ELEVENTH OBJECTION

Meelad functions are declared Haraam and an evil Bid’at because of the following reason: “Israaf or waste of money in unnecessary ventures”.

OUR ANSWER

Thus, it is proven that one may feed the people after an important virtuous deed. Meelad is also an important virtuous deed in the eyes of the Believers. Therefore, the distribution of food and sweatmeats is not Israaf (waste).

We wish to remind you of the famous saying of Hazrat Ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhuma). Somebody told Hazrat Ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhuma) that there is goodness in waste. He immediately replied that to spend in goodness is not waste.

TWELFTH OBJECTION

Meelad is declared Haraam and an evil Bid’at because of the following reason: “Soliciting public funds for the upkeep and organizing of these functions”.

OUR ANSWER

The Wahabi and Deobandi public do not contribute to Meelad functions at all. Why should there be a question of this nature? In most places, Meelad functions are arranged by individual families. They do not collect funds from anybody. In some places, certain organizations arrange massive Meelad gatherings and the members collect funds only from those people who believe in Meelad and thus, contribute happily. So, we ask, what is wrong with that? Don’t you collect funds for your Tableeghi Ijtima, which is, in our view, a waste of time and Muslim resources? Hundreds and thousands of Rands are spent just to erect the structure of the stage and tent, etc. Where does that money come from? Why does the Majlisul Ulama not issue a Fatwa against Ijtima because of the use of public money? Why is the entire effort made to make Meelad Haraam only?

THIRTEEN OBJECTION

Meelad is declared Haraam and an evil Bid’at because of the following reason: “Tashabboh bil Kufaar, the celebration of birthdays and anniversaries has no connection with Islam. This is an exclusive custom of the Kuffaar. Our Nabi (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) did not celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. Nor did the Sahabah or the great learned Jurists of Islam. Such celebrations have no basis in the Shari’ah. In upholding these innovatory customs, Muslims are in fact imitating the Kuffaar and this our Nabi (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has strictly forbidden”.

OUR ANSWER

1. The Ulama of Deoband celebrated their hundred years anniversary of Darul Uloom Deoband in which they called Indhira Ghandi who was dressed in a Sarrie. She was seated on the stage while hundreds of Ulama were seated on the ground. Was this Islamic? Early Muslims did not celebrate hundred years establishment of Islam which was far more important that the establishment of Darul Uloom Deoband. According to you, our Nabi (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) did not celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. If the Ulama-e-Deoband claim to be true followers of the Sunnah, why then did they celebrate the hundred year anniversary of Darul Uloom Deoband? Was this not a Bid’at? 
   
   According to you, every Bid’at is an evil Bid’at. Well, I suppose that it is permissible in the Shari’ah of Deoband that you may act upon evil Bid’ats sometimes or maybe there is exemption for Ulema-e-Deoband in Shari’ah as there is exemption for elite Brahaman Caste in Hinduism!
    
2. It is Sunnah to commemorate happiness. In order to explain this, I would like to quote a Hadith: “Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was asked about fasting on a Monday. He replied, ‘I was born on that day and Wahi (Revelation) began upon me on that day’.” (Mishkat, Kitabus Sawm, Baab Sawmut Tatawwo)
   
   It is now proven that to keep fast on a Monday is Sunnah because Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was born on that day. Two issues are proven from the above Hadith:-

1. To commemorate important things is Sunnah.
    
2. It is Sunnah to do virtuous deeds and express happiness on the birth of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). These virtuous deeds can be in the form of Badni Ibaadat (bodily worship), such as fasting and Nafil Salaah, or it can be in the form of Maali Ibaadat (worship by utilising one’s wealth for Deen), like charity, feeding and distributing sweatmeats, etc.

To brand Meelad celebrations as being similar to the act of the Kufaar is an insult to Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and an expression of total ignorance.

FOURTEENTH OBJECTION

Meelad is declared Haraam and an evil Bid’at because of the following reason: “MAINTAINING A CUSTOM WHICH WAS ORIGINATED BY IRRELIGIOUS PERSONS. It has already been explained elsewhere in this article that the originators of Meelad custom were irreligious persons. Six hundred years after our Nabi (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), the irreligious ruler of Irbal, assisted by irreligious learned men, invented and established this custom. Thus, those who organize Meelad functions and those who participate in them are in reality assisting to establish a practise introduced by evil men. They are aiding and abetting in the fostering of a custom which is in total conflict with the Shari’ah of Islam. It is a great crime to maintain and encourage customs and practices which were brought into being by those who had no connection with the Deen, more so, when these customs and practices are a conglomeration of un-Islamic elements”.

OUR ANSWER

Some scholars have written that Meelad was invented in the 7th century by the king of Arbal, Abu Sa’eed Muzaffar. Those scholars have explained this with the reference of Haafiz Ibn Kaseer. But this not correct. Haafiz Ibn Kaseer has mentioned Abu Sa’eed Muzaffar in detail in “Al Bidaya Wan Nihaya”. He wrote that King Abu Muzaffar used to celebrate Meelad-un-Nabi with pomp and glory, but nowhere has he mentioned that the King was an inventor of Meelad. 

We present a complete quotation of Haafiz Ibn Kaseer for a clear understanding. Ibn Kaseer writes regarding the events of the year 630 A.H.: “Amongst pious, generous and great Kings, there was a King, Abu Sa’eed Muzaffar. He used to celebrate Meelad in Rabi-ul-Awwal. His assembly of Meelad used to be one of its kind. He was brave, a thinker, pious, just and an Aalim of Deen. Sheikh Abul Khitaab Ibn Dahya wrote a book on the topic of Meelad titled ‘At Tanweer fi Moulidil Basheerin Nazeer’. On this, the King rewarded the Sheikh with one thousand Dinars. His government remained for a long time. He died while besieging Aka. His government and his character was excellent. Those people who attended the Meelad function arranged by King Muzaffar say that in his Meelad function there used to be 5 000 roasted sheep heads, 10 000 chickens, 100 000 pieces of cheese and 30 000 pieces of sweatmeats. Great Ulama and Sufis of that period participated in his Meelad assembly. His food table was open for people of all walks of life and from all areas. He used to give charity in all types of Ibaadah. He used to spend a lot on the Ibaadah of Makkah and Madina. He used to spend 30 000 Dinars in arranging water for Makkah and Madina. Charities which he gave secretly are hidden from us. May Allah send His Mercy upon King Muzaffar. He died in the year 630 A.H. in the fort of Arbal. He made a Wasiyat to be buried in Makkah but it was not carried out. He is buried in the neighbourhood of Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu)”. (Al Bidaya Wan Ni haya, Vol. 13, pg. 136-137, Darul Fikr, Beirut)

The following matters arise from the statement of Haafiz Ibn Kaseer:-

1. King Abu Sa’eed Muzaffar was not the inventor of Meelad celebrations,
    
2. He was a pious, brave, thinker, just, an Aalim-e-Deen and not an evil man,
    
3. Great Ulama and Sufis of that time participated in Meelad functions,
    
4. He was generous and hospitable,
    
5. Nowhere is it said that he used to spend Baitul Maal money to celebrate Meelad,
    
6. People like Haafiz Ibn Kaseer regarded King Muzaffar as one of the great kings amongst Muslim Kings.

Note that all the things which the Majlisul Ulama have mentioned about King Muzaffar are without any reference, therefore, making them unreliable. We have given our references in detail. You may check the original source.

FIFTEENTH OBJECTION

Meelad functions are branded Haraam and un-Islamic because of the following reasons: “Reviling and branding as unbelievers and heretics those who do not participate in these functions”.

OUR ANSWER

This is another lie and baseless accusation. This objection has already been answered under the Second Objection earlier in our book. Please see the details there.

SIXTEENTH OBJECTION

Meelad function is branded Haraam because of the following reason: “Regarding the distribution of sweetmeats as essential. This too, is a further transgression committed against the Law of Allah. This custom of distributing sweetmeats at these functions is regarded as compulsory. A gross falsity in the name of Islam”.

OUR ANSWER

This is another lie and baseless accusation. No Sunni Muslim believes, wrote or said that the distribution of sweetmeats is compulsory. If you are certain with your claim, why then are you hiding the proof? It seems that the Deobandi Ulama have qualified in a Masters Degrees in lying, deceiving and making false accusations. Remember, this is an issue of belief. You are unable to ascertain someone's belief without that person uttering it or writing it. Why not show us who uttered or wrote that the distribution of sweetmeats is compulsory in Meelad functions?

SEVENTEENTH OBJECTION

Meelad functions is branded as Haraam because of the following reasons: “The belief that the soul of our Nabi (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) presents itself at the Meelad function. This factor has already been explained under the section dealing with Qiyaam, and it was shown there how crime of Shirk is resultant on this belief”.

OUR ANSWER

The answer to this objection has already been explained in the section of Qiyaam. It was shown how ignorant Mujlisul Ulema are about the teaching of their own Elders.

Alhamdulillah! Thus far, we have answered all the 17 objections of Majlisul Ulema which will provide the reader with the full knowledge of the deception of Majlisul Ulema. Beside these 17 objections there are some other issues which we feel needs to be explained as well. With the Blessings of Allah, we will elaborate on those issues.