Blessings of the Prophet's Birthday: Why Abu Lahab Received Reduced Punishment, Explained by UAS and Gus Baha
Ustaz Abdul Somad (UAS) and KH Ahmad Bahauddin Nursalim, known as Gus Baha, have explained the blessings of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday through the story of Abu Lahab. Although known as one of the opponents of the Prophet and Islam, Abu Lahab is said to have received a reduction in his punishment because he rejoiced at the birth of the Prophet, to the extent that he freed his slave named Tsuwaibah.
The Prophet Muhammad’s birthday on 12 Rabiul Awal 1448 Hijriyah in Indonesia is believed to fall on 25 August 2026. It is a tradition among Indonesian Muslims to celebrate the Prophet’s birthday. UAS explained that as long as there is a basis for it, the Prophet’s birthday celebration and Tahlilan are not considered bidah, or religious innovation.
UAS explained that Abu Lahab’s punishment is lightened every Monday because on that day Abu Lahab freed his slave named Tsuwaibah. “Abu Lahab had a slave named Tsuwaibah. It was this slave who came to Abu Lahab’s house to bring news of the Prophet Muhammad’s birth,” said UAS in a sermon uploaded to the Tanya Ustadz Abdul Somad YouTube channel in early 2025.
Tsuwaibah informed Abu Lahab that his nephew had been born, that Aminah had given birth to a baby boy. Upon hearing this, Abu Lahab was very pleased.
UAS explained that Muslims know this story and account of Abu Lahab from Sahih Bukhari. Imam al-Hafidz al-Maqdisi, a hadith scholar, said: “If the disbeliever Abu Lahab, who is clearly destined for hell, has his punishment lightened because he was happy to welcome the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, then what about a person who throughout his life is happy to welcome the birth of the Prophet Muhammad and dies in a state of monotheism?”
UAS explained that bidah is when there is no basis at all, whether remote or direct. Only then can it be called bidah. There is a basis for the Prophet’s birthday celebration, so it is not bidah. If something violates the Quran, hadith, ijma and qiyas, only then is it called bidah. “As long as there is a basis for it, it cannot be called bidah,” said UAS.
UAS explained that congregational prayer has a basis, reciting Surah Yasin together has a basis, Tahlilan has a basis, and the Prophet’s birthday celebration also has a basis.