The first to celebrate Mawlid were the Fatimiyoon in the 4th Century (Hijri) in Cairo.

Who are the Faatimiyoon?

It was a state established upon deceit for they claim that they are fatimiyoon from the offspring of Faatimah, the daughter of the Messenger and they are not as such! Their grandfather was a fire-worshiper, and the majority of them were Zanadiqaah outside of Al-Islaam! From them were those who made apparent cursing of the prophets, from them were those who permitted alcohol, from them were those who commanded with prostration to him (i.e. the grandfather). And the virtuous from them is a malicious wicked Raafidee; he commands with cursing of the companions so these are your examples whom you took from them [the aspect of] celebration with [i.e. by adopting] the birthday!

Translated by

Majid Jawed Al-Afghanee
Abu Layl

Here is a debate by Shaykh Ali Naasir Al-Faqeeh hafidaho-Allah with a supporter of the mawlid:

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Mentioned by

AbdulFattaah Bin Uthman
Abu Fajr

The Noble ash-Shaykh al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him, refuted some of the doubts of those who celebrate the Prophet’s birthday in his book Sharh Manthuumatul Usool Fiqh wa Qawaa’idahu, page 95, print: Daar Ibnul Jawzee.

From his words were:

‘ …Verily it has not been authenticated that the date of the birthday of the Prophet, alaihi as-salaatu was-salaam, was on the 12th of the month Rabee’ al-Awal. Rather the scholars of research (who verify) dates of narrations report that his birthday was on the 9th, not on the 12th. This is from what proves the weakness of the opinion of the permissibility of celebrating the birthday of the Prophet, alayhi as-salaatu was salaam, on the night of 12th (of the month of Rabee’ al-Awal).’

Translated by

AbdulFattaah Bin Uthman
Abu Fajr

Some scholars say they are in reality celebrating the death of the Prophet sallahu alayhi wa salam since he sallahu alayhi wa salam died on the 12th.

Some of the mawlid supporters now say we aren’t celebrating the Prophet’s birthday, we are merely showing recognition for it (while it should be noted that just changing the names of things don’t change their realities) or some would say like Hamza Yusuf said that it is a matter of ijtihaad and that we should respect the opinion of others. Feeble doubts which have already been responded to on a number of occasions.

Or some of them incorrectly use the following verse concerning Prophet Isa alayhi as-salaam:

وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَيَّ يَوْمَ وُلِدتُّ وَيَوْمَ أَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ أُبْعَثُ حَيًّا

“And Salam (peace) be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!”

[19:33]

So it is said to them why don’t you go out with the Christians and celebrate the birth of Prophet Isa then?!

Mentioned by

AbdulFattaah Bin Uthman
Abu Fajr