Q 1: What is the ruling on preaching and giving sermons on the day of Mawlid (the Prophet’s birth)?

A: Propagation of virtue, prevention of vice, teaching people the rules of their religion, and admonishing them to soften their hearts are lawful at anytime, for the general stated commands to do so, without limiting any of them to specific times. Allah (Exalted be He) says (what means): Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islâm), enjoining Al-Ma‘rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islâm has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful. Allah (Glorified be He) also says: Invite (mankind, O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islâm) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Revelation and the Qur’ân) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Furthermore, Allah (Glorified be He) illustrates the manners of the hypocrites and the way the Du`ah (callers to Islam) should deal with them, saying: And when it is said to them: "Come to what Allâh has sent down and to the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم)," you (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) see the hypocrites turn away from you (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) with aversion. How then, when a catastrophe befalls them because of what their hands have sent forth, they come to you swearing by Allâh, "We meant no more than goodwill and conciliation!" They (hypocrites) are those of whom Allâh knows what is in their hearts; so turn aside from them (do not punish them) but admonish them, and speak to them an effective word (i.e. to believe in Allâh, worship Him, obey Him, and be afraid of Him) to reach their innerselves. In addition to many other Ayahs carrying this meaning.Allah does not lay any restrictions concerning the time of preaching to people. However, preaching and guiding are more necessary on certain occasions such as the Friday Khutbah (sermon) and the two ‘Eid Khutbahs, for doing so was authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him). It is also necessary to guide and preach on seeing wrong or evil actions being committed, because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: (Part No. 3; Page No. 32) Anyone among you who see an evil action, let them change it with their hand (by taking action); if they cannot, then with their tongue (by speaking out); and if they cannot, then with their heart (by hating it and feeling that it is wrong). The day of the Mawlid should not be singled out for any act of worship, preaching, or reading the birth story of the Prophet (peace be upon him), since the Prophet (peace be upon him) himself did not do this, nor commanded that it be done. If there had been any special benefit in singling out that date, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would have been the first to do it and advise others to do it, but he did not. This constitutes evidence that singling out this day for any kind of preaching, reading the story of his birth, or any special act of worship is mere Bid‘ah (innovation in religion). It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Anyone who introduces anything into this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it will have it rejected. According to another narration: Anyone who does an action that is not in accordance with this matter of ours (Islam) will have it rejected. Moreover, it is not reported that the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) themselves, who are the most knowledgeable and the keenest to follow the Sunnah, ever did this. May Allah be pleased with them all.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.