Why don’t muslims celebrate birthdays?
April 12, 2008
Al Hamdulilah! My daughter just turned 4 this week. I wanted to celebrate it with her and invite a few of her friends (muslim) over. I was told by one of the parent’s that no one would come because no other parents allow their children to celebrate birthdays. We are new to this masjid and I didn’t realize that this was a major faux pas. I do understand their position. If they tell their children that “muslims don’t celebrate birthdays” and then the kids come to my daughter’s birthday, they will wonder why she gets to celebrate and they don’t. So, I totally support their position. Consistency is vital.
However, I wonder, why don’t muslims celebrate birthdays? The only two answers I ever get are: It is not part of our religion and The Prophet (saws) didn’t do it. I agree that it is not part of the religion. It is a cultural thing. But the religion doesn’t forbid cultural practices as long as they don’t conflict with Islamic principles. Isn’t that why the Prophet (saws) told Ayesha that she should have encouraged that tribe to beat the duff at their walima, because it was part of their tribal/cultural practice?
As for the other argument, “the Prophet (saws) didn’t do it.” That may be true. I have never read a sunnah that describes whether he did or he did not. But I also have never read a sunnah where he forbade it. I thought if something is not forbidden by either Quran or Sunnah then it is allowed. (As long as it falls within the boundaries of Islam.)
I don’t view the celebration of a birthday as an idol/pagan act. I do not associate it in any way with Shirk. Instead I encourage my daughter to Thank Allah for all of her gifts and explain that every good thing that comes to her, comes by the Mercy of Allah. Just as she received gifts, I encouraged her to remember those children who aren’t as fortunate and she was to pick a toy out that she could donate to them. (She did so after generously offering to donate her brother’s toys 
We have changed the chorus of the traditional birthday song so it now says “May Allah Bless you, May Allah Bless you, May Allah bless you-oo, May Allah Bless you.”
I think this is a good way, of teaching her about Allah’s generosity, mercy, blessings and the need to give sadaqa. Birthdays are the one day that is devoted to one particular child, to show them how they are loved and appreciated and special. We should do that everyday. But, truthfully, we don’t. And rarely are they the focus of that undivided special attention. It builds confidence, trust and self-esteem. And can be done in a way that incorporates Islam.
So I hope someone will respond and tell me why shouldn’t I continue this practice. Why can’t muslims celebrate birthdays? Hmmm, I still wonder…
Entry Filed under: 1. Tags: can muslims celebrate birthdays, Muslim birthday, Muslim birthday celebration.
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1.
Joy Jones | November 17, 2008 at 1:36 pm
I feel that birthdays are a gift from God. All good things come from God. Celebration is not frowned upon instead we celebrate life. It is important that we celebrate the life of a child. In this world today where so many children are being aborted, dropped of at safe haven locations, and murdered by parents why shouldn’t we celebrate their lives. We live in a country that allows us this freedom. Celebrate the life of a child. Thank God for the blessings that he has given us and celebrate within moderation and in lots of love.
2.
arshia | January 1, 2009 at 8:12 am
http://www.ummah.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34721
3.
mohammad | February 7, 2009 at 10:33 pm
ask the scholars why we shouldn’t celebrate our birthdays
4.
Alayna Johnson | February 9, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Alhamdulillahhirabilaalimeen with that knowledge for the sister Arshia go ahead with your bad self for pulling that dawah up for us. MashaAllah.
5.
Alayna Johnson | February 9, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Shaikh AbdulAziz Bin Baaz, who is one of the most Eminent Islamic Scholars of the 20th century, was asked about celebrating birthdays in Islam, he replied (and I agree with him):
“Celebrating birthdays has no source whatsoever in the pure Shariah (Islamic Law). In fact, it is an reprehensible innovation, since the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said “Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that does not belong to it shall have that action rejected.” This was recorded by both al-Bukhari and Muslim. In a version recorded by Muslim and by al-Bukhari “Whoever performs a deed which is not in accord with our affairs, that deed is rejected.” It is well-known that the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not celebrate his birthday at all during his lifetime nor did he ever order it to be celebrated. Nor did he teach such to his Companions. Therefore, the rightly-guided caliphs and all of his Companions did not celebrate it. They are the most knowledgeable of the people concerning his Sunnah (Teachings of the Prophet) and they are the most beloved to the Prophet (peace be upon him). They were also the most keen upon following whatever the Prophet (peace be upon him) brought. Therefore, if one is supposed to celebrate the Prophet’s birthday, this would have been made evident at their time. Similarly, not one of the scholars of the best generations celebrated his birthday nor did they order it to be done.
Therefore, it is known from the above that such a celebration is not from the Law that Allah sent Muhammad (peace be upon him) with. We ask Allah and all Muslims to witness that if the Prophet (peace be upon him) had done so or ordered such to be done, or even if his Companions had done so, we would rush to do it and call others to do it. This is because, and all praises are due to Allah, we are the most keen in following his sunnah and respecting his commands and prohibitions. We ask Allah, for ourselves and for all of our brethren Muslims, steadfastness upon the truth, avoiding everything that differs from Allah’s pure shariah. Verily, He is Generous and Noble. “
6.
shifa | March 30, 2009 at 11:14 pm
In the Name of Allah,
Please find the answer to the question of celebrating birthdays below by a respected scholar which is very concise. It is very important that we understand and differentiate between imitating religious and cultural/accepted practices. Celebrating birthdays is a worldwide phenomena having no geographical or religious significance (as far as i’m aware).
Remember: The beauty of Islam is it’s a universal religion, the haraam being very few and halaal and mustahab and mubah being the majority making the deen very easy and giving it’s iniversal appeal. ‘Indeed Allah wants for you ease and not difficulty’ this is the very essence and beauty of the deen, lets increase our knowledge and strive to fulfill the Laws of Allah and example of the Prophet peace be upon him with clear evidences and understanding how legal rulings are derived.
(the answer as found on sunnipath.com:)
Principally, birthdays are not something that should be celebrated or to be happy about. When it is someone’s birthday, one year of his/her life has decreased, and not increased. As such, what intelligence is there in celebrating and showing happiness when a year has decreased in one’s life?
Before understanding the legal ruling with regards to birthday celebrations, it is worth remembering here that imitation of the unbelievers (Kuffar) is something that Islam strictly disapproves of.
In a Hadith recorded by Imam Abu Dawud (Allah have Mercy on him) and others, The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said:
�Whosoever imitates a nation is amongst them�. (Sunan Abu Dawud,)
It should be remembered here that not everything what the non-Muslims wear and do, is Haram and unlawful. Imitation, which is prohibited, is effected in one of the following two ways:
a) One does something with the intention of imitating the Kuffar, meaning one does so because one wants to be like a particular non-believer or non-believers.
b) Doing something that is unique and exclusive to the non-believers or it is part of their faith. This will also be considered imitation, thus Haram (unlawful). (See the Fatwa of Shaykh Mufti Taqi Usmani).
In light of the above, there are few situations with regards to the Shariah (legal) ruling on celebrating birthdays:
1)If it is celebrated by imitating the Kuffar in that all or some of the customs that are unique with the Kuffar are adopted, or acts that are unlawful in Shariah are committed, then there is no doubt in its impermissibility. The lighting of candles on a cake that number the years of one�s life and then blowing on them, playing of music, singing, extravagant and lavish spending, showing off, etc are all unlawful and forbidden practices. Thus, if birthdays are celebrated by adopting the above-mentioned customs, it will not be permissible.
2)If the above-mentioned evils are avoided, then there are two possibilities:
a) If one celebrates birthdays with the intention of imitating the Kuffar meaning one does so because one wants to be like the Kuffar, then, as stated previously, it will be considered imitating the Kuffar, thus unlawful.
b) If there is no intention of imitating the Kuffar (and also the above mentioned evils are avoided) then the ruling on celebrating birthdays will depend on whether it originated from the religious customs of the non-Muslims and it is part of their faith. (It can not be considered to be unique with the Kuffar, for celebrating birthdays has become a widespread phenomenon that is carried out in many different parts of the world). I am personally unaware of whether celebrating birthdays has a connection with the Christian faith or other wise, thus I am unable to give a decisive ruling.
However, I have mentioned the criterion of which the ruling will be based. If the origins of birthday celebrations are connected to a particular faith, then there is no doubt in its impermissibility. If, however, it has no connections with the faith of the non-Muslims, then (and Allah knows best) it seems that it would be permissible to celebrate it (provided the evils mentioned above are avoided).
3)If one thanks Allah and shows gratitude for being blessed with one more year of his life, thus expresses happiness and joy, then there is nothing wrong with that. (See: al-Fatawa al-Rahimiyya (urdu), 6/320).
And Allah knows best
Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari
Darul Iftaa, Leicester, UK
http://www.daruliftaa.org
7.
Aishah | April 26, 2009 at 5:52 am
If someone can find it but there is an Hadith about when the prophet Mohammed saw went to a village and the people were celebrating something accustomed to their tribe and he told them we celebrate 2 holidays Eid al Fitr and Eid al hada
8.
Aishah | May 7, 2009 at 12:57 am
I found the hadeeth :
Everything which is taken as an ‘eid’ (something which is celebrated regularly) and is repeated each week or each year and is not prescribed in sharee’ah, is a kind of bid’ah (reprehensible innovation). The evidence for that is the fact that the Lawgiver prescribed ‘aqeeqah for the newborn, and did not prescribe anything after that. When they adopt these observances every week or every year, it means that they are making them like the Islamic Eids, which is haraam and is not permitted. There are no celebrations in Islam apart from the three prescribed Eids: ‘Eid al-Fitr, ‘Eid al-Adha, and the weekly ‘Eid’ which is Friday (Yawm al-Jumu’ah).
This does not come under the heading of customs because it is repeated. Hence when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to Madeenah and found that the Ansaar had two festivals which they used to celebrate, he said, ‘Allaah has given you something better than these: Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr.’ (Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 1556; Abu Dawood, 1134; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth al-Saheehah, no. 124), even though this was one of their customs.”
From Sharh Kitaab al-Tawheed, 1/382