A statemennt by Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi - Celebrating the birthday of the Prophet, i.e. Maulid, ﷺ is an act of obedience. It is one of the works that are recommended; the person who practices it is rewarded and the person who abstains from it is not punished. However, it becomes obligatory if the government or one’s parents command it, or if people are in need of it in order to plant the love for the Prophet ﷺ in their hearts, particularly children.