Q: I ask your legal opinion on the practices of a group of Muslim people, who, on the 12th of Rabi‘ Al-Awwal of every year, on wedding occasions, and when naming newborn babies, read and venerate a book entitled, “Al-Mawlid Al-Nabawy” by Shaykh Muhammad ‘Uthman Al-Mirghany. The book is a biography of the Prophet (peace be upon him). The writer of the book claims that the Prophet (peace be upon him) attends in person when that book is being recited. The book consists of two chapters.The first chapter is read by the leader of the group while he is standing.The second chapter contains formulae of invoking Allah through anonymous persons. It reads: “O Allah, we invoke you in their name and by their families to speed up our triumph and relief.” We do not know to whom the pronouns in this invocation refer, for this invocation is the first line in this chapter. I ask Your Eminence to give the legal opinion on this practice. Is it permissible to offer Salah (Prayer) behind such people? I told them that it is wrong to overestimate this book to such an extent. There is no harm in reading it individually to know about the Prophet’s biography, but not in the way they do. I hope the answer will be broadcasted repeatedly for many days so that many people can hear it. May Allah keep you for the service of Islam and Muslims!

A: Celebrating the Mawlid (birthday) of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in Rabi‘ Al-Awwal or other times, is a prohibited Bid‘ah (innovation in religion). Similarly, reciting the Prophet’s biography on his birthday anniversary, on wedding occasions, childbirth and naming, offering an ‘Aqiqah (sacrifice for a newborn) on the seventh day after the birth, or any other occasion, are unauthorized acts for which there is nothing authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him), (Part No. 3; Page No. 30) any of his Companions, or the righteous Imams of the first and best three generations (may Allah be pleased with them all). These acts are Bid‘ahs. In fact, it is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it, will have it rejected.” May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.