Nowadays, we find publications filled with lies and deception which mislead many Muslims into thinking negatively about the honorable Mawlid of the Prophet (saws).
These publications claim that to celebrate the Mawlid is an act of innovation that goes against Islam. This is far from the truth, and it is therefore necessary for those who can speak clearly to help clarify and reverse the doubts surrounding this most blessed day.
It is widely believed that the Wahhabi/Salafi/Ahle hadith are against the
idea of holding celebrations of Mawlid. But that’s not true. They celebrate not one, but many Mawlids related to the Founder & Leaders of Wahabism. Here are some of the Wahhabi/Salafi Mawlids witnessed:
- Mawlid of Shaykh Muhammad ibn
Abd al-Wahhab, the Mujaddid of Najd, Shaykh al-Islam or Founder of the Salafi madhab and Imam of the Two Cities (Riyad and Dariyya):
Every year at the anniversary date of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab's death, a great feast is held at the Ibn Saud University in Riyad (in Najd) at which time they praise the unparalleled magnificence of their beloved religious leader, listing his qualities and reciting new poetry about his
greatness.
All over the world, their embassies also fulfill this important communal obligation (fard kifaya). This is NOT `ibada, of course.
- Mawlid of the State, known as National Day:
This Mawlid, similar to Independence Day, Flag Day, and Army Day, is celebrated every year in the country with international gala festivities, fanfare, parades, army reviews, podiums and thrones, and also, of course,
new poems of praise and Madih recitations for the State founders and current rulers, all at colossal cost, but whatever means leads to fulfilling an obligation (fard), is itself an obligation. Of course this
is NOT `ibada.
3)Mawlid of the Nation’s Century:
This was a gigantic and truly new Mawlid, the like of which was never seen before. Last year we all witnessed the great celebrations whose main slogan was “100 years KSA” to commemorate one century of freedom from the innovated Khilafa (Ottaman Caliphate) and the establishment of the Sunni Kingdom.
On this occasion thousands of shiny and colorful lights, new constructions, inventive and tasteful decorations, posters, banners, placards, and other graphic art productions were displayed in public places and broadcast over the media with orchestral music, poems, and commentary of self-praise and glorification that filled the heart with warmth, love of dunya, and national pride. All Mawlids should be like this! (Needless to say, this is NOT `ibada.)
- Mawlid of the Mufti:
At the recent passing of the Grand Mufti of the Wahhabiyya Sect, Bin Baz, it was decided by the Mawlid Celebration Board to issue a special commemorative glossy publication praising his greatness, listing his
achievements and merits, and deploring his demise with big tears of sadness. In fact, the magazine cover showed a delightful, artistic painting of a series of big tears stringed together like dhikr-beads, and
inside each tear there was a small Kaba. Al-Hamdu lillah, the Grandmufti is gone, the tears dried up, but we still have the Kaba!
- Mawlid of Monuments and Inscriptions:
Unlike the preceding Mawlids which are seasonal or according to special circumstances, this Mawlid is a permanent Mawlid in Madina, steps away from the Prophet’s Mosque in the ritzy Dar al-Tayba square. It consists in a 15-foot monument in the shape of a globe topped by a dome similar to the Prophet’s dome, flanked by a flag, in the middle of a waterfall. Below, an inscription says: “In appreciation to the King for services rendered to Islam.”
This Mawlid of Monuments and Inscriptions fulfills two important functions:
First, it is most suitable for photography as a memento of His Majesty the King in the City of the Holy Prophet (SAWS) as, unfortunately, pictures of the real Dome are prohibited but happily, pictures of this dunya monument are welcome (as it is NOT `ibada).
Second, just like the inscription acknowledging His Majesty the King at the bottom of the door of the Kaba in Mecca (for every pilgrim to remember and commemorate) this monument and inscription fills the vacuum created - in the last century - by the destruction of the graves of of the great past Muslim figures who contributed over 1,000 years to the greatness of Islam. Figures such as Uthman ibn Affan who used to ride on a donkey and sleep on the mosque floor when he was caliph; Uthman ibn Mazun whose grave the Holy Prophet (SAWS) personally built up; Malik ibn Anas who walked barefoot in Madina out of respect for Rasulullah (SAWS);our mothers the Prophet’s wives; his daughters, uncles, cousins, and thousands of Sahaba all left without one sign - i.e. monument or
inscription - reminding of their existence or “services rendered to Islam.” But why remember them? Wouldn’t that be… `IBADA!?
CONCLUSION:It is hoped that this brief description will help dispel the false and
unjust notion that no Mawlid of any kind is celebrated in the Wahhabi/“Salafi” world today.
The Wahabis just don’t want the ummah to remember mawlids the Prophet (s) and the Companions for that would be Bida’h. However, come & rejoice the founding of the kingdom of the Saud and the creed of Wahabiyya and their leaders! May Allah protect us from these enemies of Islam and his Prophet (saw)!