Guide-to-Sound-Creed-A-Book-on-Muslim-Creed-and-Faith

350 <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Sound</strong> <strong>Creed</strong>
Chapter Six
Living Examples ofBid 'ahs Nowadays
The following are examples ofinnovated matters proliferating nowadays:
1. Commemorating the Prophet's birthday
2. Seeking blessings at specific monuments and graves of dead persons
3. Bid'ahs related <strong>to</strong> religious ordainances and rituals
Bid'ahs have spread nowadays due <strong>to</strong> the lack of religious knowledge,
proliferation of heretics and innova<strong>to</strong>rs, as well as imitation of the disbelievers.
The Prophet (PBUH) is reported <strong>to</strong> have said:
"You will surelyfollow the ways ofthose nations who were before you."
1. Commemorating the Prophet's Birthday During the Month of
Rabt' ul-Awwal
Itis a means ofimitating the practices ofthe Christians who usually celebrate
Jesus' birthday. Every year during the month ofRabrul-Awwal, the ignorant and
deviating scholars among the Muslims celebrate the Prophet's birthday. Some
organize celebrations and festivals in the mosques while others celebrate it at
homes where a large assembly oflay people gather, thus, imitating the festivals of
the Christians in celebrating Christmas.
In such celebrations, in addition <strong>to</strong> the perpetration of innovated matters,
some acts of polytheism and disbelief may be introduced and practised. People
may, thus, chant poems which excessively hymn the praise of the Prophet or
extravagantly express seeking refuge with him instead of Allah. The Prophet
(PBUH) is reported <strong>to</strong> have said:
"Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised 'lsa Ibn
Maryam (Jesus, son ofMary), for I am only a servant (of Allah). So,
call me the servant ofAllah and His Messenger."
Those people, sometimes, assume the Prophet's presence at their festivals.
Among the abominable practices, which accompany these festivals, are the
chanted and musically chorused hymns and other Sufi bid'ahs. Men may
also mingle with women, which may lead <strong>to</strong> the spread and perpetration of
disgraceful acts.
Even if their celebrations were free of all such excessive and obscene deeds;
that is, they only include meals and showing joy, as those people claim, it would
still be held an innovated bid 'ah and the Prophet (PBUH) said: