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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 Fataawa
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..

How can one actualise one’s love for the Messenger (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam)

Question: How can one actualise (their) love for the Messenger (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam)?

Response: Love of the Messenger (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and love of Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala) is actualised by following the Messenger (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam), and everyone who follows the Messenger (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) is more eligible for the love of Allaah and the love of His Messenger. Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala) says:

{Say: "If you (really) love Allaah then follow me (Muhammad), Allaah will love you}, [Soorah Aal-'Imraan, Aayah 31].

And the sign of the love of the Messenger (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) is that a person inquires about his sunnah and then follows it and does not add nor take anything away from that. Based upon this, then those who innovate in anything related to the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and state that this is from their love and honouring of him (the Prophet) then in reality they do not love him and nor honour him. And that is because true love and honouring of him is to follow his sayings and not to add to his Sharee’ah and nor to take away from it.

And indeed whoever desires to innovate in the Sharee’ah of Allaah that which is not from it, then his love of Allaah and His Messenger is limited without doubt, because completeness of manners and honouring is not to extend oneself before Allaah and His Messenger. Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala) said:

{O you who believe! Do not put (yourselves) forward before Allaah and His Messenger, and fear Allaah. Verily! Allaah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. O you who believe! Raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet, nor speak aloud to him in talk as you speak aloud to one another, lest your deeds may be rendered fruitless while you perceive not}, [Soorah al-Hujuraat, Aayahs 1 and 2].

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen
Fataawa Noorun ‘alad-Darb – Volume 2, Page 522, Question 414

Dealing with someone (an innovator) who insists on celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam)

Question: We have a man with us at work who approves of the celebration of the birthday (i.e. the Prophet’s (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) birthday), and advocates and insists upon this. Should I abandon him for the Sake of Allaah or not? What should I do? …and may Allaah reward you with good.

Response: Celebrating the Prophet’s birthday is an innovation, and whoever pursues this (path) is an innovator (mubtadi’) if he insists on doing so and does not accept the (sincere) advice, (rather, choosing to) continue in calling to (celebrating) the birthday and arousing interest in it. (In this case), then, it is obligatory to abandon him since he is an innovator, and it is not permissible to maintain companionship with an innovator.

Shaykh Ibn Fowzaan
Fataawa tata’allaaq bil-Mawlid an-Nabawee – Page 49, Question 11
Al-Muntaqaa min Fataawa al-Fowzaan – Volume 1, Page 184

Related Links:

• What do you know about "The Poem of the Scarf"? Famously known as ‘Qasidah-Burdah’ by Muhammad bin Saeed Al-Busairi (601-695 AH) – by Shaykh Muhammad Jameel Zenoo
  In the past few years, there is a particular piece of Arabic poetry that has reached the Muslims in the west and has been translated into English. This poem is called Qasidah Al-Burdah by Muhammad Al-Busairi. It is also known as the most famous if not the most famous poem that supposedly praises the Prophet (sallah allahu alieh wasalam).The poem has been widespread in Arabic for nearly eight centuries and many scholars have replied to it in Arabic.
• Was the Prophet created from light?
  Al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wa’l-Ifta’ (Standing Committee for Academic Research and the Issuing of Fatwas). Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 1/310.
• Falseness of the hadeeth, “Were it not for you, I would not have created the universe” .
  Fatwas from Standing Comittee and the major Scholars
• The Islamic View Point on Celebrations Mawlid, The Night of Isra and Miraj , Mid Shaban Night – by Ibn Baaz
• Congratulating on new Gregorian year, the new Hijri (lunar) year, and the Mawlid

Sahih Bukhari , Volume 4, Book 56, Number 814:

Narrated Anas:

There was a Christian who embraced Islam and read Surat-al-Baqara and Al-Imran, and he used to write (the revelations) for the Prophet. Later on he returned to Christianity again and he used to say: “Muhammad knows nothing but what I have written for him.” Then Allah caused him to die, and the people buried him, but in the morning they saw that the earth had thrown his body out. They said, “This is the act of Muhammad and his companions. They dug the grave of our companion and took his body out of it because he had run away from them.” They again dug the grave deeply for him, but in the morning they again saw that the earth had thrown his body out. They said, “This is an act of Muhammad and his companions. They dug the grave of our companion and threw his body outside it, for he had run away from them.” They dug the grave for him as deep as they could, but in the morning they again saw that the earth had thrown his body out. So they believed that what had befallen him was not done by human beings and had to leave him thrown (on the ground).

While mentioning what one should and should not do in the Prophet’s Mosque, and near the grave of the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihiwasallam), Shaikh ibn Baaz said,

“Similarly, those who, at the time of offering Salaam to the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihiwasallam) put their right hand on the left side of their chest: this posture is not lawful at the time of offering Salaam to him (salallaahu ‘alaihiwasallam) or to any ruler or leader, for this posture signifies one’s humility and submission which is valid in the case of Allaah alone.

This point is made by Hafidh Ibn Hajar on the authority of the great ‘Ulama. This point will be clear to anyone who gives attention to it, provided he intends to follow the way of the righteous predecessors [salaf]. However, those who are swayed by prejudice, selfish desires and blind imitation, and those who are biased against the way of the righteous people, Allaah would decide their fate. We seek from Allaah for us and for them guidance, and preference of the truth over everything.”

Similarly, those who face the Prophet’s grave at a distance and move their lips for Salaam or supplication, it also belongs to the category of bid’ah. It is not permissible for a Muslim to invent such things in Faith as they are not permitted by Allaah. By doing such things, he transgresses rather than expressing love for the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihiwasallam).

Condemning such practices, Imam Malik said that reform of the later generations will only be in the same manner as of earlier generations. It is common knowledge that what reformed the earlier generations was their observance of the way of of the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihiwasallam), and his Rightyly-Guided Caliphs, his companions and successors. Later generations of the Ummah too, would find the right path by adhering close to the Prophet’s way. This alone can reform them. May Allaah grant Muslims the ability to do such things which may ensure their welfare and success both in this world and the hereafter.”

This excerpt is from: Shaikh Ibn Baz’s book Hajj,’Umrah & Ziyarah, In the Light of the Qur`an and the Sunnah, Chapter Seven (An account of Visiting the Prophet’s Mosque), Pg. 182-184.

Compiled by Abul-’Abbaas Moosaa Richardson The fabricated hadeeth implying that Aadam (‘alayhi sallam) sought forgiveness from Allaah via Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)quote:

As regard to my question, story of aadam alai salam.  People say that when Aadam alai sallam made a mistake he saw name of mohammed sallallaahu alayhe wa  in sky(ie some where in sky that i dont know properly) and Adam alai sallam took wasilah of  same name ie Mohammed S A W to allah to forgive his mistake and Allah forgave him.

Jazaakum Allaahu khayran for clarifying the narration you were referring to.  It was collected by al-Haakim in his Mustadrak (2/615), and others, by way of “Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Zayd ibn Aslam”.  Here is the exact wording:

“When Aadam had made his mistake, he said: O my Lord!  I ask you by the right/status of Muhammad that you forgive me.  He (Allaah) said: “And how did you come to know Muhammad?”  He said: When you had created me with your Hand and blown into me from your Rooh, I raised my head and saw that it was written on the bases of the throne: Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, Muhammadur-Rasool Allaah.  So I knew that you would not place a name along with yours unless that was (the name of) your most beloved creation.  He (Allaah) said: “You have spoken truthfully, O Aadam, and had it not been for Muhammad, I would not have created you.”

Al-Haakim mistakenly called the hadeeth: saheeh!  And this mistake has been the source of rebuttal ever since the book reached the people.

You may know that ath-Thahabee did a checking of al-Mustadrak, and he commented on al-Haakim’s remarks about the narrations.  About this narration specifically, and what al-Haakim said that it is saheeh, he said:

“RATHER IT IS FABRICATED (MAWDHOO’), ‘Abdur-Rahmaan is WAAH (grossly erroneous)!”

Even al-Haakim himself had spoken against this narrator, despite his error here.  He said about this narrattor: “He has narrated fabricated narrations by way of his father, and this is not hidden from anyone who knows this trade (Hadeeth) and ponders over it…” (al-Haakim’s Madkhal 1/154)

Ibn Taymiyyah stated: ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Zayd ibn Aslam is dha’eef (weak) by way of scholarly agreement, he erred often.” He then went on to list the scholars who declared him weak and/or abandoned him.  (Qaa’idah Jaleelah, p182, al-Furqaan)

And about al-Haakim’s error, Ibn Taymiyyah said: “This is something that the imaams of Hadeeth Sciences have rejected from him, and they have said: Verily al-Haakim declares some narrations to be saheeh, while they are fabricated lies, known to the people of knowledge of Hadeeth…” (qaa’idah jaleelah, p.183)

However you will find the people of desires, refuting the entire ummah of scholars to defend al-Haakim’s mistake here, and this is one of the ways that ahlul-bid’ah are known:  They base their positions on weak and fabricated narrations. This is just one clear example…

Here are some points to consider as well, regarding the meaning of the fabricated text, since fabricated narrations have signs within the text that they are indeed not from the speech of the messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam):

1 – “I ask you BY THE RIGHT/STATUS of Muhammad”  The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) taught us the ways to ask Allaah, and he did not teach us to ask in this manner.

2 – “had it not been for Muhammad, I would not have created you”  Rather, Allaah had created Aadam, and all of his decendants, to worship Him as He has made clear in Soorah ath-Thaariyaat, what means: “And I have not created the jinn nor mankind but to worship Me.”

This fabricated text would imply that Allaah created Aadam for the sake of Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam), and whatever could be understood from that.

And Allaah knows best.

Please pass this reply on, along with an encouragement to call on Allaah by the three ways mentioned in my previous reply to anyone you feel may benefit, especially those who mentioned that narration to you in the first place, may Allaah bless you and grant you success.

And please refer to these beneficial words from our scholars for further benefit on the topic of avoiding abbreviations when sending salaah and salaam on the messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam):

SalafiTalk.Net – “…Aadam supplicated: O Allaah, by the HAQQ …

Related Links:

• Falseness of the hadeeth, “Were it not for you, I would not have created the universe” .
  Fatwas from Standing Comittee and the major Scholars

• Tawassul : Intermediation Between Allaah and the Creation
  Muhammad Zainoo’s introduction to the most excellent book of Shaikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah on the Waasitah (Intermediation) between Allah and His creation.
• Tawassul : Its types and Rulings – by Shaik Nasiruddin Albanee , Al Hidaayah Publishers [Book]
• What do you know about “The Poem of the Scarf”? Famously known as ‘Qasidah-Burdah’ by Muhammad bin Saeed Al-Busairi (601-695 AH) – by Shaykh Muhammad Jameel Zenoo
• Was the Prophet created from light?
  Al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wa’l-Ifta’ (Standing Committee for Academic Research and the Issuing of Fatwas). Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 1/310.

AsSalam Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu

Stories of non-human living beings that loved Muhammad (Sallalahu Alahi wa Sallam)

DatePalm Tree:

Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah radi Allahu anhu:The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam used to stand by a tree or a date-palm on Friday. Then an Ansari woman or man said. "O Allah’s Apostle! Shall we make a pulpit for you?" He replied, "If you wish." So they made a pulpit for him and when it was Friday, he proceeded towards the pulpit (for delivering the sermon). The date-palm cried like a child! The Prophet descended (the pulpit) and embraced it while it continued moaning like a child being quietened. The Prophet said, "It was crying for (missing) what it used to hear of religious knowledge given near to it."
Ibn Umar radi Allahu anhuma narrated: The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam used to deliver his sermons while standing beside a trunk of a datepalm. When he had the pulpit made, he used it instead. The trunk started crying and the Prophet went to it, rubbing his hand over it (to stop its crying).

Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah: The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam used to stand by a stem of a date-palm tree (while delivering a sermon). When the pulpit was placed for him we heard that stem crying like a pregnant she-camel till the Prophet got down from the pulpit and placed his hand over it.

These ahadeeth are classified as mutawaatir, meaning so many sahaba narrated it that it cannot be fabricated. The different narrations show that they all witnessed it in the masjid. This is a miracle of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and the narrations of the sahaba are all authentic, found in Bukhari and Muslim. This tree trunk, which seems like a lifeless being to us, is actually alive and was so affected by the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

[Read More :Miracle of the Crying of the Tree Trunk Regarding the Remembrance of Allah - DarusSalam. Extracted from the book "Miracles of the Messenger (S)" published by dar-us-salam.com]

Mount Uhud

Narrated Anas radi Allahu anhu: Allah’s Apostle sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam ascended the (mountain) of Uhud with Abu Bakr and ‘Uthman and it shook. Allah’s Apostle said, "Be calm, O Uhud!" I think he stroked it with his foot and added, "There is none on you but a Prophet, a Siddiq and two martyrs." (Sahih Bukhari)

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam was traveling one time: "and when Uhud was within sight, he said: This is the mountain which loves us and we love it." (Sahih Muslim)

This is a mountain, made up of rocks and stones, yet we are made of flesh and have been given hearts that beat…do we love the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam as this mountain? Do we shake like this mountain out of love for him?

A Stone

Jabir b. Samura reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: I recognise the stone in Mecca which used to pay me salutations before my advent as a Prophet and I recognise that even now. (Sahih Muslim: Book 030, Number 5654: )

How often do we salute/send salawaat on the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam? The Prophet knew this stone, and if we send salawaat on him, especially on Fridays, they will be presented to him from us.

[Ref: The Book Pertaining to the Excellent Qualities of the Holy Prophet (may Peace be upon them) and His Companions (Kitab Al-Fada’il)

AsSalam Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu

Ruling on the Prophet’s parents

Q57: Allah (may He be Exalted) says in His Book: Surah Al-Isra’, 17: 15 And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger (to give warning). (Surah Al-Isra’, 17:15). It was narrated in some Hadiths that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that his parents will be in the Fire. The question is: Were they not from Ahlul-Fatrah (those to whom Da`wah has not reached in an uncorrupted manner), those whom the Qur’an clearly mentioned as being saved in the Hereafter. Please answer me, may Allah guide you.

A: There is nothing in the Qur’an that explicitly states that Ahlul-Fatrah will be saved or destroyed. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:Surah Al-Isra’, 17: 15 And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger (to give warning). (Surah Al-Isra’, 17:15).Due to His Perfect Justice, Allah does not punish anyone until after He has sent a Messenger. So, whomsoever the message of Islam did not reach, they will not be punished until the proof is established against them. This is what was told by Allah (may He be Praised). It is also narrated in the Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) that the proof will be established against Ahlul-Fatrah and they will be tested on the Day of Resurrection, and those who satisfy and follow the straight path will be safe, but those who disobey will enter the Fire. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to the man who asked him: "Where is my father?" He replied, "In Hellfire." When he saw the man’s face change, he (peace be upon him) said, "My father and yours are in the Fire." This was done to console the man and let him know that

( Part No : 1, Page No: 122)

this was not just for his father. It may have been that both the Prophet’s and the man’s fathers had heard Daw`ah

and when the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: My father and yours are in the Fire he was talking about something that he knew, as he (peace be upon him) never told lies or spoke through his own desire, as Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) says:Surah Al-Najm, 53: 1 By the star when it goes down (or vanishes). Surah Al-Najm, 53: 2 Your companion (Muhammad, peace be upon him) has neither gone astray nor has erred. Surah Al-Najm, 53: 3 Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. Surah Al-Najm, 53: 4 It is only a Revelation revealed. (Surah Al-Najm, 53:1-4).If evidence had not been established about the Prophet’s father, `Abdullah ibn `Abdul-Muttalib, he (peace be upon him) would not have said that about him. He might have been told about Ibrahim’s (Abraham) religion, and that was enough to establish proof against him. People had been following Prophet Ibrahim’s religion until `Amr ibn Luhay Al-Khuza`y propagated the worship of idols and they followed him and supplicated to them instead of Allah. It may also have been the case that `Abdullah had knowledge that enabled him to discern that what the Quraysh were doing in worshipping idols was null and void, but he still followed what they were doing, and that was the proof against him.

It was also narrated in the Hadith that the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked Allah’s Permission to ask forgiveness for his mother, but he was not granted it, and that he asked Permission to visit her grave and he was granted that. He was not permitted to ask forgiveness for his mother maybe because sufficient Daw`ah that established proof against her had reached her. It may also be because people of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic time of ignorance) are treated the same as other disbelievers with regard to worldly rulings, and therefore it is not permissible to supplicate to Allah or ask forgiveness for them, and that their situation is left to Allah in the Hereafter.

If no proof is established against a person in this world, they will not be punished until they are tested on the Day of Resurrection, because Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) says:Surah Al-Isra’, 17: 15 And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger (to give warning). (Surah Al-Isra’, 17:15)

( Part No : 1, Page No: 123)

So if it is known that a prophet’s Daw`ah did not reach people in a certain era, they will be tested on the Day of Resurrection; if they are successful they will enter Jannah (Paradise), but if they fail they will enter into the Fire. The same applies to the elderly, those who are mentally ill, and others whom Daw`ah did not reach, and the children of the disbelievers; all of these people, according to the most correct opinion in this regard, will be tested. This is because when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked about them, he said, Allah knows best what they were doing. So, children of the disbelievers will be examined on the Day of Resurrection along with Ahlul-Fatrah; if they give the correct replies they will be saved, otherwise they will be with those perishing in the Fire. Praise be to Allah, the matter concerning the Prophet’s parents is not a problem for those who know the Sunnah and the rules of the Shari`ah (Islamic law).

Source for the above: Nur `Ala Al-Darb Fatwas from Alifta.com