The Procession in Rabi‘ al-Awwal

Question

In several cities of Uttar Pradesh, in the month of Rabi‘ al-Awwal, a procession in honour of the Prophet ﷺ is taken out. Is there any objection under the Sacred Law to taking it out? In Kanpur and elsewhere it has been observed that respected ulama also take part in it. If there is any form in which it is permissible, kindly write it.

Answer

Taking out such a procession is not established in itself; in the generations testified to as good it existed nowhere; in the books of fiqh and in the words of the Imams there is no trace of it anywhere. Yet it is given such importance that there are banners in it, there are slogans — and slogans, moreover, that suggest shirk; in some places people walk bareheaded and…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.