In the name of Allah, Most Beneficent, Most Merciful

by Sheikh Jehad M.W. Ismail
(Sydney - Australia)

All praise is due to Allah who has guided us to follow the Noble Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), the leader of the Messengers; Who has granted us the capacity to remain steadfast on the pillars and essential principles of Deen Al-Islam; Who has made it easy for us to follow the footsteps and way of our pious predecessors, to the extent that our hearts have been illuminated with the knowledge of the Shari'ah and the conclusive argument in favour of the evident truth; and Who has kept our internal souls free from the contamination of falsehood.

We praise and thank Him for having blessed us with the light of certainty, and for having granted us strength and courage to continuously hold fast to His strong rope. These favours are all out of His Bounty and Grace. We testify that there is no deity besides Almighty Allah, Who is alone, and has no partner or associates, and that, without doubt, our Beloved Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the Servant and Messenger of Allah, the Leader of those who are first and those who are last. May Allah send His Salaams and Blessings upon him, his Household and Progeny, his Companions and those who follow their path until the Day of Judgement (ridwanullahi ta'ala ajma'in).

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says in the Holy Qur'an: "O ye who believe! Fear Allah, and (always) say a word directed to the Right".

Allah's Messenger (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Whoever believes in Allah and the Hereafter should either say what is good, or otherwise remain silent".

It is every Muslim's duty to show people the truth in anticipation that they would follow it clearly and evidently and certainly not blindly. For truth is as clear as the sun in broad daylight. This brief introduction is due to what we have been hearing recently, as far as the celebration of the birthday of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is concerned. Falsehood is regretabally attributed to such a noble event and mischief is stated as to the illegitimacy of celebrating such an esteemed occasion. Thus leaving ordinary people in a state of confusion not knowing whether they should partake in celebrating the event or otherwise. This is so, since the people who raise objection to the Meelad feel that they are at liberty to fabricate events in Islamic history and the traditions of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

Therefore, we felt that it is incumbent upon us, and upon those who possess knowledge of Shari'ah, to clearly explain to the Muslim masses the truth about Meelad.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Whoever brings forth an innovation into our religion which is not part of it, it is rejected".

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) also said: "Beware of inventive matters for every invention is an innovation and every innovation is evil".

Those who quote these two Ahadith claim that the word "Kul" which means "EVERY" or "ALL" which is mentioned in the above two Ahadith is used to include everything, i.e. all kinds of innovations or "Bid'ah" without any exception. They conclude therefore, that all innovations are "evil".

By stating such an ill-fated statement, they have in fact accused the scholars (Ulema) of the Muslim World of committing "evil" innovations, particularly Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu). However, they quickly respond and say: No, we did not mean the Companions (Sahaba Ikraam). In reply to that we say, yes, indeed you did so, because you said "every" or "all" innovations are "evil".

And you have rejected what the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) himself approved, i.e."Tarawih Prayers". We will now quote before you many actions which were not carried out during the life of Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) but were in fact done following his demise by his Companions (ridwanullahi ta'ala ajma'in).

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