Every year we have a holiday on a particular day and it is called Mother's Day. It occurs on March 21. People gather and celebrate that day. Is this permissible or forbidden? A – Every holiday or celebration that differs from the 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 non-Muslims. Therefore, in addition to it being an innovation, it may also be an act of resembling (them). The Shariah holidays are well-known among Muslims: Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha and the weekly Eid (Fridays). There is no holiday or festival in Islam other than those three. Every holiday that is invented besides them is to be rejected as an innovation in the Shariah. This is because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Every deed introduced into our affair that does not belong to it is rejected.” Meaning, it will not be accepted by Allah. Another wording of the Hadith states: “Whoever does a deed that is not what our affair is upon, will have it rejected.” Since that is clear, the holiday mentioned by the questioner, known as Mother's Day, is not allowed. It is not allowed to have any kind of public celebration, gift presents and so forth on this day. It is obligatory upon Muslims to have pride and honor in their religion. They should also limit themselves to what Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) have restricted this upright religion to. This is the religion that Allah is pleased to have His servants follow. There can be no addition or subtraction from this religion. Furthermore, a Muslim should not be so weak that he follows (every Tom, Dick and Harry). Instead, his personality should be defined by the Law of Allah, such that he is followed and is 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 the Qur'an: “This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you and have chosen for you Islaam as your religion.” (Qur'an, 5:3) Furthermore, mothers have much more right than to have just one day in the year as a celebration for her. In fact, she has a right upon her children that they take care of her, look after her, obey her in anything which is not sinful, at all times and places. – Sheikh Bin Uthaymeen; Fatawa al
