Indispensable

Indispensable implication
implication
Sunna
Of Sunna
and
and
cau tion against
caution innovation
againstinnovation

By
By
Hi~
His Eminence
Eminence Sh€ikh:
Sheikh:
ABDU. { Z I 7 81:\
A B D T ' I AZIZ B I \ ARDlJLLAH
{ B T I TI I . { H BIN
B I \ BAZ
B{7

Trrnslrlrd by:
Translated by:
Mtrh!mmadRaquibuddin
Muhammad Raquibuddin Hussain,
Hussain,

and
SuhaibH. Abdul GhaHar.
Suhaib H. Abdul Ghallar.

l'rimed xrd publi~hcd

I'ritrred llnd publi!hcd
hy:
h}':
Pr€sid€n.! uoff Islamic
Prl'sidenQ Islamic Research.
Reserrch.
Uta
Iflo Propagation,
ProDr8.tior, lind
otrd Guidance.
Guiddce

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IoR
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o f Saudi Arabi,

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1992/l4t3
1992/1413
Indispensable
Indispensable implication
Of Sunna
Of Sunna
and
crution
caution rgeinst
against innovation
 Indispensable
Indispensable implication
implication
Of SUDDa
Of Sunna
and
and
caution against
caution againstinnovatioD
innovation

By
By
His Eminence
His EminenceSheikh:
Sheikh:
ABDUL AZIZ BIN ABDULLAH
ABDUL ABDULLAH BIN BAZ

Translatedby:
Translated by:
MuhammadRaquibuddin
Muhammad RaquibuddinHussain,
Hussain,
and
and
SuhaibH. Abdul
Suhaib Abdul Ghaffar.
Ghaffar.

Printed and published

by:
Presidency of
of Islrmic
Islamic Research,
Propagation, rnd
Ifta Proprgrtion,
Iftr and Guidrnce.
Guidance.

ASSISTANT AGENCY
FOR
PRINTING
PRINTING AND
AND TRANSLATION
TRANSLATION

Riyadh,
Riyadh, Kingdom
Kingdom of
of Saudi
Saudi Arabia
Arabia

lVakf (Endowment -- Gratif)

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r99?,/1413
1992/1413
 In the
In the name
name of
of Allah
Allah the
the most
most Gracious the
the most
most Merciful
Merciful

Indispensable implication of
Indispensable of Sunna
Sunna
and caution against
against innovation
All praise
All praise be to Allah who completed religion for us,
completed the religion us,
perfected the blessing
perfected blessing on us us and chose
chose Islam
Islam as as our religion.
religion.
blessings and peace
May the blessings p~ace be upon His servant servant and Apostle,
Apostle,
called upon people
who called people to obeyobey hishis Lord and cautioned against
and cautioned against
extravagance, innovation
extravagance, innovation and disobedience; And may Allah
and disobedience;
bless his
bless his posterity,
posterity, his his companions
companions and those who follow his
and those his
footsteps
footsteps till the
the Day of Judgement.
of Judgement.
have been
I have been acquainted
acquaintedwith the article published
the article published in the first
the first
page of
page the weekly
of the weekly magazine
magazine <Edarat>>
«Edarat» of the Kanpur,
of the Kanpur, Industrial
Industrial
city of Utter Pradesh
Pradeshin India,India, which
which contains
containsan an implied cam-
implied cam-
paign
paign against
againstthe Kingdom of Saudi
the Kingdom Saudi Arabia,
Arabia, itsits adherence
adherenceto
the
the Islamic creed,and
Islamiccreed, and its
its opposition
oppositionto innovations.
innovations.The writer
The writer
allegesthat
alleges that the
the creed
creedof the the Salaf (Early adherents
Salaf (Early Islam)
adherentsto Islam)
which is
which is held
held by Saudi
SaudiKingdom
Kingdom does doesnot agree
agreewith the Sunna.
the Sunna.
By
By this,
this, the
the writer
writer aims
aims at at creating
creatingdivision amongstthe
division amongst Ahl'l
the AhPI
Sunna
Sunnaand and encouraging
encouraging the
the innovations
innovations and
and superstitions.
superstitions. This
This
attitude,
attitude, no doubt,
doubt, is
is most
most abominable
abominable and
and dangerous
dangerous and
and aims
aims
at
at offending
offending the the Religion
Religion of Islam Islam and
and spreading innovations
spreadinginnovations
and deviations
and deviations from the from the truth.
truth. Furthermore,
Furthermore, the article
the article
concentrates
concentratesclearlyclearly on
on the
the subject
subject of celebrating
celebrating the
the Prophet's
Prophet's
birthday
birthday as asanan excuse
excuseto discuss
discussthe the creed
creedof the the Kingdom
Kingdom and and
its
its rulers.
rulers.Therfore,
Therfore,I consider
considerit necessary
necessary to enlighten
to enlightenthe Peo-
the Peo-
Ple on
Ple on this
this subject.
subject.So So seeking
seekinghelp help of Allah, II say:
of Allah, say:
It is
It is not
not permissible
permissible to
to celebrate
celebrate the
the birthday
birthdayof of the Apostle,
the Apostle,
(May
(May thethe blessings
blessingsand peaceof
and peace of Allah
Allah be upon him)
be upon him) or some-
or some-
body else.
body else. In
In fact,
fact, it
it must
must be
be stopped,
stopped, as
as it
it is
is an
an innovation
innovation in
in
3
the religion.
the religion. The
The Apostle
Apostle of of Allah (May the blessings and
the blessings and
Peace of
Peace of Allah be
be upon him) neither celebrated it, nor com-
neither celebrated com-
manded others
manded this for himself.
others to do this himself. or for any one who died
anyone died
before him amongst
before amongst the
the Prophets,
Prophets, for his daughters his
his daughters his wives,
wives,
his other relatives.
or his The rightly guided
relatives. The Caliphs the
guided Caliphs the
Companions
Companionsof the the Prophet
Prophet (May Allah be be pleased
pleased wih them)
them)
or the
the successors
successors who rightly followed
who them did not celebrate
followed them celebrate
this event,nor did anyone
this event, any one of the muslim
of the muslim scholars the centuries
scholarsin the centuries
before.
before.
They knew
They knew the Sunnah
Sunnah of of the Prophet (May the peace peace and
blessings of Allah
blessingsof Allah be upon him) best,
best, they loved
loved him more,
more, and
followed the Shari'a
followed the better than
Shari'a better than those
those who camecameafter them. if
after them. if
celebrating
celebratinghishis birthday
birthday was good deed,
was aa good they would have
deed, they have
done
done it.
We are commanded to follow and
are commanded and forbidden
forbidden to innovate.
innovate.
This
This is
is because
becauseof
of the perfectionof the
the perfection the Islamic
Islamic religion
religion and
and the
the
Sufficiency of
Sufficiency of what
what Allah and
and His Messenger
Messengerhave given us
have given us
and
and are
are accepted
acceptedby Ahl-al-Sunna
Ahl'al-Sunna wal-jama'at-.
wal-jama'at-. The Muslim
The Muslim
community of the
community the companions
companionsandand those
thosewho followed
followed them
them in
the
the best
best way.
way.
It is
is related
relatedto the prophet (May the
the prophet the blessings
blessingsand peaceof
and peace
Allah bebe upon
upon him)
him) that hehe said:
said:«He
<He who
who innovates
innovatessomething
something
in this matter of ours
this matter ours that isis not of it, will have
have it rejected».
rejected>.
(Transmitted by AI-Bukhari
(Transmitted Al-Bukhari and and Muslim).
Muslim). According
According to
reported: «whoever
Muslim who reported: <<whoever does an
does an act
act which isis not in
agreement
agreementwith our matter,matter, will have
have it rejected»
rejected>In another
another
tradition
tradition the
the Prophet
Prophetsaid:
said:«You
<<Youmust keepto my Sunna
must keep Sunnaandand of
the
the Sunna
Sunna of thethe rightly-guided
rightly-guidedCaliphs,
Caliphs, cling
cling to it firmly».
firmly>.
«Beware
<<Beware of newly
newly invented
inventedmatters,
matters,for every
everynew
new matter
matter isis an
an
innovation
innovationand and every
everyinnovation
innovation is is misleading»
misleading>He usedusedto saysay
in every
every Friday
Friday sermon:
sermon: «The
<The bestbest discourse
discourseis is the
the Book
Book of
Allah andand the
the best guidanceis
bestguidance is the guidanceof Muhammad
the guidance Muhammad the the

4
 Apostle of
Apostle of Allah,
Allah, and
and the
the worst
worst matter
matter is
is that
that of
of innovation
innovation and
and
every innovation isis misleading».
every innovation misleading>. Thus,
Thus, these
thesetraditions
traditions contain
contain
aa strong
strong caution
caution against
againstinnovations
innovations and
and aa warning
warning that
that such
suchanan
act is aa deviation
act is deviation from
from the
the right
right course.
course. TheThe Prophet
Prophet (May
(May the
the
blessingsand
blessings peaceof
and peace of Allah
Allah be
be upon
upon him)
him) warned
warned thethe people
people
of the
of gravity of
the gravity of these
theseinnovations
innovations and
and of
of their
their bad
bad consequenc-
consequenc-
es. There
es. There areare many
many traditions
traditions adduced
adduced in in this
this connection.
connection. And
And
the Almighty
the Almighty has has said:
said:

{trosti e;l ,,.(* tr-9o.zjetiJ.rJl nK;r, LtF

.Iv-o 1]
<So take
«So take what the Messenger
Messengergives gives you, and refrain from what
he p r o h i b i t s you»
h e prohibits y o u > (59:7).
( 5 9 : 7 ) . Allah,
A l l a h , Most
M o s r High
H i g h said:
said:

;,:i ~ o.l"i ~ ~yil~

JJrJtit ~..ul
jJ$l )~t
r'l-st

Jl 6
Ji Fr.r"J rri o.;oi
-:.>i f Jir..JiF
.[rr:Yr] ~~i
.[ir:"tJ {di +l.io ~
Y,J&. war"
<<Then
«Then let those
let thosebeware
bewarewho withstand
withstandthethe Messenger's
Messenger's order,
order,
Lest some trial befall
Lest some befall them.
them. or aa grievous
grievous Chastisement
Chastisementbebe
inflicted on them))
inflicted (24:63\.
them» (24:63).
Allah, the
Allah, the Almighty said.
Almighty said.

-:.>~ ~ Ak'
y;.;!. 06.it
-,rJ ~ 6-fi .i», J-r-.r
0J-'i nr ~ n^(J
JJ-') d ~ 05~~ ..lQJt
-riJF
.[" \:rrt
.rY \ :rr] {U{ a' 4'.#
~, .J'~J .r~' edl.l
-{ts rrlt ~JoJ'J dltl
~,
<Ye
«Ye have
have indeed
indeed in the
the Messenger
Messenger of
of Allah an excellent
excellent
exempler
exempler for him who hopes
hopes in Allah and the final day,
day, and who
remember much.» (33:21)
remember Allah much.>> (33:21) And Allah the
the Almighty
Almighty said.
said.

itiJl: ;La;Trj a;4alr U OjJ.glrO3iJhb

5
 ,~ ' \t

dr" 'J""')J f~ Art

..\toIJ e~ l-tosy
~ d~ *i.l dll
~I~) ~~4 F^J'dl
sreJ F
t'--,tt ~~I
r['\ .· .-1r ~~, JJAJ' cJri
·-'\] {di,,tr;dr ~~ i+i
\J.!t 1J~..u:.t
hrord *r' ~'J' h*
~ qrr+
'-i';'
«The vangured
<<The vangured ofof Islam
Islam the
the first
first of those who
of those forsook their
who forsook their
homes and of
homes gave them aid, and also
those who gave
of those those who
also those
deeds, well -- Pleased
followed them in all good deeds,
followed Pleased is Allah with
as are they with
them as with Him. prepared gardens
Him. For them hath He prepared gardens
rivers flow,
under which rivers forever, that is the
flow, to dwell therin forever,
supreme Triumph>
supreme (9: 100). And Allah, the
Triumph» (9:100). the Almighty said:
said:

~ *SJt
,j"-, ~ c.".ei3
~\J nftr ~~ F ~ c-lJi
~\ fClF
~~"
~~~ f)t-]l
.[r:o14r*,
.[",:oJ ~~~, F ~ t\Ps1
~)J
«This day have
<This perfected your religion for you, completed
have I perfected completed
My favour
favour upon
upon you andand have
have chosen
chosenfor you Islam
Islam asas your
religion»
religion> (5:3).
(5:3). This verse
versedecisively indicates
decisivelyindicates that the
the Almighty
Allah has
has completed
completed the religion for this
the religion this Ummah, and has
and has
showered
showeredHis blessings
blessingson them.
them.
His Prophet
Prophet (May
(May the peaceand
the peace and blessings
blessingsof Allah be upon
be upon
him) passed
passedaway
away only after he had imparted
he had imparted the the complete
complete
message
messageof Allah to the the Ummah
Ummah as well as
as well as his legislationsco-
his legislations co-
ncerning
ncerningsayings
sayingsandand deeds.
deeds.He
He also
also stressed
stressedthat all all things
things in-
vented
vented by people and
by people and then
then attributed
attributed to thethe religion Islam
religion of Islam
are
are innovations
innovations and
and to be
be rejected,
rejected,even
evenif if their
their inventors did
inventors did
so
so in
in good
good faith.
faith.
It is
It is established
establishedthat
that the
the Companions
Companionsof the Prophet
of the (May
Prophet (May
the
the blessings
blessingsand peaceof
and peace of Allah
Atlah be
beupon him) and
upon him) the righteous
and the righteous
successors
successors after
after them
them warned
warnedthe peopleagainst
the people innovationsas
againstinnovations as
they
theyaddadd to
to Islam
Islamandand legislate
legistatewhat
what is
is not permittedby
not permitted by Allah,
Allah,
in
in line
line with
with the
the enemies
enemiesof of Allah such as
Allah such the Jews
as the Jewsand the
and the
Christians
Christianswho who added
addedtoto their
theirreligion
religionand what was
innovatedwhat
andinnovated was

6
 allowed by Allah. Moreover,
not allowed Moreover, to admit innovation
innovation in Is- Is-
incomplete and
lam is incomplete and imperfect.
imperfect. SuchSuch a belief is not only.an
contradicts the following verse:
evil but contradicts verse: <This have II per-
«This day have
fected your religion for you>.
fected And the sayings
you». And sayings of
of the Prophet
which warn us us against
against innovations.
innovations.
To celebrate anniversary of
celebratethe anniversary of the birth
birth of
of Prophet and the
others, means that the Religion is not perfected
others, means Allah (the
perfected by Allah
Galorious,
Galorious, the the Almighty) for this <Ummah>, «Ummah», and and the Apostle
Apostle
did not impart to the people people what was was necessary
necessary regarding
regarding their
religious
religious duties,
duties, till
till these
theselate ones appeared
late ones appeared and invented
invented in the
religion
religion what is
is not permitted
permitted by Allah, thinking that this would
bring them nearer
them nearer to Allah.
Undoubtedly,
Undoubtedly, this is a great great danger
danger and is tantamount to
criticzing
criticzing Allah the
the Almighty and
and Prophet (Peace
the Prophet (Peace bebe upon
him): whereas
whereasAllah the the Almighty
Almighty has has already completed the
already completed
religion
religion and perfectedHis grace,
and perfected grace,and the Prophet (peace
(peace be
be upon
him) has
hasconveyed
conveyedthe the message
messageopenly
openly and informed the Ummah
of all
atl such
such ways
ways thatthat will lead
lead them
them to the the Paradise
Paradiseandand save
save
them
them from Hell-fire.
According
According to an an authentic
authentic Hadith, on the the authority
authority of of
Abdullah ben ben Amr ben ben AI-As
Al-As thethe Messenger
Messengerof Allah (Peace(Peace
be
be upon
upon him) said: Allah Ta'ala «the
him) said: <the Almighty»
Almighty> did not send send
aa Prophet
Prophet but obliged obliged him to lead lead his people to the
his people the best
best way
which
which is known to him,
is known him, and
and warn
warn them
them against
againstthe worst which
the worst which
is (Transmitted by Muslim).
is known to him. (Transmitted
It is
It is well-known
well-knownthat that our Prophet (peacebe
Prophet(peace be upon
upon him) is the
him) is the
bestof all
best all the prophets,the
the prophets, the last
last and
and the
the most perfect of them
most perfect them
regarding
regarding the the way
way he he conveyed
conveyed the the message
messageand and advised
advised hishis
people.
people.
Had
Had the the celebration
celebrationof Milad been beenan an act Religion chosen
act of Religion chosen
by
by Allah
Altah for for HisHis servants,
servants,the the Prophet would have
Prophet would have either
either
explained
explainedthat that toto his people,would
his people, would have
havecelebrated
celebratedit during his
during his

7
life,
life, or
or his
his Companions
Companionswould would have
havedonedone it.
it. As
As these
thesediddid not
not
happen,
happen,itit becomes
becomes clearthat
clear that Islam
Islamhas hasno
no concern
concernwithwith Milad.
Milad.
On
On the
thecontrary,
contrary,itit is
is one
oneofof the
the innovations
innovationsagainst
againstwhich
which the
the
Prophet
Prophet has warned his
has warned peopleas
his people as mentioned
mentioned earlier.
earlier.
A host of
A host of scholars
scholarshavehavenot
not only
only rejected
rejectedthethe celebration
celebrationof
Milad but
Milad but have
havewarned
warned against
againstitit in
in view
view of
of the evidencesgiven
the evidences given
above.
above.
According to
According to the
the rule
rule of
of the
the Islamic
Islamic Shari'a
Shari'a all matters
matters
regarding legalization or
regardinglegalization prohibition and
or prohibition and all disputes
disputesamong
among the
people,should
people, shouldbe bereferred
referredto the Book of Allah and
to the and the
the Sunnah
Sunnah
of His
of His Messenger (Peacebe
Messenger(Peace be upon
upon him) in line line with the
the saying
sayiqg
of Allah:
of
0\,i J'i J-'
dii
j
\FJ J *tT
J
f
~tr,i.r::*:
-*i wr i~
~~ t..\'Ji'irr ~~ t..\ "~',~
;"ui -: jj, \A~G~
iJ*4ii;r;'u"{
iJ., d-qX
~ .. r

~ ofJ~;'j ~r Jl ~~J~jJ -pi.u ;~,

(,.is 6J} J.hltj+lJT JSJ
JI ouIIt# r,ri& ~~~ ~iq irr
.[O~:t]
. [ o 1 : t ] ~~~~ ~ij,
{r^*;L;;;ii e ~~ ~~, ,~jJrj ~..~ ~~jf
ou.3;-ji
tc(

(O ye
A. «0 ye who believe
believeobey
obey Allah and obey Messenger and
obey the Messenger
thosecharged
those chargedwith authority among
among you. If
If ye
ye differ in anything
anything
among yourselves,refer
among yourselves, refer it to Allah and his
his Messenger,
Messenger, if if ye
ye do
believein Allah and
believe and the Last
Last Day: That is best
best and
and most
most suitable
suitable
(4:59).
determination>>(4:59).
for final determination»
And Allah The Almighty
Almighty said:
said:

.r\._
.[' {+itT
'1(.. 4$. ~
t",] '.LJlr"
.-ryr Jt lB,Ai,,?
~~ u~ E
4..i ~ii.' uj}'~
\.0JT
,.... F}l't}t
0'10.

B. <<Whatever wherein ye differ,

«Whatever itit be wherein differ, the decision
decision thereof is
Allah» (42:10).
with Allah> (42:10).
Referring this issue
issue back to
to the Book of of Allah,
Allah, we find
find itit
ordaining upon usus to follow
follow the Messenger
Messenger of Allah (peace
of Allah (peace be
be
upon him) in his Commandments
Commandments and warns us us against
against what
what
ever he prohibits.
ever prohibits. Furthermore
Furthermore itit tells
tells us
us that
that Allah has perfected
Allah has perfected
8
 thereligion
the religion forfor the people.So,
the people. So,as aslong
long as asMilad
Milad is is not
not among
among
theteachings
the teachingsof of the
theProphet (peacebe
Prophet (peace be upon him), it cannot be
upon him), it cannot beaa
part of
part of the
the religion
religion which
which Allah
Allah has perfectedfor
hasperfected us and asked
for us and asked
us to
us to adhere
adhereto to by following the
by following the Prophet.
Prophet.
Again when we
Again when we refer
refer this
this issue
issueback
back to to the
the Sunnah,
Sunnah, of of the
the
Messengerof
Messenger of Allah (peacebe
Allah (peace be upon him), we do not find either
upon him), we do not find either
the Prophet
the Prophet or or the
the Companions
companions doing doing itit by
by themselves
themselvesor or ask-
ask-
ing others
ing othersto to do
do it,
it, So
So itit becomes
becomesevidentevident that
that Milad, is not aa
Milad, is
part of
part religion, rather
of religion, rather oneone ofof innovations
innovations and and blind immitation
immitation
of the
of peopleof
the people of the book, i.i. e.
the book, e. the
the Jews
Jewsand and the
the Christians
Christians in
their festivals.
their festivals.With
with this
this argument
argumentin mind, it becomes becomescrystal-
crystal-
clear for
clear for everyone
everyonehavinghaving the the least insight and
least insight and inclination to-
wardstruth
wards truth and justice, that
and justice, that celebrating
celebratingany any birthday has hasnoth-
ing to do
ing do with Islam.
Islam. It It is
is rather
rather among
among the the innovations
innovations which
Allah andand His Messenger
Messenger(peace (peacebe be upon
upon him) warned
warned against
against
emphatically.
emphatically.
wise man
A wise man must
must not be be deceived
deceivedby seeing seeinga large number
large number
of people doing
of people doing it throughout the the world because
becausethe truth is
known and recognizedby the
and recognized the evidences
evidencesof of Shari'a and not by
the acts of a
the acts of a greatgreat number
number of people.
of people.
Allah Ta'ala «the <the AlmightyD
Almighty» says says regarding
regarding the Jews Jews and the
Christians:
Christians:
'tti
i|"r ti rstl u {r rqii ,trx I jtrijF
{&i* F ol&;i-rt,i ji ni}-oi
.r\\\'Tr s!
<<And
«And they say:
say: None shall enter
enter Paradise
Paradise unless
unless he
he be
be a Jew,
Jew,
or a Christian, those
those are their vain desires. Say: Produce your
desires. Say: your
proof
proof ifif ye are truthful» (2:l
are truthful> I l).
(2:111).
And
And the Almighty
Almighty also said:
said:
.uJ\ L".. ." '!jd
$I ,.. " ;/. l. l.
..~ . 0'1\ . j ." "U:--I ~ oLjF
0,.. 0

&r,p,f
" ~ ~ ~.1 ~".I'J u fi'g~ ~\"~
u,j,iie~.:.Y'.r ~r
9
 'oV
.[\ \ 1:1] fuok[ {l e ir:'{l oie o!
(wert
«wert thou toto follow
follow the common runrun of
of those
those on earth, they
on earth, they
will lead thee
wilt thee away from
from the way of
of Allah. follow nothing
Allah. They follow nothing
conjecture: They do nothing
but conjecture: lie» (6:l16).
nothing but lie> (6: 116).
Most of of these
these innovations,
innovations, in in addition to to their innovatory
nature, also
nature, also do not usually
usually escape
escape fromfrom a number of of other evils,
evils,
such as
such as mixed gatherings
gatherings of of men and women, songs songs accompa-
accompa-
nied by musical
nied musical instruments.
instruments. drinking intoxicants, narcotics
drinking intoxicants, narcotics
and the like. They may also also involve the worst thing i. e. the
greatest
greatestShirk, through showing exaggeration in the Messenger
showing exaggeration Messenger
of Allah
of Allah (peace
(peace be
be upon him) and other saints
saints and through
praying to him, invoking his help or believing believing that he knows
what
what is is hidden
hidden and claims which render
and all similar claims believer as
render a believer as
an infidel. It is authentically reported
It authentically reported that the Messenger
Messenger of
of Atlah
Allah
has
hassaid:
said: «Beware
<<Beware of
of extravagance
extravagancein the Religion: It
the Religion: It has
has caused
caused
the
the people
people before perish>. He also
before you to perish». also said: <Do not lavish
said: «Do lavish
praise
praise on me me as as the
the Christians
Christians did with the son of Maryam. I
son of
am
am just aa bondman.
bondman. So So Simply say:say: The bondman of of Allah and
His Messenger» (Transmitted by Bukhari).
Messenger>(Transmitted
It
It is
is curious
curious to note great many
note that aa great many people partcipatemost
peoplepartcipate most
actively
actively in these
thesecelebrations
celebrationsand defend them
and defend vehemently,while
them vehemently,
they
they sitsit back
back from attending
attending the the obligatory forms of worship worship
such
suchas asdaily
daity and prayers.They
and friday prayers. They are
are not even ashamedof
evenashamed of
this,
this, nor do do they
they realize
realizethat they are committing aa great
they are great evil.
evil.
Undoubtedly,
Undoubtedly, this shows the
this shows weaknessof their faith, their
the weakness
short-sightedness,
short-sightedness, and the
and deeplyingrained
the deeply ingrained rust hearts
rust on their hearts
because
becauseof of sins
sinsandand disobedience.
disobedience.We We ask protection for
ask Allah's protection
us
us and
and for for all
all the Muslims.
the Muslims.
It is
It is even
evenmoremore astonishing
astonishingto note that
to note that some peoplebelieve
somepeople believe
that the
that Messengerof
the Messenger of Allah (peacebe
Allah (peace be upon him) is
upon him) presentat
is present at
Milad. Consequently
Milad. Consequentlythey they stand
standto greetand
to greet Welcomehim.
and Welcome That
him. That

l0
10
 sheer lie but a worst form
is not only a sheer form ofof ignorance,
ignorance, asas the
the
Prophet (peace
Prophet (peace be
be upon him) shall
shall niether
niether come
come out ofof his grave
grave
before the Day of
before of Resurrection, meet the people
Resurrection, nor shall he meet people
attend their meetings.
or attend meetings. Instead,
Instead, he shall remain inin his grave
grave
till the Day of
till of Resurrection
Resurrection while his soul rests
rests at the highest
highest
of his Lord
of the high with his Lord in the most exalted highest place.
exalted and highest place.
«The Almighty>
Allah Ta'ala <The Almighty» Says:
Says:
~' '"C ~'"''
Of,"a l:.'~
" J;,i.
r
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4a-Jlrl
" .."
l t 0,. z ct
"0,,
|~.J!.
\J-
.,
or,
/.

.*t ~
0
"

~
,
JJtiJ
.. :. * 4J.::::
~
r:; Euli
",,,
t ~~.lIU
\"

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~
o~
.[\ 1
.[' -\ o
"\-, 0:"Y"] {i;+
' " --.
: Y r ] ""{4J~ /"

«After
<After that at length
length ye ye will
will die,.again
die,. again on the Day of of Judg-
Judg-
ment, will ye
ment, ye be
be raised
raisedup» (23: 15,
up> (23: 15, 16).
16).
And the prophet (peace (peace be upon him) said:
<I am
«I am the
the first oneone to rise grave on the Resurrec-
rise from the grave Resurrec-
tion Day and I will be be the intercessorand the first one whose
the first intercessor whose
intercession
intercessionis is to bebe accepted».
accepted>.
The aforesaid
aforesaid evidences
evidencesfrom the Quran and Hadith Hadith prove
beyond doubt that the
beyond the dead people will
dead people will come
come out of graves
of their graves
only on the the Day of Resurrection.
Resurrection. All All the scholars
scholars ofof Is-
lam
lam agree
agreeupon this.this. A Muslim should
should bebe aware
aware of these
thesethings
things
and
and must
must not bebe easily
easilymisled
misled by the
the innovations
innovations and
and the
the super-
super-
stitions
stitions created
createdby the the ignorant people with no authority from
ignorant people
Allah atat all.
As
As for offering the blessingsand
the blessings and greetings (Salat and
greetings(Salat and Salam)
Salam)
to the
the prophet
prophet (peace
(peace be
be upon
upon him), they
they are
are among
among the
the most
most
prefered and
prefered and virtuous
virtuous deeds
deedsin accordance
accordancewith the the saying
saying of
Allah:
',t-

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11
ll
 <Allah and
«Allah and His
His Angels
Angels send
sendblessings
blessingson
on the
the Prophet,
Prophet, 0O ye
ye
that believe,
that believe,sendsendyeye blessings
blessingson on him, and
and salute
salutehim with all all
(33:56).
respect>(33:56).
respect»
The Prophet
The (peacebe
Prophet (peace be upon
upon him) has has said:
said:
<Whosoever sends
«Whosoever blessingson
sends blessings on me
me one
one time,
time, Allah sends
sends
blessingson him ten
blessings ten times».
times>.
It is
It prescribedon all times,
is prescribed particulary at
times, particulary at the
the end
end of each
each
prayer. It
prayer. It is
is held
held obligatory at at last
last «Tashahud»
<Tashahud>of each eachprayer
prayer
most of the
by most the scholars.
scholars.It is is strongly
strongly required
required atat aa number
number of
occasionssuch
occasions as immediately
such as immediately after «Adhan»,
<<Adhan>>, at the
the mention
mention
the name
of the name of the the Prophet (Peacebe
Prophet (Peace be upon
upon him), during
during the
the
day of Friday and
day and the precedingit according
the night preceding accordingto aa host
host of
Ahadith.
This isis what I wanted
wanted to emphasize
emphasizeregarding
regarding this
this issue.
issue.I hope
hope
satisfy everyone
it will satisfy everyonewhom Allah has has shown
shown the
the light.
How sad is to see
sad it is seesome devoted Muslims,
somedevoted Muslims, known for their
strenghtof
strenght of faith and love for thethe Prophet (peacebe
Prophet (peace be upon him).
organizing such
organizing such innovatory celebrations.
celebrations.
Let usus ask
ask such people: Tell us,
such people: us, if
if you belong
belong to AhlAhl - as
as -
Sunnaand follow the Prophet (peace
Sunna (peacebe upon him), whether
whether he he
himself or one one of his
of his Companions
Companions or their Successors
Successorsdid this
or is it no more than a blind following of of the enemies
enemiesof of Islam
among the
from among the jews
jews and the
the Christians
Christians and the like?».
like?>>.
The love of of the Prophet
Prophet (peace
(peace be
be upon him) is not reflected
reflected
celebration on his birthday, but by obeying
by the celebration obeying him, believ-
believ-
ing in his teachings,
teachings, keeping
keeping away
away from
from what hehe prohibited and
by worshipping Allah Allah in the
the way he he prescribed
prescribed for
for us.
us.
It also reflected
It is also reflected through offering Salat Salat and Salam
Salam to him
from time to time, particularly at the mention of
from of his name
name and
during prayers.
prayers.
The Wahhabiyya,
Wahhabiyya, as tends to put it, are
as the writer tends are not newnew
t12
2
in rejectingall
in rejecting all such
suchinnovations.
innovations.TheirTheir creed
creedisis to
to hold
hold fast
fast to
the
theBook
Book ofof Allah
Allah andand the
the Sunnah
SunnahQf qf His
His Messenger
Messenger(Peace
(Peacebe be
upon him): to
upon him): to follow
follow his
hisfootsteps
footstepsandand those
thoseof hishis rightly
rightly guid-
guid-
ed
edsuccessors:
successors: to
to believe
believeand practisewhat
and practise what was
waspropounded
propoundedby by
the
the virtuous predecessors
virtuous predecessors and
and the
the Imams
Imams of learning
learning andand guid-
guid-
ancewho
ance werecapable
who were capableto issueissuereligious
religiousinjunction
injunction concerning
concerning
the knowledgeof
the knowledge of Allah,
Allah, andand His
His attributes perfectionand
attributesof perfection and
dignity as
dignity shownin
asshown in the
the Glorious
Glorious Book
Book andand the
the authentic
authentictradi-
tradi-
tions of the
tions the Prophet
Prophet and and asas wholeheartedly
wholeheartedlyaccepted
acceptedby his his
companions.
companions.The Wahhabiyyabelieve
The Wahhabiyya believein them,
them, the
the way
way they
they are
are
reported without
reported without anyany alteration, personification, examplify-
alteration, personification, examplify-
ing or
ing or negation
negationof suchsuchattributes.
attributes.They
They stick
stick to the
the way
way of suc-
suc-
cessorsand
cessors their followers
and their followersfrom among among the peopleof learning,
the people learning,
faith and piety. They
and piety. They believe
believethat the the foundation of the the faith
is to bear
is witnessthat there
bearwitness thereisis none
none to be
be worshipped
worshippedexcept
exceptAllah
and that
and that Muhammad
Muhammad is is the
the Messenger
Messengerof Allah. To them, them, this
this
is the
is the root
root of faith
faith and
and one
one of its
its most
most exalted
exaltedbranchesas
branches well.
as well.
They know in accordance
They accordancewith the consensusof
the consensus of the mus-
the mus-
lims, that
lims, that this
this root requires
requiresknowledge,
knowledge,acknowledgement
acknowledgementand
and
practice.
practice.
implies that
It implies that none
none is
is to be worshipped except
be worshipped except Allah the
Almighty. Who has has no associates
associatesat all. It
lt further implies
implies the
negationof worshipping
negation worshippingany
any other
other except shows why
exceptHim. It shows
jinn and
jinn and mankind
mankind were
were created;
created;why the
the Messengers
Messengers were
were sent
sent
and the Books
and why the Books were
were revealed.
revealed.
addition, Ibada
In addition, (worship)is
Ibada (worship) is not only complete
complete submission
submission
and love
and love but also complete obedience
also complete obedience and veneration
veneration as
as well.
Islam is the only religion prescribed
Islam prescribed by Alrah disseminated
Allah and disseminated
the prophets
by the prophets and
and nothing, save
save it, is acceptable
acceptable to Allah
Allah
whether in the past
whether past or the present.
present. The one
one who submits
submits his will will
to Allah
to as well as
Allah as as to someone
someone else
else beside
beside Him
Him is a Mushrik
Mushrik
l13
3
«polytheist». The
<potytheist>. The same
same is is true
true for
for the
the one who prays
one who prays to
to Allah
Allah
and someone
and someone else
else beside
beside Him.
Him. As As for
for the one who
the one does not
who does not
submit to
submit to Him,
Him, he
he is
is arrogant concerning his
arrogant concerning his duties towards his
duties towards his
Creator.
Creator.
Allah the
Allah the Almighty
Almighty Says:
Says:

\\;#\j Wi i'J~T
r,+r; rtr ~\ .t
rrcroi pi yi
~~J i eJ w;
~i rf ~ iitjF
.tiJj»
..[~i:'i]~~~i
[r1: \ 1]
4er-ili
«For we assuredly
<For assuredly sent
sent amongst
amongst everyevery people
people a Messenger,
Messenger,
(with the the Command)
Command) <Serve «Serve Allah and and eschew Evil» (16:36)'
eschew Evil> (16:36).
Thus the
Thus the creed
creed of wahhabiyya is based
of the wahhabiyya u~on fulfillment
based uqon fulfillment
of witnessing
of witnessing that Muhammad
Muhammad is is the Messenger of
the Messenger of Allah and
and
completely
completelyabandoning
abandoningall innovations, superstitionsand what-
innovations, superstitions
ever goes against
ever goes againstthe the Shari'a.
Shari'a.
This
This is is what
what Shaikh
Shaikh Muhammad
Muhammad ben Wahhab -- may
ben Abdul Wahhab may
Allah havehavemercymercy upon -
upon him - believed
believedand othersto be-
invited others
and invited be-
lieve.
lieve. Whoever
Whoever accredits
accreditsto him anythinganything contrary does
contrary to it, does
not
not only
only lielie but commits
commits aa greatgreat sin
sin and
and claims what is
claims what totally
is totally
unfounded.He will,
unfounded. will, no doubt,
doubt, receive what
receivewhat Allah has promised
has promised
to allall the
the fabricators
fabricatorsof lies.lies.
The
The Shaikh
Shaikhhas hasshown through aa series
shown- through well -- known
his well
seriesof his known
treatisesand
treatises and scholarly
scholarlybooks
bookson on the
the topic
topic of the <Declarationof
the «Declaration
Unity:
unity: La La ilaha
ilahaill' Allah. -- that
ill' Allah. that no onedeserves
no one deserves worship except
worshipexcept
Allah
Allah the Almighty and
the Almighty and that
that this
this type
type ofof worship should be
worship should be
devoid
devoidof of all
all sorts
sortsofof SHIRK
SHIRK whether
whetherbig bigor
or small. Anyonewho
small.Anyone who
isis aware
aware of of these
thesewritings,
writings, his his way
way of preachingand
of preaching calling
and calling
peopleto
people to Allah
Allah and
and ofof the
theway
way of of his pupilsand
his pupils and disciples, can
disciples,can
easily
easilyfindfind out
out that
that his
hisapproach
approachwas wasnotnot different
different from of
that of
from that
our
our virtuous
virtuouspredecessors,
predecessors, the greatImams
thegreat Imamsof and guid-
learningand guid-
of learning
ance.
ance.Indeed,
Indeed,he hehas propoundedwhat
haspropounded whatthey did throughout
theydid their
throughouttheir
lives
lives concerning
concerningthe the worship
worship of of Allah Alone and
Allah Alone and leaving all
Ieaving all

t4
14
innovations
innovationsand and superstitions
superstitionsaside.
aside.
This isis the
the foundation of the the Saudi
Saudi regime
regime and and this view is
this view is
held
held by the the scholars
scholarsof Saudi
Saudi Arabia.
Arabia. TheThe hard
hard attitude
attitude shown
shown
by the Saudi government is
Saudi government is directed
directed only against
against the
the supersti-
supersti-
tions and
and innovations
innovations in contradication
contradication with Islam, Islam, or the
the ex-
ex-
treme
treme typetype of of extravagance
extravagancewhichwhich isis totally prohibited by the the
Prophet
Prophet(Peace(Peacebe be upon
upon him).
him). All Muslims,
Muslims, Scholars
Scholarsandand rulers
rulers
of Saudi
Saudi Arabia hold great great respect
respectandand love
love for every
every Muslim
regardless
regardlessof his his affiliation to any
any group or country the world.
country in the
They do rejectreject all types
types ofof celebration gatheringswhich
celebration or gatherings which are
are
based on innovation,
based innovation, with no authority from Allah or His
Prophet.
Prophet. They They oppose
oppose them
them because
becauseevery
every new new matter
matter in the
the
religion is
religion is anan innovation
innovation andand because
becausethe the Muslims
Muslims areare com-
com-
manded
manded to follow, not to innovate. innovate. Islam is is perfect and
and com-
com-
plete
plete by itself.
It is
is in no need need of anyany addition
addition after
after what
what Allah and and His
Prophet
Prophet have have ordained
ordained and and what
what thethe Ahl-al-Sunnah
Ahl-al-Sunnah Wal'
Jama'at,
Jama'at, from among among thethe Companions,
Companions,the the Successors
Successors and
and their
their
followers
followers have have already received. To forbid celebrating
already received. celebrating thethe
birthday of the the Prophet
Prophet duedue to its
its innovative
innovative nature
nature in addition
to the
the sings
singsof of extravagance
extravaganceand and Shirk normally associated
Shirknormally associatedwith
it, is
is not un-Islamic
un-Islamic orderogatory
orderogatoryto the Prophet (peacebe
Prophet (peace be upon
upon
him). Instead,
Instead, it is is an
an act
act of obedience
obedienceas as the
the Prophet (peace
Prophet (peace
be upon him) himself said:
be said: «Be
<<Beware
ware of of the extravagance
extravagancein
matters of
matters of religion. Those before
religion. Those before you have perishedbecause
have perished becauseof of
extravagance
extravagancein the matters of religion».
the matters religion>.
Again
Again he said: Do not lavish
he said: praiseon me
lavish praise me asas the
the Christians
Christians
did with the son of Maryam.
the son Maryam. I am am but aa bondman.
bondman. So simply
So simply
say: <Slaveof Allah and
say: «Slave and His Messenger».
Messenger>.
This isis what I wanted
wanted to point out regarding
regarding the aforesaid
the aforesaid
article.
article.
May Allah help help usus and
and all the
the Muslims
Muslims to understand
understandHis

l5
15
religion, to continually
religion, continually confirm us stick to Sunnah
us on it, stick Sunnah and
and
keep away
keep away from the
the innoVation.
innovation. Indeed
Indeed He isis Generous and Kind.
Generous and
Shower His blessings
And May Allah Shower and mercy
blessings and upon our
mercy upon
prophet Muhammad,
prophet Muhammad, his his posterity
posterity and
and his
his Companions.
Companions.

ABDUL AZIZ BIN ABDULLAH

ABDUL AZIZ ABDULLAH BIN BAZ
GENERAL
CENERAL PRESIDENT,
PRESIDENCY OF ISLAMIC
THE PRESIDENCY ISLAMIC RESEARCH,
RESEARCH,
DAWA AND
IFTA, DAWA AND INSTRUCTION.
INSTRUCTION.
Translated from Arabic
Translated Arabic by: Muhammad
Muhammad Raquibuddin
Raquibuddin Hussain,
Hussain,
and
and Suhaib Hasan Abdul Ghaffar.
Suhaib Hasan Ghaffar.

l6
16
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