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

AQEEDAH OF SALAF

11 Oct 202106:20

Summary

TLDRThe 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.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Misconceptions about Celebrating Mawlid and Islamic Innovations

This paragraph addresses common arguments defending the celebration of Mawlid (Prophet Muhammad's birthday) and innovations (bid’ah) in Islam. The speaker argues that acts which are not supported by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) or his companions (Sahaba) cannot be justified as part of the religion. He emphasizes that there is no merit in celebrating religious events not endorsed by the Prophet, warning that every innovation is a misguidance leading to the fire of Hell, as stated in authentic hadiths. The paragraph refutes comparisons of religious innovations with modern worldly items like phones, asserting that only acts tied to religious reward require proof.

05:01

🧠 Misuse of Religious Justifications and Tricks Around Bid'ah

This section tackles another common practice—holding events, such as conferences on the Prophet's seerah (biography), timed around Mawlid. The speaker criticizes the justification that such events aren't technically celebrating Mawlid. Drawing a comparison with the Jews who tried to circumvent prohibitions on fishing during the Sabbath, the speaker asserts that people cannot deceive Allah by altering technicalities. Holding specific religious events on dates tied to the Prophet's birth is classified as bid’ah, regardless of intent. The paragraph concludes with a call to avoid these innovations and follow the true teachings of Islam.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Bid'ah

Bid'ah refers to innovation in religious practices not prescribed by the Prophet Muhammad. In the video, the speaker strongly warns against innovations in Islam, arguing that any new practice tied to worship or religious observance, such as celebrating the Prophet’s birthday (Mawlid), is a deviation from true Islamic teachings. The term is central to the message of the video, as it frames the speaker's argument that such innovations lead to misguidance and are rejected in Islam.

💡Mawlid

Mawlid refers to the celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. The speaker argues that this celebration is not practiced by the early Muslim generations (the Prophet's companions and their followers), and thus constitutes a religious innovation (Bid'ah). This concept is key to the video’s message, as the speaker contends that celebrating the Mawlid leads people away from authentic Islamic practice.

💡Sahaba

Sahaba refers to the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, who are considered the best generation of Muslims. The speaker emphasizes that the Sahaba did not celebrate the Mawlid or engage in other practices seen as innovations. Their actions and beliefs are presented as the model for proper Islamic practice, with deviations from their example being framed as misguided.

💡Sunnah

Sunnah refers to the traditions, practices, and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. The speaker stresses the importance of adhering strictly to the Sunnah and rejects any practices not rooted in it, such as the celebration of Mawlid. The concept is central to the argument that religious practices must have a basis in the teachings of the Prophet.

💡Quran compilation

The speaker addresses the compilation of the Quran as a counterargument to those who claim that religious practices can evolve. He explains that although the Quran was not compiled into a single book during the Prophet's lifetime, it was already written down and arranged by him. This shows that any changes in religious practice must be rooted in the Prophet’s life, reinforcing the argument against innovation.

💡Reward

In the context of the video, reward refers to the spiritual benefit or closeness to Allah that Muslims seek through their actions. The speaker argues that religious acts should only be performed if there is clear evidence from the Quran or Sunnah that they result in reward. Celebrating the Mawlid, he claims, does not have such evidence, and therefore provides no spiritual benefit.

💡Misguidance

Misguidance refers to actions or beliefs that deviate from the correct path in Islam and lead people away from Allah. The speaker warns that innovations like celebrating the Mawlid are forms of misguidance, as they are not part of the authentic Islamic tradition and ultimately lead people away from the truth.

💡Proof

Proof in Islamic jurisprudence refers to clear evidence from the Quran, Sunnah, or the practices of the Sahaba that justifies a religious action. The speaker emphasizes that for any act to be considered a valid form of worship, it must be supported by proof. Without such evidence, the act is seen as an innovation and is therefore rejected.

💡Ibadah

Ibadah means worship or acts of devotion in Islam. The speaker highlights that all forms of Ibadah must be established by the teachings of the Prophet and his companions. Any new form of Ibadah, such as celebrating the Mawlid, is seen as an innovation and rejected because it is not based on the original Islamic sources.

💡Nar

Nar is the Arabic word for fire, often used to refer to Hell in Islamic teachings. The speaker stresses that innovations in religious practice, such as celebrating the Mawlid, can lead to the Nar (Hellfire), emphasizing the severe consequences of deviating from the Sunnah and the teachings of the Sahaba.

Highlights

The Prophet (SAW) emphasized that there is nothing that can bring you closer to Allah or take you away from the fire except that he has ordered or forbidden it.

Every bid'ah (innovation in religion) is a misguidance, and every misguidance leads to the fire.

There is no reward for actions that are not part of the religion, such as celebrating the Prophet's birthday (Mawlid).

The Sahaba did not celebrate the Mawlid, and anything related to religion must have evidence from the Prophet or the Sahaba.

The Prophet (SAW) did not leave anything that can get you closer to Allah except that he ordered you with it.

Using items like phones or watches is not considered religious innovation because they are part of the dunya (worldly matters).

If something is claimed to be part of religion, it requires proof from the Quran or Sunnah.

People often make the false analogy between innovations in worldly matters (like watches and cars) and religious practices.

The Quran was written down during the Prophet's lifetime, and compiled as a book after his death.

If the Sahaba had celebrated the Mawlid, it would have been accepted as part of the religion, but they did not.

No form of worship (ibadah) is established in Islam except from the Prophet or the Sahaba.

Claiming that celebrating Mawlid is harmless is incorrect, as it is considered a form of bid'ah.

Those who knowingly engage in bid'ah are leading themselves and others toward misguidance and the fire.

Organizing Seerah (Prophet's life) conferences specifically around the date of the Prophet's birth is also considered a form of bid'ah.

Seerah should be studied and discussed throughout the year, not tied to specific dates like the 12th of Rabi' al-Awwal.