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Ruling on Celebrating the Prophet`s Birthday
Author : Dr Noah Ali Salman
Date Added : 21-12-2015

Ruling on Celebrating the Prophet`s Birthday

 

On the twelfth of Rabi` al-Awal of each Hijri year, the Muslim World celebrates the birthday of Prophet Mohammad(PBUH). The General Iftaa` Department is pleased to congratulate the Muslim and Arab Nations on this happy occasion, and prays that at the same date of next year Allah would have favored them with peace, stability and honor.
We call on all Muslims in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to participate in this celebration to show their love and high regard to our Prophet Mohammad(PBUH), remembering his words: "None of you is a believer till I am dearer to him than his child, his father and the whole of mankind."{Agreed upon}.
On this happy occasion, Muslims gather to recite the Quran, read the biography of the Prophet(PBUH) and chant Madih to honor him as well as to rejoice at his birth(Mawlid). These acts are amongst the good practices referred to by the Prophet(PBUH) where he said," Whoever introduces a good practice that is followed after him, will have a reward for that and the equivalent of their reward, without that detracting from their reward in the slightest"{Muslim}.
The permissibility of celebrating this happy occasion is indicated by many pieces of evidence, some of these are:
First: Abu Qatadah Al-Ansari (RAA) narrated, ‘The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah (the 9th of the month of Dhul Hijjah). He replied, "Fasting on the day of Arafah is an expiation for the preceding year and the following year.” He was also asked about fasting on the day of Ashura (the 10th of the month of Muharram). He replied, “Fasting on the day of Ashura is an expiation for the preceding year.” The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was also asked about fasting on Monday, and he replied, "This is the day on which I was born and the day on which I was sent (with the Message of Islam) and the day on which I received revelation." Related by Muslim. In this Hadith, the Prophet clarifies that he Fasted on Monday because it is his birthday which distinguishes that day from the rest of the days, and a Muslim should be keen on receiving as many rewards from Allah as possible during this blessed day.
Second: Allah, The Almighty, said, " and teach them to remember the Days of God."{Ibrahim/5}. i.e. teach them to remember the favors that Allah has bestowed upon them, as interpreted by Ibn Abbas, Mujahid and Qotadah, and the Prophet`s birthday is undoubtedly the greatest favor that Allah has bestowed upon the whole World; therefore, celebrating it means complying with the commands of Allah by remembering His favors and blessings.
Third: Allah, The Almighty, said, "Say: "In the bounty of God. And in His Mercy,- in that let them rejoice": that is better than the (wealth) they hoard"{Younis/58}. Ibn Abbas said, "The bounty of Allah is knowledge and His mercy is Prophet Mohammad(PBUH)." Moreover, Allah, The Almighty, said, "
We sent thee not, but as a Mercy for all creatures."{Al-Anbiya`/107}. Therefore, celebrating the birthday of the master of all creatures(PBUH) is one aspect of the prescribed rejoice.
Fourth: When the Prophet (PBUH) came to Medina, he found (the Jews) fasting on the day of 'Ashura' (i.e. 10th of Muharram). They used to say: "This is a great day on which Allah saved Moses and drowned the folk of Pharaoh. Moses observed the fast on this day, as a sign of gratitude to Allah." The Prophet (PBUH) said, "I am closer to Moses than they." So, he observed the fast (on that day) and ordered the Muslims to fast on it."{Bukhari}. Therefore, thanking Allah, annually, for bestowing a favor or removing an affliction is permissible, and amongst the greatest blessings and favors on that day is the birth of Prophet Mohammad(PBUH).
We should remind ourselves and our Muslim brothers to follow our role model Prophet Mohammad(PBUH) in terms of his manners, words and deeds. Allah, The Almighty, said, "Verily there is for you a good example in the Messenger of God for whoever hopes for [the encounter with] God and the Last Day, and remembers God often."{Al-Ahzaab/21}.
We beseech Allah, The Almighty, to protect our country, favor it with peace and security along with the rest of the Muslim countries.

 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What should the one performing the slaughter say at the time of slaughtering the 'aqīqah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is Sunnah to say the following supplication at the time of slaughtering the 'aqīqah:
"Bismillāhi wallāhu Akbar, Allāhumma laka wa ilayka, hādhihi 'aqīqatu fulān."
("In the name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. O Allah, this is for You and unto You — this is the 'aqīqah of [the child's name].")
This is based on what al-Bayhaqī narrated in Al-Sunan al-Kubrā (Vol.9/P.511), that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Slaughter it in his name and say: In the name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. O Allah, this is for You and unto You — this is the 'aqīqah of so-and-so."
And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on someone who possesses cash reaching the niṣāb (minimum threshold liable for zakah), and then uses part of it to purchase gold before the ḥawl (lunar year) is complete — must he pay zakāh on all of it [combined], or only on the remaining cash, excluding the gold?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Gold acquired for hoarding and saving is subject to zakāh once it reaches the niṣāb (minimum threshold liable for Zakah) — when combined with any cash held — and once a full ḥawl (lunar year) has elapsed over it. The starting point for calculating this ḥawl is the ḥawl of the paper currency [used to purchase it], which had already reached the niṣāb and was then used to purchase the gold.
It is stated in Mughnī al-Muḥtāj (Vol.2/p.78): "As for someone who sells silver in exchange for gold, or vice versa, zakāh remains obligatory upon it, since he builds [the calculation of] its ḥawl upon [the ḥawl established at the time of] the original transaction [i.e., when the wealth was first acquired]."
This has already been explained in detail in Fatwa No. 2670 — please refer to it.
And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

Is it permissible to give to the poor from among the People of the Book from the Udhiyah?

Praise be to Allah, and prayers and peace be upon our Master the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is permissible to give to the poor among the People of the Book from a voluntary sacrifice (uḍḥiyyat taṭawwuʿ), just as it is permissible to give charity (ṣadaqah) to them. This opinion is a view (wajh) within the Shāfiʿī school, which was favored by al-Muḥibb al-Ṭabarī and Imam al-Nawawī. [See: Ḥāshiyat Ibn Qāsim al-ʿAbbādī ʿalā Tuḥfat al-Muḥtāj (Vol.9/P.365)]. And Allah Almighty knows best.

Do pregnant and breastfeeding women have to fast?

Pregnant and breastfeeding women are required to fast. However, if fasting causes them harm or unusual hardship, they may break their fast but must make up for the missed days later.
If they break their fast solely out of fear for the fetus or the child, then they must both make up the fast and give fidyah (feeding a needy person for each missed day), as the benefit of breaking the fast was only for the child.

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