Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlah,

In al-Fatawa al-Hadithiyyah, Ibn Hajar stated that standing during mawlid is an innovation. This is also found in Mu’asasat Dar al-‘Ulum’s print of Sayyid ‘Alawi b. Ahmad al-Saqqaf’s Tarshih al-Mustafidin pg. 325, as follows:

“Regarding standing at mention of the Prophet Muhammad’s birth, in Ibn Hajar’s al-Fatawa al-Hadithiyyah it comes, ‘What many do at the mention of his birth from standing is a bid’ah [innovation]…’”

أما القيام عند ذكر وضعه صلى الله عليه وسلم ففي فتاوى ابن حجر الحديثية ما نصه: فعل كثير عند ذكر مولده صلى الله عليه وسلم ووضع أمه له من القيام بدعة لم يرد فيه شيء على أن الناس إنما يفعلون ذلك تعظيما له صلى الله عليه وسلم فالعوام معذورون لذلك بخلاف الخواص اه

Some shuyukh mention that the practice of groups of ‘ulama’ in different parts of the world, like Damascus and many other places, would indicate to there being a difference of opinion. The differing view would be supported by what comes in I’anat al-Talibin v. 3, p. 607:

فائدة: جرت العادة أن الناس إذا سمعوا ذكر وضعه يقومون تعظيما له وهذا القيام مستحسن لما فيه من تعظيم النبي وقد فعل ذلك كثير من علماء الأمة الذين يقتدى بهم اه

“The custom of the people is that when they hear mention of his birth they stand out of honor, and this standing is favorable, as in it there is honor for the Prophet Muhammad. And many of the ummah’s ‘ulama’ who are taken as examples do it.”

Therefore, two opinions on standing during mawlid are found in the late Shafi’i School: one assessing it to be an innovation, and one assessing it to be favorable. As a general rule, Ibn Hajar’s opinions are authoritative (along with Sh. Muhammad al-Ramli, May Allah have mercy on them). Both stances have reference, and one may practice on either.

May Allah send the choicest of salutations and blessings on the Prophet Muhammad.

And Allah knows best.

Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.