Fatwa.. Is It Permissible to Celebrate Prophet's Birthday?

Egypt's Dar al-Iftaa answers readers' questions about various fatwas. We at SEE publish these.

Is it permissible to celebrate the birth of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or would it be an innovation? If it is permissible, how is it celebrated?

Answer

Commemorating the birth of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) is among the best deeds and one of the greatest acts that bring us closer to God as we express our joy and love for him (peace and blessings be upon him) which is one of the principles of faith. 

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "None of you will [fully] believe until I am dearer to him than his father, son, and all mankind" (Bukhari).

Celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is a sign of honoring him. He is a great blessing sent to the world and there is no objection to being grateful and celebrating his birthday.

The noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) himself recommended for us the manner of thanking God Most High for his noble birth. 

Abu Qatadah (may God be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to fast on Mondays. He said, "I was born on this day" (Muslim). 

Fasting is an expression of gratitude for the favor of God the Almighty given to His Prophet and the community as well. It is then more appropriate to follow the model of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in thanking God Most High for His favor and benefaction through all means.

Permissible forms of celebrating the Prophet's birth include the following:

- Gathering to make dhikr (invocations), chanting eulogies, and extolling the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

- Holding charitable banquets for the sake of God in order to declare our love to the master of all creation, the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him), and express our joy at his noble birth.

Our righteous predecessors and scholars celebrated the birth of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) Since the 4th and 5th centuries A.H. our righteous predecessors have celebrated the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the manner we described earlier. 

Moreover, many scholars and imams mentioned the permissibility of this form of celebration in their books. These include:

- Abu Shama al-Maqdisi (the Sheikh of imam al-Nawawi).

- Ibn al-Hajj in al-Madkhal.

- Ibn Hajar (the commentator of al-Bukhari]).

- Al-Jalal al-Suyuti in a separate treatise called "The Excellence of the Goals of Commemorating the Birth [of the Prophet]".

Sweets and candy are prepared specifically for this festivity. It is permissible to buy and gift sweets and candy on this occasion since there is no

Specific evidence either prohibits or permits it. Not only is this permissible but it is also recommended if it is made with a good intention to please the members of one's family or maintain the ties of kinship. It will be then a matter for which one is rewarded.

Prohibiting or preventing this act is a kind of offense over strictness.

And God Almighty knows best.