The Ruling Concerning Celebrating Mother’s Day.

Question:

Every year we have a holiday on a particular day and it is called Mother’s Day. All the people gather and celebrate on that day. Is this permissible or forbidden?

Answer:

Every holiday or celebration that differs from Shariah celebrations is a newly invented innovation that was not known during the time of the Pious Predecessors. Furthermore, it may have begun as an imitation of the Non-Muslims. Therefore, in addition to it being an innovation, it may be an act of resembling the enemies of Allah.

The Shariah holidays are well known among the Muslims. These are the Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and the weekly Eid [Fridays]. There is no holiday or festival in Islaam other than those three. Every holiday that is invented besides them is to be rejected as an innovation and falsehood in the Shariah . This is because the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi-wasallam) said,

'' Every deed introduced into our affair that does not belong to it is rejected .” [1]

That is, it is rejected from that person and it will not be accepted by Allah. Another wording of the hadeeth states,

''Whoever does a deed that is not what our affair is upon, will have it rejected .” [2]

Since that is clear, the holiday that is mentioned by the questioner, known as Mother’s day, is not allowed. It is not allowed to have during such day any kind of public display and celebration, happiness, giving of presents and so forth.

It is obligatory upon a Muslim to have pride in his religion. He should also limit himself to what Allah and his Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi-wasallam) have restricted this upright religion to. This is the religion Allah is pleased to have His servants follow. There can be no addition and no subtraction from this. Furthermore, a Muslim should not be a kind of weak person that follows every Tom, Dick and Harry. Instead, his personality should be that defined by the Law of Allah, such that he is followed and not a follower, such that he becomes an example and not a disciple. This should be the case because the Law of Allah, Praise be to Allah, is complete and perfect in all aspects. Allah says in he Qur’an,

'' This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you and have chosen for you islaam as your religion .” al-Maidah :3

Furthermore, the mother has much more right than to have just one day in the year as a celebration for her. In fact, the women has a right upon her children, that they will care for her, look after her, obey her in anything which is not sinful, during all times and at all places.

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[1] Recorded by al-Bukhari, and Muslim.

[2] Recorded by Muslim, and by al-Bukhari in mualaq form.

Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-`Uthaymeen

Islamic Fatawa Regarding Women - Darussalam Pg.56-57