Question Posed to Shaykh Mohammad ibn ‘Alee al-Ferkoos (may Allaah preserve him):

Question:
What is the view of Islaam regarding that which is named Happy New Years?

Answer:
All of the praise is due to Allaah. May the Salaah and the Salaam of Allaah be upon the one who He has sent as a mercy to the creation. May it also be upon his family, followers, companions and his brothers (in faith) until the Last Day. As to what follows:

Firstly it’s befitting to bring  the attention to the fact that Islaam doesn’t have a “view” in the matters of jurisprudence and matters of creed as has come in your question, the likes which you have in the different schools of jurisprudence and the different sects. Rather it has a legislated ruling that is noble in that which it indicates, as well as that which its signifies. Then know that every action that seeking nearness to Allaah is intended within it, it has to be done in accordance to the legislation and performed how His Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) performed it. This is in relation to the specific amount, the specific how, the specific place and the specific time all in accordance to the legislation. If the person does follow that guidance, then the newly invented matters will take place which the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) warned us against in his statement:

وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَمُحْدَثَاتِ الأُمُورِ فَإِنَّ كُلَّ مُحْدَثَةٍ بِدْعَةٌ وَكُلَّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلاَلَةٌ وَكُلَّ ضَلاَلَةٍ فِي النَّارِ

“Be aware of the newly invented matters, for indeed every newly invented matter is innovation, every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Hell-fire.”

Also Allaah The Most High has stated:

وَمَا آتَاكُم الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانتَهُوا – الحشر: 7

“And whatever the Messenger has given you, take and whatever he has prohibited you from, then leave it off.” (Soorah al-Hashr: 7)

فَلْيَحْذَرِ الَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِ أَن تُصِيبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ – النور: 63

“Let those who oppose his (i.e. the Prophet’s) command be aware lest some fitnah (trial/tribulations) befalls them or a painful torment.” (Soorah an-Noor: 63)

There’s no difference between (the celebration of ) the birthday of the Messiah and the celebration of the birthday of the Prophet. The ruling is the same. This is the case being that it is known by the people that this was not present in the Prophetic era, nor was it present in the era of the Companions or the virtuous generations (of Muslims).  Every (religious) matter that wasn’t the religion during the era of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) or the era of the Companions, it is not the religion today. this is based on that which Imaam Maalik (may Allaah have mercy upon him stated:

مَنِ ابْتَدَعَ فِي الإِسْلاَمِ بِدْعَةً يَرَاهَا حَسَنَةً فَقَدْ زَعَمَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَدْ خَانَ الرِّسَالَةَ، وَذَلِكَ لأَنَّ اللهَ تَعَالَى قَالَ: ﴿اليَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمْ الإِسْلاَمَ دِينًا) – المائدة: 3

“Whoever invents innovates in Islaam a matter of innovation seeing it to be good, then he has claimed that Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) has betrayed the message (that he was sent with). That’s because Allaah The Most High has stated:

“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed my favor upon you. And I’m pleased for you Islaam as a religion.”  (Soorah al-Maa’idah: 3)

This is not to mention that these actions are from the ways of the Christians, The People of the Book, those whom the legislation has warned against following them by way of the text that have come commanding us to oppose them and not to resemble them. Based upon that it is befitting that we hold on to the Book and Sunnah in matters of creed, knowledge and actions. That’s because it is the only way to be free from the matters of innovation and its evil affects.”

Translated by Abu Yusuf Khaleefah, NYC, USA
On the 26th of Safar, 1435 H
(December 29th, 2013)

Taken from: http://www.sahab.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=106448