Your mother, again your mother...

"Your mother, again your mother, again your mother, and then your father"

All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has made, in every age of suspension of messengers, remnants of the people of knowledge. They guide the astray to the right path; awaken the dead hearts by [using] the Book of Allah (Quran), and they bring the people of darkness out into the light of Allah. In addition, they are patient towards the harm they face. They revive the hearts of the victims of Satan and they guide many astray to the right path. How good their influence on people is and how ugly the influence of people is on them!

They defend the book of Allah against the distortion of the exaggerators, the assumptions of the falsifiers and the symbolic interpretation of the ignorant. Those ignorant people raised the flags of innovations and stirred up turmoil. Thus, they differ over it, they disagree with it, and they agree on contradicting it. In addition, they speak about Allah and the Book of Allah without knowledge. Moreover, they use allegorical speech in order to deceive the ignorant ones who are unable to comprehend the allegorical speech; we seek refuge in Allah from the tumult of the astray. [The Introduction of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal to refute the allegations of the atheists and Jahmis (Muslims who believed that the Quran was created).]

Prayers and peace of Allah be upon the slave of Allah and His Messenger, who has said, "The Hour will not be established till my followers copy the deeds of the previous nations and follow them very closely, span by span, and cubit by cubit (i.e., inch by inch)." It was said, "O Messenger of Allah! Do you mean by those (nations) the Persians and the Byzantines?" The Prophet said, "Who can it be other than them?" [Reported by Al-Bukhâri 7319]

May Allah be pleased with the blessed Companions of the Prophet, who have been true to their covenant with Allah. Allah Almighty says, {Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allâh [i.e. they have gone out for Jihâd (holy fighting), and showed not their backs to the disbelievers]; of them some have fulfilled their obligations (i.e. have been martyred); and some of them are still waiting, but they have never changed [i.e. they never proved treacherous to their covenant which they concluded with Allâh] in the least.} [Surat Al-Ahzâb: 23]

'Abdullah ibn Mas'ûd, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "Allah Almighty looked into the hearts of His slaves and thus, He chose Muhammad, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, for Himself and sent him with His Message. Next, He looked into the hearts of people and thus, He chose the companions of Muhammad as aides to His Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him; fighting in the cause of His Religion. Whatever the Muslims consider as good, it is good with Allah, and whatever they consider as bad, then, with Allah, it is bad. The same goes for their followers and those who follow them righteously till the Day of Judgment." (Reported by At-Tabrânî and classified as good by Al-Albânî in Book of Explanation of 'Aqîdah Tahâwia, 530)

Allah Glorified and Exalted has enjoined two feasts for the Muslims in which they gather for prayer and remembrance. They are Eid Al-Adha (Sacrifice) and Eid Al-Fitr (fast breaking) instead of the feasts of ignorance. Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, has said, "The people of the days of ignorance had two days each year when they would play. When the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, came to Al-Madinah he said, "You had two days when you would play, but Allah has given you something instead that is better than them. They are the day of Al-Fitr and the day of Al-Adha.'" [Reported by An-Nassa'i 1555. It is classified as authentic by Al-Albâni.]

My Muslim brother, my Muslim sister!

This is an abridged flyer to clarify the legal opinion of Sharî'ah about celebrating what is called "mother's day" from the Quran, the Sunnah, and the sayings of the experienced people of knowledge. Mother's day is celebrated by the Christian Copts and they consider it "the new year's celebration." That very day coincides with the Nowrûz festival. It is a Persian Magi feast; one of the feasts of the worshippers of fire. It is one of their greatest feasts. The reason for which they celebrate this feast is that when king "Tahûmirt" died, "Jamshid" succeeded him to the throne. The day on which he assumed control was called "Nowrûz", meaning the new day.

Some Persians claim that Nowrûz is the day when Allah Glorified and Exalted created light and that this day had the greatest honor to "Jamshid". What they do most in this feast is lighting fire because it is their deity, as well as spraying a lot of water. People gather in the streets, in the fields, and near rivers and lakes. Their men and women are intermixed, their voices are loud and they drink wine openly in pathways. In addition, people spray water and wine and violate the sanctities of people who do not participate with them in this celebration, so; they spray them with water mixed with filth. Unfortunately, they do other acts of disobedience and corruption.

Unfortunately, this is not limited to non-Muslims only; some Muslims participate with them in their countries and in other countries. In addition, they display indescribable joy, delight, celebrations, decorations, and congratulations. Moreover, they celebrate and glorify it and rejoice at it more than their celebration and glorification of Eid Al-Adha and Eid Al-Fitr.

Celebrating the Nowrûz, which is one of the feasts of the atheists, and imitating them are prohibited according to Sharî'ah. Thus, the Muslims are not allowed to attend such celebrations or to congratulate the atheists for this feast. Whoever invites others -while this is not his usual habit - in their feasts, his invitation should not be answered. In addition, the Muslim who gives gifts in these feasts -and this is not his usual habit in other times other than this feast- his gift is not to be accepted. This is especially if the gift is a means of resembling them.

Celebrating the Nowrûz for the Muslims is not meant to glorify fire, which is the deity of Persians, and it is not a kind of love for their religion, of their traditions or of imitating them. Instead, what led them to this is Satan, who took over their souls and minds, and who made committing sins pleasing to them. In addition, what led them to this are the too much playfulness and the disorder, the decay of ethics and manners and the animal-like conduct. Nonetheless, animals may have more fervor for their sanctities than those astray may have. Allah Almighty says, {They are only like cattle - nay, they are even farther astray from the Path (i.e. even worse than cattle).} [Surat Al-Furqân: 44]. Therefore, they combined the prohibited sin of imitating the disbelievers and the sin, which results from committing the forbidden acts. (Book of Annual Novelties by 'Abdullah At-Tuwaijri: 380)

My Muslim brother! My Muslim sister!

The Muslims are not in need of what others innovated whether it is mother's day or other false feasts for which Allah has sent down no authority. The chosen Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has forbidden us from innovating (in religion) and from imitating the disbelievers by saying, "He who innovates something in this matter of ours [i.e., Islam] that is not of it will have it rejected [by Allah]." [Reported by Al-Bukhâri 2697 and Muslim 1718] In one version by Muslim it reads, "He who does an act which we have not commanded, will have it rejected [by Allah]." [Reported by Muslim 1718] In addition, he, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has prohibited imitating the infidels by saying, "He who copies any people is one of them." [Reported by Abu Dawud 4031. Al-Albâni said that it is good and authentic.] Furthermore, Allah, Glorified and Exalted, has warned us against disobeying His Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him. Allah Almighty says, {And let those who oppose the Messenger’s (Muhammad, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) commandment (i.e. his Sunnah - legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements) (among the sects) beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant) should befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them.} [Surat An-Nûr: 63] Allah Almighty says, {And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it). And fear Allâh; verily, Allâh is Severe in punishment.} [Surat Al-Hashr: 7] and He says, {And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger (Muhammad, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers’ way, We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell - what an evil destination!} [Surat An-Nisâ': 115]

The Wise Legislator enjoined upon us to be kind towards mothers and to care about them. Moreover, He warned us against disobeying them in texts of the Quran and Sunnah. The Quranic verses remind the sons and daughters with the troubles that mothers bore such as pregnancy, delivery, fosterage, and bringing children up. Mothers are singled out from the fathers with such unique roles as Allah says, {And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years - give thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is the final destination.} [Surat Luqmân: 14]

Sheikh As-Sa'dî said, "This is out of His kindness, Almighty, towards His slaves. The thanking of parents is through enjoining upon sons to treat their parents kindly through nice words, tender speech, and spending money for their sustenance and other kinds of kind treatment."

Among the verses which enjoined upon man to be dutiful to his parents, and which mentioned their right along with the right of Allah Almighty, is the verse in which Allah Exalted says, {And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour. [23]. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: "My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young."} [Surat Al-Isrâ': 23- 24]

Allah Almighty has started by mentioning His right. After that, He mentioned the good treatment to parents. If one or both of them reached old age [while] being with him, he should avoid saying a word of disrespect to them and avoid repelling them. Instead, he should speak to them a noble word, should be modest before them and treat them with mercy. In addition, he should invoke Allah to have mercy on them and remember their kindness during his childhood.

The Prophetic Hadiths concerning the kind treatment to parents and the warnings against disobeying them are too many to be counted. Abû Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that a man came to the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, and said, "O Messenger of Allah! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship?" The Prophet has said, "Your mother." The man said, "Then who?" The Prophet said, "Then your mother." The man further asked, "Then who?" The Prophet said, "Then your mother." The man asked again, "Then who?" The Prophet said, "Then your father." [Reported by Al-Bukhâri 5971 and Muslim 2548] Companionship is the fellowship and intimacy. The mother is the most worthy of good companionship, fine care, and much tenderness. This is because the mother is the tree that spreads its shade over her sons.

Being dutiful to the parents is prior to fighting in the cause of Allah. Abdullah ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, narrated that a man came to the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, asking his permission to take part in Jihad. The Prophet asked him, "Are your parents alive?" He replied in the affirmative. The Prophet said to him, "Then, exert yourself in their service." [Reported by Al-Bukhâri 3004 and Muslim 2549] It is worthy to mention that being dutiful to parents increases life span and sustenance. Aby Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, saying, "He who desires ample provisions and his life be prolonged, should maintain good ties with his blood relations." [Reported by Al-Bukhâri 5985] In addition, Anas ibn Mâlik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said, "Whoever would like his provision to be increased and his lifespan to be extended, let him be kind to his parents and uphold his ties of kinship." [Reported by Al-Albânî in Sahîh At-Targhîb 2488 and classified it as good by the virtue of another Hadith]

Moreover, Salmân, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said, "Only supplication changes fate; and only Birr (kindness, righteousness, gratitude, dutifulness…) increases the life span." [Reported by At-Tirmidhî 2139 and classified as good by Al-Albânî]

Allah, Glorified and Exalted, is pleased if parents are pleased with their sons. 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, narrated that the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, said, "The pleasure of Allah is in the pleasure of the parent, and the wrath of Allah is in the wrath of the parent." [Classified as good by Al-Albânî 516 in the Authentic Series] furthermore, whoever curses his parents, Allah Almighty curses him. Abu At-Tufayl said, "'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, was asked whether the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, had showed special favor (by disclosing to him) a thing (which he kept secret from others). Thereupon he said, "The Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has not singled us for (disclosing to us) anything (secret) which he did not make public, (but those few things) which lie in the sheath of my sword. He drew out a written document. The following was written on it, "Allah cursed him who sacrificed for anyone else besides Allah. Allah cursed him who stole the signposts (demarcating the boundary lines of the) land. Moreover, Allah cursed him who cursed his father; and Allah cursed him who accommodated an innovator (in religion)." [Reported by Muslim 1978]

Dutifulness to parents is not confined to their lifetime; rather it is extended after their death. Abû Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said, "When a man dies, his deeds come to an end, except for three. They are a continuous charity, knowledge by which people derive benefit, and a pious son who supplicates Allah for him." [Reported by Muslim 1631]

Abû Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, has also narrated that the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said, "Indeed the status of man will be raised in Paradise and he will ask, 'How is this for me?' He will be told, 'By your child's seeking forgiveness for you.'" [Reported by Ibn Mâjah, 214/3and classified as good by Al-Albânî]

Legal opinions of scholars:

1- The Standing Committee for Fatwa (Islamic legal opinion):

It is not permissible to celebrate "mother's day" and the like of the innovated feasts. This is because of the words of the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, "He who does an act which we have not commanded, will have it rejected [by Allah]." [Reported by Muslim 1718] Thus, celebrating mother's day was not among the deeds of the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, nor among the deeds of his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them. It was not among the deeds of the ancestors of the nation. Rather, it is innovation and imitation of the disbelievers." (Fatwas of the Standing Committee 7912)

2- The great scholar Mohamed ibn Sâlih Al-'Uthaymîn, may Allah have mercy on him, said,

"All the feasts that contradict the Muslim feasts are innovations. They were not known at the age of the righteous ancestors. The innovator of such feasts may be one of the non-Muslims. Thus, practicing this innovation is imitation of the enemies of Allah Glorified and Exalted.

The religious Muslim feasts are known for the people of Islam. They are Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha, as well as the weekly feast, which is "Friday". Islam does not acknowledge any other feasts other than those three ones. Any other feasts other than these ones are void and nullified in the Sharî'ah of Allah, Glorified and Exalted. The Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said, "He who innovates something in this matter of ours [i.e., Islam] that is not of it will have it rejected [by Allah]." [Reported by Al-Bukhâri 2697 and Muslim 1718] This Hadith means that Allah does not accept this innovated action. In one version by Muslim it reads, "He who does an act which we have not commanded, will have it rejected [by Allah]." [Reported by Muslim 1718] Therefore, it is not permissible – in the so-called mother's day- to practice any rituals of the feast such as showing happiness, presenting gifts and the like.

The Muslim should be proud of his religion and should be satisfied with what Allah Almighty has defined for His salves without increasing or reducing anything. In addition, a Muslim should not be a blind follower of every orator. Instead, he should behave according to the Sharî'ah of Allah Almighty so that others can follow him. A Muslim should be an example to be followed, not a follower of others. This is because the religion of Allah, praise be to Him, is perfect in all its aspects as Allah says, {This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion.} [Surat Al-Mâ'idah: 3]

Consequently, the mother deserves more than being celebrated and honored once a year. Instead, her children should care for her and obey her in everything other than the disobedience of Allah, Glorified and Exalted, in every time and everywhere." (Fatwas of Sheikh ibn 'Uthaymîn 2/301/302)

My Muslim brother! My Muslim sister!

We should take care of our religion as we care for our worldly life as it is more deserving. These issues are not opinions that we chose what we like among them, rather; it is a religion, about which we will be asked on the Day of Judgment. Therefore, we should seek the fatwa from the people who are worthy of it; they are the great famous scholars who are known for their knowledge and piety and whose creed is trusted. Imam ibn Sîrîn, may Allah have mercy on him, said, "This knowledge is a religion, so; choose carefully the one who will tell you about your religion." [Reported by Muslim 36]

We should adhere to the way of the righteous ancestors. Moreover, we should beware of innovations and innovators. In addition, we should care about studying sound creed and what contradicts it, and we should beware of the callers to evil who mix truth with falsehood without knowledge. Those callers cause corruption more than making good, especially in this age in which false ideologies contradicted one another and the callers to innovations and misguidance as well as people of suspicions increased. Furthermore, such age witnessed the appearance of some books and magazines that delude the seekers of knowledge through being disguised under the flag of Sunnah, not to mention the confusion they cause to the public. We ask Allah to save us from these. O Allah, keep us away from trials, the apparent and the hidden, save our hearts, purify our tongues, forgive us for our sins, and take our souls when You are pleased with us!

The last of our invocation is all the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists). Prayers and peace of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and companions till the Day of Judgment.