Is celebrating the Mawlid (the Prophet's birthday) permissible?

Celebrating the Mawlid was not done by the Prophet (peace be upon him), nor by his Companions, nor by the best generations of the Salaf who loved him more than anyone; it first appeared centuries later. The Prophet said, "Whoever introduces into this affair of ours something that is not part of it will have it rejected" (Sahih al-Bukhari 2697, Sahih Muslim 1718), and he warned that every newly-invented matter in religion is an innovation (bidʿah) and every bidʿah is misguidance. For this reason the scholars of the Salafi manhaj regard the Mawlid as a religious innovation to be avoided, however sincere the intention. True love of the Prophet is shown by obeying him and reviving his authentic Sunnah, not by adding acts of worship he never legislated.

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