Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, Imam of Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, has strongly cautioned Muslims against introducing religious innovations, particularly the celebration of the Prophet's birthday, known as Mawlid. In his Friday sermon, he explained that such practices have no basis in the Qur'an or Sunnah and only open doors to misguidance.
The Sheikh reminded worshippers of the Qur'anic command to obey Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, stressing that Islam requires strict adherence to authentic teachings. He quoted the Prophet's ﷺ warning that every innovation in religion is misguidance, no matter how appealing it may appear to people.
Al-Sudais further recalled the guidance of the Prophet's companions. Abdullah ibn Mas'ud advised believers to follow established teachings without adding innovations, while Umar ibn al-Khattab declared that every innovation is misguidance, even if people consider it good. These words, he emphasized, show that the earliest generations rejected newly invented practices.
One of the most common innovations today, he said, is the Mawlid celebration. Neither the Prophet ﷺ, his companions, nor the rightly guided caliphs ever celebrated it. Instead, it has introduced harmful practices such as unlawful mixing of genders, extravagance, singing, and frivolous entertainment.
Citing Imam Ibn Taymiyyah, Al-Sudais added that Mawlid resembles Christian traditions and does not provide genuine spiritual benefit. True love for the Prophet ﷺ, he explained, is proven by following his Sunnah and obeying his commands, not by inventing new rituals.
In conclusion, Sheikh Al-Sudais urged Muslims worldwide to abandon innovations, hold firmly to the Sunnah, and preserve the purity of Islam. He reminded the Ummah that Islam began as something strange and will return to being strange, promising glad tidings for those who remain steadfast upon the truth.
Source: (https://muslimnews.com.ng/2025/09/04/every-bidah-is-misguidance-sheikh-al-sudais-insists-cautions-muslims-against-mawlid/)