The Shaykh’s explanation of the prescribed method of celebrating the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), which is following the Sunnah.

The Shaykh : This serves as a reminder that what came from the Salaf is truth and veracity. No religious innovation was ever introduced without a Sunnah being extinguished. We feel this with our own hands. How is this? I told you in my first remark that we have a prescribed celebration for the birth of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). I said I do not want to go on and on about it, and now I say: from the established Sunnah in the authentic hadiths agreed upon by scholars is fasting every Monday of the week. This is well known, and some of the devout people even today maintain this Sunnah. As for the general public, may Allah preserve them, they maintain the obligation of fasting Ramadan, only fasting Ramadan. As for the general public, they are indifferent to this Sunnah. But I return to those few people who fast on Monday. If you asked them, "Why do you fast on Monday?" they would say to you, "It is a recommended practice..." This is sound speech, but it is not speech that indicates the awareness and knowledge a Muslim should have, especially when he is celebrating with the masses of people this un-prescribed celebration of the birth of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). This is what I wanted to mention. It is narrated in Sahih Muslim from the hadith of Abu Qatadah al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: He asked him several questions, among which was: He asked, "What do you say about fasting on Monday?" meaning, is it a recommended, prescribed practice in which there is good? So he answered him with this answer. And this answer is of the wise style, as if he is saying: Fasting on Monday is a prescribed fast from the perspective of thanking Allah (Mighty and Majestic) for the fact that I was born on this day and I was sent as a prophet on this day. You must fast on Monday because I was born on it and I was sent on it. Do the Muslims today who hold these glittering, ostentatious celebrations fast on Monday? We said very few fast, and those few do not know the wisdom of this fasting, which is the prescribed celebration of the birth of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and his mission (peace and blessings be upon him). Look at how Satan diverts people from what the Messenger (may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him) legislated by what he invents for them of Sunnahs and innovated methods. I ask Allah (Mighty and Majestic) to grant us understanding in the Sunnah of our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and to guide us to act upon it, so that we may truly be Muslims, and so that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) may grant us a glorious victory. Indeed, He is Able to do what He wills, and worthy of granting the answer. And may Allah send prayers and peace upon Muhammad, the unlettered Prophet, and upon his family and his Companions.