al-Insaf fima qila fi al-Mawlid min al-Ghuluw wa al-Ijhaf
- Author died
- 1439 AH
- Editions
- al-Ri’āsah al-‘Āmmah li-Idārāt al-Buḥūth al-‘Ilmīyah wa-al-Iftā’ wa-al-Da‘wah wa-al-Irshād
al-Insaf fima qila fi al-Mawlid min al-Ghuluw wa al-Ijhaf (Equity Regarding What Has Been Said Concerning the Mawlid: Between Extremism and Injustice) is a legal and theological treatise by the Algerian-born Saudi scholar Abu Bakr al-Jazairi (d. 1439 AH / 2018 CE) examining the Islamic legal status of celebrating the Prophet's birthday (Mawlid) and addressing theological excesses and mutual recriminations surrounding the dispute .
Background and Purpose
Al-Jazairi composed the treatise in response to widespread discord, mutual accusations of disbelief (takfir), and cursing that arose annually among Muslims during the month of Rabi‘ al-Awwal over the Mawlid . He noted that he had long hesitated to write on the subject out of reverence for the Prophet ﷺ, but felt compelled to intervene after witnessing severe polarization . A particular catalyst was a false claim broadcast by the BBC (London Radio) alleging that the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Abd al-Aziz ibn Baz, declared those who celebrate the Mawlid to be disbelievers; al-Jazairi clarified that Ibn Baz regarded it as an innovation (bid'ah) and prohibited it, but never made takfir of its practitioners . He also wrote to counter the defamatory accusation leveled by some Mawlid proponents that scholars who oppose the celebration harbor hatred toward the Prophet ﷺ .
Structure and Arguments
The book begins with a foundational introduction detailing the nature of Islamic acts of worship ('ibadat). Al-Jazairi argues that devotional acts must be directly legislated by divine revelation in the Quran and the Sunnah, requiring compliance with four strict conditions: quantity (kammiyyah), manner (kayfiyyah), time (zaman), and place (makan), alongside sincere intention solely for God . He establishes the distinction between the prophetic Sunnah, religious innovations, and unrestricted public interests (al-masalih al-mursalah) . Relying on al-Shatibi's critique in al-Muwafaqat, he rejects the fivefold classification of innovation maintained by scholars such as Shihab al-Din al-Qarafi, arguing that the concept of a "praiseworthy innovation" (bid'ah hasanah) in matters of worship is contradictory to the hadith literature .
Al-Jazairi addresses several key thematic areas regarding the Mawlid:
- Historical Origins: He asserts that the ritual observance of the Prophet's birthday was unknown during the first six centuries of Islam and was first introduced around 625 AH by King al-Muzaffar of Irbil, for whom Ibn Dihyah authored the text al-Tanwir fi Mawlid al-Bashir al-Nadhir .
- Refutation of Justifications: He systematically dismantles five rationales often cited by proponents—namely, serving as an annual reminder of the Prophet ﷺ, hearing about his noble lineage and virtues, displaying joy, providing food, and gathering for remembrance—demonstrating that legitimate avenues already exist for each of these practices without instituting an unsanctioned annual festival .
- Critique of Textual Precedents: He critiques the deductions advanced by Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti in al-Hawi li al-Fatawi, refuting four specific textual arguments: the dream report concerning Abu Lahab receiving lightened punishment for freeing Thuwaybah; the report of the Prophet performing an ‘aqiqah for himself; the analogy to fasting on the Day of ‘Ashura’; and the Prophet's fasting on Mondays .
- The "Virtuous Alternative" (al-Badil al-Khayr): He offers Sunnah-based alternatives, such as daily mosque study circles between Maghrib and Isha prayers to learn the prophetic biography, structured morning and evening litanies (awrad), night prayers, listening to melodious Quranic recitations, and feeding the needy year-round .
Extremism and Injustice
The core objective of the work is reflected in its subtitle: rectifying both ghuluw (extremism) and ijhaf (injustice). Under the heading of disgraceful extremism (ghuluw sha'in), al-Jazairi condemns those proponents of the Mawlid who declare its opponents to be disbelievers or accuse them of hating the Prophet ﷺ, reminding them of prophetic warnings against unjustified takfir .
Conversely, under inappropriate injustice (ijhaf ghayr la'iq), he cautions critics against declaring ordinary Muslims who attend or organize Mawlid celebrations to be disbelievers or polytheists . He emphasizes that the majority of lay Muslims participate out of genuine love for the Prophet ﷺ and desire for divine reward . He counsels that when a celebration is free from overt polytheism (shirk) or forbidden acts, it should be addressed through gentle instruction and compassionate counsel rather than harsh denunciation or boycott, though severe opposition is required if overt shirk or corruption occurs .
Publication History
The work has been printed in several editions, including:
- An edition by Matabi‘ al-Rashid in Medina (1402 AH) .
- An edition by the General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta in Riyadh (1st ed., 1405 AH) .
- An edition published by Dar al-Tarafayn in Ta'if .
- An inclusion in the anthology Rasa'il fi Hukm al-Ihtifal bi al-Mawlid al-Nabawi by Dar al-‘Asimah (1st ed., 1419 AH / 1998 CE) .
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