Question & Answer
Celebrating the Mawlid is groundless
Question: What is your opinion about celebrating Mawlid (the Prophet's birth day)? Some people repeat that some scholars permit it and participate in it. Please, advise us about this issue. May Allah reward you with the best.
Answer: Celebrating the Mawlid has no legal foundation to substantiate, as it is a Bid`ah (innovation in religion) that people introduced during the fourth century and the next centuries. It is well known that the Fatimids were the first to introduce this innovation. They ruled the region of North Africa and Egypt during the fourth and the fifth centuries and introduced this Bid`ah in the fourth century in the name of `Aly, Al-Hasan, Al-Husayn, and Fatimah. They also made celebrations in the name of the Prophetﷺ and in the name of their ruler. Later, this practice became widely common, but it was not practiced during the early preferable centuries or during the lifetime of the Prophetﷺ. Thus,
(Part No. 3; Page No. 57)
the erudite scholars mentioned that it is a Bdi`ah, because the Prophetﷺ said: Anyone who does an action which is not in accordance with this matter of ours (Islam) will have it rejected. Heﷺ also said: Anyone who introduces anything into this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it will have it rejected. It means that it will not be accepted. There is no consideration for the great numbers of those who practice it, because they inherited that from their forefathers. The rule adopted by both the common people and the Kafirs (disbelievers) before the Prophetﷺ is: We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed follow their footsteps. There is no evidence in following the practice of forefathers when their practice is not based on a firm legal foundation in the same manner that the deeds of Kafirs have no authority. Thus, Allah denounced their tradition and ordered them to follow the Prophetﷺ leaving them no excuse in their imitation of their ancestors. Allah dispraised them for that. O believer, you should not follow the tradition of your father or grandfather or that of your natives except in matters prescribed by Allah. As for matters that Allah forbade, you should not follow them even if they are many. Suppose that it has become widely common that your natives drink Khamr (intoxicant), commit Zina (sexual intercourse outside marriage), or become undutiful to their parents, you must not do that out of following them. Likewise, when they commit Bid`ahs, you should not follow them but you should pray to Allah for their guidance, extend advice and lead them to the good deeds. You must not commit the forbidden acts that Allah prohibited in following their practices in the same manner that you must not commit Zina, drink Khamr, disobey your parents, deal in Riba (usury), or do other similar forbidden acts.
Ruling on celebrating birthdays
Question: Some scholars say that celebrating birthdays is not correct. Is this true or not?
Answer: Yes, celebrating birthdays is an act of Bid`ah (innovation in religion). It is not permissible to celebrate birthdays. It is neither permissible to celebrate the Mawlid (the Prophet's birthday) nor the birthday of anyone else. That is because the Messengerﷺ said: Beware of newly-introduced matters (in religion), for every newly-introduced matter is a Bid`ah and every Bid`ah is a Dalalah (deviation from what is right). Heﷺ said in his sermon on Friday: Ama Ba`d (Now then), the best of speech is the Book of Allah, the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammadﷺ, the most evil of matters are those which are newly-introduced (in religion), and every Bid`ah is a Dalalah (deviation from what is right). Celebrating birthdays is a Bid`ah that neither the Prophetﷺ nor his Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) did. It is sufficient for a Mu'min (believer) to follow the Sunnah of the Prophetﷺ and carry on his tradition, and keeping far from Bid`ahs. Love for the Prophetﷺ is not in committing Bid`ahs, but in following his wayﷺ, abiding by his commands, avoiding his prohibitions, and invoking peace and blessings upon him whenever he is mentioned. May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him at all times. Introducing Bid`ahs is a means that incurs his anger and the wrath of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). As for denouncing the people of Bid`ah, Allah (Glorified be He) says: Or have they partners (with Allâh — false gods) who have instituted for them a religion which Allâh has not ordained?
(Part No. 3; Page No. 43)
It is obligatory upon every Muslim to follow Shari`ah (Islamic law), not to introduce Bid`ahs. Following the Shari`ah is sufficient, praise be to Allah. Innovation in religion is a way to evil and trial. All praise is due to Allah, the religion is perfect and no one is permitted to introduce any thing that Allah (Exalted be He) did not prescribe. This is equally applied to celebrating birthdays and other innovations such as building over the graves and taking them as places of worship. These are types of Bid`ahs and a means to Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship). Similarly, plastering graves, building domes, and hanging curtains over them are acts of Bid`ah and a means that lead to Shirk. It is obligatory on the people of Islam to warn against Bid`ahs, and keep apart from them so as not to contradict their Prophetﷺ. Thus, they follow the commands that heﷺ ordered and abstain from the prohibitions that heﷺ forbade.
A woman or a circumcised person wearing a bar of iron for bringing benefit or removing harm.
Fatwa no. 10536
Question: When a woman gives birth to a baby, she would hang a metal rod for forty days thinking that this piece of metal will protect her from Jinn (creatures created from fire). Women believe that this metal will benefit them rather than Allah Who has created them. I had a debate with my mother and wife about this. What is your advice to my mother and wife? I hope that your advice will solve this common problem among the tribes of Zefar. Thus, please advise the Muslim women who think that this piece of metal can bring benefit or cause harm. Advise me in this regard in detail please, so I can invite people to adhere to the right path. Likewise, a circumcised boy stays for forty days without Sawm (Fast) or Salah (Prayer) wearing that piece of metal. I need advice based on religious evidence as soon as possible. May Allah reward you with the best for the efforts you exert for Islam and Muslims.
Answer: Among the kinds of Al-Shirk-ul-Akbar (major form of associating others in worship with Allah) that takes a person out of the fold of Islam is the act of hanging a piece of metal by a woman during the postpartum period or by a circumcised person as a charm to bring benefit or prevent evil. Allah (Exalted be He) says: And if Allâh touches you with harm, there is none who can remove it but He, and if He intends any good for you, there is none who can repel His Favour which He causes it to reach whomsoever of His slaves He wills. And He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. `Imran ibn Al-Husayn رضي الله عنه narrated: The Prophetﷺ saw a man with a gold amulet in his hand. He then asked: What is that? He replied: A protection from weakness. The Prophetﷺ said: 'Cast it off, for verily, it would only increase your weakness and if you die wearing it, you will never succeed.' Also `Uqbah ibn `Amir رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophetﷺ said in a Hadith Marfu` (a Hadith narrated from the Prophet with a connected or disconnected chain of narration): "Whoever wears an amulet to prosper, may Allah prevent his prosperity and whoever wears a mascot for good luck, may Allah debar his luck.'' (Both the two previous Hadiths are related by Ahmad). In another narration: Whoever wears an amulet commits an act of Shirk (associating others in worship with Allah.
Indeed, you have done well in advising your people and caring about guiding them to abandon this Bid`ah Shirkiyyah (rejected innovation in religion which is tantamount to associating others in worship with Allah); May Allah reward you with the best.
May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!
The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta'.
Salah behind anyone who seeks help from the dead
Question 1: An Imam of a Masjid (mosque) seeks help from dead people in their graves, claiming that these are the graves of Awliya’ (pious people) to whom we should resort. He says that they may act as mediators between us and Allah (Exalted be He). Am I allowed to perform congregational Salah (Prayer) behind this Imam, despite the fact that I call for Tawhid (belief in the Oneness of Allah)? Could you please also clarify such questions as making vows, seeking help from other than Allah, and Tawassul (seeking to draw close to Allah) through a means.
(Part No. 1; Page No. 119)
Answer: If you are sure that the Imam you mentioned seeks help from the dead or vows to them, then it is not permissible to perform Salah behind him because he is considered a Mushrik (one who associates others with Allah in His Divinity or worship); the Salah he performs individually as well as the congregational Salah that he leads are Batil (null and void). Furthermore, it is not permissible for a Muslim to perform Salah behind him, as Allah (Glorified be He) says (what means):
But if they had joined in worship others with Allâh, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them. , And indeed it has been revealed to you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), as it was to those (Allâh’s Messengers) before you: "If you join others in worship with Allâh, (then) surely (all) your deeds will be in vain, and you will certainly be among the losers." and Nay! But worship Allâh (Alone and none else), and be among the grateful.
May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions
The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’
Calling upon other than Allah for help
Fatwa no. 2787
Q: Is it permissible for a man who lives among a community of people who invoke help from other than Allah to perform Salah (prayer) behind them (when they lead the congregational prayers)? Is it obligatory to disassociate oneself from them? Is what they are doing count as major Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship)? Is making allies of them judged the same as making allies of true Kafirs (disbelievers)?
Answer: If the state of the people you are living among is as you described: they call upon other than Allah for help, such as the dead, absent or unseen beings, trees, stones, stars, and the like, they are Mushriks (those who associate others with Allah in worship) who are committing major Shirk that take them out of the Din (religion) of Islam. It is not permissible to take them as allies, as is the case with the Kafir. Performing Salah behind them is invalid. It is also not permissible to associate with them or live among them, except for those who call them back to the truth with knowledge, in the hope that they respond to them and become religiously reformed. Otherwise, it becomes obligatory to disassociate oneself from them, and to join another community of people who can be worked with to establish the fundamentals and branches of Islam, and to revive the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allahﷺ.
(Part No. 1; Page No. 103)
If it is not possible to find a proper community, then one must detach oneself from all communities, even if this causes hardships, based on what was narrated by Hudhayfah رضي الله عنه who said: Al-Bukhari, Sahih, Book on merits and virtues, no. 3606; Muslim, Sahih, Book on rulership, no. 1847; Abu Dawud, Sunan, Book on trials and battles, no. 4244; Ibn Majah, Sunan, Book on trials, no. 3979; and Ahmad, Musnad, vol. 5, p. 404.“The people used to ask the Messenger of Allahﷺ about the good, but I used to ask him about the evil lest it should afflict me. Once I said, “O Messenger of Allah! We were living in ignorance and evil then Allah bestowed upon us this goodness, so will there be evil after this goodness?” He said, “Yes.” I said, “Will there be goodness after this evil?” He said, “Yes, but it will be tainted (not pure.)” I said, “What will be its taint?” He said, “A people following a way other than my way (Sunnah) and calling to a guidance other than my guidance; you would agree with some of what they do and disagree with some.” I said, “Will there be evil after that goodness?” He said, “Yes, callers at the doors of Hellfire; whoever accepts their invitation to it they will throw him into it.” I said, “O Messenger of Allah! Describe them to us.” He said, “They are from our own people, speaking our language.” I said, “O Messenger of Allah! What do you command me to do if this happens in my time?” He said, “Adhere to the community of Muslims and their leader.” I said, “What if there was not a community for them or a leader? He said, “Then seclude yourself from all these communities, even if you have to bite (i.e. eat) the root of a tree until death comes to you and you are in that state.” (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.
The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’
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