Did the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) celebrate his birthday as some people do, or not?
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The questioner : This questioner, Tahir Muhammad from Algeria, says: O honorable Shaykh, did the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) celebrate his birthday as some people do, or not? We ask for your guidance and advice on this matter. May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and I send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets and the Imam of the righteous, and upon his family and his Companions, and those who follow them in excellence until the Day of Judgment. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not celebrate the anniversary of his birth, nor did Abu Bakr, nor 'Umar, nor 'Uthman, nor 'Ali, nor any of the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) celebrate it. Nor did those who followed them in excellence until the Day of Judgment, nor the followers of the followers, nor the Imams of the Muslims. Rather, this celebration of the birth of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was an innovation introduced during the fourth century, that is, after three hundred years from the migration of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family).
There is no doubt that the motive for this celebration, among those who established it, is, if Allah wills, love for the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). But love for the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is truly manifested by following the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). So whoever loves the Messenger most is undoubtedly the one who follows him most, and whoever follows the Messenger most is the clearest proof of his love for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). For this reason, the innovators say to the people of the Sunnah who hold fast to it: "These people do not love the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him and his family)." We say: Glory be to Allah! Which is closer to loving the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him): introducing into his religion what is not part of it, or holding fast to his guidance and his Sunnah? The answer is undoubtedly the latter. Whoever holds fast to his guidance and his Sunnah loves the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) more than the one who innovates in his Shari'ah what he did not legislate (peace and blessings be upon him). Indeed, the religious innovation in the religion of Allah contains a flaw regarding the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), as if this innovator is saying that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was ignorant of the legitimacy of this innovation, or that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) knew of its legitimacy but concealed it from his Ummah. Both of these are a clear flaw regarding the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). If the innovator were to reflect on the corrupt implications contained in his innovation, he would seek forgiveness from Allah for it and return to the Sunnah immediately without any preacher.
In summary, the answer to this question is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) never celebrated the anniversary of his birth, nor did his Rightly Guided Caliphs, nor the Companions, nor the Tabi'un, nor the followers of the Tabi'un, nor the Imams of the Muslims. Rather, this occurred from some of the rulers, and the people continued with it until our day.
But I am confident, by the permission of Allah the Mighty and Majestic, that this blessed awakening among the youth of the Muslim Ummah will eliminate this innovation, and it will disappear gradually, as has become evident in some Islamic countries where people remembered when they were reminded and took heed when they were admonished, and they did not return to this innovation. The innovator might say, "I have not introduced anything new; I am praying upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), mentioning him with good, praising him, and keeping his memory alive in the hearts." We say: This is good. Praying upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is praiseworthy, praising him with what he deserves is praiseworthy, and keeping his memory alive is praiseworthy. But Allah the Mighty and Majestic and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) have legislated for His Ummah what achieves remembrance and love in a manner other than this.
We mention the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) in every act of worship. This is what we should do, that is, to mention the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) in every act of worship. This is because every act of worship is built on two things: sincerity for Allah and following the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). When you feel that in your worship you are following the Messenger of Allah, this will be a remembrance of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).
Likewise, we mention the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and elevate his status and his memory in the highest places, five times every day and night in the adhan. We say in every adhan: "I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." This is keeping his memory alive and elevating his status from the minarets with raised voices. And we also say it a second time when standing for prayer in the iqamah: "I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." Is there a greater remembrance than this remembrance?
Likewise, when performing wudu', we say: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah." When we finish the wudu', we say: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger."
Likewise, in the prayer, in the tashahhud, we say: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger." So in all our states and in all our acts of worship, we mention the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), because worship is sincerity and following: sincerity to the Lord of the worlds and following the Messenger of the Lord of the worlds. So it is keeping the memory alive. There is no need for us to innovate in the Shari'ah of Allah what is not part of it in order to keep the memory alive. And as some scholars have said, keeping the memory of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) alive on this night necessitates that the remembrance of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) be forgotten on this night, and that these people wait for the arrival of this night to keep the memory of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) alive in it.
Therefore, we direct our Muslim brothers from this pulpit, which is the pulpit of "Light on the Path" from the Saudi Arabian Radio, to direct all our Muslim brothers to reflect on this matter and look into it, and to strive to follow the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and to follow his Rightly Guided Caliphs, as we were commanded to follow them. Allah the Exalted said:[At-Tawbah 9:100] And pay attention to this condition: And excellence is following their tracks in reality, in action and in leaving. [At-Tawbah 9:100] And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Mishkat al-Masabih 165Sahīh (Zubair `Aliza'i).
So let our Muslim brothers in the various parts of the earth reflect on this issue and return to the command, and let them say to themselves: Are we better than the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)? If it were good, they would have preceded us to it. Are we more loving of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) than his Companions? Are we more eager for obedience than his Companions? All of this is no. The answer is no. And if the answer is no, then let the answer regarding the celebration of his birth anniversary also be no. And let them know that if they leave it for the sake of Allah the Mighty and Majestic and to realize the following of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), Allah will place in their hearts a love for Allah and His Messenger and a love for Allah and His Messenger that was not in them when these celebrations, which... that they are a remembrance of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), existed. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you, O honorable Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and I send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets and the Imam of the righteous, and upon his family and his Companions, and those who follow them in excellence until the Day of Judgment. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not celebrate the anniversary of his birth, nor did Abu Bakr, nor 'Umar, nor 'Uthman, nor 'Ali, nor any of the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) celebrate it. Nor did those who followed them in excellence until the Day of Judgment, nor the followers of the followers, nor the Imams of the Muslims. Rather, this celebration of the birth of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was an innovation introduced during the fourth century, that is, after three hundred years from the migration of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family).
There is no doubt that the motive for this celebration, among those who established it, is, if Allah wills, love for the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). But love for the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is truly manifested by following the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). So whoever loves the Messenger most is undoubtedly the one who follows him most, and whoever follows the Messenger most is the clearest proof of his love for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). For this reason, the innovators say to the people of the Sunnah who hold fast to it: "These people do not love the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him and his family)." We say: Glory be to Allah! Which is closer to loving the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him): introducing into his religion what is not part of it, or holding fast to his guidance and his Sunnah? The answer is undoubtedly the latter. Whoever holds fast to his guidance and his Sunnah loves the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) more than the one who innovates in his Shari'ah what he did not legislate (peace and blessings be upon him). Indeed, the religious innovation in the religion of Allah contains a flaw regarding the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), as if this innovator is saying that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was ignorant of the legitimacy of this innovation, or that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) knew of its legitimacy but concealed it from his Ummah. Both of these are a clear flaw regarding the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). If the innovator were to reflect on the corrupt implications contained in his innovation, he would seek forgiveness from Allah for it and return to the Sunnah immediately without any preacher.
In summary, the answer to this question is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) never celebrated the anniversary of his birth, nor did his Rightly Guided Caliphs, nor the Companions, nor the Tabi'un, nor the followers of the Tabi'un, nor the Imams of the Muslims. Rather, this occurred from some of the rulers, and the people continued with it until our day.
But I am confident, by the permission of Allah the Mighty and Majestic, that this blessed awakening among the youth of the Muslim Ummah will eliminate this innovation, and it will disappear gradually, as has become evident in some Islamic countries where people remembered when they were reminded and took heed when they were admonished, and they did not return to this innovation. The innovator might say, "I have not introduced anything new; I am praying upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), mentioning him with good, praising him, and keeping his memory alive in the hearts." We say: This is good. Praying upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is praiseworthy, praising him with what he deserves is praiseworthy, and keeping his memory alive is praiseworthy. But Allah the Mighty and Majestic and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) have legislated for His Ummah what achieves remembrance and love in a manner other than this.
We mention the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) in every act of worship. This is what we should do, that is, to mention the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) in every act of worship. This is because every act of worship is built on two things: sincerity for Allah and following the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). When you feel that in your worship you are following the Messenger of Allah, this will be a remembrance of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).
Likewise, we mention the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and elevate his status and his memory in the highest places, five times every day and night in the adhan. We say in every adhan: "I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." This is keeping his memory alive and elevating his status from the minarets with raised voices. And we also say it a second time when standing for prayer in the iqamah: "I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." Is there a greater remembrance than this remembrance?
Likewise, when performing wudu', we say: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah." When we finish the wudu', we say: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger."
Likewise, in the prayer, in the tashahhud, we say: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger." So in all our states and in all our acts of worship, we mention the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), because worship is sincerity and following: sincerity to the Lord of the worlds and following the Messenger of the Lord of the worlds. So it is keeping the memory alive. There is no need for us to innovate in the Shari'ah of Allah what is not part of it in order to keep the memory alive. And as some scholars have said, keeping the memory of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) alive on this night necessitates that the remembrance of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) be forgotten on this night, and that these people wait for the arrival of this night to keep the memory of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) alive in it.
Therefore, we direct our Muslim brothers from this pulpit, which is the pulpit of "Light on the Path" from the Saudi Arabian Radio, to direct all our Muslim brothers to reflect on this matter and look into it, and to strive to follow the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and to follow his Rightly Guided Caliphs, as we were commanded to follow them. Allah the Exalted said:
And the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhajireen and the Ansar and those who followed them with good conduct
وَالسّابِقونَ الأَوَّلونَ مِنَ المُهاجِرينَ وَالأَنصارِ وَالَّذينَ اتَّبَعوهُم بِإِحسانٍand those who followed them with excellence
اتَّبَعوهُم بِإِحسانٍAnd the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhajireen and the Ansar and those who followed them with good conduct - Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him
وَالسّابِقونَ الأَوَّلونَ مِنَ المُهاجِرينَ وَالأَنصارِ وَالَّذينَ اتَّبَعوهُم بِإِحسانٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنهُم وَرَضوا عَنهُYou must therefore follow my sunna and that of the rightly guided Caliphs. Hold to it and stick fast to it. 1 Avoid novelties
عليكم بسنّتي وسنّة الخلفاء الراشدين المهديين من بعدي تمسّكوا بها وعضوا عليها بالنواجذ وإياكم ومحدثات الأمورSo let our Muslim brothers in the various parts of the earth reflect on this issue and return to the command, and let them say to themselves: Are we better than the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)? If it were good, they would have preceded us to it. Are we more loving of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) than his Companions? Are we more eager for obedience than his Companions? All of this is no. The answer is no. And if the answer is no, then let the answer regarding the celebration of his birth anniversary also be no. And let them know that if they leave it for the sake of Allah the Mighty and Majestic and to realize the following of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), Allah will place in their hearts a love for Allah and His Messenger and a love for Allah and His Messenger that was not in them when these celebrations, which... that they are a remembrance of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), existed. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you, O honorable Shaykh.