Ruling on Attending Mawlid Celebrations to Clarify the Truth and Warn Against Them

Question:
We have learned from the words of the two Shaykhs the extent of the prohibition of this religious innovation, and the extent of its sin. So, what about one who holds the Prophet’s Mawlid with the intention of gathering the Muslims to clarify the correct religion, not to spread this religious innovation? For instance, if he is restricted and unable to gather the Muslims and teach them their religion except in such gatherings, and he knows it is an innovation and not prescribed by the Shari'ah, and the common Muslims who attend know that as well?

Answer:
If he attends for this purpose, to clarify its status and that it is a religious innovation, and to show people the wrong things contained in it and warn them against them... up to the act of doing it, and to show them that this is a religious innovation and that it is not permissible to celebrate it; then that is good. However, if he holds the celebration for the sake of the deceased, no, he does not hold it for the sake of the deceased. He preaches to people in the mosques and in the gatherings, and clarifies for people what Allah the Exalted has prescribed and what He has forbidden. But if he attends it, and if others hold it and he comes to them, advises them, and teaches them that this is a religious innovation; then he is rewarded.