for success: I know of no foundation for this Mawlid in either the Book or the Sunnah, nor is there any report that any of the scholars of the ummah—those exemplars in the religion who clung to the legacy of the early generations—ever practiced it. Rather, it is an innovation invented by the idle and a craving of the soul from which professional banqueters have grown rich (1).

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728 AH) said: “The same applies to what some people have introduced—whether in imitation of the Christians’ celebration of the birth of Jesus (peace be upon him) or out of love and reverence for the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace)—namely treating the Prophet’s birthday as a festival, even though people differ about the exact date of his birth. This was never done by the early generations; and had it been pure, unalloyed good, the salaf, may Allah be pleased with them, would have been the most entitled to it, for they loved and venerated the Prophet far more than we do and were more eager for every good. True love and reverence for him lie in following him, obeying him, adhering to his commands, reviving his Sunnah both inwardly and outwardly, spreading the message with which he was sent, and striving for it with heart, hand, and tongue. Such was the way of the foremost pioneers from among the Muhajirun