Islamic Creed
Ruling on One Who Says the Mawlid Is Permissible with Conditions
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen
Local English rendering of the selected Arabic question and answer. The Arabic source remains authoritative; this is not an official published English edition.
Question
Some who promote the innovation of the Mawlid (celebrating the Prophet's birthday) say: the Mawlid is permissible, but with conditions and restrictions, among them keeping it free of polytheistic poetry and the like?
Answer (English translation)
First, we say: where is the evidence that the practice itself is established at all, whether with conditions or without? Then, are these conditions actually applied in reality? No. We have heard that some of them, in the fervor of remembrance and sending blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), stand up as one man and say: 'the presence of the Prophet has arrived.' The point is that as long as it is an innovation, it is not permissible under any circumstances. It is upon you, students of knowledge, to clarify this to the people — but with a gentle approach. And you all must hold fast to what is established and authentically reported: increase your prayers and salutations upon the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), increase your remembrance of Allah, and spread among the people the noble traits of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) throughout the rest of the year — not only on that night.