Addressing the Misconceptions: Why We Oppose Mawlid Celebrations
Some people criticize us by saying, “If you do not celebrate Mawlid, then why do you commit other sins? When we invite you to the Mawlid celebration, why do you avoid participating, even though it is a gathering established purely out of love for the Prophet (peace be upon him)? You seem unconcerned about the wrong actions you engage in.”
This criticism is unjust. If you are our Muslim brother, then do not accuse us of sins. We are human, and mistakes can happen. Please advise us on our mistakes, and let us work together to rectify them. This is the way of a true Muslim, as is clear from the teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him). If we do not call a sin a sin, then criticism may be warranted. However, the difference between you and us is that we are repeatedly warned against celebrating Mawlid, and this act is labeled as an innovation (bid’ah) and a new invention in religion. Yet, you do not heed this warning and do not refrain from this innovative act. Therefore, a true Muslim should stay away from such innovations and avoid being an accomplice in them.
Celebrating Mawlid is considered an innovation in Islamic law, which has significant harms and drawbacks. In fact, many acts of disbelief and polytheism are performed in connection with this innovation, and the one who introduces an innovation is committing an act of misguidance. Allah has classified such a person among the most misguided. Allah says:
"And who is more astray than one who follows his desire without guidance from Allah? Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people." (Al-Qasas: 50)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"And every newly invented matter is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance leads to Hellfire."(Sunan al-Nasa'i: 1577)
How great is the audacity of those who fabricate an act in religion and then claim it as part of the faith? Religion is based on divine revelation; how can following one’s desires be called religion? May Allah protect us.
On the Day of Judgment, the innovator will be denied access to the Hawd (the Pool of Abundance), and this is why we strongly oppose innovations, as they are a blatant accusation against Allah and His Messenger. Ordinary people mistakenly believe that these acts are in accordance with the commands of Allah and His Messenger, while in reality, they are new inventions in religion, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated:
"Whoever introduces something into this matter of ours that is not part of it will have it rejected." (Sahih al-Bukhari: 2697)
This is why no act of an innovator is accepted, and despite being a professing Muslim, on the Day of Judgment, those who celebrated in the name of the Prophet (peace be upon him) will be turned away from the Hawd.
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"I will be at the Hawd before you, and some men from among you will be brought to me, but they will be turned away from me. I will say, 'O my Lord! These are my companions!' It will be said, 'You do not know what they innovated after you.'"(Sahih al-Bukhari: 6576)
Indeed, we are sinners; all the children of Adam are sinners. We condemn every sin vehemently and seek Allah’s refuge and guidance to avoid them. Remember that Allah is very merciful to His servants; He forgives mistakes. Similarly, through repentance and seeking forgiveness, He can erase even major sins, and generally, Allah wipes out the sins of the children of Adam due to their good deeds. Allah says:
"Indeed, good deeds erase bad deeds. This is a reminder for those who remember."(H ud: 114)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Fear Allah wherever you are, and follow a bad deed with a good deed; it will erase it, and treat people with good character." (Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 1987)
We are not presenting this as an excuse for our sins; rather, we want to convey that Allah is forgiving of sins through repentance and good deeds, and He can forgive even the greatest sins if He wills. However, if someone dies in a state of associating partners with Allah, they will not be forgiven. Allah says:
"Indeed, Allah does not forgive that partners should be associated with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And whoever associates partners with Allah has certainly gone far astray." (An-Nisa: 116)
The state of the innovator is known; in this world, they face reprimand and rebuke, their actions are wasted, and in the Hereafter, they will be rejected. The celebration of Mawlid is such an innovation that contains elements of disbelief and polytheism, as well as acts of disobedience and rebellion.
We seek forgiveness from Allah for all sins and ask for the ability to avoid all kinds of evils. If a sin occurs, whether by forgetfulness or intentionally, we seek Allah’s pardon through good deeds. However, we will not tolerate the invention of innovations in the name of religion, nor will we accept anyone who attributes fabricated and invented matters to the divine religion and acts upon them. We will vehemently condemn such actions. If the time comes to wage war against polytheism and innovation, we will not hesitate to do so.
Maqbool Ahmad Salafi
Islamic Dawah Center, Northern Taif (Masrah)