Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Shia Rebuts Question 26: Is celebrating the birthday of the saints {awliya’} of God a kind of polytheism and innovation {bid‘ah}? Reply: Although honoring the memory of meritorious servants of God by celebrating their birthday is an indisputable issue from the perspective of learned men, in a bid to remove any kind of doubt in this regard, we shall examine the proofs supporting its legitimacy.
Holding ceremonies is a means of expressing love The Holy Qur’an invites the Muslims to love the Holy Prophet (S) and his ( ‘a ): ﴿ قُل لَّا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلَّا الْمَوَدَّةَ فِي الْقُرْبَىٰ ﴾ “Say, I do not ask of you any reward for it except the affection for {my} relatives.” [^1] There is no doubt that holding a ceremony in commemoration of divine saints is a manifestation of the people’s love and affection to them, an act which is confirmed by the Holy Qur’an.
Holding ceremonies is a way of paying tribute to the Prophet (S) The Qur’an considers the act of honoring the station of the Messenger of Allah (S) and helping him as a criterion for uprightness and felicity.
﴿ فَالَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ بِهِ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَاتَّبَعُواْ النُّورَ الَّذِيَ أُنزِلَ مَعَهُ أُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ ﴾ “Those who believe in him, honor him, and help him and follow the light that has been sent down with him, they are the felicitous.” [^2] It is so evident from the quoted verse that honoring the Messenger of Allah (S) is a wholesome and acceptable act from the viewpoint of Islam, and holding a ceremony, which refreshes the splendorous memory of the Prophet (S) and hails his lofty station is something which pleases God.
This verse mentions four attributes of the righteous: a. Faith: ﴾ بِهِ ءَامَنُوا فَٱلَّذِيْنَ ﴿ “Those who believe in him” ; b. Following his light: ﴾ مَعَهُ أُنزِلَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱلنُّورَ وَٱتَّبَعُوا ﴿ “And follow the light that has been sent down with him” ; c. Helping him: ﴾ وَنَصَرُوهُ ﴿ “And help him” ; and d. Honoring the station of the Prophet (S): ﴾ وَعَزَّرُوهُ ﴿ “And honor him” .
Therefore, honoring and paying homage to the Prophet (S) alongside faith, assisting him and following his orders, is an expedient affair, and commemorating the Holy Prophet (S) corresponds to “honoring him” .