What is the ruling on delivering lectures and sermons on the occasion of the Mawlid, and are they among the innovations?
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The questioner : Are the celebrations or the delivery of lectures on the biography of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) on these days considered among the innovations?
The Shaykh : No, I mean, he is asking: if the imam delivers the Friday sermon and mentions in it the principle of the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) mission, his mission, and something of his life, is it considered an innovation? The answer is no. We say no. Why? Because this sermon exists; the Friday sermon is established from before. However, to hold a lecture on the same day is among the innovations or among the means to innovations. Do you understand? As for our year, Friday does not coincide with the twelfth day; Friday is on the eleventh day. In any case, if the origin of the sermon is prescribed, like the Friday sermon, and a person mentions in it the mission of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), there is no harm, because this is a mention of the history of his life on the occasion of his mission (peace and blessings be upon him) and his birth. Do you understand? However, to hold a lecture on these days is among the innovations. If it is not among the innovations, it is an argument for the people of innovation. Yes, on the right?
The questioner : O Shaykh, may Allah reward you with good. There are people in areas known for these celebrations; they exist. If there is a focus on lectures...
The Shaykh : Celebrations of what?
The questioner : The Mawlid.
The Shaykh : Huh?
The questioner : The areas known for Mawlid celebrations.
The Shaykh : And what is in them?
The questioner : There are many celebrations in them.
The Shaykh : Where is it?
The questioner : In some eastern areas...
The Shaykh : By Allah, praise be to Allah, as for the Kingdom, I do not know that this is held publicly. Perhaps some ignorant people hold it in their homes. And even so, it is incumbent upon the people of knowledge to clarify in the countries where this is prevalent, even if secretly, that this is an innovation and that it does not increase them in anything from Allah except distance.
The Shaykh : No, I mean, he is asking: if the imam delivers the Friday sermon and mentions in it the principle of the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) mission, his mission, and something of his life, is it considered an innovation? The answer is no. We say no. Why? Because this sermon exists; the Friday sermon is established from before. However, to hold a lecture on the same day is among the innovations or among the means to innovations. Do you understand? As for our year, Friday does not coincide with the twelfth day; Friday is on the eleventh day. In any case, if the origin of the sermon is prescribed, like the Friday sermon, and a person mentions in it the mission of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), there is no harm, because this is a mention of the history of his life on the occasion of his mission (peace and blessings be upon him) and his birth. Do you understand? However, to hold a lecture on these days is among the innovations. If it is not among the innovations, it is an argument for the people of innovation. Yes, on the right?
The questioner : O Shaykh, may Allah reward you with good. There are people in areas known for these celebrations; they exist. If there is a focus on lectures...
The Shaykh : Celebrations of what?
The questioner : The Mawlid.
The Shaykh : Huh?
The questioner : The areas known for Mawlid celebrations.
The Shaykh : And what is in them?
The questioner : There are many celebrations in them.
The Shaykh : Where is it?
The questioner : In some eastern areas...
The Shaykh : By Allah, praise be to Allah, as for the Kingdom, I do not know that this is held publicly. Perhaps some ignorant people hold it in their homes. And even so, it is incumbent upon the people of knowledge to clarify in the countries where this is prevalent, even if secretly, that this is an innovation and that it does not increase them in anything from Allah except distance.