True Love for the Prophet Lies in Following Him
Rejecting the celebration of the Mawlid does not in any way stem from a deficiency in love for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Rather, he is more beloved to us—and to the People of the Sunnah—than our own fathers, mothers, and ourselves.
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “None of you truly believes until I am more beloved to him than his child, his parent, and all of people.” On one occasion, Umar said: “O Messenger of Allah, you are more beloved to me than everything except my own self.” The Prophet replied: “No, Umar, not until I am more beloved to you than your own self.” Umar then said: “Now, you are more beloved to me than everything, even my own self.” The Prophet responded: “Now, O Umar.”
Thus, the People of the Sunnah believe that the Messenger, peace be upon him, is more beloved to them than anything else after Allah.
The most beloved thing to the People of the Sunnah is Allah alone, the Majestic and Exalted. Next, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is the most beloved of people to them—surpassing their love for themselves, their wealth, and their children—followed by the rest of the prophets, peace be upon them.
This is our path and our way. We call upon Allah as our witness that He is more beloved to us than anything after Allah, and we call upon Allah as our witness that the Prophet is more beloved to us than ourselves, our wealth, our children, and everything else.
By Allah, had he legislated it, we would have rushed to it, called to it, written extensively about it, and championed it, peace and blessings be upon him. However, he did not legislate it, nor did he practice it, nor did his Companions practice it.
Yet today, people’s enemy is the one who forbids them from their habits and falsehoods to which they have become accustomed. When someone forbids them from falsehood and innovation, they claim: “This person hates the Prophet.”
This is precisely what people said to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, when he called them to the oneness of Allah and sincere devotion to Him. They said: “Muhammad hates Jesus, the son of Mary.” They claimed he hated Jesus simply because Jesus forbade the worship of Jesus, peace be upon him.
True Affection Expressed Through Adherence, Not Falsehoods
Similarly, callers to truth throughout ancient times, when they called to the oneness of Allah, were accused: “These people hate the righteous and do not love them,” simply because they said: “Do not worship them alongside Allah.”
Loving the righteous is demonstrated by following the good, adhering to their good morals, and adopting their good deeds. This is what love for them means.
Therefore, love for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is demonstrated by following him, walking in his footsteps, honoring his Sunnah, calling to it, and defending it. This is true love for him, peace and blessings be upon him.
Allah says: ”Say (O, Muhammad ﷺ), ‘If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.’“ [Ali ‘Imran: 31]
Some people with hidden agendas—broadcasting from London and elsewhere through various media channels—have recently claimed regarding me that I view the celebration as ‘disbelief’ (kufr) and misguidance, and that this represents harshness and disrespect toward the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.
Glory be to You! This is a great falsehood! I did not say it is disbelief. I only said that it is an innovation introduced into the religion that Allah has not authorized.
However, various types of disbelief may occur on the part of those who practice it, such as worshipping the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, calling upon him, seeking his rescue (istighathah), and making vows to him. All of these are forms of disbelief. But the people of falsehood and desires neither know nor perceive, and they intentionally fabricate lies. We ask Allah for well-being.