Question:
Who were the first to introduce this innovation (the innovation of the Mawlid), what were their justifications, and how did it come about?
Answer:
The first to introduce it were the Fatimids in Egypt during the 4th century AH. In the 7th century, it was introduced by the King of Erbil in Iraq, and subsequently spread among Muslims. According to Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah in Iqtida’ al-Sirat al-Mustaqim, the reasons for its emergence were either out of love for the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)— as they mistakenly believed this was a requirement of that love — or in imitation of the Christians, because Christians celebrate the birth of Christ (peace be upon him). Regardless of the reason, every religious innovation (bid’ah) is a misguidance.