Is Eating Food on the Prophet’s Birthday Allowed?

Question

Is it permissible to eat food that is distributed on the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)? Some people quote as evidence that because Abu Lahab freed a slave on the Prophet’s birthday, his punishment was lightened that day.

Bottom Line

You may eat the food, but do not endorse it. Food stays halal, but joining the Mawlid buffet isn’t on the Sunnah menu.

Quick Answer

There is no Islamic festival called Mawlid. It was introduced centuries later. Any act done specifically to honor it is bid‘ah. If meat is sacrificed for the Prophet ﷺ, that is major shirk. If the food is just normal halal food, it remains halal in itself. A Muslim should avoid eating it during the gathering, so as not to endorse Mawlid. If the food reaches you outside the context of the celebration, there is no sin in eating it.

Key Takeaway

• The Sahabah and early generations never observed Mawlid, and it was introduced centuries later.
• If slaughtered in the name of the Prophet ﷺ, it is shirk.
• Halal food remains halal, but avoid eating it in the Mawlid gathering.

Detailed Answer

Islam is complete and perfect. Celebrating the Prophet’s birthday was never practiced by the earliest generations, who loved him most. It appeared centuries later, mixed with songs, gatherings, and sometimes impermissible acts.

“This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.”

Qur’an 5:3

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said:

“This (Mawlid) was not practiced by the earlier generations, who were the most knowledgeable and most devoted in love to the Prophet ﷺ.”

Iqtidaa’ as-Siraat al-Mustaqeem, 2/619

Ruling on the Food of Mawlid

1. Sacrificed for the Prophet ﷺ

If meat is slaughtered in the Prophet’s name, this is major shirk, and the food is haram.

“Forbidden to you (for food) are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah.”

Qur’an 5:3

2. Halal Food Cooked for the Gathering

The food itself is halal, but eating it at the Mawlid shows approval of the innovation.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz said: “It is not permissible to attend their celebration, and it is not permissible to eat from the food that is prepared for that, in order to denounce the bid‘ah and to keep away from it.” Fataawa Ibn Baaz, 6/318

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan also stated that eating in such gatherings indicates supporting the innovation.

3. Food Received Outside the Gathering

If the food later reaches you outside the Mawlid context (for example, given as a gift), there is no harm in eating it. The prohibition is only due to what eating it in the moment represents, not the food itself.

What This Means for You

If offered food during a Mawlid celebration, politely decline. But if the same food reaches you later, you may eat it. The ruling is about endorsing innovation, not about the food itself.

And Allah knows best.

References

Primary Sources

Qur’an

1. Al-Maa’idah 5:2: Do not cooperate in sin and transgression.
2. Al-Maa’idah 5:3: Religion perfected, no additions required.
3. Al-An‘aam 6:153: Stay on Allah’s straight path.
4. Al-A‘raaf 7:3: Follow revelation, not invented ways.

Hadith

5. Sahih Muslim 1718: Whoever introduces innovations, it is rejected.
6. Sahih al-Bukhari 2697: Whoever does a deed not in accordance with Islam will have it rejected.

Secondary Sources

7. Ibn Baaz, Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa, 9/74: Fatwa on food prepared for Mawlid.
8. Ibn Taymiyyah, Iqtidaa’ as-Siraat al-Mustaqeem, 2/619: On Mawlid as innovation.
9. Ibn Katheer, al-Bidaayah wa’l-Nihaayah, 13/137: Historical origins of Mawlid.
10. Ibn Khalqaan, Wafiyaat al-A‘yaan, 3/274: Early descriptions of Mawlid feasts and gatherings.