Is Celebrating Mawlid a Good Innovation ? | Bid’ah Hasanah | Miladun Nabi | Sheikh Uthman

Summary

The transcript discusses the debate around celebrating the Prophet Muhammad's birthday (Mawlid) and emphasizes that there is no religious foundation for it. The speaker highlights that neither the Prophet nor his companions celebrated it, and warns against innovations (Bid'ah) in religious practices, stating that every innovation leads to misguidance. He draws a distinction between worldly practices and religious acts, stressing that religious practices must have proof from the Qur'an and Sunnah. The speaker concludes by advising against justifying such celebrations by modifying them into events like conferences.

Takeaways

• 📜 The speaker emphasizes that actions or rituals tied to religion must have a basis in the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) or the Sahaba (companions).
• ⚖️ Anything that leads closer to Allah or away from sin must be explicitly stated in the Quran or Hadith; otherwise, it is considered innovation (bid'ah).
• 🚫 The celebration of Mawlid (Prophet Muhammad’s birthday) is viewed as a bid'ah since the Prophet or Sahaba did not practice it, and it wasn't part of the religion's original teachings.
• 🔥 The Prophet (PBUH) warned that all innovations in religion are misguidance, and all misguidance leads to the Hellfire.
• 📅 Modern justifications for Mawlid, such as holding a Seerah conference around the Prophet's birth date, are also rejected if tied specifically to religious significance.
• 📝 Innovations that involve religious acts, like specifying certain days for worship or celebration, are seen as altering the original teachings of Islam.
• ❌ Secular activities like using phones, cars, or watches are not considered religious innovations since they are unrelated to acts of worship.
• 💡 The compilation of the Quran, though done after the Prophet's lifetime, was based on his guidance and the Sahaba's actions, and therefore not an innovation.
• 📚 The speaker advocates for learning about the Prophet's life (Seerah) throughout the year without associating it with specific dates or events.
• 🙏 The speaker concludes with a prayer for protection from religious innovations and for true love and adherence to the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH).

Q & A

What is the main point of contention regarding the celebration of the Mawlid (Prophet Muhammad's birthday)?

The speaker argues that the celebration of the Mawlid is an innovation (bid'ah) not practiced by the Prophet Muhammad or his companions (sahaba). He claims that since it is not a practice established by the Prophet, it is considered a deviation from true Islamic teachings.

Why do some people claim that celebrating Mawlid is not harmful?

Some people argue that celebrating Mawlid is harmless and is a way to remember the Prophet Muhammad. They believe that it is simply a celebration or a party, and they do not see it as contradicting Islamic teachings.

How does the speaker respond to the argument that modern inventions like watches or phones are also innovations (bid'ah)?

The speaker responds by clarifying that worldly innovations like watches or phones do not relate to religious practices. The term 'bid'ah' refers specifically to religious innovations that people tie to acts of worship or faith, which need proof from the Prophet or his companions to be valid.

What is the speaker's position on religious innovation (bid'ah)?

The speaker strongly opposes religious innovations (bid'ah), claiming that every form of bid'ah is a misguidance that leads to the Hellfire. He believes that all acts of worship must be based on explicit instructions from the Prophet and his companions.

What is the significance of the hadith mentioned by the speaker in relation to innovations?

The speaker cites a hadith where the Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said that he did not leave anything that brings people closer to Paradise or takes them away from Hellfire except that he instructed them about it. The speaker uses this hadith to argue that any religious act not explicitly mentioned by the Prophet is an innovation and should be avoided.

How does the speaker explain the compilation of the Quran and its relation to the concept of bid'ah?

The speaker explains that the Quran was written down and organized during the lifetime of the Prophet, though it was compiled as a book during the caliphate of Abu Bakr. He argues that this does not count as a bid'ah because it was based on the Prophet’s teachings and practices.

What distinction does the speaker make between religious and non-religious actions?

The speaker makes a distinction between religious actions that are tied to acts of worship, which require proof from Islamic teachings, and non-religious actions like wearing a watch or using a phone, which are not considered bid'ah as they don't claim religious significance.

Why does the speaker criticize those who hold conferences on the seerah (life of the Prophet) during specific dates like the 12th of Rabi' al-Awwal?

The speaker criticizes this practice because he sees it as an attempt to indirectly celebrate Mawlid. He argues that if the intention is to study the life of the Prophet, such conferences should be held throughout the year rather than tying them to a specific date, which makes it a form of bid'ah.

What does the speaker mean when he compares the practice of holding seerah conferences on specific dates to the trick of the Jews regarding fishing on Saturdays?

The speaker refers to a story where the Jews were forbidden to fish on Saturdays but tried to bypass this by setting their nets on Fridays and collecting the fish on Sundays. He uses this analogy to claim that those who organize seerah conferences on specific dates are trying to bypass the prohibition on celebrating Mawlid, thinking they can 'trick' Allah.

What final message does the speaker give about following religious guidance?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of adhering strictly to the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad and avoiding any religious innovations. He warns that those who knowingly continue to practice innovations like Mawlid are leading themselves and others toward misguidance and Hellfire.