What is the Sharee'ah ruling on Mawlid (the Prophet’s birthday) celebrations and what did Imaam Maalik say about those who celebrate this?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

Celebrating the Mawlid is a religious innovation. This is so, because it did not exist at the time of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, his Companions nor at the time of Imaam Maalik . It was invented during the reign of Al-Faatimiyyoon (the Fatimids).

Imaam Maalik and his Companions were among the strongest of people to fight religious innovations. Imaam Maalik was reported to have said that whoever invents a new thing in religion and claims it to be good is in fact accusing Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, of betraying the Message (of Islam). He mentioned as evidence of this the Saying of Allaah the Almighty (that means): {This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.} [Quran 5:3].

He also said that what was not considered religion at the time of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, could never be considered religion today.

This is, in general, a refutation for all religious innovations that people claim to be good, including the Mawlid.

Allaah Knows best.