The Durban-based Sunni Ulama Council of South Africa on Thursday rejected ”with contempt” the views of a Saudi Grand Mufti that the celebration of the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed was heresy as it mimicked Christmas.
The council, in a statement, said the majority of Muslims believed this view was ”un-Islamic and false.
”It is definitely permissible to celebrate the birth of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him), in act, it is a great blessing to do so. Proof of this is available at our offices,” Moulana Nassir Khan said in a statement.
”The Sunni Ulama Council is also contacting various Islamic states, heads of governments and other local organisations to object to this incorrect statement.
”This religious official is not the official voice of the Muslims and hence any statement by him on Islamic issues should be carefully scrutinised.”
The response comes a day after Saudi Arabia’s highest religious official warned that ”some Muslims have deviated from the right path and are practising acts unauthorised by God or his Prophet” — such as marking the birthday of the Prophet.
”These celebrations and feasts are heresy that have never been allowed by God,” Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh said, urging Muslims and rulers of Islamic countries to refrain from marking the birthday, which falls on Friday.
The celebrations, the cleric said, mimicked the ”lost Christians who increase the number of festivals and celebrations because of the weakness of their faith and a lack of (religious) knowledge.”
Islamic countries around the world mark the prophet’s birthday with special religious festivities and speeches.
The occasion is a public holiday in many states, but not Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, which embraces the Salafi school, a strict form of Islam that calls the faithful to follow the footsteps of early Muslims.
The kingdom has only two holidays, on the two Muslim feasts after the fasting month of Ramadan and during the hajj pilgrimage.
Other occasions, including national day, are not marked. – Sapa