Celebrating Mawlid….a rather hot topic. Some would consider it controversial, others would know that the matter has its clear ruling, and still others would debate, ignoring the evidences.

Nonetheless, celebration of mawlid-an-Nabi occurs year in and year out, in many different forms. From simple gatherings to learn the seerah, to more auspicious dinners, complete with live entertainments. Whilst learning the seerah is perfectly harmless, the thread that intertwines this practice, which is limited to this time of year, is the same thread that runs through the more elaborate events, thus everything falls under the same category. It all is a celebration of the same event, with the same underlying principles.

Firstly, we should cover some background information behind this celebration. The celebration takes place on the 12th of Rabi Al Awwal, this is the confirmed date of the Prophet’s death. The correct date of his birth is 9th Rabi Al Awwal. Thus the celebration is more for his death than his birth. Moreover, this celebration was introduced after the Prophet’s death, in around the 6th or 7th century, thereby having no connection to the best generations or the Prophet himself. To add to this, it originated from the Fatimite Shi’ah, in which the Sufi’s were promoted.

Now, on to the main question: Why is celebration of Mawlid prohibited?

Firstly: This celebration or commemoration has no basis in the Quran or Sunnah, nor was this practice found amongst the Khulafa Ar-Rashideen, nor amongst the tabi’een.

Secondly: To add something to the religion is to undermine Allah’s statement, “This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.” (05:03) When something is complete, there is no space for anything else. Thus, to attach practices to Islam that were not found in it during the lifetime of the Prophet, is to say that Allah did not complete the religion, it is to belie Allah’s words.

Thirdly: Celebration of birthdays is an imitation of the disbelievers. Celebrating birthdays has not been prescribed in our Shari’ah, rather it is a custom found amongst the disbelievers.

Next up: To engage in such a practice is to venerate the Prophet beyond the limits prescribed in Islam. It is a form of exaggeration, as often the Prophet is idolised in such events.

Furthermore: it opens the door to more innovations, and causes people to neglect the Sunnah. Most of those who engage in such events barely implement the Sunnah in their daily life. Allowing room for one innovations only gives excuse to bring in more and pile it all on.

This is a brief summary of the reason why the celebration of Mawlid is forbidden in all forms, whether a minimal celebration or a full on party.

Further Reading: https://islamqa.info/en/249

The Ruling Concerning the Celebration of Mawlid An-Nabi by Sh Salih Al Fawzan