Maulud An-Nabiy; Celebrate or not to celebrate?

CELEBRATING THE BIRTHDAY 'MAULUD' OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH)

At this time of the year Muslims all over the world are celebrating birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) 'Maulud', in some countries like ours it's a national holiday.

All Islamic scholars agreed to the fact that Maulud festivals are innovations that were not practiced during the time of the Prophet neither his companions. In other words the period Prophet Muhammad PBUH described as best of generation. (Tirmidhi, Sahih Bukhari & Muslim)

The question is should we, still celebrate Maulud?

All innovations are misguidance- Tirmidhi

Some still argue, like in the works of Usman D. Fodio that innovation (Bidi'a) can be categorized into good, bad, & recommended ones. This classification itself is another bidi'a as it's not known in the early Islam era. While others are on the side that Bidi'a means aberration not innovation, but to understand this famous Hadith above, another Hadith from Nana Aishat (RA) explains more:

“Whoever introduces something new into this matter of ours that is not from it will have it rejected.” - Bukhari & Muslim

In another narration:

“Whoever does an act that is not in accordance with this matter of ours will have it rejected.”-Muslim

This not only counter the proof that Bidi'a means something 'new' but also shows the Prophet was referring to the religion of Islam when he said 'this matter of ours', once he told his companions you know more than I, when it comes to your ‘dunya’ (this world).

To even make mention of wearing jeans & a hats today, having a Facebook account, flying in an airplane, or eating amala etc., as bidi'a is no point. When you travel for Hajj by Dana air how much reward have you more than one who flies Mangal air? Do you expect 10 rewards wearing cow boy’ hat over one who wears not? When Aisha (RA) said the Prophet mentioned that 'He will have that which he brought to the religion rejected', she was referring to acts of worship.

Some people who celebrate Maulud may quote this verse from the Holy Qur’an:

"In the Bounty of Allah, and in His Mercy -therein let them rejoice." That is better than what (the wealth) they amass. Yunus: 58

And I tell them; The mercy in the above verse refers to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) according to most exegetists, as so Maulud should be celebrated for the love of Muhammad (PBUH)? No doubt his coming was a blessing to all humankind and should be rejoiced! The question is, how do we rejoice? And the answer is in the companions of the final Prophet himself, whom the Qur'an was revealed at their time and they had the best teacher in the world to learn from SAW.

Could it be possible that the Emir Muzafarudin ibn Arbat who first introduced Maulud to this Deen and who was born half a thousand years after revelations have stopped, understood this verse more the companions that were present at the time of revelations?

O Messenger of Allah, you are more beloved to me than everything except for myself.” The Prophet said, “No, by the one in whose Hand is my soul, until I am more beloved to you than yourself.” Umar said, “Indeed, now I swear by Allah that you are more beloved to me than myself.” The Prophet said, “Now you are right, O Umar.”-Bukhari

Hadith from Umar showing his love for the Prophet, yet never celebrated Maulud. Umar was the caliph (Ameer-el-Muminin) but neither in his time nor the time of the other rightly guided caliphs was Maulud celebrated! Despite the unrivaled, unequivocal and unconditional love these great men had for their holy Prophet.

..Those of you who live long after me shall witness great differing. So upon you is (to follow) my Sunnah, and the Sunnah of the rightly-guided Caliphs, hold tightly to it and bite onto it with your molar teeth.-Sunan Abi Dawud

I've seen in writings that since there's no any clear prohibition on Maulud then there's no problem with it. Going as far saying 'All that's not haram (prohibited) It is halal (allowed)'. Again, it's not just haram, that's why it's a bidi'a. Now go back to the definition of Bidi’a!

And whatever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatever he forbids you, leave it. And fear Allah: truly Allah is severe in punishment. 59:7

You can understand from the above verse that you take only what the Prophet gives (don't innovate which he didn't), and leave whatever he forbids.

It's bidi'a to celebrate it because it was never done at the early period of Islam. It also wasn't known at the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself.  

"Indeed the most detestable of things to Allaah are the innovations."-Ibn Abbas. And I quote

"Innovation is more beloved to satan than sin, since a sin may be repented for but innovation is not repented for...”-Sufyan Thauri

All matters of religion are strictly dictated and prescribed in the Shari’ah. Now how do you celebrate Maulud? A lot of questions arise from this. By God, there is no act of Religion which the Prophet hasn’t told his people about, By Allah not even one which will benefit his Ummah by the weight of wool.

Hadrat Ismaila Hiqqi, A Darika Sufi said Maulud is a tribute to beloved Prophet... and should be clear of evil things.

The last question, is the Maulud celebrations of today free of evils? So what even if they are?

..This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed my favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion...-Quran 5:3

May the soul of Malik bn Abbas rest in peace, who said 'whatever wasn't part of the religion on that (day the verse above was revealed) will never be part of the religion….About 500 years after his statement Maulud was introduced as part of this Deen! Allahu Akbar! 

No doubt the Companions of the Prophet SAW and their Companions RA and the Companions of the Companions; who Rasul SAW said are the best of generations, never were narrated of them practicing it. Then the best is to refrain from such acts. These were the people who stayed and lived with Rasul-Lah SAW. Is following the pious generation not worthy of emulation?

We should not only celebrate the Prophet a day or an overnight, but all our lives. In the day and night, at home and abroad, in our homes and workplaces, young and old, dressing, eating, drinking, saying and writing. The best way to celebrate the best of mankind is by following what he commands us and refraining from that which he forbids. 

Idan ka bi duk abin da Sahabban nan su kayi, idan Allah ya so, ya ishe ka tsira a kiyama. Haka zalika idan ka hanu daga na hani.

This Article was published in 2015 by Muhammad Malumfashi

M. Malumfashi is on twitter @ya_waliyyi

This Ya-waliyyi is not a Sufi.