Did the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) Commemorate His Birthday?
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Most Gracious
The Religious Status of Celebrating the Prophet's Birth in Light of Ahadees!
Let us begin with the actions of the Beloved Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) who himself acknowledged the significance of his birth.
Hadees Num- 1
Narrated by Hazrat Abu Qatada Ansari (Radiyal Laah Anhu):
Rasool ul Laah (Peace be upon him) was asked about fasting on Monday.
He replied:
"It is the day I was born and the day on which revelation was sent to me."
Sahih Muslim, Book 6 (Fasting), Hadith 2606 and 2603.
Reported also in Sunan al-Kubra by Imam Bayhaqi (Vol. 4, p. 300, Hadith 8182, 8259), Sunan of Imam Nisai, and Musnad of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal.
Interpretation: This indicates the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) commemorated his birth by fasting as a form of gratitude. Therefore, one may observe the day of the Prophet's birth through various forms of worship such as fasting, gatherings of remembrance, and charity.
Supporting References
Sahih Muslim
Asad al-Gaba fi Ma’arfat as-Sahaba, Vol. 1, p. 21-22
Sunan al-Kubra by Bayhaqi
Musannaf Abd ar-Razzaq, Vol. 4, p. 296
Sunan Abu Dawood, Vol. 7, p. 255
Masnad Ahmad, Vol. 49, p. 195
Sunan of Imam Nisai
When the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) himself honored his birthday weekly through fasting, it is unjustified to label this practice as innovation (bid’ah) or associating partners with Almighty Allaah (shirk).
Additional Ahadees Commemorating the Prophet's Birth
Hadees 2
"When my mother gave birth to me, she saw a light that illuminated the castles of Syria."
References: Ibn Hisham, Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Dala'il an-Nubuwwa (Bayhaqi), Zawa'id (Haythami), al-Wafa (Ibn al-Jawzi), al-Shifa (Qadi Iyad), Musnad Ahmad.
Hadees- 3
"The first thing Allaah Kareem created was my light (noor)."
References: Tafseer Nashapuri, Araa’is ul Bayaan, Roohul Bayaan, Zirkaani ala al-Mawahib, Madarij an-Nabuwwah, Bayaan al-Miladun Nabi li Ibn Jauzi
Hadees- 4
Hazrat Imam Ahmad Qastalani narrates from Hazrat Imaam Zain ul Abideen, from Hazrat Imam Husaien, from Hazrat Imam Ali
(Radiyal Laah Anhuma):
"I was a light before my Lord 14,000 years before the creation of Hazrat Aadam (Alaiehis Salaam)."
References: Muwahib al-Laduniyah, Zirkani, Jawahir al-Bihar, Anwaar al-Muhammadiya, Rooh al-Bayan, Hujjatullahi Ala al-Alameen
Hadees 5
Narrated by Hazrat Jaabir bin Abdul lah (Radiyal Laah Anhu), the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:
"The first creation of Allaah was the light of your Prophet ."
Detailed narration continues through divisions of the Noor into cosmic elements.
References: Muwahib al-Laduniyah, Zirkani, Seerate al-Halabia, Dalail Khayrat commentary, Ibn Hajr Makki, Hujatullahi Ala al-Alameen, Anwaar al-Muhammadiya, Aqidat ash-Shuhada, Fatawa Hadithia, Dalaa’il an-Nubuwwah (Bayhaqi), Khamees (Dayar Bakri), Madarij an-Nabuwwah (Sheikh Abdul Haq Dehlvi)
Hadees 6
Hazrat Allamah Muhammad Bin Alawi al-Maliki (Rahmatul Laah Alaieh) writes:
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) commemorated his lineage and birth. He honored the births of other Prophets and welcomed poetic praises of himself by companions.
Houl al-iH’tifal Bi Zikri Mawlid an-Nabawi Ash-Sharif
(Published Lahore 1987)
Hadees 7
Narrated in Sahih Bukhari:
Abu Lahab was seen in a dream post-death and said he receives some relief every Monday due to freeing Thuwaiba, his slave, upon the Prophet’s birth.
[Sallal Laahu Alaieh Wa Sallam].
Implication: Even an enemy of Islam receives mercy for expressing joy at the Prophet's birth; what then of a believer who rejoices sincerely?
Hadees 8
Hazrat Ibne Abbaas (Radiyal Laah Anhu) reports:
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) fasted on 10th Muharram honoring Prophet Moosa’s (Alaiehis Salaam) victory.
Sahih Muslim, Vol. 2, Hadith 1130
Analogy: If Jews commemorate a Prophet’s victory, Muslims have even more reason to rejoice at the Prophet Muhammad’s birth.
(Sallal Laahu Alaieh Wa Sallam)
Hadees 9
Hazrat Anas bin Malik (Radiyal Laah Anhu) narrates:
During Israa wa Miraaj, the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) stopped at Bethlehem and was told it was the birthplace of Prophet Ieesa
(Alaiehis Salaam).
Sunan Nasai, Vol. 1, Hadees 448
Conclusion: The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) acknowledged sacred places associated with Prophets’ births. Hence, commemorating his own birth aligns with the Sunnah and is an expression of gratitude and love.
May we be among those who honor this noble month of Rabi’ al-Awwal with love and reverence! Your joys surpass thousands of Eids; all in the world are rejoicing, except Shaytan!
Did the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) Commemorate His Birthday?
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Gracious
Peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Master Muhammad, his family, and companions.
The Religious Status of Celebrating the Prophet's Birth in Light of Ahadith
Let us begin with the actions of the Beloved Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) who himself acknowledged the significance of his birth.
Hadith 1
Narrated by Abu Qatada Ansari (RA):
The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) was asked about fasting on Monday. He replied:
"It is the day I was born and the day on which revelation was sent to me."
- Sahih Muslim, Book 6 (Fasting), Hadith 2606 and 2603
- Sunan al-Kubra by Imam Bayhaqi (Vol. 4, p. 300, Hadith 8182, 8259)
- Sunan of Imam Nisai
- Musnad of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal
Interpretation:
This indicates the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) commemorated his birth by fasting as a form of gratitude. Therefore, one may observe the day of the Prophet's birth through various forms of worship such as fasting, gatherings of remembrance, and charity.
Supporting References
- Sahih Muslim
- Asad al-Gaba fi Ma’arfat as-Sahaba, Vol. 1, p. 21-22
- Sunan al-Kubra by Bayhaqi
- Musannaf Abd ar-Razzaq, Vol. 4, p. 296
- Sunan Abu Dawood, Vol. 7, p. 255
- Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 49, p. 195
- Sunan of Imam Nisai
When the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) himself honored his birthday weekly through fasting, it is unjustified to label this practice as innovation (bid’ah) or associating partners with Allah (shirk).
Additional Ahadith Commemorating the Prophet's Birth
Hadith 2
"When my mother gave birth to me, she saw a light that illuminated the castles of Syria."
- Ibn Hisham
- Tafsir Ibn Kathir
- Dala'il an-Nubuwwa (Bayhaqi)
- Zawa'id (Haythami)
- al-Wafa (Ibn al-Jawzi)
- al-Shifa (Qadi Iyad)
- Musnad Ahmad
Hadith 3
"The first thing Allah created was my light (noor)."
- Tafseer Nashapuri
- Araa’is ul Bayaan
- Roohul Bayaan
- Zirkaani ala al-Mawahib
- Madarij an-Nabuwwah
- Bayaan al-Miladun Nabi li Ibn Jauzi
Hadith 4
"I was a light before my Lord 14,000 years before the creation of Adam (AS)."
- Muwahib al-Laduniyah
- Zirkani
- Jawahir al-Bihar
- Anwaar al-Muhammadiya
- Rooh al-Bayan
- Hujjatullahi Ala al-Alameen
Hadith 5
"Allah first created my Noor (Light) of His Noor..."
— Full narration includes the stages of creation from Noor.
- Muwahib al-Laduniyah
- Zirkani
- Seerate al-Halabia
- Dalail Khayrat commentary
- Ibn Hajr Makki
- Hujatullahi Ala al-Alameen
- Anwaar al-Muhammadiya
- Aqidat ash-Shuhada
- Fatawa Hadithia
- Dalaa’il an-Nubuwwah (Bayhaqi)
- Khamees (Dayar Bakri)
- Madarij an-Nabuwwah (Sheikh Abdul Haq Dehlvi)
Hadith 6
Allama Muhammad Bin Alawi al-Maliki (RA) states:
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) commemorated his lineage and birth, honored other Prophets’ births, and accepted praise from companions.
Source: Houl al-iH’tifal Bi Zikri Mawlid an-Nabawi Ash-Sharif
Hadith 7
"Abu Lahab receives relief every Monday because he freed Thuwaiba when the Prophet was born."
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 7, Book 62, Number 38
Hadith 8
"We have more claim over Musa than you." — On fasting on Ashura in honor of Prophet Musa (AS).
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Vol. 2, Hadith 1130
Analogy: If Jews commemorate Musa (AS), Muslims have even more reason to honor the birth of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
Hadith 9
"You prayed at Bethlehem, where Isa (AS) was born."
Reference: Sunan Nasai, Vol. 1, Hadith 448
This implies that locations and events tied to the births of Prophets are sacred and venerated.
Conclusion
May we be among those who honor this noble month of Rabi’ al-Awwal with love and reverence!
Your joys surpass thousands of Eids; all in the world are rejoicing, except Shaytan!
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