'those who came before you') the Jews and the Christians?" He sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam replied: "Who else ?" [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
So, once again, we have the army of disbelief attacking us, propagating the celebration of a holiday - and what a deceitful and treacherous holiday it is! A holiday which they have given a name other than its actual one in order to mislead people, they gave it a noble name to deceive the pure and the chaste. They called it the day of love, while it is actually the day of immorality, prostitution and drinking. They spread immorality dressed in the garment of virtue and this is the age-old method that Satan uses.
Allaah exposed this tactic in His Book when He says regarding the deception of Satan of our father Aadam and our mother Hawwaa' (what means): "And he swore (by Allaah) to them both: 'Indeed, I am to you from among the sincere advisors'" [Quran 7: 21]
Beware of the deceiver who approaches you with an advising tongue, for he knows that if he were to openly state his intention, he would never attain his objectives. Allaah Says (what means): "But they plan, and Allaah plans. And Allaah is the best of planners." [Quran 8: 30]
It is claimed that pagan Greece used to celebrate on the fifteenth day of February every year which coincided with a spring holiday. At that time Christianity was new to the area. The emperor Claudius II forbade marriage for his soldiers. Valentine, a Christian priest challenged this command and used to conduct secret marriage sermons. He was soon discovered and was sentenced to death. While in prison he fell in love with the daughter of a prison guard, but this was a secret since Christianity forbade priests to marry or have romantic relations with women, but since he remained steadfast on Christianity, the people overlooked his crime of falling in love.
The emperor offered to forgive him and make him one of his close companions and marry one of his daughters to him, on the condition that he gave up Christianity, but Valentine favoured Christianity and was executed on the fourteenth of February, 270 CE - the night before the celebration of the Greek spring holiday of the fifteenth of February. Ever since then, it was called Priest Valentine's holiday. After the spread of Christianity throughout Europe, February the fourteenth was re-named 'Valentine's Day' in his memory because (they claim) he sacrificed himself for Christianity and fostered those in love.
That was the story behind this holiday. Unfortunately many young men and women were deceived by this, due to the weakness of their faith, ignorance of Islam, heedlessness and the lack of guidance by the Muslim scholars and leaders. The ignorant youth were hoodwinked into celebrating this holiday.
Among the manifestations of this holiday are the giving of red roses, the wearing of red dresses, and exchanging special greetings, cards and gifts. This is a day where one is 'supposed' to remember their wives or lovers.
This holiday is so ingrained in western culture that remembering this day and celebrating it has become a sign of 'true and sincere love' and it is not uncommon for one who forgets about this day to be thought of as 'insincere' and 'untrue' in his or her love!
Every Muslim must know that this holiday was invented by the disbelievers and it is therefore unlawful to celebrate it according to the religion of Islam. There is no difference of opinion among the Muslim scholars regarding this.
In fact, even if this holiday was invented by the Muslims it would still be unlawful to celebrate it. Aaishah narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam said: "He who innovates something in our matter (i.e. the religion of Islam), will have it rejected." [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
Anas Ibn Maalik narrated that when the Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam came to Madeenah, he sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam found people celebrating a two-day memorial which dated back to the time of Jaahiliyyah (the pre-Islamic era). He sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam said: "Allaah Has replaced these for you with two better days; the day of Eedul-Adh-haa (sacrifice) and the day of Eedul-Fitr (following Ramadhaan)." [Ahmad, An-Nasaai & Abu Daawood)]
Shaykh Abu Hafs An-Nisfi went as far as to say: 'He who offers an egg as a gift to a disbeliever in glorification of their day of celebration becomes a disbeliever'".
Allaah warned us from following the disbelievers or supporting them and commanded us to differ from them. He Almighty Says (what means): "O you who have believed! Take not those who have taken your religion in ridicule and amusement among the ones who were given the Scripture before you nor the disbelievers as allies. And fear Allaah if you should (truly) be believers." [Quran: 5: 57]
The Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam said: "He who resembles a group of people will be with them (in the Hereafter)." [Ahmad and others]
How can it be that a Muslim accepts for himself and his family the celebration of an immoral holiday innovated by disbelievers; Valentines Day, the claimed celebration of love? How can he allow his family to celebrate the holiday of a Christian priest, Valentine, who was cursing Allaah day and night by saying: "He is one of three, He had a wife, He had begotten a son etc." ?
Allaah is exalted far above what they attribute to Him.
Allaah Says (what means): "And they say: 'The Most Merciful (Allaah) has taken (for Himself) a son. You have done an atrocious thing. The heavens almost rupture therefrom and the earth splits open and the mountains collapse in devastation. That they attribute to the Most Merciful a son. And it is not appropriate for the Most Merciful that He should take a son. There is no one in the heavens and earth but that he comes to the Most Merciful as a servant. He has enumerated them and counted them a (full) counting. And all of them are coming to Him on the Day of resurrection alone." [Quran 19: 88-95]
Allaah Says (what means): "Be not deceived by the (uninhibited) movement of the disbelievers throughout the land, (It is but) a small enjoyment; then their (final) refuge is Hell, and wretched is the resting place!" [Quran 3: 196-197]
Do not be deceived by them and what they doing because this life is a temporary one and it is vanishing fast. Allaah Says (what means): "But the Hereafter is better and more lasting" (Al-A'laa: 17)
and also: "It will be, on the Day they see it, as though they had not remained (in the world) except for an afternoon or a morning thereof." [Quran 79: 46]
Beware of these holidays which have been invented by the disbelievers and warn people against them; be proud of your religion; be distinct from the misguided; do not follow in their footsteps or be affected by their ideas; ask Allaah to guide you and keep you steadfast.
Do not allow the uncertain to fool you; dont allow the disbelievers to misguide you; be proud of your religion and your celebrations; preserve your identity; and do not resemble or imitate the disbelievers because it leads to destruction and Hell.
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