And the Christians themselves are innovators in this regard, for the Messiah, peace be upon him, did not legislate a celebration of his birth for them—they invented it on their own. After the virtuous generations had passed, some Muslims imitated them and began celebrating the birth of Muhammad ﷺ just as the Christians celebrate the birth of the Messiah. Thus both groups are innovating and misguided in this matter, because the prophets never prescribed for their nations to hold festivals for their birthdays; what they prescribed was to emulate them, obey them, and follow them in what Allah has ordained. That is the Law. As for these birthday celebrations, they are nothing but a waste of time and money, a revival of innovations, and a diversion of people from the sunnahs. Allah is the One whose help is sought.

Singling out the month of Rajab for worship
Question: Is it correct to single out the month of Rajab for a specific act of worship? Please clarify this for us, as the issue is unclear. May one also designate it in particular for an ʿumrah or for visiting the Prophet’s Mosque?

Answer: The month of Rajab is like any other month; it is not to be singled out for any act of worship apart from the other months. Nothing authentic has been reported from the Prophet ﷺ prescribing for it a special prayer, fast, ʿumrah, sacrifice, or anything else. Such practices existed in the pre-Islamic era, and Islam abolished them. Since no particular act of worship has been established for Rajab from the Prophet ﷺ, whoever introduces a worship and confines it to this month is an innovator, for he has brought into the religion something that is not part of it. Acts of worship are tawqīfī—that is, their manner and timing are fixed by revelation—and a person may not undertake any of them unless he has