INNOVATIONS | Celebrations | The Prophet's Birthday ('Eed Milaad an-Nabee) |

Ruling regarding celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam)

Question: Is gathering (the people) on the 12th day of Rabee' al-Awwal in remembrance of the birth of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) permissible?

Response: Celebrating the birthday of the Messenger (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) is an innovation; this is because he (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) did not do this himself and nor did he order this to be done, and nor did any of his companions (radhi-yallaahu 'anhum) do this, and they were the most adherent of people in honouring the Messenger (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and following his Sunnah. And all good is in following his guidance, and he (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) said:

«Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours (i.e. Islaam) that which is not from it, will have it rejected», [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree/2697 and Saheeh Muslim/1718].

And with Allaah lies all success and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions.

The Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Verdicts

Head: Shaykh 'Abdul 'Azeez ibn Abdullaah ibn Baaz;

Deputy Head: Shaykh 'Abdur-Razzaaq 'Afeefee;

Member: Shaykh 'Abdullaah ibn Ghudayyaan;

Member: Shaykh 'Abdullaah Ibn Qu'ood

Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa.imah lil-Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa. - Volume 3, Page 30, Question 13, Fatwa No. 5005

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Published: 4 June 2000