1.
Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Suyuti (radi Allahu anhu) in his famous book
"Al-Hawii Lil-Fatawii" allocated a special chapter on that topic
and named it "The Excellence of Objective in Celebrating the
Mawlid" where he said: The question under consideration is what
the verdict of the Shari'ah on celebrating the Holy Birthday
of the Noble Prophet during the month of Rabbi-ul-Awwal. From
the point of view of Shari'ah is this a praiseworthy action
or a blameworthy one? And do those who arrange such celebration
receive blessings or not?
He
said: "The reply to this question is that in my view the
Meelad Shareef (Celebration of the Birthday of the Noble Prophet
- sallal laahu alaihi wasallam - is in fact such an occasion
of happiness on which people assemble and recite the Holy Qu'ran
to the extent that is easy. Then they relate the prophecies
concerning the appearance of the Noble Prophet (sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam) that have been transmitted in Ahadith and Athar,
and the miraculous events and signs that took place on his birth.
Then food is set before them and according to their desire they
partake thereof to satisfaction. This festival of celebrating
the birthday of the Noble Prophet is a Bid'ah Hasanah (good
innovation) and those arranging it will get blessing, since
in such a celebration is found the expression of joy and happiness
at the greatness and eminence of the Noble Prophet (sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam) and his birth".
2.
Even Ibn Tay'miah said in his book "Necessity of the Right Path",
p. 266, 5th line from the bottom of that page, published by
Dar Al-Hadith, the following: "As far as what people do during
the Meelad, either as a rival celebration to that which the
Christian do during the time of Christ's birthday or as an expression
of their love and admiration and a sign of praise for the Noble
Prophet, Allah will surely reward them for such Ij'tiha". He
then said: "Although Meelad was not practised by (Salaf), they
should have done so since there was no objection against it
from the Shari'ah point of view".
And
we certainly only celebrate Meelad out of love and admiration
to the Prophet of all Mankind.
3.
Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar (radi Allahu anhu) was asked, same reference
of Imam Suyuti (radi Allahu anhu), about Meelad Shareef. His
reply was: "Meelad Shareef is, in fact, and innovation, which
was not transmitted from any pious predecessor in the first
three centuries. Nevertheless, both acts of virtue as well as
acts of abomination are found in it (i.e. sometimes acts of
virtue are found therein and sometimes acts of abomination).
If in the Meelad Shareef only acts of virtue are done and acts
of abomination are abstained from, then the Meelad Shareef is
a Bid'ah Hasanah (good innovation), otherwise not." He then
added "... to do any virtuous act and to observe it annually
as means of recollection for any special day on which Allah
Ta'ala has bestowed any favour or removed any calamity is a
form of showing gratitude to Allah. Gratitude to Allah Ta'ala
is expressed through different kinds of Ibaadah (worship) -prostration
and standing in prayer, charity and recitation of the Holy Qu'ran.
And what is a greater favour from Allah can there be than the
appearance of the Prophet of Mercy (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)
on this day (i.e. 12th of Rabbi-ul-Awwal)?"
Some
people do not limit it and celebrate the Meelad Shareef on any
day of Rabbi-ul-Awwal. Nay, some people have extended it even
more and increased the period to the whole year. According to
the latter, the Meelad Shareef can be celebrated on any day
of the year. The objective here is the same, i.e. to rejoice
at and celebrate the Holy Birth of the Noble Prophet (sallal
laahu alaihi wasallam).
4.
Imam Abu-Bakr Abdullah Al-Demashqi (radi Allahu anhu) compiled
a number of books on the subject and called them "Collection
of Traditions on the Birth of the Chosen Prophet", "The Pure
Expression on the Birthday of the Best of Creations" and "The
Spring for the Thirsty One on the Birth of the Rightly Guided".
5. Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Iraqi (radi Allahu anhu) wrote a
book and called it "The Pure Spring on the Sublime Birth".
6.
Imam Ibn Dahyah (radi Allahu anhu) wrote a book and called it
"Enlightenment on the Birthday of the Bearer of Good News, The
Warner".
7.
Imam Mulla Ali Qari (radi Allahu anhu) wrote a book and called
it "The Quenching Spring on the Birthday of the Prophet".