بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Q90: What is the ruling on celebrating what is called Mother’s Day?
Answer: All celebrations that contradict the religious (legislated) celebrations are innovated celebrations that weren’t known in the time of the Salaf (righteous predecessors), and their origin might also be from non-Muslims. Thus, they contain innovation and imitation of Allāh’s enemies, Subhānahu wa ta’ālā. The religious (legislated) celebrations are well-known among Muslims: ‘Īd al-Fitr, ‘Īd al-Adhā, and the weekly celebration (Friday). There are no celebrations in Islām besides these three.
All celebrations introduced beyond these are rejected and invalid in Allāh’s law, Subhānahu wa ta’ālā, due to the Prophet’s (ﷺ) saying:
من أحدث في أمرنا هذا ما ليس منه فهو ردٌ
“Whoever introduces into this matter of ours something that is not from it, it is rejected,” (Sahīh al-Bukhārī 1297)
meaning rejected and unacceptable to Allāh.
In another wording:
من عمل عملاً ليس عليه أمرنا فهو رد
“Whoever does a deed that is not in accordance with our matter, it is rejected.” (Sahīh Muslim 1718)
When this is clear, it’s not permissible – regarding the celebration mentioned in the question called Mother’s Day – for one to introduce anything (from the) festival rituals, like showing joy and happiness, giving gifts, and similar things.
A Muslim must take pride in their religion and restrict themselves to what Allāh and His Messenger (ﷺ) have defined in this upright religion that Allāh chose for His servants, neither adding to it nor subtracting from it.
A Muslim should not be an ‘imma’ah (i.e. mindless follower) following every caller, but should maintain their personality according to Allāh’s law, to be followed rather than following, to be an example rather than imitating. For Allāh’s law – praise be to Allāh – is complete/perfect in all aspects, as Allāh the Most High said:
﴿الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُم الإسلَامَ دِينَا﴾
“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have chosen for you Islām as religion” [Al-Mā’idah: 3]
A mother deserves more than being celebrated one day in the year. Rather, a mother has the right over her children that they care for her, look after her, and obey her in matters not involving disobedience to Allāh at all times and places.
(Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām of Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymīn pg. 174-175)
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