Q: Some Sheikhs hold celebrations that, as far as I know, have no legal precedence such as celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the night of Isra' (Night Journey) and Mi`raj (Ascension to Heaven), and Hijrah (Prophet's migration to Madinah). Please, explain the legal celebrations admitted in the Shari`ah so that we know what is correct.
A: Undoubtedly, Allah (may He be Praised) perfected Islam for this Ummah and completed His favor on it. Allah (may He be Praised) states: This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) died after conveying the message clearly. Allah perfected through him the teachings of Islam. Therefore, no one is allowed to introduce to Islam what Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) did not ordain. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: He who innovates things extraneous to our affairs i.e. religion, will have them rejected. Agreed upon by Imams AlBukhari and Muslim on the authority of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her).
It is related by Muslim in his Sahih (authentic) book of Hadith on the authority of `Aishah(may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: Whoever performs an act which there is not of our Shari'ah , it is to be rejected.
There are many Hadiths and Athar (narrations from the Companions) that condemn and warn against Bid`ah (innovation in Islam) which are too numerous to mention in this reply.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not hold any of the celebrations mentioned above. He was the best advisor, most knowledgeable of the Shari`ah of Allah, and most keen to guide his Ummah to what benefits it and makes Allah pleased with it.