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Who
Really Loves the Messenger ? (In the light of Mawlid Celebrations)
Loving
the Messenger of Allah - An Obligation
The Messenger of Allah,
Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) was born in Makkah during the month of
Rabe'i al-Awwal. Scholars differ regarding his exact birth-date but they all
agree that it was on Monday, as is mentioned in an authentic Hadeeth.
Rabe'i
al-Awwal sparks off the debate whether the 12th Rabe'i al-Awwal (the Prophet's
assumed day of birth) should be celebrated or not. And if it is celebrated,
then how should the celebrations be?
Celebrations
are part of the complete religion (Deen), and thus complete guidance on the
days and manner of celebration is found in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of
the Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam).
Those
who insist on celebrating Mawlid, claim that those who do not follow them in
celebrating Mawlid, do not love the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi
wa-sallam).
In
Islam, claims carry no weight in themselves, unless they are backed by Proofs.
The stronger the Proof, the stronger the claim. Allah, the Exalted mentioned
in the Qur'aan the claim of some of the misguided, who said:
“None will enter Paradise, unless he be a
Jew or a Christian”
Allah
questioned them, saying - “Produce your Proof (Burhaan) if you are
truthful”. [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 11]
Thus,
this verse gives the principle of judging a claim. Furthermore, Allah
explicitly points out to the acceptable proof (Burhaan), that justifies a
claim. He said: “O Mankind! There has come to you a convincing proof
(Burhaan - Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)) from your
Lord and We sent down to you a manifest light (this Qur'aan).” [Soorah
an-Nisa (4): 174]
Consequently,
Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) is the Burhan (Proof) and the Criterion
and thus every claim has to be supported with strong proofs from his Sunnah
(Way).
***************************************************************************
Loving
the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam), is obligatory for every
Muslim. It is the proof of one's Faith. A believer has to love him (sallallahu
alaihi wa-sallam) more than everything else, as the Qur’aan says:
“Say: If your fathers,
your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have
gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwelling in which
you delight are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger (sallallahu alaihi
wa-sallam) and striving hard and fighting in His cause, then wait until Allah
brings about His Decision (torment). And Allah guides not the people who are
disobedient.” [Soorah At-Tawbah (9): 24]
Muhammad
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “None of you truly believes until I
am more beloved to him than his father, his child and all of mankind.” [Bukharee
and Muslim]
Once,
Umar Ibn Khattab (radhi allahu anhu), made a statement to Allah's Messenger:
“O Messenger of Allah! You are more beloved to me than anything except my
own self.” Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) remarked saying: “No,
by the One in Whose Hand is my soul, not until I am more beloved to you than
your own soul.” Umar (radhi allahu anhu) then declared his love for the
Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) saying: “By Allah, now you are more
beloved to me them my own soul.” Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) then
informed him that he had the complete and correct faith.” [Saheeh Bukharee]
What
is LOVE?
Love
of Allah and His Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) refers to complete
submission to their orders and commandments. Allah says in the Qur'aan: “Say
(O Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)): 'If you truly love Allah then
follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.” [Soorah
al-Imraan (3): 31]
And
Allah has described the hypocrites as disobedient to Allah and His Messenger
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam): “They (hypocrites) say: “We have
believed in Allah and in the Messenger and we obey’, then a party of them
turn away thereafter, such are not believers.” [Soorah An-Nur (24): 47]
He
also said: “But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make
you judge in all disputes between them and find in themselves no resistance
against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.” [Soorah
an-Nisa (4): 65]
“The
only saying of the faithful believers, when they are called to Allah (His
Words: the Qur'aan) and His Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) to judge
between them, is that they say: 'We hear and we obey'. It is such as these who
will attain success.” [Soorah
an-Noor (24): 51]
The
Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “All the people of my Ummah
will enter Paradise except he who refuses.” The Companions (radhi allahu
anhu) asked: 'Who refuses?' The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi
wa-sallam) explained: “He who obeys me will enter Paradise and he who
disobeys me is as if he has denied me.” [Saheeh
Bukharee]
Once,
a companion of the Messenger of Allah approached him and said: “I love you
more than I love my family and get restless to see you, I run to you to have a
glimpse of you but when I am reminded of my own death and yours, I am
distressed to think that you will be in the company of Prophets (alaihi
as-salaam) in high Heavens and I, if admitted to Heaven, would not be able to
approach you and would be deprived of your sight.
On
this occasion Allah revealed the following verse: “And those who obey
Allah and the Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam), they will be in the
company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace, of the Prophet, the
Siddiqun (those followers of the Prophet who were first and foremost to
believe in them, like Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (radhi allahu anhu)), the martyrs,
and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!” [Soorah
an-Nisa (4): 69]
The revelation of the
verse, on the declaration (expressions) of love towards Allah and His
Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam), indicates the importance of love and
clarifies it's meaning in the true sense i.e. Obedience.
Thus,
love of Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) should be accompanied
by total submission.. In other words, faith (in Allah) and obedience to
Allah's Messenger are inseparable. Allah says:
“O
you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and make not vain your
deeds.”
[(47): 33]
“He
who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah”
[(4): 80]
“Whatsoever
the Messenger gives you take it and whatsoever he forbids you refrain from
it.” [(59): 7]
Disobedience
to Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) is a sign of hypocrisy and
disbelief. Allah said: “Verily, those who disbelieve in Allah and His
Messenger and wish to make a distinction between Allah and the Messenger
saying, 'We believe in some but reject others' and wish to adopt a way in
between. They are in truth disbelievers. And We have prepared for disbelievers
a humiliating torment.” [Soorah an-Nisaa (4): 150]
“And
let those who oppose the Messenger's commandments beware, lest some fitnah
befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them.”
[Soorah Nur: 63]
Celebrating
Mawlid – Is there any Proof?
The
Celebration of Mawlid was introduced by the ruler of Irbil; Muzaffar ad-Din
ibn Zain al-Din. He was assisted by Abdul Khattab Umar ibn Dihya, who composed
a book al-Tanwir fi Maulid al-Siraj al-Munir, in an attempt to justify Mawlid
celebrations. [Ibn Katheer, al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya, Vol.I3 pp.144-146]
Ibn
Katheer has reported on the authority of al-Sabt about Ibn Dihya: "He
used to defame the Muslims and belittle them. He would make additions in his
report and exaggerate. So, the people gave up narrating traditions from him
and falsified him. …" [Ibn Kathir, al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya, Vol.I3
pp.144-146]
Celebrating
Mawlid (the Prophet's assumed birthday) has no origin from the Book and
Sunnah, rather it is an innovation from the one, who was known for making
additions and exaggerations in the Religion. A practice that came into
existence 600 years, way past the time of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu
alaihi wa-sallam), his Companions (radhi allahu anhu) and their followers, can
never be a part of Islam because the religion of Islam is based upon the
revelation from Allah. To introduce the celebration of Mawlid in the religion,
one will have to break the seal of Allah, Who said: “This day I have
perfected your religion for you, completed my Favor upon you and have chosen
for you Islam as your religion.” [Soorah
al-Maidah (5):3]
Allah’s
Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) was sent as a guide and warner. Allah
says: “We have not sent you, but as a universal (Messenger) to men,
giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sins)”
[as-Saba (33): 28]
And
he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “There is nothing that will take
you closer to Paradise but that I have enjoined it upon you, and there is
nothing that will take you closer to Hell but that I have warned you from
it.” [Musnad ash-Shafa'ee and others]
The
Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) never celebrated his
birthday, nor did he instruct or order his Companions (radhi allahu anhu) to
do so. If Mawlid was an expression of love or an act of drawing closer to
Allah, then he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) would have certainly guided his
Companions (radhi allahu anhu) to it. Thus, Mawlid is neither an act of
righteousness, nor an expression of love for the Messenger of Allah
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam).
Those
who loved the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) the most
The
Best Generations - the Companions of
Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam), loved Allah’s Messenger to
the highest degree. They were the most severe in obeying him, and reviving his
Sunnah. They sacrificed their wealth and lives and fought bravely in Jihaad
alongside with the Prophet, when Allah called upon them saying:
“O
you who believe! Answer Allah and His Messenger, when he ((sallallahu alaihi
wa-sallam)) calls you to that which gives you life …”
[Soorah al-Anfal (8): 24]
They
knew that they could loose their lives, or loose a limb or face pains and
sufferings, yet this did not deter (discourage) them in the least, from
responding to the call of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi
wa-sallam). Thy kept going and fought to their last.
These true believers who
responded to every call of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam),
did not express their love for Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)
by celebrating his birthday.
It
was not difficult for them to parade in the streets, distribute sweets, wave
red and green flags, read poetry in praises of Allah's Messenger (sallallahu
alaihi wa-sallam), shout slogans, etc... Jihaad was no party or picnic time -
it was putting everything at stake. If celebrating Mawlid was genuinely good
or preferable then they would have been the first ones to do so.
Celebrating Mawlid - Imitation of the Kuffar
Celebrating
birthdays is an imitation of the Christians, resembling their tradition of
celebrating the birthday of Prophet Jesus (alaihi as-salaam). However, a
Muslim is commanded to be distinctively different from the non-believers. The
Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:
“Be
different from the Jews and the Christians.”
[Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]
He
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) also said: “Whoever imitates a people is
one of them.” [Saheeh - Reported by Ahmad]
The
Christian New Year starts from the Birthday of Jesus (alaihis-salaam)
(exaggerating the status of Jesus (alaihi as-salaam)), whereas the Islamic New
year starts from the Hijrah (migration) of Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi
wa-sallam) from Makkah to Madinah. Narrated Sahl ibn Saad (radhi allahu anhu):
“The Prophet's Companions (radhi allahu anhu) did not take as a starting
date for the Muslim calendar, the day the Prophet of Allah (sallallahu alaihi
wa-sallam) has been sent as a Messenger nor the day of his death, but the day
of his arrival to Madinah.” [Sahaaeh
al-Bukharee]
If
Birthdays had any significance in Islam, then the Sahabah (radhi allahu anhu)
would have surely commenced the Islamic Year from the Birth of Prophet
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam).
The
Sahabah (radhi allahu anhum) expressed their love to Allah's Messenger
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) and obeyed him, when they initiated the Islamic
Year from the Hijrah of Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam).
Allah's
Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) had warned them from exaggeration, he
said: “Do not exaggerate me, as the Christians exaggerated about the son of
Maryam. I am only a slave, so say 'the slave of Allah and Messenger of
Allah” [Saheeh Bukharee]
Thus,
birthdays have no significance or merits in Islam and celebrating the
Prophet's Birthday is an evil innovation resembling the Kuffar.
Celebrations
in Islam are Legislated Religious Occasions.
Celebrations
in Islam are legislated by Allah, and He has legislated only two days of
celebration and joy; Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr that succeed the performance
of two great pillars of Islam - Hajj and Fasting. Anas (radhi allahu anhu)
narrated: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) came to
Madinah and the people of Madinah had in Jahiliyah two days of play and
amusement. So the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “I came to
you and you had, in Jahiliyah two days of play and amusement. Indeed, Allah
has replaced them for you by that which is better than them. The day of Nahr
(Slaughtering) and the day of Fitr (Breaking Fast).” [Saheeh - Ahmad
(3/103, 178, 235) Abo Dawood (1134)]
Apart
from these two days no other day is to be taken as a celebration, because
celebrations are truly religious occasions. Any addition to the religion is a
Bid'ah (innovation). To formulate the Religion is exclusively the Right of
Allah. Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said, “I warn you
of the newly invented matters in the religion; and every newly invented matter
is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance and every misguidance is
in the Hellfire.” [An-Nisa'ee]
And
all innovations are rejected as he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Whoever
does an action, which we have not commanded then it must be rejected.”
[Saheeh Muslim]
And:
“Whosoever introduces in the religion of ours that which is not a part of
it then it must be rejected.” [Ahmad]
Many
great events took place during the life of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu
alaihi wa-sallam); like the victory of Badr, Hunain, al-Khandaq etc. The day
when he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) was granted Prophet-hood, his ascending
to the heavens and his direct talk with Allah (al-Miraaj), his migration to
Madinah, and the conquest of Makkah. All these events are of great
significance in the Islamic history, BUT the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu
alaihi wa-sallam) never celebrated nor commanded his Sahabah (radhi allahu
anhu) to celebrate any of these days. Rather, his approach was praying and
thanking Allah in recognition for His Favor and Grace.
The Etiquette of Celebration
The
Etiquettes of Celebrations are very evident in the Sunnah of Allah's Messenger
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam). For example; the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu
alaihi wa-sallam), prescribed fasting on the day of Aashoorah - ‘the day
when Allah saved Moosa (alaihi as-salaam) from drowning” [Saheeh Bukharee]
[NOTE
- Here, too, Allah’s Messenger ordered the Muslims to fast two days (a day
before or after Ashoorah), to differ from the practice of the Jews].
The
Conquest of Makkah - the day of great victory for Muslims. Allah’s Messenger
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) offered prayers of thanks to Allah - All Mighty
- for this splendid victory. He did not make it a day of celebrations or
processions.
Likewise,
the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) never commemorated his
birthday as a celebration or Eid. Instead, when he was asked about fasting on
Mondays, he replied: “That is the day on which I was born and the day on
which I was entrusted with the Mission or when I was first given
Revelation.” [Saheeh
Muslim]
In
contrast, Mawlid is celebrated more like Carnivals, with processions, music,
free-mixing of sexes, chanting slogans, parading on camels with Arabian
costumes, etc. It does not bear resemblance to the manner in which significant
days are commemorated in Islam.
False Beliefs and Practices
related to Mawlid
Those
who promote the celebration of Mawlid, agree themselves that it was not the
practice of Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam), and neither of his
Companions
Moreover,
they too consider it to be an innovation in the religion. BUT they try to
justify their actions by vague arguments. They say:
Not every innovation is evil
The
saying that some Bid'ahs are good and not every Bid'ah is a sin is a clear
misguidance. This saying is in complete opposition to the authentic Hadeeth
... “Every Bid'ah is a
sin” [Abu Dawood]
He (sallallahu alaihi
wa-sallam) also said: “The best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam), the worst of affairs are Bid'ahs (the innovated
ones), every Bid'ah is heresy and every heresy is going astray.” [Saheeh
Muslim]
And:
“Whoever does an action, which we have not commanded then it must be
rejected.” [Saheeh Muslim]
Thus,
every innovation in the religion, whether it be small or big, is a sin. But
some justify innovations by misinterpreting the actions of the Sahabah (radhi
allahu anhu).like … “When Umar (radhi allahu anhu) was the caliph, he
collected the Muslims to pray in congregation for taraweeh prayers and said:
“What a good Bid'ah this is.” [Saheeh
Bukharee]
This
statement has been misinterpreted. If it is read in the right context, it’s
meaning is clear. The full narration reads: “When the Prophet (sallallahu
alaihi wa-sallam) first prayed taraweeh, the Muslims used to pray taraweeh
individually in small groups, and then for three nights they prayed in a
congregation behind the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) and after this
he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) stopped them from doing so by saying: “I
feared that it would become an obligation upon you.” So after, this Muslim
would pray individually or in small groups, and they remained like this
throughout the rule of Abu Bakr (radhi allahu anhu) and the beginning of the
rule of Umar (radhi allahu anhu). Then Umar (radhi allahu anhu) came to the
Mosque and saw the Muslims praying in small in groups and so gathered them as
one jama'ah to pray behind Ubayy ibn Ka'ab (radhi allahu anhu) and Tameem
ad-Daree (radhi allahu anhu) and stated the above phrase.”
[Reported
in Saheeh Bukharee, the Muwatta and others]
The
actions of Umar (radhi allahu anhu) cannot be considered as a good innovation
because people were already in the habit of praying in small groups and it was
an established Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam).
Prophet
of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) also gave the reason for discontinuing
this practice. It was because the revelation was still descending and he
feared that praying in congregation might become obligatory, and this might
lead to hardships for the nation.
After
the death of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) the revelation
ceased and the fear was no longer present. Umar (radhi allahu anhu)
re-established the congregation during his rule because he knew that his
action could not be made obligatory.
Furthermore,
there was a Ijma (consensus) on this, i.e. all the companions agreed to the
action of Umar (radhi allahu anhu). And the scholars of 'usul' have stated
that a consensus cannot occur except when there is a clear text from the
Shari'ah.
Thus,
this action of Umar Ibn Khattab (radhi allahu anhu) cannot be used to prove
the idea that every Bid'ah is not a sin.
Does every Muslim have a
right to innovate in the religion?
The
following Hadeeth is used to derive evidence that people can invent new
practices in Islam, either good or bad: “Whosoever starts in Islam a good
practice (sunnah), he gets the reward of it, and the reward of all those who
act on it. And whosoever starts in Islam an evil practice (sunnah), he gets
the evil of it and the evil of all those who act on it.” [Saheeh Muslim]
But
if they were to take this Hadeeth in it's full context, then it would not be
possible to deduce such a thing. Imaam Muslim (rahimahullah) reported this
story from Jareer ibn Abdullah (radhi allahu anhu), he said: “Some people
came to Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) wearing woolen garments. He saw
they were in bad shape and in desperate need, so he (sallallahu alaihi
wa-sallam) urged the people to give them charity. People were very slow to
respond, and it could be seen on his face (that he was upset). Then a man from
the Ansar brought a package of silver, then another came, then after him
another and another, and his face was filled with joy. He (sallallahu alaihi
wa-sallam) said: “Whoever starts a practice (Sunnah) in Islam, and others
do likewise after him, there will be written for him a reward like that of
those who followed him, without detracting it in the least from their reward.
Whoever starts a bad practice (Sunnah) in Islam, and others do likewise after
him, there will be written for him a burden of sin like that of those who
followed him, without detracting it in the least from their burden.”
[Saheeh Muslim]
Here, the meaning of the
word 'sunnah' should be taken in the linguistic sense (i.e. practice) and not
in the Shari'ah sense (i.e. the life example of Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu
alaihi wa-sallam)) because otherwise it would imply that there is something
bad in the Sunnah. Thus, the meaning will be the one who renews an evil act
will get its evil.
Secondly,
the Companion (radhi allahu anhu), who gave the charity did not start anything
new, for giving charity was legislated from the early days of Islam, as proved
by the Makkan soorahs. Rather he just renewed a Sunnah that was being
neglected.
Besides,
the Hadeeth uses words 'good and bad'. And Islam is the complete religion, all
the good and bad has been defined. There is no room for any addition or
deletion. Allah says: “This day I have perfected your religion for you,
completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as you religion.”
[Soorah al-Maidah (5): 4]
And
His Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “There is nothing that
will take you closer to Paradise but that I have enjoined it upon you, and
there is nothing that will take you closer to Hell but that I have warned you
from it.” [Musnad ash-Shafa'I and others]
And
if one is to say that the people have the right to innovate in the religion,
i.e. make additions in it, then he will be accusing the religion of
incompleteness and deficiency.
Did
Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) celebrate his Birthday?
In
regards to celebrating the Prophet's Birthday, the legitimacy (authority,
authenticity) is derived from a Hadeeth reported in Baihaqee from Anas (radhi
allahu anhu): “The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) performed Aqeeqah
for himself after his Prophethood.”
As-Suyutee
said concerning this Hadeeth: “Another primary text has occurred to me by
which the legitimacy of the Mawlid can be derived, namely what is reported by
al-Bayhaqee from Anas (radhi allahu anhu) that 'the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi
wa-sallam) performed Aqeeqah for himself after his Prophet-hood.'
And
it occurs that his grandfather Abdul Muttalib performed the Aqeeqah for him
when he was a child of seven years, and the Aqeeqah is not repeated a second
time. So, therefore this is to be taken to mean that what the Prophet
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) did was to openly manifest gratitude for Allah
making him the mercy for the universe and to legislate this for his Ummah,
just as he used to do by his sending salaam upon himself.
Therefore,
it is recommended for us that we openly manifest gratitude for his
birth." ('Husnul Maqsad' of as-Suyutee contained in his 'Haawi lil
Fataawi').
As-Suyutee
quoted this hadeeth from 'Sunan al-Kubraa' (9/300) of al-Bayhaqee. Chapter:
'al-Aqeeqah Sunnah', yet it is strange that he did not quote the rest of
al-Bayhaqee's words. He (Al-Bayhaqee) said: "Abdullaah bin Muharrar
reported a munkar (rejected) hadeeth concerning the Prophet's performing
Aqeeqah for himself …[quotes the hadeeth]…..”Abdur Razzaaq said, 'indeed
they (scholars of hadeeth) abandoned Abdullaah bin Muharrar due to the state
of this hadeeth and it is reported from another perspective from Qataadah and
yet another perspective from Anas and it is nothing."
['Sunan
al-Kubraa' (9/300) of al-Bayhaqee. Chapter: 'al-Aqeeqah Sunnah']
When
Imaam Maalik was asked about this hadeeth he replied, "Do you see the
Companions of the Messenger of Allah, for whom the Aqeeqah was not performed
in the days of Jaahiliyyah, performing Aqeeqah for themselves in Islam? This
is from the rejected (narrations)" [quoted from him by ibn Rushd
al-Maaliki in the 'Book of Aqeeqah' of his work 'al-Muqaddamaat
al-Mumahhadaat' 2/15]
Similar
statements are reported from great scholars like; Abu Dawood in his 'Masaa'il
Imaam Ahmad' Ibn Hibbaan said in his 'Kitaab al-Majrooheen' (2/29), An-Nawawee
in 'Majmoo' Sharh Muhadhdhab' (8/330) of an-Nawawee chpt: 'Aqeeqah' | Ibn Hajr
al-Asqalaanee in 'Talkhees al-Habeer' 4/147 of ibn Hajr chpt: 'al-Aqeeqah'. He
also declares the hadeeth from all of it's various perspectives to be da'eef
in Fath al-Baree.
Therefore,
to use this inauthentic Hadeeth to derive the legitimacy of Mawlid is not
correct.
