The Truth About the Prophet’s Birthday: How It Became a Bid’ah and What Islam Says About It

 Why Celebrating the Prophet’s Birthday is Not Part of Islam

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the most beloved and revered figure in Islam. He is the final messenger of Allah, the best example for humanity, and the leader of all the prophets. Muslims love him more than themselves and their families, and they send blessings and peace upon him every day. But does this love mean that Muslims should celebrate his birthday, as some people do on the 12th of Rabi’ ul-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar? The answer is no, and here are the reasons why:

1. There is no clear evidence for the exact date of the Prophet’s birth. Historians have disagreed about the year, month, and day of his birth. Some say it was in the Year of the Elephant, which corresponds to 570 CE, while others say it was before or after that. Some say it was in Rabi’ ul-Awwal, while others say it was in Muharram, Safar, Rajab, or Ramadan. Some say it was on the third, ninth, or tenth of the month, while most agree that it was on the twelfth. The fact that there is so much disagreement and uncertainty about the date of his birth shows that it was not important to the Arabs, who were known for their excellent memory and memorization skills. They used to memorize their lineage, poetry, and the Quran by heart, but they did not memorize or record the date of the Prophet’s birth.
2. There is no proof that the Prophet himself celebrated his birthday or encouraged his followers to do so. He never mentioned his exact date of birth or instructed his companions to commemorate it. He used to fast on Mondays, regardless of the month, because he was born on a Monday and because deeds are presented to Allah on Mondays. He did not take this day as a celebration, but as a day of worship . He also warned against introducing innovations in religion that are not based on his teachings or the Quran.                                                                                                                                                                              
   
   
   
3. There is no evidence that the companions of the Prophet or the early generations of Muslims celebrated his birthday. They loved him more than anyone else, and they sacrificed their lives, families, wealth, and property for him. They followed his sunnah (traditions) and spread his message to the world. But they never celebrated his birthday, decorated mosques, recited poetry in his praise, or held gatherings or processions on the 12th of Rabi’ ul-Awwal. They knew that the best way to show their love and gratitude to him was to obey his commands and follow his example.                                                                                                          
   
   
   

Conclusion: Celebrating the Prophet’s birthday is not part of Islam. It is a bid’ah (innovation) that was introduced centuries after his death by some people who were influenced by other cultures and traditions. It has no basis in the Quran, the sunnah, or the history of Islam. It is a deviation from the pure and authentic teachings of Islam, which are sufficient and complete. The Prophet did not celebrate his birthday, nor did he instruct his companions to do so. The companions did not celebrate his birthday, nor did they teach their successors to do so. The best way to love and honor the Prophet is to follow his guidance and obey his commands, not to imitate the practices of other religions or cultures.