The Christians celebrate the birth of the Prophet Isa’ (upon him be peace) and the Muslims celebrate the birth of the greatest Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him). What seems to be the objection?
Is celebrating the birth of a Prophet resemblance of the Christians?
Resemblance of another religion that Allah and His beloved Messenger (peace be upon him) have prohibited is unlawful. Otherwise it remains lawful.
From the Qur’an and Sunnah, one can understand that resemblance of other religions that Allah and His beloved (peace be upon him) have declared unlawful is: If the action is a specific sign of a religion and if one would carry out the act of resembling or imitating it, he would apparently seem to be from amongst them. For example: Wearing a cross around the neck or on clothes, prostrating in front of fire or idols, celebrating Easter or Diwali, using a Christmas tree or father Christmas for decorations etc. These are specific signs of another religion and therefore are not only unlawful but are acts of infidelity. Another type of resemblance such as growing the moustache and shaving the beard is also severely disliked; not permissible because the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned it as a resemblance to the non-believers and demanded the contrary from the Muslims.
If someone celebrates the Mawlid using a Christmas tree or lights of father Christmas as decorations then surely it would be resembling the Christians and not lawful. However, celebrating the Mawlid by fasting, reciting praises of Allah and His beloved (peace be upon him), decorating the house with lights is not resembling another religion.
Ibn Abbas narrates that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) came to Madinah, he saw that the Jews fasted on a specific day; 10th of Muharram. He (peace be upon him) asked the Jews why they fast on that day. They said that the day is of great importance for us, on this day our Prophet Musa (upon him be peace) was relieved from fir’awn (pharaoh). The Jews expressed their gratitude towards Allah on that specific day by fasting. If it resembled their religion and it was not permissible to celebrate and fast on the same day, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would have prohibited us from doing so. Instead, the Prophet (peace be upon him) declared that celebrating the bounties of Allah, whether it be specific for our Ummah or another Ummah, is encouraged.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“We have more right (to celebrate the success) of the Prophet Musa (upon him be peace). Therefore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) fasted on that day and also ordered (the companions) to fast on that day” (Bukhari, Muslim and Abu Dawud)
According to another narration a companion objected that this is the way of the Jews and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said we shall fast for two days.
Decorations and using lights is also permissible because it is a way of rejoicing. Nowhere does it say in the Qur’an and Sunnah that one must not decorate or use lights whilst rejoicing. None of our predecessors forbade the use of lights and decorations. This means that it is a bid’ah to say it is not permissible. It is to deem unlawful that which Allah has not made unlawful.
It is the custom of the Muslims all around the world to use lights whilst rejoicing their days of celebration. They are commonly used for weddings by the very people who claim it is a way of the Christians. The fact of the matter is that imitating or resembling the way of another religion or people is not always unlawful.
If the Christians cover themselves with clothes, does it mean Muslims must wonder around naked? If the Christians wear shirts, does it mean it is not permissible for Muslims? If the Christians eat bread and drink black coffee, does it mean the Muslims are not allowed that? If the Christians breathe air, does it mean the Muslims have to find another way to survive?
http://eidmiladunnabi.blogspot.com/search/label/Ten%20Questions%20Regarding%20the%20Mawlid%20Celebrations
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