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…
mommymuslim.wordpress.com 
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.
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The Surprising Origin of
BIRTHDAYS
Where did the custom of celebrating birthdays come from? Did holy men of God in the Bible celebrate birthdays? Is it wrong to celebrate the day of one’s birth? What does the Bible say about birthdays? Here is information you ought to know!
William F. Dankenbring
Almost everybody, today, celebrates birthdays. Around the world, friends and relatives hold birthday parties, give gifts to the one being honored, and wish “Happy birthday!” to the one whose birthday is being celebrated.
But why?
Where did this universal custom originate?
Though you look in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, you will find no mention anywhere of any of the saints of God observing their birthdays. In fact, strange as it may seem to many, even the exact date of the birth of Jesus Christ is NOWHERE REVEALED in Scripture!
We read in the Encyclopedia Judaica, “The celebration of birthdays is unknown in traditional Jewish ritual” (vol.4, p.1054). It points out that the only reference to a birthday in the Bible is that of Pharaoh of Egypt.
The universal custom of observing Christmas as the birth of Christ, on December 25th, is acknowledged by all the historical authorities as having no basis in actual fact. Jesus Christ was born nowhere near December 25th, in the dead of winter. See our article, “When Was Jesus Born?”
If the very day of Jesus’ birth is deliberately left out of the Bible, doesn’t that fact tell us something? If birthdays should be celebrated, why did God leave the date of His own Son’s birth out of Holy Scripture?
The plain truth is that birth day celebrations are only mentioned twice in the Scriptures — once in the Old Testament and once in the New Testament – and both times in reference to customs being observed by unconverted, pagan people — an Egyptian Pharaoh, and wicked king Herod! Notice what happened on these two instances of “birth day celebrations” recorded in the Word of God.
Pharaoh of Egypt
In the book of Genesis we read: “And it came to pass the third day, which was PHARAOH’S BIRTHDAY, that he made a feast [BIRTHDAY PARTY] unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand: but he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them” (Genesis 40:20-22).
Notice! This was a birthday party, nothing less! It was being observed by a pagan Egyptian Pharaoh — not a man of God. This is the only example of a clear cut birthday celebration in all the Old Testament — and it was being observed by a PAGAN KING!
The Origin of Birthdays
This fact, however, should not be overly surprising. Writes Linda Rannells Lewis in Birthdays, “Birthdays have been celebrated for thousands of years. In early civilizations, where the development of a calendar made an organized reckoning of birth dates possible, the horoscopes of ruling monarchs, their successors and rivals had to be cast with care and birthday omens meticulously examined, for the prospects of the mighty would affect the prospects of the entire society. By the time of Ptolemy V this practice was well established: ‘Ptolemy, the ever living, the beloved of Ptah, the son of the two Brother-Gods, was born on the fifth day of the month DIOS, and this day was, in consequence, the beginning of great prosperity and happiness of all living men and women’” (p. 12).
Ptolemy V was an ancient Egyptian king. It was common in his day for kings and rulers to have their horoscopes made by astrologers and their birthdays were considered very important omens of the future.
The false science of astrology, of course, makes a great deal out of the positions of the sun, moon and stars at the moment or day of one’s birth. Astrology teaches that the position of the sun, moon and stars at the moment of one’s birth determines their future destiny, their character, their personality, talents, health, and so forth. They cast horoscopes, or birth charts, to understand the supposed significance of a person’s birthday.
Astrology, as the Word of God plainly shows, is a pagan, false religious deception — a fraud and a mythological pseudo-science.
God Almighty says to the daughter of Babylon (Isa. 47:1), the great pagan religious deception which has engulfed the world, “Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the ASTROLOGERS, the star-gazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Behold, they shall be as STUBBLE; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame” (Isaiah 47:13-14).
Writes Lewis, in Birthdays, “Birthday celebrations, even at this early stage, were not strictly reserved for the great rulers. Society adapts for its communal use those practices of the elite which it admires and can afford. In the fifth century before Christ, the Greek historian Herodotus, describing the festivals of the Persians, wrote: ‘IT IS THEIR CUS-TOM TO HONOR THEIR BIRTHDAY ABOVE ALL OTHER DAYS: and on this day they furnish their table in a more plentiful manner than at other times. The rich then produce an ox, a horse, a camel, and an ass, roasted whole in an oven; but the poor produce smaller cattle.”
Lewis continues, “In Egypt households of the same period birthdays were celebrated similarly. A part of the family budget was set aside to buy birthday garlands and animals for sacrifice, just as we might plan to spend a certain sum for balloons, party hats, and an ice cream cake” (pages 12-13).
This author goes on, “Among prosperous Greek families a birth feast, a coming-of-age feast, and feasts after death held on the anniversary of the day of birth were observed, but otherwise there were no annual birthday ceremonials. The birthdays of the immortals were ritually acknowledged once a month, however, the third day of each month being sacred to Athena, Ares, and Saturn, for instance” (ibid.).
The emperors of Rome often went to extreme in their own birthday celebrations. When the first birthday of Drusilla, the daughter of Caligula, approached, the emperor arranged a party suitable for the infant daughter of a “god” (himself). To celebrate her birthday, two days of horse racing were held, and a ritual slaughter of 300 bears, and 500 various beasts from Libya, in the amphitheater of Taurus, was held.
The Command of God
What does Almighty God say to His people about celebrating such days in honor of one’s own self, and one’s own individual ego?
The whole message of God is to teach us to humble ourselves, and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves – to get rid of ego and self-centeredness. Birthdays have the opposite effect. They concentrate the attention on the birthday person, glorifying him – not God – and exalting him – not God – and having people bring him presents. Thus paying “homage” to the birthday child. This is the height of conceit and fosters a spirit of get, selfishness, and self-worship. Self, self, self! The whole extravaganza creates pride and lofty conceit in selfishness in a child. The typical birthday party is therefore one of the deceptions of the devil, made to look attractive and nice on the outside, but full of wickedness on the inside.
We have already seen the proof that these celebrations were distinctly pagan in origin. But does it make any difference whether we observe birthdays or not?
If our purpose is to build godly and holy offspring and loving, giving, godly children, then we should want to do NOTHING that would hinder this godly purpose – put no temptations in their pathway – do nothing to encourage them to think too highly of themselves in pride and arrogance. Rather, we should teach them to give, to serve, to be humble, to revere God and His Word, and to love other children and seek to help, serve, and honor them. Giving is much better than “getting.” Cain was named “Get,” for his name meant “gotten,” as Eve said, “I have gotten a man-child from the Lord” (Gen.4:1).
Birthday celebrations were definitely of pagan origin. Should God’s people emulate the pagans and pagan societies around them?
God inspired the prophet Jeremiah to write,I in plain terms, “Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith the Lord, LEARN NOT THE WAY OF THE HEATHEN, and be not dismayed at the signs of the heaven (astrology!); for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the CUSTOMS OF THE PEOPLE ARE VAIN” (Jeremiah 10:1-3).
Clearly, Almighty God commands His people not to follow in the ways, customs, and practices of the heathen, pagan nations around them! Obviously, therefore, the Word of God does NOT sanction or approve of public birthday celebrations or birthday parties!
God is even more plain in His Word. Celebrating birthdays with lavish birthday parties was a pagan Egyptian custom. God commands His people, “After the DOING OF THE LAND OF EGYPT, wherein ye dwelt, SHALL YE NOT DO: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances” (Leviticus 18:3).
God goes on, in this same chapter, after listing more of the evil practices of the heathen, “DEFILE YE NOT YOURSELVES IN ANY OF THESE THINGS: for in all these the nations are defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself VOMITETH out her inhabitants.”
“Ye shall therefore keep MY statutes and MY judgments” — which did NOT include birthday celebrations! – “and shall NOT COMMIT ANY OF THESE ABOMINATIONS; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: (For all these ABOMINATIONS have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;) That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you” (Leviticus 18:24-28).
Does this sound strong? Almighty God does not sanction, approve or endorse ANY of the pagan customs of the nations of the world! They are an ABOMINATION to Him! Birthday parties may seem so innocent and good on the surface, for the children, but all is not as it seems on the surface. Parents, beware! If you truly love your children then raise them according to GOD’s customs and teachings! This will protect them from the temptations of the devil, vanity, pride, arrogance, and self-centeredness!
God feels very strongly about these kinds of things which foster selfishness, pride, ego, and arrogance. He commands His people, “Therefore shall ye keep MINE ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these ABOMINABLE CUSTOMS, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 18:29-30). Although the customs being discussed in this chapter of Leviticus dealt primarily with religious worship and pagan religious customs, by extension the same principle would apply to pagan derived birthday customs.
Most of the customs God mentioned in Leviticus 18 were abominable sexual practices common among the heathen, and common in the world around us, today. But verse 3 of this chapter says we are not to do “after the doings of the land of EGYPT.”
This clearly shows that the celebrations of BIRTHDAYS, so common in Egypt, was among the prohibitions of Almighty God! We are not to follow those misleading customs which direct attention to oneself in a frivolous display of VANITY and self-centered egotism and pride! Pride, remember, was the cause for the downfall of Lucifer, the archangel or cherubim who rebelled against God. “Your heart was proud because of your beauty,” God said, “you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor” (Ezek.28:17). For his pride and overweening self-centeredness, God says, “I cast you to the ground” (v.18).
Let us fear God and KEEP His commandments!
What About New Testament Times?
Even as there is only one example of birthday celebrations in the Old Testament, so the New Testament also gives us only one such example — that of the wicked, apostate king Herod, one of the worst butchers who ever lived.
Herod was notorious for his wickedness. He was a complete pagan at heart. Notice! He celebrated his own birthday, and see what happened!
“But when Herod’s BIRTHDAY WAS KEPT, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.” The entertainment at his birthday party included a very erotic, sensual dance, very likely a strip tease of some sort. Herod was fascinated by the gyrations and movements of the lithe young female dancer, his wife’s daughter.
“Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. And she, being instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John the Baptist’s head in a charger.”
“And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus” (Matthew 14:6-12). Here again, at a pagan birthday party, somebody was killed — this time it was one of God’s greatest servants, John the Baptizer!
And this occurred all because of a birthday party!
It should be plain that true servants of God do not observe their birthdays and make a “big deal” out of them, or hold parties to celebrate them. The pagans do – but not true Christians or followers of the Messiah, who seek His blessing on their activities!
Should Christians celebrate birthdays? Obviously, the answer from the Word of God is a resounding NO! Birthdays are one more Satanic deception, like Christmas and Easter, which foster and inculcate the wrong kind of spirit and demeanor in a child. Therefore such an observance is an abomination in the sight of God. Birthday celebrations are not among the Biblical customs of the Bible
The fact is, the Bible is totally SILENT on the date of the birth of every single servant of God, including Abraham, Noah, Moses, Samuel, David, the apostles, and most important of all, Jesus Christ Himself!
In God’s sight, the actual time and day of a person’s birth is not the important thing. Wise king Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes, under divine inspiration, “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of birth” (Ecclesiastes 7:1, NRSV).
The Early Church
The day of one’s birth is not the important thing. It is merely the beginning of our life’s journey. What is important is what we DO with our lives, not how or where we begin.
The early Church of God understood this fact. Lewis writes in Birthdays, “When the Christian church sought to substitute the authority of a religious hierarchy for the hegemony of the individual ego, BIRTHDAYS BECOME UNWELCOME REMINDERS OF PAGAN EXCESS and the degradation assumed in Adam’s heritage. Celebrating the self was bad” (p.14).
Origen of Alexandria, in 245 A.D., wrote in a dissertation on Leviticus:
“None of the saints can be found who ever held a feast or a banquet upon his birthday, or rejoiced on the day when his son or daughter was born. But sinners rejoice and make merry on such days. For we find in the Old Testament that Pharaoh, king of Egypt, celebrated his birthday with a feast, and that Herod, in the New Testament did the same. But the saints not only neglect to mark the day of their birth with festivity, but also, filled with the Holy Spirit, they curse this day, after the example of Job and Jeremiah and David.
For the true Christian, this life is a life of struggle and overcoming. The flesh is weak and prone to sin and lust. The carnal human mind is enmity against God (Romans 8:7). We must learn to throttle, subjugate, and subdue the pulls of the flesh, by the power of God’s Spirit (Romans 7:1-25; 8:1-14).
Therefore, we do not celebrate the day we put on this fleshly tabernacle, but rather the day when we will put it off, and be clothed upon with a NEW BODY, pure and perfect, from heaven (Romans 8:22-23). In the meantime “we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body” (verse 23).
The Christian Attitude
For the true Christian, this life is a life of trials and tests. As David wrote, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous” (Psalms 34:19). And the apostle Paul declared, “We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).
The apostle Paul also wrote, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.”
“For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh” (II Cor.4:8-11).
For Christians, this present mortal life is not an end in itself. It is filled with trials, tests, troubles, and pains. We do not celebrate our birth into the “vail of tears,” but we celebrate our NEW BIRTH in CHRIST which will occur at the resurrection, when the Messiah returns! Our hope is for the coming of Christ, and the resurrection!
Because we suffer greatly and often, in the flesh, we do not glory in the flesh, or in the day of our fleshly birth. It is of no consequence. But we look to the future, not to the past, and to the Kingdom of God! As Paul wrote, “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen (the physical around us), but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (II Cor. 4:16-18).
This present physical life, therefore, is a proving ground. It is like going to school. We don’t graduate until death, or until the coming of the Lord! Do people celebrate when they begin to go to school or college? Or don’t they celebrate when they GRADUATE AND GET THEIR DIPLOMA? Merely beginning life is nothing to boast about! It is where we end up that really counts!
Paul wrote, in the very next chapter of II Corinthians, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. For in this we GROAN, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is FROM HEAVEN. . . For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being BURDENED: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of LIFE” (II Cor. 5:1-4).
As Paul wrote in I Corinthians, “But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain” (I Cor. 15:13-14).
Paul felt so strongly about this fact, that he declared, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men MOST MISERABLE” (verse 19). But our hope is not for this life! Paul went on, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept” (v. 20).
This entire chapter shows us that the true hope of the Christian is the resurrection of the dead, when we shall all “be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be CHANGED. For this corruption must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (I Cor. 15:51-52).
That is the day we will celebrate — not our physical birthdays, when we were literally born into a lifetime of struggle, trials, suffering, death, misery, and privation, persecution, strife, and pain. Not at all! We look forward to and celebrate the second coming of Christ, and the resurrection of the dead saints which will occur at His coming!
As Paul wrote to the Philipians, “Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but LOSS for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but DUNG, that I may win Christ…That I may know him, and the POWER of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead” (Phil. 3:8, 10-11).
This was Paul’s one ambition, one driving desire, in life. He declared, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, FORGETTING THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND (such as birthdays!), and REACHING FORTH unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14).
This present life is as nothing. It is full of pain and suffering. If we follow Christ, then we will suffer as He suffered, leaving us an example (I Peter 4:13; 2:21). But the end result — the eternal reward ahead of us — makes it all worthwhile!
During this life we experience the “fellowship of his sufferings” (Phil. 3:11). We are one with Him in suffering, that we might become one with Him in glory and eternal life!
Paul wrote, “Who shall CHANGE OUR VILE BODY, that it might be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Phil. 3:21).
How much greater this is, than celebrating our birthdays of this fragile, temporary, transitory, weak, clay, human existence!
Avoid Pagan Birthdays
The World Book — Childcraft International says regarding “Holidays and Birthdays,” “For thousands of years people all over the world have thought of a birthday as a very special day. Long ago, people believed that on a birthday a person could be helped by good spirits, or hurt by evil spirits. So, when a person had a birthday, friends and relatives gathered to protect him or her. And that’s how birthday parties began.”
“The idea of putting candles on birthday cakes goes back to ancient Greece. The Greeks worshipped many gods and goddesses. Among them was one called Artemis.
“Artemis was the goddess of the moon. The Greeks celebrated her birthday once each month by bringing special cakes to her temple. The cakes were round like a full moon. And, because the moon glows with light, the cakes were decorated with lighted candles.”
This authority goes on:
“More and more, though, people the world over attach a certain magic to their actual date of birth. . . We may wear a ring with our birthstone in it for good luck. And when we blow out the candles on our birthday cake, we are careful to keep what we wished a secret. If we tell, of course, our wish won’t come true.
“In other words, WE FOLLOW MANY OF THE OLD BIRTHDAY BELIEFS. We pay attention to the meanings of old-time birth symbols. And WE CARRY ON THE OLD CELEBRATIONS. We don’t necessarily take them seriously. We do these things mainly for fun. But it is also possible that there is something deep inside us that wants to believe.”
Why do people say, “Happy birthday!” to each other? Says this authority, “For the good wishes of our friends and relatives are supposed to protect us from evil spirits.”
What about birthday thumps, bumps, pinches, and the like?
“In many parts of the world, it is a tradition to give the birthday child pinches, smacks, spanks, thumps, bumps, or punches. Even though they may hurt a little, they are said to be very lucky. . .
“The reason for birthday spanks is to spank away any evil spirits and send them scurrying far into the distance. Punches, thumps, and pinches, the harder the better, are supposed to do the very same thing. . .
“Party snappers, horns, bursting balloons, firecrackers, and other noisemakers are just one more way of trying to scare off any bad-luck spirits that may be hovering about.”
What about traditional birthday games, such as “Pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey”?
“The games we play at birthday parties are often a symbol of trying to know the unknown. In this case, of course, the unknown is the future, or the new year of life that lies ahead for the birthday child.
“One of the oldest birthday games is Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Donkey. A large picture of a donkey without a tail is pinned to the wall. Each child at the party is given a donkey’s tail made out of paper and a pin to stick through it. Then, one by one, the children are blindfolded. They are spun around a few times and pointed in the general direction of the donkey. The child who pins the tail the closest to where it should be on the donkey wins the prize.
“There are other versions of this game, such as Pin-the Nose-on-the-Clown or Pin-the-Ear-on-the-Bunny. But the idea of trying to guess correctly, while blindfolded, is the same.”
All these customs and traditions connected with the observance of birthdays have to do with guessing the future, good wishes for the future, good luck charms against evil spirits, and the like. All the birthday rituals, games, and ceremonies are a form of well-wishing toward the birthday child, which are supposed to work their magic in the year ahead.
But, as we have seen, the custom is totally PAGAN! The ceremonies and games involve warding off evil spirits and protecting the birthday child from evil. These are pagan customs – vain and foolish rituals — nothing but useless pagan SUPERSTITION!
Should God’s people have anything to do with ceremonies that trace back ancient pagan societies and pagan times, involving pagan practices? Should a true Christian indulge himself or his or her children in pagan birthday parties, just because they seem so attractive, fun, and “innocuous”?
The Word of God thunders, “What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
“And what agreement hath the temple of God with IDOLS? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
“Wherefore COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM, and BE YE SEPARATE, saith the Lord, and touch not the UNCLEAN THING; and I will receive you, and I will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (II Corinthians 6:14-18).
Let’s look at this custom objectively. Why should we subject our children to it? All the comparisons, who gets the best present, competition, and strife that inevitably follows? Let’s ge honst and face it. In God’s sight, birthday parties and celebrations are not clean, honest, honorable, fun things to do. They are unclean things – and lead a child in the wrong direction. They turn people away from the truths of God and idolize the SELF. Therefore, as Christians, we should have nothing whatsoever to do with them!
A Balanced Approach
Having said this, we must remember that our neighbors don’t know these things or see things things like we do. They think it’s all innocent fun. Even other members of our own families may think the same way. They wonder why we won’t participate in these things – “for the children.”
Although we don’t want to compromise the word of God, or ever do anything He tells us to avoid, that does not mean we need to offend other people, or set a wrong example toward them. We should always be gracious, and kind, and loving of others, and patient with them, avoiding unnecessary controversy and arguments.
If a family member or relative has a birthday, and invites you, you can simply explain the situation, and your own beliefs, in a humble, positive manner. And decline the invitation.
However, if the other family or individual says there is not going to be anything pagan, or the usual birthday customs, that it is merely a time to get together for family fellowship, or friendship, for a nice meal, with a cake, and that it is just a family event, that would not necessarily be wrong. We should not go overboard in these things.
Solomon also wrote, “Do not be too righteous, and do not act too wise; why should you destroy yourself? Do not be too wicked, and do not be a fool; why should you die before your time?” (Ecclesiastes 7:16-17, NRSV).
Always be discreet, modest, and friendly, in dealing with people. Attending a simple family dinner on one’s birthday, where family members give a present to honor one member’s birthday, is not the same thing as holding a birthday bash and inviting all the kids in the neighborhood, or a big political event, or a huge public celebration.
A small family affair, just for the family, I believe, would be all right in God’s sight, with no emphasis on the birthday itself or any pagan trappings. Sometimes it may seem difficult to get our balance in these things, but we can do it if we persevere, and do all things in love and wisdom.
We don’t need to fall into the ditch along the right hand side of the road, or plunge into the ditch alongside the left hand side of the road, either. We should simply use caution – take care – be careful – and be prayerful – a draw a line between right and wrong. A simple dinner, with a few presents for your loved one (son, daughter, father, mother, etc.), would be perfectly in line with God’s Word. For God does command us, “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12).
And Paul also says, “And father, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (see Ephesians 6:1-4). “Fathers, do not provoke your children or they may lose heart” (Colossians 3:21).
Children, be good to your parents; and you parents, be good to your children. Don’t deny them good things. And to give them something special on their birthday is perfectly all right. Just be sure you don’t allow it to become a pagan “birthday party” or “birthday celebration” of the sort which has wrong connotations and creates the wrong atmosphere and imparts the wrong kind of influence.
Keep God’s principles in mind. Be balanced! Avoid excess! Avoid any and all pagan trappings or anything resembling evil. But on the other hand, don’t be afraid to give something nice to a family member or relative on their day birth or any other day of the year.
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Wow.
What is a birthday? It’s simply the day a person is born into this world and wether or not we like it, it’s become a notable date, very easy to track each year. Now as a christian, each and everyone of us has an individual relationship with God where he speaks to us and guide us. The bible as voluminous as it is doesn’t mention all of the challenges that come with civilization. In fact on many things we cannot find direct referral. Look at ivf for example or all of the new machines that have come to be a part of our world (I’m not stating my stance on these). That is why we need a keen knowledge of the word of God and for the Holy Spirit to be our best friend, teaching and guiding us. The fact is nowhere except for those two instances were birthdays mentioned but also nowhere in the bible is it mentioned that birthday (one’s day of birthday) must not be celebrated. Individual relationships allow us to speak to God and to hear from Him in reprimand when we go against His will. Has God ever spoken to you that ‘Birthday celebrations’ are PAGAN? As individuals we need to be careful with our words. We celebrate a lot of things throughout our lives, even people when they’re successful. A birthday is a time when many people forget that they have many things to be thankful for while a lot of people are in hospitals, dying, sick and even dead. A birthday is a reminder that God has kept you for one more year and a time to give thanks to him for that. If pagans did not celebrate birthdays, some other grateful person would have started it. A birthday is a time for the people that love and care about you to give you somethying special. Afterall we can’t give gifts to all those we love 365 days a year, you’d have to be bill gates. A birthday is also a time to celebrate and have fun with the people you love. Nowhere in the Holy Bible does it say or insinuate that ‘Birthdays are pagan’ Because unholy people do certain things doesn’t make it unholy, except of course in their method and that is where the difference comes in for us as believers. Our Celebrations should be to the Glory of God. On your birthday you should feel special (in the eyes of God) who decided to keep and protect you. Celebrate what God has done in your life. There are so many different ways to celebrate, invite yoyr friends and family, Pray together, listen to the word of God, listen to Godly jokes, laugh together, play games as long as they are not ungodly. We live our lives everyday doing things that civilization as taught us, The most important thing in this christian race, is to obey the commandments of God, Do his will, take as many people as possible with us as we make heaven. Avoid using the bible to support your personal beliefs that are not clearly stated in the bible some things should be left to the holy spirit. When i hear people talk about how they don’t do this or partake in this and all and then try to use the scripture to defend their decisions, i always wonder why they never say ‘God spoke to me, the Holy Spirit told me’. We must not waste our lives wondering wether or not to celebrate valentine, christmas, or birthdays or most importantly convincing others it’s wrong to buy food for people on your birthday instead we must preach the word of God that tells us that The kingdom of God must be your focus and not the things of this world. If you have concerns about inviting people to have food and drinks and to play games and have fun within the context of godliness of course then instead, you can choose to share love in other ways, organize a prayer at church, visit the homeless with gifts. My dad painted the entire church when he turned fifty, he didn’t spend a dime on food and drinks and all but still he got a beautiful party at church. In my opinion, it would be sad to choose not to remember God’s faithfulness in your life and ‘CELEBRATE’ in your own way, rich or poor on that very day each year when you came into this world. Infact, never forget to ask God for your ‘ Special Birthday Gift’. I always ask him to make it a surprise. Remember, we have the power to decide how to celebrate our birthdays, so lets decide well.God bless you
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You speak so well
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All I know is its about your soul. All I know is glory to God. He made me so celebrate. Jesus has promised us new birth some celebrate some don’t. Born again into the gospel true light is from Jesus. All can have this. All who call on his name will be saved. We have free will . He truly comes when you believe he is gods only begotten son the holy spirit at conversion conviction and you will be changed in an instant quicker than the blink of an eye. Don’t be afraid to ask. I did I wanted to feel that assurance. Blessed assurance. Please hear me every soul save yourself and call on his name. God bless you all and happy birthday to all born again believers in christ amen and amen. Xxx
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http://www.ummah.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34721
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ask the scholars why we shouldn’t celebrate our birthdays
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It is actually one of the most controversial questions in islam Not every scholar says No and not every scholar says yes this is because of some are influenced by culture and some are not, because scholars are still human beings. Birthdays are based off culture and that is why not every culture celebrates birthdays natrually for example in some cultures you eat certain foods like red rice or vegetable rice as long as those food do not contain meat that has been forbidden from us such as pork then those foods our okay are we going to say because phrophet muhammad neverr eat red rice during his time we should not eat it either like red rice wasnt something the Qurasish ever eat their is an extent and limits for everything and although we should follow the teaches of the phrophet what many dont understand is their is a line for example muhammads parents died when he was really young should we kill our parents so we can be like him, muhammad was also given milk by another lady a nurse mother should we start doing that as well are we going to start saying it it is it haraam to nurse your baby yourself because muhammad mother never did is it haram to go to high school or become a lawyer because muhammad was never one, like we have to draw a limit and a line to what extent we must go as long as those culture practice to no cross religious boundaries they are allowed just like you must listen to your parents unless they cross religious boundaries. People not celebrating birthdays are very culturally based in some countries like syria and majority of places in Pakistan they don celebrate birthdays based of tradition as do some christian countries as well because itś not a cultural thing. That is okay whst id not okay is justifying a culture norm with religion because itś easier it is much easier to say it is against my religion than it is against my culture.
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Alhamdulillahhirabilaalimeen with that knowledge for the sister Arshia go ahead with your bad self for pulling that dawah up for us. MashaAllah.
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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. “
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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
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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
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Yes that is in the history of Islam when the Prophet (saw) told the people of Madinah that Allah has bless us with two celebrations of our own. Keep this in mind everything that Muslims do is revolve around salah, so are our celebrations (ID fitr and adha).
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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
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Well back then people would celebrate birthdays to keep evil spirts away by inviting people over so that the spirts don’t come to them and they won’t be alone and people bringing gift so the birthday person won’t be sad…the evil spirt comes because your getting older and older every year and people thought it was there time to go, so they celebrated birthdays, even Halloween is like the birthdays to keep spirts away by putting carved pumpkins in front of there homes and kids would dress up as scary monsters and tell people trick or treat(people think of this as a game only not as what it really is)…it really is that the home owner can either give out treats to the kids(monsters) or get a trick by the spirts….
Hope that answer your question:D
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I completely agree with you, this shows that Birthdays can be practiced in a way that helps children and also teaches them to be thankful to Allah, I personally feel we should thank Allah everyday for letting us wake up to morning sunlight each day 🙂
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Show proof, sister.
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May you provide evidence that Allah should shame such traditions, brother.
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So I did, And by the way I am a sister.
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Asalaam laykum The reason being is what you said sister if you’re not going to do it daily then it’s no reason for the celebration.
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My be they saw fairy tale movies. Where bad women used to come and curse the newly born abbies. MAY BE
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Aghhh. I am sooo frustrated right now and I’m so happy that someone else had posted this question. I embraced Islam 3 years ago. From a christian family (and society). My husband is muslim and our son, who….by the way….will be 2 years old on monday, Inchallah. My mother…..just called me and told me, “what are we going to do for “R’s” birthday? I’m going to invite my friend who has two daughters, we should get a cake…etc.” I said, “well mom, we have decided that we are not going to celebrate anything this year. Last year, we did because it was his FIRST birthday, but we don’t want to make a habit out of this.” My mom obviously got upset, and said that since my husband and I are working on Sunday (my mom babysits our son) that she is going to throw him a little birthday party. I stated that it was unacceptable and i just got upset and was unable to express any further my thoughts. I told her to ask another muslim lady as to why we do not want to have a party. But you know what…..honestly speaking…..i feel very bad that my husband is so strict and we can’t even do a little something. All the other muslim ladies I know, have done b-day parties. I feel left out and saddened. My husband doesn’t understand how I feel (yes, I have told him).
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I know I’m late replying to this but please be strong. I converted about 3 yrs ago and have had similar difficulties and mixed feelings about giving up these cultural customs, too. Your husband loves and cares for you and your children and only wants you to have the best in this life and in the akhira. It is his role as a Muslim husband to do his best to steer his wife and children on the straight path and hamdoulilleh, it sounds like he is taking his role seriously. Please don’t feel badly or as though he is being too strict. He isn’t being strict, he is being MUSLIM. Hamdoulilleh that you married a man who actually understands his religion, knows right from wrong, and is willing to stand against society and family’s expectations to ensure that YOU attain Jannah! 😀 Best of luck, ukhti – giving up old habits is never easy 😉
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I know this is very late.. but im dealing with the same as a recent revert… 8 months now..and all holidays have been a huge shock… and after reading your comment i feel better Alhumdullilah.. thanks sister..
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The Surprising Origin of
BIRTHDAYS
Where did the custom of celebrating birthdays come from? Did holy men of God in the Bible celebrate birthdays? Is it wrong to celebrate the day of one’s birth? What does the Bible say about birthdays? Here is information you ought to know!
William F. Dankenbring
Almost everybody, today, celebrates birthdays. Around the world, friends and relatives hold birthday parties, give gifts to the one being honored, and wish “Happy birthday!” to the one whose birthday is being celebrated.
But why?
Where did this universal custom originate?
Though you look in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, you will find no mention anywhere of any of the saints of God observing their birthdays. In fact, strange as it may seem to many, even the exact date of the birth of Jesus Christ is NOWHERE REVEALED in Scripture!
We read in the Encyclopedia Judaica, “The celebration of birthdays is unknown in traditional Jewish ritual” (vol.4, p.1054). It points out that the only reference to a birthday in the Bible is that of Pharaoh of Egypt.
The universal custom of observing Christmas as the birth of Christ, on December 25th, is acknowledged by all the historical authorities as having no basis in actual fact. Jesus Christ was born nowhere near December 25th, in the dead of winter. See our article, “When Was Jesus Born?”
If the very day of Jesus’ birth is deliberately left out of the Bible, doesn’t that fact tell us something? If birthdays should be celebrated, why did God leave the date of His own Son’s birth out of Holy Scripture?
The plain truth is that birth day celebrations are only mentioned twice in the Scriptures — once in the Old Testament and once in the New Testament – and both times in reference to customs being observed by unconverted, pagan people — an Egyptian Pharaoh, and wicked king Herod! Notice what happened on these two instances of “birth day celebrations” recorded in the Word of God.
Pharaoh of Egypt
In the book of Genesis we read: “And it came to pass the third day, which was PHARAOH’S BIRTHDAY, that he made a feast [BIRTHDAY PARTY] unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand: but he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them” (Genesis 40:20-22).
Notice! This was a birthday party, nothing less! It was being observed by a pagan Egyptian Pharaoh — not a man of God. This is the only example of a clear cut birthday celebration in all the Old Testament — and it was being observed by a PAGAN KING!
The Origin of Birthdays
This fact, however, should not be overly surprising. Writes Linda Rannells Lewis in Birthdays, “Birthdays have been celebrated for thousands of years. In early civilizations, where the development of a calendar made an organized reckoning of birth dates possible, the horoscopes of ruling monarchs, their successors and rivals had to be cast with care and birthday omens meticulously examined, for the prospects of the mighty would affect the prospects of the entire society. By the time of Ptolemy V this practice was well established: ‘Ptolemy, the ever living, the beloved of Ptah, the son of the two Brother-Gods, was born on the fifth day of the month DIOS, and this day was, in consequence, the beginning of great prosperity and happiness of all living men and women’” (p. 12).
Ptolemy V was an ancient Egyptian king. It was common in his day for kings and rulers to have their horoscopes made by astrologers and their birthdays were considered very important omens of the future.
The false science of astrology, of course, makes a great deal out of the positions of the sun, moon and stars at the moment or day of one’s birth. Astrology teaches that the position of the sun, moon and stars at the moment of one’s birth determines their future destiny, their character, their personality, talents, health, and so forth. They cast horoscopes, or birth charts, to understand the supposed significance of a person’s birthday.
Astrology, as the Word of God plainly shows, is a pagan, false religious deception — a fraud and a mythological pseudo-science.
God Almighty says to the daughter of Babylon (Isa. 47:1), the great pagan religious deception which has engulfed the world, “Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the ASTROLOGERS, the star-gazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Behold, they shall be as STUBBLE; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame” (Isaiah 47:13-14).
Writes Lewis, in Birthdays, “Birthday celebrations, even at this early stage, were not strictly reserved for the great rulers. Society adapts for its communal use those practices of the elite which it admires and can afford. In the fifth century before Christ, the Greek historian Herodotus, describing the festivals of the Persians, wrote: ‘IT IS THEIR CUS-TOM TO HONOR THEIR BIRTHDAY ABOVE ALL OTHER DAYS: and on this day they furnish their table in a more plentiful manner than at other times. The rich then produce an ox, a horse, a camel, and an ass, roasted whole in an oven; but the poor produce smaller cattle.”
Lewis continues, “In Egypt households of the same period birthdays were celebrated similarly. A part of the family budget was set aside to buy birthday garlands and animals for sacrifice, just as we might plan to spend a certain sum for balloons, party hats, and an ice cream cake” (pages 12-13).
This author goes on, “Among prosperous Greek families a birth feast, a coming-of-age feast, and feasts after death held on the anniversary of the day of birth were observed, but otherwise there were no annual birthday ceremonials. The birthdays of the immortals were ritually acknowledged once a month, however, the third day of each month being sacred to Athena, Ares, and Saturn, for instance” (ibid.).
The emperors of Rome often went to extreme in their own birthday celebrations. When the first birthday of Drusilla, the daughter of Caligula, approached, the emperor arranged a party suitable for the infant daughter of a “god” (himself). To celebrate her birthday, two days of horse racing were held, and a ritual slaughter of 300 bears, and 500 various beasts from Libya, in the amphitheater of Taurus, was held.
The Command of God
What does Almighty God say to His people about celebrating such days in honor of one’s own self, and one’s own individual ego?
The whole message of God is to teach us to humble ourselves, and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves – to get rid of ego and self-centeredness. Birthdays have the opposite effect. They concentrate the attention on the birthday person, glorifying him – not God – and exalting him – not God – and having people bring him presents. Thus paying “homage” to the birthday child. This is the height of conceit and fosters a spirit of get, selfishness, and self-worship. Self, self, self! The whole extravaganza creates pride and lofty conceit in selfishness in a child. The typical birthday party is therefore one of the deceptions of the devil, made to look attractive and nice on the outside, but full of wickedness on the inside.
We have already seen the proof that these celebrations were distinctly pagan in origin. But does it make any difference whether we observe birthdays or not?
If our purpose is to build godly and holy offspring and loving, giving, godly children, then we should want to do NOTHING that would hinder this godly purpose – put no temptations in their pathway – do nothing to encourage them to think too highly of themselves in pride and arrogance. Rather, we should teach them to give, to serve, to be humble, to revere God and His Word, and to love other children and seek to help, serve, and honor them. Giving is much better than “getting.” Cain was named “Get,” for his name meant “gotten,” as Eve said, “I have gotten a man-child from the Lord” (Gen.4:1).
Birthday celebrations were definitely of pagan origin. Should God’s people emulate the pagans and pagan societies around them?
God inspired the prophet Jeremiah to write,I in plain terms, “Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith the Lord, LEARN NOT THE WAY OF THE HEATHEN, and be not dismayed at the signs of the heaven (astrology!); for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the CUSTOMS OF THE PEOPLE ARE VAIN” (Jeremiah 10:1-3).
Clearly, Almighty God commands His people not to follow in the ways, customs, and practices of the heathen, pagan nations around them! Obviously, therefore, the Word of God does NOT sanction or approve of public birthday celebrations or birthday parties!
God is even more plain in His Word. Celebrating birthdays with lavish birthday parties was a pagan Egyptian custom. God commands His people, “After the DOING OF THE LAND OF EGYPT, wherein ye dwelt, SHALL YE NOT DO: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances” (Leviticus 18:3).
God goes on, in this same chapter, after listing more of the evil practices of the heathen, “DEFILE YE NOT YOURSELVES IN ANY OF THESE THINGS: for in all these the nations are defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself VOMITETH out her inhabitants.”
“Ye shall therefore keep MY statutes and MY judgments” — which did NOT include birthday celebrations! – “and shall NOT COMMIT ANY OF THESE ABOMINATIONS; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: (For all these ABOMINATIONS have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;) That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you” (Leviticus 18:24-28).
Does this sound strong? Almighty God does not sanction, approve or endorse ANY of the pagan customs of the nations of the world! They are an ABOMINATION to Him! Birthday parties may seem so innocent and good on the surface, for the children, but all is not as it seems on the surface. Parents, beware! If you truly love your children then raise them according to GOD’s customs and teachings! This will protect them from the temptations of the devil, vanity, pride, arrogance, and self-centeredness!
God feels very strongly about these kinds of things which foster selfishness, pride, ego, and arrogance. He commands His people, “Therefore shall ye keep MINE ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these ABOMINABLE CUSTOMS, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 18:29-30). Although the customs being discussed in this chapter of Leviticus dealt primarily with religious worship and pagan religious customs, by extension the same principle would apply to pagan derived birthday customs.
Most of the customs God mentioned in Leviticus 18 were abominable sexual practices common among the heathen, and common in the world around us, today. But verse 3 of this chapter says we are not to do “after the doings of the land of EGYPT.”
This clearly shows that the celebrations of BIRTHDAYS, so common in Egypt, was among the prohibitions of Almighty God! We are not to follow those misleading customs which direct attention to oneself in a frivolous display of VANITY and self-centered egotism and pride! Pride, remember, was the cause for the downfall of Lucifer, the archangel or cherubim who rebelled against God. “Your heart was proud because of your beauty,” God said, “you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor” (Ezek.28:17). For his pride and overweening self-centeredness, God says, “I cast you to the ground” (v.18).
Let us fear God and KEEP His commandments!
What About New Testament Times?
Even as there is only one example of birthday celebrations in the Old Testament, so the New Testament also gives us only one such example — that of the wicked, apostate king Herod, one of the worst butchers who ever lived.
Herod was notorious for his wickedness. He was a complete pagan at heart. Notice! He celebrated his own birthday, and see what happened!
“But when Herod’s BIRTHDAY WAS KEPT, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.” The entertainment at his birthday party included a very erotic, sensual dance, very likely a strip tease of some sort. Herod was fascinated by the gyrations and movements of the lithe young female dancer, his wife’s daughter.
“Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. And she, being instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John the Baptist’s head in a charger.”
“And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus” (Matthew 14:6-12). Here again, at a pagan birthday party, somebody was killed — this time it was one of God’s greatest servants, John the Baptizer!
And this occurred all because of a birthday party!
It should be plain that true servants of God do not observe their birthdays and make a “big deal” out of them, or hold parties to celebrate them. The pagans do – but not true Christians or followers of the Messiah, who seek His blessing on their activities!
Should Christians celebrate birthdays? Obviously, the answer from the Word of God is a resounding NO! Birthdays are one more Satanic deception, like Christmas and Easter, which foster and inculcate the wrong kind of spirit and demeanor in a child. Therefore such an observance is an abomination in the sight of God. Birthday celebrations are not among the Biblical customs of the Bible
The fact is, the Bible is totally SILENT on the date of the birth of every single servant of God, including Abraham, Noah, Moses, Samuel, David, the apostles, and most important of all, Jesus Christ Himself!
In God’s sight, the actual time and day of a person’s birth is not the important thing. Wise king Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes, under divine inspiration, “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of birth” (Ecclesiastes 7:1, NRSV).
The Early Church
The day of one’s birth is not the important thing. It is merely the beginning of our life’s journey. What is important is what we DO with our lives, not how or where we begin.
The early Church of God understood this fact. Lewis writes in Birthdays, “When the Christian church sought to substitute the authority of a religious hierarchy for the hegemony of the individual ego, BIRTHDAYS BECOME UNWELCOME REMINDERS OF PAGAN EXCESS and the degradation assumed in Adam’s heritage. Celebrating the self was bad” (p.14).
Origen of Alexandria, in 245 A.D., wrote in a dissertation on Leviticus:
“None of the saints can be found who ever held a feast or a banquet upon his birthday, or rejoiced on the day when his son or daughter was born. But sinners rejoice and make merry on such days. For we find in the Old Testament that Pharaoh, king of Egypt, celebrated his birthday with a feast, and that Herod, in the New Testament did the same. But the saints not only neglect to mark the day of their birth with festivity, but also, filled with the Holy Spirit, they curse this day, after the example of Job and Jeremiah and David.
For the true Christian, this life is a life of struggle and overcoming. The flesh is weak and prone to sin and lust. The carnal human mind is enmity against God (Romans 8:7). We must learn to throttle, subjugate, and subdue the pulls of the flesh, by the power of God’s Spirit (Romans 7:1-25; 8:1-14).
Therefore, we do not celebrate the day we put on this fleshly tabernacle, but rather the day when we will put it off, and be clothed upon with a NEW BODY, pure and perfect, from heaven (Romans 8:22-23). In the meantime “we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body” (verse 23).
The Christian Attitude
For the true Christian, this life is a life of trials and tests. As David wrote, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous” (Psalms 34:19). And the apostle Paul declared, “We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).
The apostle Paul also wrote, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.”
“For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh” (II Cor.4:8-11).
For Christians, this present mortal life is not an end in itself. It is filled with trials, tests, troubles, and pains. We do not celebrate our birth into the “vail of tears,” but we celebrate our NEW BIRTH in CHRIST which will occur at the resurrection, when the Messiah returns! Our hope is for the coming of Christ, and the resurrection!
Because we suffer greatly and often, in the flesh, we do not glory in the flesh, or in the day of our fleshly birth. It is of no consequence. But we look to the future, not to the past, and to the Kingdom of God! As Paul wrote, “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen (the physical around us), but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (II Cor. 4:16-18).
This present physical life, therefore, is a proving ground. It is like going to school. We don’t graduate until death, or until the coming of the Lord! Do people celebrate when they begin to go to school or college? Or don’t they celebrate when they GRADUATE AND GET THEIR DIPLOMA? Merely beginning life is nothing to boast about! It is where we end up that really counts!
Paul wrote, in the very next chapter of II Corinthians, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. For in this we GROAN, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is FROM HEAVEN. . . For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being BURDENED: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of LIFE” (II Cor. 5:1-4).
As Paul wrote in I Corinthians, “But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain” (I Cor. 15:13-14).
Paul felt so strongly about this fact, that he declared, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men MOST MISERABLE” (verse 19). But our hope is not for this life! Paul went on, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept” (v. 20).
This entire chapter shows us that the true hope of the Christian is the resurrection of the dead, when we shall all “be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be CHANGED. For this corruption must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (I Cor. 15:51-52).
That is the day we will celebrate — not our physical birthdays, when we were literally born into a lifetime of struggle, trials, suffering, death, misery, and privation, persecution, strife, and pain. Not at all! We look forward to and celebrate the second coming of Christ, and the resurrection of the dead saints which will occur at His coming!
As Paul wrote to the Philipians, “Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but LOSS for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but DUNG, that I may win Christ…That I may know him, and the POWER of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead” (Phil. 3:8, 10-11).
This was Paul’s one ambition, one driving desire, in life. He declared, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, FORGETTING THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND (such as birthdays!), and REACHING FORTH unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14).
This present life is as nothing. It is full of pain and suffering. If we follow Christ, then we will suffer as He suffered, leaving us an example (I Peter 4:13; 2:21). But the end result — the eternal reward ahead of us — makes it all worthwhile!
During this life we experience the “fellowship of his sufferings” (Phil. 3:11). We are one with Him in suffering, that we might become one with Him in glory and eternal life!
Paul wrote, “Who shall CHANGE OUR VILE BODY, that it might be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Phil. 3:21).
How much greater this is, than celebrating our birthdays of this fragile, temporary, transitory, weak, clay, human existence!
Avoid Pagan Birthdays
The World Book — Childcraft International says regarding “Holidays and Birthdays,” “For thousands of years people all over the world have thought of a birthday as a very special day. Long ago, people believed that on a birthday a person could be helped by good spirits, or hurt by evil spirits. So, when a person had a birthday, friends and relatives gathered to protect him or her. And that’s how birthday parties began.”
“The idea of putting candles on birthday cakes goes back to ancient Greece. The Greeks worshipped many gods and goddesses. Among them was one called Artemis.
“Artemis was the goddess of the moon. The Greeks celebrated her birthday once each month by bringing special cakes to her temple. The cakes were round like a full moon. And, because the moon glows with light, the cakes were decorated with lighted candles.”
This authority goes on:
“More and more, though, people the world over attach a certain magic to their actual date of birth. . . We may wear a ring with our birthstone in it for good luck. And when we blow out the candles on our birthday cake, we are careful to keep what we wished a secret. If we tell, of course, our wish won’t come true.
“In other words, WE FOLLOW MANY OF THE OLD BIRTHDAY BELIEFS. We pay attention to the meanings of old-time birth symbols. And WE CARRY ON THE OLD CELEBRATIONS. We don’t necessarily take them seriously. We do these things mainly for fun. But it is also possible that there is something deep inside us that wants to believe.”
Why do people say, “Happy birthday!” to each other? Says this authority, “For the good wishes of our friends and relatives are supposed to protect us from evil spirits.”
What about birthday thumps, bumps, pinches, and the like?
“In many parts of the world, it is a tradition to give the birthday child pinches, smacks, spanks, thumps, bumps, or punches. Even though they may hurt a little, they are said to be very lucky. . .
“The reason for birthday spanks is to spank away any evil spirits and send them scurrying far into the distance. Punches, thumps, and pinches, the harder the better, are supposed to do the very same thing. . .
“Party snappers, horns, bursting balloons, firecrackers, and other noisemakers are just one more way of trying to scare off any bad-luck spirits that may be hovering about.”
What about traditional birthday games, such as “Pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey”?
“The games we play at birthday parties are often a symbol of trying to know the unknown. In this case, of course, the unknown is the future, or the new year of life that lies ahead for the birthday child.
“One of the oldest birthday games is Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Donkey. A large picture of a donkey without a tail is pinned to the wall. Each child at the party is given a donkey’s tail made out of paper and a pin to stick through it. Then, one by one, the children are blindfolded. They are spun around a few times and pointed in the general direction of the donkey. The child who pins the tail the closest to where it should be on the donkey wins the prize.
“There are other versions of this game, such as Pin-the Nose-on-the-Clown or Pin-the-Ear-on-the-Bunny. But the idea of trying to guess correctly, while blindfolded, is the same.”
All these customs and traditions connected with the observance of birthdays have to do with guessing the future, good wishes for the future, good luck charms against evil spirits, and the like. All the birthday rituals, games, and ceremonies are a form of well-wishing toward the birthday child, which are supposed to work their magic in the year ahead.
But, as we have seen, the custom is totally PAGAN! The ceremonies and games involve warding off evil spirits and protecting the birthday child from evil. These are pagan customs – vain and foolish rituals — nothing but useless pagan SUPERSTITION!
Should God’s people have anything to do with ceremonies that trace back ancient pagan societies and pagan times, involving pagan practices? Should a true Christian indulge himself or his or her children in pagan birthday parties, just because they seem so attractive, fun, and “innocuous”?
The Word of God thunders, “What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
“And what agreement hath the temple of God with IDOLS? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
“Wherefore COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM, and BE YE SEPARATE, saith the Lord, and touch not the UNCLEAN THING; and I will receive you, and I will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (II Corinthians 6:14-18).
Let’s look at this custom objectively. Why should we subject our children to it? All the comparisons, who gets the best present, competition, and strife that inevitably follows? Let’s ge honst and face it. In God’s sight, birthday parties and celebrations are not clean, honest, honorable, fun things to do. They are unclean things – and lead a child in the wrong direction. They turn people away from the truths of God and idolize the SELF. Therefore, as Christians, we should have nothing whatsoever to do with them!
A Balanced Approach
Having said this, we must remember that our neighbors don’t know these things or see things things like we do. They think it’s all innocent fun. Even other members of our own families may think the same way. They wonder why we won’t participate in these things – “for the children.”
Although we don’t want to compromise the word of God, or ever do anything He tells us to avoid, that does not mean we need to offend other people, or set a wrong example toward them. We should always be gracious, and kind, and loving of others, and patient with them, avoiding unnecessary controversy and arguments.
If a family member or relative has a birthday, and invites you, you can simply explain the situation, and your own beliefs, in a humble, positive manner. And decline the invitation.
However, if the other family or individual says there is not going to be anything pagan, or the usual birthday customs, that it is merely a time to get together for family fellowship, or friendship, for a nice meal, with a cake, and that it is just a family event, that would not necessarily be wrong. We should not go overboard in these things.
Solomon also wrote, “Do not be too righteous, and do not act too wise; why should you destroy yourself? Do not be too wicked, and do not be a fool; why should you die before your time?” (Ecclesiastes 7:16-17, NRSV).
Always be discreet, modest, and friendly, in dealing with people. Attending a simple family dinner on one’s birthday, where family members give a present to honor one member’s birthday, is not the same thing as holding a birthday bash and inviting all the kids in the neighborhood, or a big political event, or a huge public celebration.
A small family affair, just for the family, I believe, would be all right in God’s sight, with no emphasis on the birthday itself or any pagan trappings. Sometimes it may seem difficult to get our balance in these things, but we can do it if we persevere, and do all things in love and wisdom.
We don’t need to fall into the ditch along the right hand side of the road, or plunge into the ditch alongside the left hand side of the road, either. We should simply use caution – take care – be careful – and be prayerful – a draw a line between right and wrong. A simple dinner, with a few presents for your loved one (son, daughter, father, mother, etc.), would be perfectly in line with God’s Word. For God does command us, “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12).
And Paul also says, “And father, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (see Ephesians 6:1-4). “Fathers, do not provoke your children or they may lose heart” (Colossians 3:21).
Children, be good to your parents; and you parents, be good to your children. Don’t deny them good things. And to give them something special on their birthday is perfectly all right. Just be sure you don’t allow it to become a pagan “birthday party” or “birthday celebration” of the sort which has wrong connotations and creates the wrong atmosphere and imparts the wrong kind of influence.
Keep God’s principles in mind. Be balanced! Avoid excess! Avoid any and all pagan trappings or anything resembling evil. But on the other hand, don’t be afraid to give something nice to a family member or relative on their day birth or any other day of the year.
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Birthdays are an innovation of the modern times, notwithstanding it’s roots on the Kings and Pharoahs of old. The way birthdays are celebrated today, it has become regardless of religious beliefs nor of any serious belief systems. Airplanes are also a non-scriptural innovations, and so are cars. You should not be using them as well as you ought to stick strictly to your fundamental beliefs who think sinners of today should be stoned to death.
You rely too much on historical scripture for living your modern life, don’t you? Why don’t you scurry on to the past, mister?
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The idea of putting candles on birthday cakes dates back to ancient Greece. The Greeks, who worshipped many gods and goddesses, also worshipped one called Artemis, the goddess of the moon. Artemis, being the moon goddess, logically had a birthday every month. And the Greeks faithfully turned up at her temple every month, bringing with them cakes as round as the moon. And to simulate the glow of the full moon, the ingenious lot stuck bunches of lit candles on the cakes.
The Greeks and Romans typically subscribed to the idea that every person had a protective spirit or demon that attends your birth and watches over you through your life. This spirit would have a mystic relation with the god in whose month the individual was born. This notion carries forward in time, where today folks have guardian angels, fairy godmothers, or at least a patron saint. Birthday candles are symbolic of lighted tapers and sacrificial fires – the mystic symbols of honor ever since man first set up altars to his gods. In ancient times, people prayed over the flames of an open fire. They believed that the smoke carried their thoughts up to the gods. Today, if you blow out all your candles in one breath, your wish will come true.
Egyptians observed birthdays, but only for their rulers. They held parades, circuses, gladiatorial contests, and sumptuous feasts! The Romans staged parades and chariot races to celebrate birthdays, some of which were created for their gods. Mere mortals were not honored or even remembered on the day of their birth. As time went by, children became included in birthday celebrations.
The first children’s birthday parties occurred in Germany and were called kinderfeste. Cakes made from sweetened bread dough and coated with sugar, were the first birthday cakes and they originated in Germany. It has been said that if the cake collapses while baking, it is a sign of bad luck in the coming year. Coins, buttons, and rings were baked into cakes. The guest who received the slice with the coin was guaranteed riches in the future, the ring signified marriage.
All these customs and traditions connected with the observance of birthdays have to do with guessing the future, good wishes for the future, good-luck charms against evil spirits, and the like. All the birthday rituals, games, and ceremonies denote good wishes for the birthday child, but the customs are pagan. Still, everyone tends to dismiss the history as mumbo-jumbo, and even the ones who are drowning to the eyeballs in birthstone jewelry and have zodiac signs tattooed on their scalps will never confess that they take this seriously.
However, my point is: should a Muslim have anything to do with ceremonies that trace back to pagan times, and pagan rituals? Should Muslims commonly indulge themselves and their children in pagan birthday parties, just because they seem so attractive, and mere, innocent fun?
These birthday celebrations originated from pagan beliefs. They also involve imitation of the Jews and Christians in their birthday celebrations. Warning us against following their ways and traditions, The Prophet (SAWS) said,
“You would follow the ways of those who came before you step by step, to such an extent that if they were to enter a lizard’s hole, you would enter it too.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, do you mean the Jews and Christians?” He said, “Who else?” [Bukhari and Muslim]
The Prophet (SAWS) also said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”
[Abu Dawood]
Anas ibn Malik reports, The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) came to Medina, and the folk there had two days in which they would relax and play. He said, “What are these two days?” They said, “We used to play on these two days during the times before.” The Messenger of Allah said, “Allah has given you something better instead of them: Yawm ul-Duha (Eid al-Adha) and Yawm ul-Fitr (Eid al-Fitr).” [Abu Dawood]
Allah says: “To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way.”
[Al-Maidah; 5:48]
The Truth of Islam came to the world to annihilate all superstition, to debunk the false myths of the false gods, to emancipate mankind from ignorant rituals. It was a revolution in its time. What are we doing here, steeping ourselves into all the follies, all the silly customs of the world? In these dangerous and uncertain times, it is the requirement of each Muslim to practice Islam loudly and consistently. This is no time for anything else than being the best in this life as well as the afterlife.
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The way Muslims have twisted an innocent celebration like a birthday reaffirms the whole reason why I rejected this twisted evil faith.
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Birthday – innocent celebration. Celebration of what? Celebration of the day when person come to the earth to be tested and assessed. The best thing is to celebrate days when person does good things: finish the Ramazan month and gives someone helpfull donation in Gurban.
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Your relationship with Allah should not be judged, and such celebrations do not have to be considered pagan if you are pure of heart and an celebrate your childs birthday as a gift from Allah his self. Yes’ their is a lot of muslims that live by hadiths narrated 500 years after Muhammad’s (pbuh) passing. These are distorted values manipulated by man. There is nothing saying we cannot celebrate Allah presence of Allah in our childs life. Allah is all knowing and Gracious.
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You say ‘follow these things’. How can one follow something one has never hear of before. Very few people know were celebrating birthdays originated from. Any logical person that has been blessed with the knowledge of knowing the exact day of when they were born has no sin in taking that day to celebrate God in his or her life. It’s not about the origin or the custom, it’s an individual decision to decide how to thank God and Celebrate the gift of life on that day. If you have to use candles on your cake which I find very childish then how about praying on them if you believe somehow they are connected to the greeks. Muslims however are different from Christians in our mandate. Ours is to show love. Except for Jehovah’s witnesses and a few other churches we will never stop saying thank you in our own way on that special day. But dating birthdays back to the greeks and germans is no efficient way of proving Birthdays a ‘pagan’ celebration
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You SHOULD all ways stick to the quran hadith but I’m not judging u I was like u
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this is a good one: “Consistency is vital.”
o.k. “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds” -Emerson
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Our religion comes from the Quran. If it is not against the Quran, it is ok. I consider hadith to be shirk. Case in point, no one has quoted the Quran. We muslims are losing our faith to imams, peers and fakirs. Dont allow other people to interpret the religion for you, read the Quran and be a better muslim.
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Quran, despite what people wrongly assume, is not the be all end all of Islam. There are 16 sources of Islam, with Quran being only one of them. Those who say that something isn’t haram because it’s not written in the text of the Quran are ignorant of their own religion. The Quran itself tells us to follow its word AND the teachings of the Prophet (SAW), so to only follow the text as your only source is in direct opposition of what the text itself commands us to do. It is illogical.
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There is nothing logical about following the religion of a war mongering paedophile.
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You are condemning the Holy Quran as a partner of man written logs of views of matter. Sinner. The holy quran is the only truth in islam. I fear for our people.
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In my situation, my fiancee is Muslim. I am still learning. I remember he said he didn’t celebrate his birthday but I figured it was a response that most people these days give. Personally, I feel as though his birth is a cause for celebration and I thank Allah daily for bringing him in my life. But now hearing that Muslims don’t celebrate birthdays makes since why he wasn’t too thrilled I went birthday shopping for him. I feel like an idiot, but still with no reason or understanding of why.
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Sister, islam does not forbid cultural activity so long as it doesnt interfere with your religion. As in not celebrating christmas etc… Birthdays are actually something that may not have been mentioned in the quran but it would have definetly been mentioned if it was haram. A birthday is a way of renewing a childs spirit from his day of birth. Dont let ANY of these fundamentalist friends of yours says otherwise. Peace be upon you.
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Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim,
All Praises Belong to Allah (subhana wata ala)
Dear Muslim brothers and sisters;
Celebrating Birthday’s is forbidden, no matter how you celebrate it. When you celebrate Birthdays, you are committing ‘Shirk’. Birthdays are forbidden due to its PAGAN origins, therefore if you celebrate Birthdays, you follow PAGANISM and you are a PAGAN as you imitate them.
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I’m so surprise on how many Muslims who are not educated on these PAGAN traditions such as Birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Halloween etc… They are all Haram and interfere with Islamic principles.
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Let me verify birthdays actually come from Ancient Rome where people did not worship any gods they just celebrated the persons birth with presents etc etc. Birthdays are fundamentally celebrating ones birth and that they have been blessed with the gift of life. Also even if the tradition had come from Paganism the actually tradition itself has nothing to do with God. Also please do not talk about not being educated because from what I can see you are very narrow-minded
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I’m simply stating the facts. So please, before approaching me with your ignorant response, get your facts straight. No matter how you put it, it originates from Paganism.
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It is haram to raise any person’s birthday to the status of holiday because holidays in Islam are reserved for Allah(SWT) alone. This should be reason enough. We are told not to imitate the kuffar and this is a tradition of theirs to celebrate birthdays with great fanfare (prime example – Christmas). The origins of these birthday celebrations are pagan and contrary to everything that Islam teaches us.
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Then where did birthday celebrations come from? The astonishing answer is from the pagan practice of astrology! Thousands of years ago, when men looked up into the night sky and charted the stars, they invented calendars and calculated the birth dates, to the very hour, of kings, rulers and their successors. These ancient pagan astrologers meticulously examined horoscopes and birthday omens because they believed that the fate of the rich and powerful might affect an entire society. Even to this day, men have been putting their trust in horoscopes instead of God.
In ancient Egypt, the pharaohs ordered businesses to close on their birthdays and gave enormous feasts for hundreds of servants. In ancient Greece, wealthy males joined birthday clubs composed exclusively of men who shared their birth date. Once a month, the club celebrated with a feast. When a member died, he left money to help pay for future parties. In Persia, noblemen observed their birthdays by barbecuing an ox, a camel and a donkey and serving hundreds of small cakes to the celebrants.
In ancient Rome, the emperor gave huge parties in honor of his own birthday, which included parades, circuses, and gladiatorial combat. The celebration of days was so important to the average Roman citizen that the Roman calendar designated a majority of days for some form of celebration—including many birthdays of gods and famous men.
The Roman calendar, with its emphasis on continual celebration, has had great influence on modern society. Consider the following quote about the origin of the Roman calendar:
“Our [Roman] calendar is not Christian in origin. It descends directly from the Egyptians, who originated the 12 month year, 365 day system. A pagan Egyptian scientist, Sosigenes, suggested this plan to the pagan Emperor Julius Caesar, who directed that it go into effect throughout the Roman Empire in 45 B.C. As adopted it indicated its pagan origin by the names of the months—called after Janus, Maia, Juno, etc. The days were not named but numbered on a complicated system involving Ides, Nones, and Calends. It was not until 321 A.D. that the seven-day week feature was added, when the Emperor Constantine (supposedly) adopted Christianity. Oddly enough for his weekdays he chose pagan names which are still used” (Journal of Calendar Reform, Sept. 1953, p. 128).
Modern birthday parties and celebrations by children take their form mainly from Germany, where the birthday child received gifts, chose a menu, and received a candle-ringed butter or jam cake. The book The Lore of Birthdays, by Ralph and Adelin Linton, gives a brief look at the history of birthday celebrations: “The Greeks believed that everyone had a protective spirit or daemon who attended his birth and watched over him in life. This spirit had a mystic relation with the god on whose birthday the individual was born.”
The book continues: “The Romans also subscribed to this idea…This notion was carried down in human belief and is reflected in the guardian angel, the fairy godmother and the patron saint…The custom of lighted candles on the cakes started with the Greeks…honey cakes round as the moon and lit with tapers were placed on the temple altars of [the god Artemis]…Birthday candles, in folk belief, are endowed with special magic for granting wishes…Lighted tapers and sacrificial fires have had a special mystic significance ever since man first set up altars to his gods. The birthday candles are thus an honor and tribute to the birthday child and bring good fortune.”
Saying “happy birthday” to friends and loved ones was society’s superstitious way of protecting them from evil spirits. Birthday thumps, bumps, pinches, etc., were said to bring luck and send away evil spirits. Party snappers, horns and other noisemakers were also intended to scare off bad-luck spirits.
It should now be clear that birthdays are not only unbiblical, they are pagan!
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You say ‘follow these things’. How can one follow something one has never hear of before. Very few people know were celebrating birthdays originated from. Pagan, pagan, which one of us was actually there? Hmmm. I’ve never seen someone who celebrates birthdays trying to adhere to the pagan rules. It’s something we decided ourselves. Something logical neccessary. Maybe you’re getting closer to your death but you’re also alive to see another year of victory, success, prosperity in faith. Islam, another religion, i’ve tried to read the quran, all the violent texts, how it refers to the rest of the world especially christians then to add the boko haram who are raiding our great nation in the name of Islam, Shariah law, men being allowed to lock their wives up, sayings that a man should me murdered if he commits mischief in the land. Who wrote all this and why are you very sure it’s authentic? Don’t be offended, if you were me you’d wonder. Don’t ask me who wrote the bible too. Lol. Truth is as far as christianity is concerned, you’re not a true christian until you’ve become one with christ. The reason why nothing can tear me apart from Christ is because i interact with Him on a personal level. We’re friends.
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WAZ UP!!! I frwom the getta tawn!!
I lik chiptole.
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Muslims are thick!
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The way Muslims have twisted an innocent celebration like a birthday reaffirms the whole reason why I rejected this twisted evil faith.
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“Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”
then that makes you all peadophiles – ur beliefs are twisted – its just a bloody birthday – GEt over it and celebrate LIFE!!!!! such a repressed religion
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@JJ Based on your comments, this tells me that you’re a fool and have no knowledge whatsoever in regards to why it is forbidden for Muslims not to celebrate their birthday. If you do research, it’s of PAGAN orgins and sinful torwards The Almighty. In fact Jews and Christians are forbidden to practise Birthday’s due to its PAGAN origins,
As for your ignorant comment in regards to pedophiles, for your information, we Muslims do not imitate anyone who engage in pedophilia.
Here’s some educational videos:
Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and Aisha (زواج رسول الله عائشة) Islamic Marriage Slander Destroyed 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEwmfIgSQQU
Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and Aisha (زواج رسول الله عائشة) Islamic Marriage Slander Destroyed 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4yyx1qDWhQ
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I would celebrate life if understand what is within it so remarkable by itself. Life is test and assessment. Life is full of Goods help to pass this test and assessment easely. Birthday is the day when I came to life to be tested. Should I ask good for help in the test, or celebrate the fact that I am tested.
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i stopped celebrating bdays lastyear. Alhumdolillah…but i get invited to family bday bbqs now and then,,everyone takes gifts and i dont because i dont want to be involved w the bday part..i feel dumb being the only one not taking a gift..my q is that would it b haraam to give bday gifts,? only because i dont want my family to think im being cheep.
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shana,
no one in your family will think that you are ” cheep”
some might think that you don’t know how to spell the word “cheap” but I am sure you will get over it
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shana,
no one in your family will think that you are ” cheep”
some might think that you don’t know how to spell the word “cheap” but I am sure you will get over it
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Probably the latter It doesn’t really smells bad but it’s a mistake and there are lot of people
asked me how i remove my hair down. Kajian menunjukkan bahawa dengan menambah ekstrak kulit
pokok pine boleh memberikan banyak manfaat dan kebaikan dalam meningkatkan kesihatan tubuh secara
keseluruhan antara dapat merawat buasir, meningkatkan Diabetik retinopati
serta mengurangkan Keradangan. Using bleaching of the skin tea tree oil from Kenya contain properties that help to reduce stress.
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I am not of any religion….my belief is that you only have 1 life so live it as u want, live by the laws of the land but be individual. I am not slating anyone who chooses any religion at all (each to their own!) the fact that Muslims don’t celebrate Christmas is completely understandable but not to celebrate birthdays is beyond me! I thought u have to be thankful to god (Allah, or any other religious figure) for everyday things? Therefore, surely Muslims should be thanking the gods (Allah) for the life of their child, be thankful for his kindness in willing you to have a child? I’m not saying a full on party but a celebratory meal or at least some kind if acknowledgement for the birth of your child! An acknowledgment of the day you were blessed with a child, a day for remembering that god was willing to allow you to become a parent!?
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You’re missing the main point. Birthdays, Christmas, etc… is all of Pagan origins and is forbidden before God. In all religions it is forbidden and is against God.
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Actually I view birthdays purely as a acknowledgment to Allah for his wonderful presence in my childs life. I blessing of a child is the greatest blessing from Allah. I am so thankful
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Muslims don’t celebrate birthdays because every it is a decrease in your life,thats not happy to know is it?
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Closer to Jannah. Long life good. But JAnnah is the goal of a good muslim
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This is what most anti-Islam people don’t realise. We DO celebrate life, every day! We wake up in the morning and give thanks to Allah for raising us from slumber, we read prayers 5 times a day and ask for whatever we want that is permissible, we give charity, we want for our brothers what we want for ourselves…. If looked at correctly it is the religion where most thanks is given on a DAILY basis, where every day is like a ‘birthday’ where you ask your lord for more and more, and in doing so he comes closer to you and never tires of your requests of him, as you ascribe him no partners. Love all x
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one day we will die, so why we celebrate the birthday.
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i like your opinion 🙂 and I also do not know why many muslims prohibited it
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The prophet didn’t use a car, the prophet didnt use a computer or telephone, then muslims must not use it because the prophet didn’t use it either.
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My daughter recently turned 4 my friend made a castle cake for her and brought it up the day before her birthday so I didnt think a cke then would be an issue! Im not muslim born converted 6 years ago but recently I feel hes gone very strict All over the cake he refuses to talk to me, washes his own dishes cooks for himself and my children and dresses them he wont allow me to do anything with them all over a cake!! Im mind blown over his behaviour I feel its a serious over reaction I dont think my husband should treat me like this in front of our kids over a cake! I didnt throw a party or give gifts or even sing to her and thats how hes reacted Im currently under a lot of stress over this as he refuses to listen to me at all. sometimes he can be threatening to me he has been in the past before and apologizes for it but I feel I cant handle much more.
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If you do a thorough research on Birthday cakes, you’ll come to realize It’s deeply rooted from Paganism and is probably why he’s acting this way.
I use to give my son a cake before or after his birthday, but have stopped doing so. Because of its strong Pagan roots, it’s best to avoid Birthdays completely.
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Poor thing… Hope it all got resolved 😦
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I am happy you found Islam and I hope it will help you find peace 🙂 but I am sad to think you found a Muslim man who is behaving far from Islamic. Isolating you, ignoring you, threatening you, disrespecting you in front of your kids just to prove what point? That he is emulating the behaviour of Shaitan? Thank him. Say that may Allah SWT reward his most kind behaviour and treatment to you in the afterlife. I hope Allah SWT will give you the strength to face such situations especially if it is from the person who is supposed to love you. Do what feels right in your heart and ask Allah for guidance. My prayers to you.
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I did a blog post exactly why I hope you enjoy reading it http://al-muallim.weebly.com/1/post/2013/11/birthdays-in-islam-are-birthdays-allowed-in-islam.html
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Birthdays CAN Be Everyday…
And look at the beauty of Islam!! Every day is a great day and a blessing from Allah (swt)
Have a meal and invite your family and friends every day if you can afford it… give as many presents as you like to your family and the people you love for the pleasure of Allah!! Why do we have to make one child or person special on one day and focus all the attention on him when we can do this everyday… and win the pleasure of Allah… now you tell me which one is better … celebrating one day or celebrating every day!
And if you want an occasion, Allah has blessed and recommended us to celebrate the two Eids! And the Prophet (saws) said that every Friday is an Eid day!! Celebrate these… and win the pleasure of Allah.
Thus in conclusion, if you want to follow Allah and His Messenger (pbuh), do not celebrate what he (saws) did not celebrate!!! And if you want to follow the ignorant people who do not care about Allah and Last Day, follow their jaahiliya traditions and celebrate whatever they celebrate!!
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Salaam sister
The truth is about why us Muslims cannot celebrate birthdays is because every person who celebrates birthdays is really celebrating that they have survived and lived for another year, they are fighting with nature and every year is a win for them hence celebrating but we Muslims don’t celebrate because we know that one day we will die and we will then stand in front of our Allah (saw) we don’t celebrate our survival instead we pray and make dua because the more you age you know your time will be up so it’s important we pray to almighty Allah (saw) to make sure that when our time is up we will head for jannah instead of hell
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I’m not a Muslim myself, but found this very interesting. I think it is very negative and very religious to view Birthdays as a decrease in someone’s life. Birthdays are a gift From God, and should be celebrated as such. Nothing from God should be seen as a negative thing. Birthdays are celebration of life,which God has blessed you with. Unless, God Himself come down from Heaven and told me to stop, I will continue to celebrate every year I’m on Earth Because we don’t know how long we got or when our number will be called.
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I am not Muslim either but I would never make a comment like ask God to prove his law. That makes me shudder. You have your rights to your belief. If you want to celebrate then go ahead and do that. But it sounds like if these people want to be a true Muslim then they have to adhere with a true heart to all of those beliefs. God knows your heart.
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With Allah’s blessing your mother conceived and gave birth to you. If we are allowed to thank Allah for the blessing of being given our mother why should we not be allowed to also remember our birthday as a blessing from him – gifts for birthdays are a reflection of Allah’s blessing and bounty
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so true sister.
tradition without paganism
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As Salaamu Alaykum , first I must say that Islam is a complete way of life for ALL our affairs, social, financial, etc. As to cultural things , celebrating anything other than the 2 Eids on a recurring basis has been left off based on the hadiths. The origin of celebrating is steeped in pagan customs and shirk, even the lighting of candles and making a wish should be obvious as the polytheists would over gifts and ask jinn or spirits to protect their children. It’s so many areas to cover, just google “origin of birthday celebrations and you’ll see the shirk. Here’s an article from even a Christian that I found informative, May Allah guide from the belief that Isa is Allah’s sonhttp://www.triumphpro.com/birthdays-origin.htm
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I am a Christian. I think I am a strict Christian. We talk about God everyday. We thank God every day, we pray every day. I am constantly working with my child on the lessons God gave us. My child doesn’t understand why he is not allowed to watch certain TV shows, why he is not allowed to do many things other children do. I do not approve of the excess, lawlessness, nakedness, and greed in the world. But life can be hard and at times we slip and have to ask forgiveness for our sins. I believe we will all face God. It isnt about being true to ourselves. It is about doing what is right following the LAW. And we are human and will never be perfect. God made us and he knows that. He gives us opportunity to make amends and ask for forgiveness. For God is great in all his mercy. As a Christian I believe God will give his cup of wrath to those who break his LAW. Both sides have their right to do what they believe according to their beliefs. Any people in transition to either or other religions will face these conflicts like Christmas and birthdays. It is never an easy road. I have been learning a great deal about the Qur’an and it is so similar to the bible it is remarkable. But I am Christian. But I think some people may convert without really understanding all of a religion. And stumbling is inevitable. Each person has to figure out how to obey the LAW. Believe me I am no saint and I stumble often.
But I give thanks to God every day for the blessing God has given me. I believe my child is a gift from God. I know God will only give me what he feels I can handle. He has blessed me with a child with a disability. I know God has a special place for the children who suffer. I consider it a blessing to have been chosen to care for this child who I love with all my heart. Praise God!
So that makes all that other stuff like birthday cakes and parties are kind of not that important to us. Yes my child does want to celebrate but even if we just make a favorite meal it cant be the focus. It cant be greater then your dedication to God.
And I will support the rights of any people to practice the religion they believe in. But I expect that consideration in return. God is Great, God I Merciful, Praise be to God. And if I offended him in any way I pray for forgiveness and pray for guidance and wisdom.
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Asalamualaikum.
I understand that birthday’s are a bidd’ah, but its sometime confusing to understand why is it is bidd’ah even though it is only a cultural thing that we do to remind individuals about the gifts that Allah has given us. The way I look at this situation is that Eid Milad-un-Nabi (Prophet’s birthday) is a Bida’ah as the prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his companions did not celebrate their birthdays. Hence why celebrating our birthday’s are also a bidd’ah.
PS: sometime individuals may look at birthdays as ‘it is my day’, and could encourage arrogance in oneself. May Allah Protect us all from arrogance.
And Allah knows best.
Please do find out more info from your local mosque.
May Allah forgive me if I am wrong and guide us to the right path…Ameen.
http://www.quranandhadith.com/eid-milad-un-nabi-and-other-celebrations/
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Salam all ! My question , if anything added to islam after the prophet is bid’a, than I cant find any occasion where the prophet did namaz “Taraweh” . So far as I did my research, people started doing “Taraweh” in the Time of Hadhrat Umar (ra)! Please can someone explain !?
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No religion is above the person. Everyone has a right to take a decision, if they have the mental capacity, and act on it, including birthday celebrations. Anything that is positive and beautiful can not be forbidden by any religion.
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“Anything that is positive and beautiful can not be forbidden by any religion.”
Beautiful and sooo true!💖
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My father said that when you are unsure of whether something is wrong or right in Islam, remember that the point of our religion is not to stop us from having fun and to be a burden on our lives. Therefore, celebrate as you like. Some Muslims take everything to far and ban kids from celebrating Halloween because its roots are pagan. Its roots may have been pagan but it doesn’t involve devil worshipping today. To deprive a child in taking part in what others his age do when there isn’t any harm is wrong. Also, my entire extended family celebrates birthdays and we are all Muslim. You should be able to think for yourself and don’t worry about a scholar’s ruling. Maybe Arab Muslims don’t culturally celebrate but in my culture we celebrate for even older people. I think from what you described you are celebrating another year of Allah’s blessing and you have modified the event to make your children grateful. I think that’s lovely
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wonderful
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All-Praise is due to Allah,
With regard to celebrating birthdays, it should be noted that Allah The Exalted and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not tell us to celebrate this day, and he himself (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not celebrate it, nor did his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them). They loved the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) far more than we do, yet despite that they did not celebrate this day. Hence we do not celebrate this day, in obedience to the command of Allaah Who has commanded us to follow the commands of His Prophet. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it)” [al-Hashr 59:7]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I urge you to adhere to my Sunnah [way] and the way of the Rightly-Guided khaleefahs. Adhere to it and cling tightly to it. And beware of newly-invented matters [in religion], for every newly-invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is a going-astray.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, al-Sunnah, 3991; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, no. 3851).
The extent to which a person loves the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is to be seen in how he follows him with regard to all that he commanded or forbade. That includes following him in not celebrating the day on which he was born.
Whoever wants to venerate the day on which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was born should follow the alternative that is based on Islamic evidence, which is that one should fast on Mondays, not just the day that he was born but every Monday.
It was narrated from Abu Qutaadah al-Ansaari (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about fasting on Mondays. He said, “On that day I was born and on that day the Revelation came to me.” (Narrated by Muslim, 1978). On Thursdays deeds are taken up and shown to Allaah.
So any of these things which are intended as rituals
or acts of worship aimed at drawing closer to Allaah or glorifying Him
in order to earn reward, or which involve imitating the people of Jaahiliyyah
or any other groups of kaafirs, is a prohibited bid’ah, an innovation
which comes under the general meaning of the hadeeth: “Whoever innovates
something in this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it, will
have it rejected.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim).
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Similarly it is forbidden for the Muslims to imitate the kuffaar by holding parties on these occasions, or exchanging gifts, or distributing sweets or other foods, or taking time off work and so on, because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said in his book Iqtida’ al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem Mukhaalifat Ashaab al-Jaheem: Imitating them on some of their festivals implies that one is happy with the falsehood they are following, and that could make them (the non-Muslims) take this opportunity to mislead those who are weak in faith. End quote.
Those who do any of these things are sinning, whether they do it to go along with them, or to be friendly towards them, or because they feel too shy (to refuse to join in) or any other reason, because it is a kind of compromising the religion of Allah to please others, and it is a means of lifting the spirits of the kuffaar and making them proud of their religion,
End quote from Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 3/44
Conclusion: celebrating birthday was not prescribed by Allaah or by the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), so it is not permissible for the Muslims to celebrate his birthday, in obedience to the command of Allaah and the command of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
We ask Allaah to guide us all to the Straight Path.
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The evidence in the Qur’aan and Sunnah indicates that celebrating birthdays is a kind of bid’ah or innovation in religion, which has no basis in the pure sharee’ah. It is not permitted to accept invitations to birthday celebrations, because this involves supporting and encouraging bid’ah. Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Or have they partners with Allaah (false gods) who have instituted for them a religion which Allaah has not allowed…?” [al-Shoora 42:21]
“Then We have put you (O Muhammad) on a plain way of (Our) commandment. So follow that, and follow not the desires of those who know not. Verily, they can avail you nothing against Allaah (if He wants to puish you). Verily, the zaalimoon (wrongdoers) are awliyaa’ (protectors, helpers, etc.) to one another, but Allaah is the Wali (Protector, Helper) of the muttaqoon (pious).” [al-Jaathiyah 45:18-19]
“Follow what has been sent down unto you from your Lord, and follow not any awliyaa’ (protectors, helpers, etc.) besides Him. Little do you remember!” [al-A’raaf 7:3]
According to saheeh reports, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever does something that is a not part of this matter of ours (i.e., Islam) will have it rejected” (reported by Muslim in his Saheeh); and “The best of speech is the Book of Allaah and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The most evil of things are those which have been newly invented (in religion), and every innovation is a going astray.” There are many other ahaadeeth that convey the same meaning.
Besides being bid’ah and having no basis in sharee’ah, these birthday celebrations also involve imitation of the Jews and Christians in their birthday celebrations. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, warning us against following their ways and traditions: “You would follow the ways of those who came before you step by step, to such an extent that if they were to enter a lizard’s hole, you would enter it too.” They said, “O Messenger of Allaah, (do you mean) the Jews and Christians?” He said, “Who else?” (Reported by al-Bukhaari and Muslim). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) also said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”(/font>
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I have no religious views, and have been an Atheist since I was 4-5. As long as I can remember I have always used logic. The reason I say this is because I celebrate everything. Birthdays, Christmas, Easter, any and all holidays aren’t religiously motivated. They are simply a family event. This talk is about imitating the non-believer regarding actions of their faith. For many some holidays are religious. Not for me and my family. No God has ever been mentioned. The adults in my family don’t really celebrate their b day. The kids love it. They wait all year for that day. We don’t celebrate another year of their life gone, it’s a day to honor them and show love. Same thing for Christmas. I understand that religion has done some good in the world. On the other hand it is the worst thing that has ever happened. No matter what anyone says or thinks, if you have studied History like I have, you know of the atrocities that have arrived from religion. The savage brutality and loss of respect for life based on ones personal beliefs astonishes me. There has always been killing in the name of some god, and there always will be. Life would be better off without it. This isn’t targeted at only Muslims, but stupid Christians and selfish Jews. I mean goddamn. It will never end. You ppl are seriously discussing the morality of birthdays.
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As long as you and your family pray to no other but Allah SWT and live your lives as good people, do what feels right in your heart. Make Islam simple rather than a complicated mess. My whole family are Muslims and we prefer moderation. I say no to extremism. We celebrate each others birthdays just because we love the gatherings with loved ones. Yes in Islam everyday is a celebration so I don’t see any harm to meet up on birthdays either and do a small celebration, prayer of thanks and give presents as per your means to your loved ones. Seeing smiles in everyone faces and feeling the love and happiness beats any negativity. Remember, Islam is love. Even giving presents to friends of other faith shouldn’t be such a big deal. It’s called being nice and being a friend. I feel that extremism and going about Islam with an iron fist will gain you no place whatsoever in Jannah. Well this is just my opinions for the original poster so if anyone disagree, then do what feels right for you without imposing on others.
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Salam sister if the Prophet SAW was standing in front of you would you say to him feel what’s right for you and don’t impose on others. People have to tell others about going onto the straight path.
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@Anonymous Are you comparing yourself to the prophet? Blasphemy.
She made a very good point, keep your opinion to yourself please and learn from her mature perspective.
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Hi, I think this birthday subject will carry on until the end of times because of ignorant people. I mean doing birthdays for kids aged 1-2-3 are you people really doing birthdays for the kids or for yourselves. What do the kids understand about birthdays. The money spent on birthdays could be spent on people starving. People say there is no proof anywhere about not celebrating birthdays ok that is due to interpretation. But a warning is everyone prepared to take a BIG risk, and if wrong have to deal with the consequences in the akhira. I would definitely not celebrate birthdays because I fear Allah and would definitely not take the risk.
The sister who said she didn’t celebrate but had to go to relatives for party’s just be strong and explain to them why you don’t celebrate . And say you can’t participate .you’ll be the one who Allah favours on the day of judgement . At the end of the day our destiny is already ordained. So who ever gonna celebrate will do so and only Allah can guide them people onto the the straight path. I will pray for everyone to gain more knowledge and pray that Allah guides us all to do the right things.
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Seen is not part of our religion we don’t have to do it
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This quote –
The Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) warned: “Whoever innovates or accommodates an innovator then upon him is the curse of Allaah, His Angels and the whole of mankind.” Bukhaaree and Muslim
– taken from the link in comment #2 submitted by arshia, specifies that Muslims should not accomodate the following innovations of non-Muslims:
1. Internet
2. Electricity
3. Motorized vehicles
4. Modern telephony
My point for stating the above is, which innovation is considered harmful? And who decides on these things?
Egyptians, in their pre-Islamic conversion though, were a very innovative race of people.
Although I don’t lavishly celebrate my own birthdays anymore due to my advancing age, it pains me to see such a trivial secular issue meriting such magnificent attention and being brought to spectacular conflicting debate – both internal to one’s self and external. But I do SOMETIMES treat family and select friends to a special supper due to a birthday, even if the birthday was not mine. Granted that our birthdays and EVEN OUR CALENDAR SYSTEMS have pagan roots, I don’t have any internal conflicts of my own in adopting them for my own use and purpose, which may or may not include secular economic or facilitative investment.
Being fundamental is harmful, whether you are Christian (Leviticus), Jew or Muslim. I don’t know if this also applies to the possibly more than a billion Buddhists and close to a billion Hindus out there.
I am a secular non-Muslim.
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Please read the link below carefully
http://www.triumphpro.com/birthdays-origin.htmq
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The Surprising Origin of
BIRTHDAYS
Where did the custom of celebrating birthdays come from? Did holy men of God in the Bible celebrate birthdays? Is it wrong to celebrate the day of one’s birth? What does the Bible say about birthdays? Here is information you ought to know!
William F. Dankenbring
Almost everybody, today, celebrates birthdays. Around the world, friends and relatives hold birthday parties, give gifts to the one being honored, and wish “Happy birthday!” to the one whose birthday is being celebrated.
But why?
Where did this universal custom originate?
Though you look in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, you will find no mention anywhere of any of the saints of God observing their birthdays. In fact, strange as it may seem to many, even the exact date of the birth of Jesus Christ is NOWHERE REVEALED in Scripture!
We read in the Encyclopedia Judaica, “The celebration of birthdays is unknown in traditional Jewish ritual” (vol.4, p.1054). It points out that the only reference to a birthday in the Bible is that of Pharaoh of Egypt.
The universal custom of observing Christmas as the birth of Christ, on December 25th, is acknowledged by all the historical authorities as having no basis in actual fact. Jesus Christ was born nowhere near December 25th, in the dead of winter. See our article, “When Was Jesus Born?”
If the very day of Jesus’ birth is deliberately left out of the Bible, doesn’t that fact tell us something? If birthdays should be celebrated, why did God leave the date of His own Son’s birth out of Holy Scripture?
The plain truth is that birth day celebrations are only mentioned twice in the Scriptures — once in the Old Testament and once in the New Testament – and both times in reference to customs being observed by unconverted, pagan people — an Egyptian Pharaoh, and wicked king Herod! Notice what happened on these two instances of “birth day celebrations” recorded in the Word of God.
Pharaoh of Egypt
In the book of Genesis we read: “And it came to pass the third day, which was PHARAOH’S BIRTHDAY, that he made a feast [BIRTHDAY PARTY] unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand: but he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them” (Genesis 40:20-22).
Notice! This was a birthday party, nothing less! It was being observed by a pagan Egyptian Pharaoh — not a man of God. This is the only example of a clear cut birthday celebration in all the Old Testament — and it was being observed by a PAGAN KING!
The Origin of Birthdays
This fact, however, should not be overly surprising. Writes Linda Rannells Lewis in Birthdays, “Birthdays have been celebrated for thousands of years. In early civilizations, where the development of a calendar made an organized reckoning of birth dates possible, the horoscopes of ruling monarchs, their successors and rivals had to be cast with care and birthday omens meticulously examined, for the prospects of the mighty would affect the prospects of the entire society. By the time of Ptolemy V this practice was well established: ‘Ptolemy, the ever living, the beloved of Ptah, the son of the two Brother-Gods, was born on the fifth day of the month DIOS, and this day was, in consequence, the beginning of great prosperity and happiness of all living men and women’” (p. 12).
Ptolemy V was an ancient Egyptian king. It was common in his day for kings and rulers to have their horoscopes made by astrologers and their birthdays were considered very important omens of the future.
The false science of astrology, of course, makes a great deal out of the positions of the sun, moon and stars at the moment or day of one’s birth. Astrology teaches that the position of the sun, moon and stars at the moment of one’s birth determines their future destiny, their character, their personality, talents, health, and so forth. They cast horoscopes, or birth charts, to understand the supposed significance of a person’s birthday.
Astrology, as the Word of God plainly shows, is a pagan, false religious deception — a fraud and a mythological pseudo-science.
God Almighty says to the daughter of Babylon (Isa. 47:1), the great pagan religious deception which has engulfed the world, “Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the ASTROLOGERS, the star-gazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Behold, they shall be as STUBBLE; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame” (Isaiah 47:13-14).
Writes Lewis, in Birthdays, “Birthday celebrations, even at this early stage, were not strictly reserved for the great rulers. Society adapts for its communal use those practices of the elite which it admires and can afford. In the fifth century before Christ, the Greek historian Herodotus, describing the festivals of the Persians, wrote: ‘IT IS THEIR CUS-TOM TO HONOR THEIR BIRTHDAY ABOVE ALL OTHER DAYS: and on this day they furnish their table in a more plentiful manner than at other times. The rich then produce an ox, a horse, a camel, and an ass, roasted whole in an oven; but the poor produce smaller cattle.”
Lewis continues, “In Egypt households of the same period birthdays were celebrated similarly. A part of the family budget was set aside to buy birthday garlands and animals for sacrifice, just as we might plan to spend a certain sum for balloons, party hats, and an ice cream cake” (pages 12-13).
This author goes on, “Among prosperous Greek families a birth feast, a coming-of-age feast, and feasts after death held on the anniversary of the day of birth were observed, but otherwise there were no annual birthday ceremonials. The birthdays of the immortals were ritually acknowledged once a month, however, the third day of each month being sacred to Athena, Ares, and Saturn, for instance” (ibid.).
The emperors of Rome often went to extreme in their own birthday celebrations. When the first birthday of Drusilla, the daughter of Caligula, approached, the emperor arranged a party suitable for the infant daughter of a “god” (himself). To celebrate her birthday, two days of horse racing were held, and a ritual slaughter of 300 bears, and 500 various beasts from Libya, in the amphitheater of Taurus, was held.
The Command of God
What does Almighty God say to His people about celebrating such days in honor of one’s own self, and one’s own individual ego?
The whole message of God is to teach us to humble ourselves, and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves – to get rid of ego and self-centeredness. Birthdays have the opposite effect. They concentrate the attention on the birthday person, glorifying him – not God – and exalting him – not God – and having people bring him presents. Thus paying “homage” to the birthday child. This is the height of conceit and fosters a spirit of get, selfishness, and self-worship. Self, self, self! The whole extravaganza creates pride and lofty conceit in selfishness in a child. The typical birthday party is therefore one of the deceptions of the devil, made to look attractive and nice on the outside, but full of wickedness on the inside.
We have already seen the proof that these celebrations were distinctly pagan in origin. But does it make any difference whether we observe birthdays or not?
If our purpose is to build godly and holy offspring and loving, giving, godly children, then we should want to do NOTHING that would hinder this godly purpose – put no temptations in their pathway – do nothing to encourage them to think too highly of themselves in pride and arrogance. Rather, we should teach them to give, to serve, to be humble, to revere God and His Word, and to love other children and seek to help, serve, and honor them. Giving is much better than “getting.” Cain was named “Get,” for his name meant “gotten,” as Eve said, “I have gotten a man-child from the Lord” (Gen.4:1).
Birthday celebrations were definitely of pagan origin. Should God’s people emulate the pagans and pagan societies around them?
God inspired the prophet Jeremiah to write,I in plain terms, “Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith the Lord, LEARN NOT THE WAY OF THE HEATHEN, and be not dismayed at the signs of the heaven (astrology!); for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the CUSTOMS OF THE PEOPLE ARE VAIN” (Jeremiah 10:1-3).
Clearly, Almighty God commands His people not to follow in the ways, customs, and practices of the heathen, pagan nations around them! Obviously, therefore, the Word of God does NOT sanction or approve of public birthday celebrations or birthday parties!
God is even more plain in His Word. Celebrating birthdays with lavish birthday parties was a pagan Egyptian custom. God commands His people, “After the DOING OF THE LAND OF EGYPT, wherein ye dwelt, SHALL YE NOT DO: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances” (Leviticus 18:3).
God goes on, in this same chapter, after listing more of the evil practices of the heathen, “DEFILE YE NOT YOURSELVES IN ANY OF THESE THINGS: for in all these the nations are defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself VOMITETH out her inhabitants.”
“Ye shall therefore keep MY statutes and MY judgments” — which did NOT include birthday celebrations! – “and shall NOT COMMIT ANY OF THESE ABOMINATIONS; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: (For all these ABOMINATIONS have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;) That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you” (Leviticus 18:24-28).
Does this sound strong? Almighty God does not sanction, approve or endorse ANY of the pagan customs of the nations of the world! They are an ABOMINATION to Him! Birthday parties may seem so innocent and good on the surface, for the children, but all is not as it seems on the surface. Parents, beware! If you truly love your children then raise them according to GOD’s customs and teachings! This will protect them from the temptations of the devil, vanity, pride, arrogance, and self-centeredness!
God feels very strongly about these kinds of things which foster selfishness, pride, ego, and arrogance. He commands His people, “Therefore shall ye keep MINE ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these ABOMINABLE CUSTOMS, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 18:29-30). Although the customs being discussed in this chapter of Leviticus dealt primarily with religious worship and pagan religious customs, by extension the same principle would apply to pagan derived birthday customs.
Most of the customs God mentioned in Leviticus 18 were abominable sexual practices common among the heathen, and common in the world around us, today. But verse 3 of this chapter says we are not to do “after the doings of the land of EGYPT.”
This clearly shows that the celebrations of BIRTHDAYS, so common in Egypt, was among the prohibitions of Almighty God! We are not to follow those misleading customs which direct attention to oneself in a frivolous display of VANITY and self-centered egotism and pride! Pride, remember, was the cause for the downfall of Lucifer, the archangel or cherubim who rebelled against God. “Your heart was proud because of your beauty,” God said, “you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor” (Ezek.28:17). For his pride and overweening self-centeredness, God says, “I cast you to the ground” (v.18).
Let us fear God and KEEP His commandments!
What About New Testament Times?
Even as there is only one example of birthday celebrations in the Old Testament, so the New Testament also gives us only one such example — that of the wicked, apostate king Herod, one of the worst butchers who ever lived.
Herod was notorious for his wickedness. He was a complete pagan at heart. Notice! He celebrated his own birthday, and see what happened!
“But when Herod’s BIRTHDAY WAS KEPT, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.” The entertainment at his birthday party included a very erotic, sensual dance, very likely a strip tease of some sort. Herod was fascinated by the gyrations and movements of the lithe young female dancer, his wife’s daughter.
“Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. And she, being instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John the Baptist’s head in a charger.”
“And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus” (Matthew 14:6-12). Here again, at a pagan birthday party, somebody was killed — this time it was one of God’s greatest servants, John the Baptizer!
And this occurred all because of a birthday party!
It should be plain that true servants of God do not observe their birthdays and make a “big deal” out of them, or hold parties to celebrate them. The pagans do – but not true Christians or followers of the Messiah, who seek His blessing on their activities!
Should Christians celebrate birthdays? Obviously, the answer from the Word of God is a resounding NO! Birthdays are one more Satanic deception, like Christmas and Easter, which foster and inculcate the wrong kind of spirit and demeanor in a child. Therefore such an observance is an abomination in the sight of God. Birthday celebrations are not among the Biblical customs of the Bible
The fact is, the Bible is totally SILENT on the date of the birth of every single servant of God, including Abraham, Noah, Moses, Samuel, David, the apostles, and most important of all, Jesus Christ Himself!
In God’s sight, the actual time and day of a person’s birth is not the important thing. Wise king Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes, under divine inspiration, “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of birth” (Ecclesiastes 7:1, NRSV).
The Early Church
The day of one’s birth is not the important thing. It is merely the beginning of our life’s journey. What is important is what we DO with our lives, not how or where we begin.
The early Church of God understood this fact. Lewis writes in Birthdays, “When the Christian church sought to substitute the authority of a religious hierarchy for the hegemony of the individual ego, BIRTHDAYS BECOME UNWELCOME REMINDERS OF PAGAN EXCESS and the degradation assumed in Adam’s heritage. Celebrating the self was bad” (p.14).
Origen of Alexandria, in 245 A.D., wrote in a dissertation on Leviticus:
“None of the saints can be found who ever held a feast or a banquet upon his birthday, or rejoiced on the day when his son or daughter was born. But sinners rejoice and make merry on such days. For we find in the Old Testament that Pharaoh, king of Egypt, celebrated his birthday with a feast, and that Herod, in the New Testament did the same. But the saints not only neglect to mark the day of their birth with festivity, but also, filled with the Holy Spirit, they curse this day, after the example of Job and Jeremiah and David.
For the true Christian, this life is a life of struggle and overcoming. The flesh is weak and prone to sin and lust. The carnal human mind is enmity against God (Romans 8:7). We must learn to throttle, subjugate, and subdue the pulls of the flesh, by the power of God’s Spirit (Romans 7:1-25; 8:1-14).
Therefore, we do not celebrate the day we put on this fleshly tabernacle, but rather the day when we will put it off, and be clothed upon with a NEW BODY, pure and perfect, from heaven (Romans 8:22-23). In the meantime “we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body” (verse 23).
The Christian Attitude
For the true Christian, this life is a life of trials and tests. As David wrote, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous” (Psalms 34:19). And the apostle Paul declared, “We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).
The apostle Paul also wrote, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.”
“For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh” (II Cor.4:8-11).
For Christians, this present mortal life is not an end in itself. It is filled with trials, tests, troubles, and pains. We do not celebrate our birth into the “vail of tears,” but we celebrate our NEW BIRTH in CHRIST which will occur at the resurrection, when the Messiah returns! Our hope is for the coming of Christ, and the resurrection!
Because we suffer greatly and often, in the flesh, we do not glory in the flesh, or in the day of our fleshly birth. It is of no consequence. But we look to the future, not to the past, and to the Kingdom of God! As Paul wrote, “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen (the physical around us), but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (II Cor. 4:16-18).
This present physical life, therefore, is a proving ground. It is like going to school. We don’t graduate until death, or until the coming of the Lord! Do people celebrate when they begin to go to school or college? Or don’t they celebrate when they GRADUATE AND GET THEIR DIPLOMA? Merely beginning life is nothing to boast about! It is where we end up that really counts!
Paul wrote, in the very next chapter of II Corinthians, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. For in this we GROAN, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is FROM HEAVEN. . . For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being BURDENED: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of LIFE” (II Cor. 5:1-4).
As Paul wrote in I Corinthians, “But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain” (I Cor. 15:13-14).
Paul felt so strongly about this fact, that he declared, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men MOST MISERABLE” (verse 19). But our hope is not for this life! Paul went on, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept” (v. 20).
This entire chapter shows us that the true hope of the Christian is the resurrection of the dead, when we shall all “be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be CHANGED. For this corruption must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (I Cor. 15:51-52).
That is the day we will celebrate — not our physical birthdays, when we were literally born into a lifetime of struggle, trials, suffering, death, misery, and privation, persecution, strife, and pain. Not at all! We look forward to and celebrate the second coming of Christ, and the resurrection of the dead saints which will occur at His coming!
As Paul wrote to the Philipians, “Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but LOSS for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but DUNG, that I may win Christ…That I may know him, and the POWER of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead” (Phil. 3:8, 10-11).
This was Paul’s one ambition, one driving desire, in life. He declared, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, FORGETTING THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND (such as birthdays!), and REACHING FORTH unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14).
This present life is as nothing. It is full of pain and suffering. If we follow Christ, then we will suffer as He suffered, leaving us an example (I Peter 4:13; 2:21). But the end result — the eternal reward ahead of us — makes it all worthwhile!
During this life we experience the “fellowship of his sufferings” (Phil. 3:11). We are one with Him in suffering, that we might become one with Him in glory and eternal life!
Paul wrote, “Who shall CHANGE OUR VILE BODY, that it might be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Phil. 3:21).
How much greater this is, than celebrating our birthdays of this fragile, temporary, transitory, weak, clay, human existence!
Avoid Pagan Birthdays
The World Book — Childcraft International says regarding “Holidays and Birthdays,” “For thousands of years people all over the world have thought of a birthday as a very special day. Long ago, people believed that on a birthday a person could be helped by good spirits, or hurt by evil spirits. So, when a person had a birthday, friends and relatives gathered to protect him or her. And that’s how birthday parties began.”
“The idea of putting candles on birthday cakes goes back to ancient Greece. The Greeks worshipped many gods and goddesses. Among them was one called Artemis.
“Artemis was the goddess of the moon. The Greeks celebrated her birthday once each month by bringing special cakes to her temple. The cakes were round like a full moon. And, because the moon glows with light, the cakes were decorated with lighted candles.”
This authority goes on:
“More and more, though, people the world over attach a certain magic to their actual date of birth. . . We may wear a ring with our birthstone in it for good luck. And when we blow out the candles on our birthday cake, we are careful to keep what we wished a secret. If we tell, of course, our wish won’t come true.
“In other words, WE FOLLOW MANY OF THE OLD BIRTHDAY BELIEFS. We pay attention to the meanings of old-time birth symbols. And WE CARRY ON THE OLD CELEBRATIONS. We don’t necessarily take them seriously. We do these things mainly for fun. But it is also possible that there is something deep inside us that wants to believe.”
Why do people say, “Happy birthday!” to each other? Says this authority, “For the good wishes of our friends and relatives are supposed to protect us from evil spirits.”
What about birthday thumps, bumps, pinches, and the like?
“In many parts of the world, it is a tradition to give the birthday child pinches, smacks, spanks, thumps, bumps, or punches. Even though they may hurt a little, they are said to be very lucky. . .
“The reason for birthday spanks is to spank away any evil spirits and send them scurrying far into the distance. Punches, thumps, and pinches, the harder the better, are supposed to do the very same thing. . .
“Party snappers, horns, bursting balloons, firecrackers, and other noisemakers are just one more way of trying to scare off any bad-luck spirits that may be hovering about.”
What about traditional birthday games, such as “Pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey”?
“The games we play at birthday parties are often a symbol of trying to know the unknown. In this case, of course, the unknown is the future, or the new year of life that lies ahead for the birthday child.
“One of the oldest birthday games is Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Donkey. A large picture of a donkey without a tail is pinned to the wall. Each child at the party is given a donkey’s tail made out of paper and a pin to stick through it. Then, one by one, the children are blindfolded. They are spun around a few times and pointed in the general direction of the donkey. The child who pins the tail the closest to where it should be on the donkey wins the prize.
“There are other versions of this game, such as Pin-the Nose-on-the-Clown or Pin-the-Ear-on-the-Bunny. But the idea of trying to guess correctly, while blindfolded, is the same.”
All these customs and traditions connected with the observance of birthdays have to do with guessing the future, good wishes for the future, good luck charms against evil spirits, and the like. All the birthday rituals, games, and ceremonies are a form of well-wishing toward the birthday child, which are supposed to work their magic in the year ahead.
But, as we have seen, the custom is totally PAGAN! The ceremonies and games involve warding off evil spirits and protecting the birthday child from evil. These are pagan customs – vain and foolish rituals — nothing but useless pagan SUPERSTITION!
Should God’s people have anything to do with ceremonies that trace back ancient pagan societies and pagan times, involving pagan practices? Should a true Christian indulge himself or his or her children in pagan birthday parties, just because they seem so attractive, fun, and “innocuous”?
The Word of God thunders, “What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
“And what agreement hath the temple of God with IDOLS? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
“Wherefore COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM, and BE YE SEPARATE, saith the Lord, and touch not the UNCLEAN THING; and I will receive you, and I will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (II Corinthians 6:14-18).
Let’s look at this custom objectively. Why should we subject our children to it? All the comparisons, who gets the best present, competition, and strife that inevitably follows? Let’s ge honst and face it. In God’s sight, birthday parties and celebrations are not clean, honest, honorable, fun things to do. They are unclean things – and lead a child in the wrong direction. They turn people away from the truths of God and idolize the SELF. Therefore, as Christians, we should have nothing whatsoever to do with them!
A Balanced Approach
Having said this, we must remember that our neighbors don’t know these things or see things things like we do. They think it’s all innocent fun. Even other members of our own families may think the same way. They wonder why we won’t participate in these things – “for the children.”
Although we don’t want to compromise the word of God, or ever do anything He tells us to avoid, that does not mean we need to offend other people, or set a wrong example toward them. We should always be gracious, and kind, and loving of others, and patient with them, avoiding unnecessary controversy and arguments.
If a family member or relative has a birthday, and invites you, you can simply explain the situation, and your own beliefs, in a humble, positive manner. And decline the invitation.
However, if the other family or individual says there is not going to be anything pagan, or the usual birthday customs, that it is merely a time to get together for family fellowship, or friendship, for a nice meal, with a cake, and that it is just a family event, that would not necessarily be wrong. We should not go overboard in these things.
Solomon also wrote, “Do not be too righteous, and do not act too wise; why should you destroy yourself? Do not be too wicked, and do not be a fool; why should you die before your time?” (Ecclesiastes 7:16-17, NRSV).
Always be discreet, modest, and friendly, in dealing with people. Attending a simple family dinner on one’s birthday, where family members give a present to honor one member’s birthday, is not the same thing as holding a birthday bash and inviting all the kids in the neighborhood, or a big political event, or a huge public celebration.
A small family affair, just for the family, I believe, would be all right in God’s sight, with no emphasis on the birthday itself or any pagan trappings. Sometimes it may seem difficult to get our balance in these things, but we can do it if we persevere, and do all things in love and wisdom.
We don’t need to fall into the ditch along the right hand side of the road, or plunge into the ditch alongside the left hand side of the road, either. We should simply use caution – take care – be careful – and be prayerful – a draw a line between right and wrong. A simple dinner, with a few presents for your loved one (son, daughter, father, mother, etc.), would be perfectly in line with God’s Word. For God does command us, “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12).
And Paul also says, “And father, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (see Ephesians 6:1-4). “Fathers, do not provoke your children or they may lose heart” (Colossians 3:21).
Children, be good to your parents; and you parents, be good to your children. Don’t deny them good things. And to give them something special on their birthday is perfectly all right. Just be sure you don’t allow it to become a pagan “birthday party” or “birthday celebration” of the sort which has wrong connotations and creates the wrong atmosphere and imparts the wrong kind of influence.
Keep God’s principles in mind. Be balanced! Avoid excess! Avoid any and all pagan trappings or anything resembling evil. But on the other hand, don’t be afraid to give something nice to a family member or relative on their day birth or any other day of the year.
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As Salaamu Alaykum,
If you have no proofs that the prophet did or didn’t do something that’s doubt and we as Muslims are supposed to leave off what brings doubt just to be on the safe side and Allah knows best …. Reminders benefits the believers…. May Allah protect us Ameen
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How ridiculous it is to say that. I went to a scholar and he said not to imitate actions EXCLUSIVE to non-muslims. But birthdays aren’t exclusive to one faith. And the prophet(pbuh) didn’t celebrate eid, but she didn’t ban it. It’s honestly stupid.
Yanno what? I’m gonna force every male muslim I know to shave their moustaches and grow their beards! I’m gonna force all my muslim sisters to quit their jobs and work at home! THIS is the reason people don’t like us. Because we have to take EVERY. LITTLE. THING. and change it because “this hadith said so” without even looking at other hadiths and quranic sources. It’s stupid. Kinda like saying that ‘Goodbye’ is haram cuz it comes from medeival roots meaning “God be with ye”. It’s saying that we should shave our staches and grow our beards without looking at the wisdom behind why. And if we shave beards and grow moustaches we’re imitating Jews from a few years back.
I’ve celebrated birthdays as the fact that I was blessed by ALLAH to live this long. What idol am I worshipping by celebrating the fact that I’m this many years old. Oh prolly ‘the god of birth’. I’ve celebrated it every single year. No prob. My parents allowed it and they’re the best people I’ve known.
Summary: stop living 1400 years back and try to impliment our religon into the MODERN world.
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Reblogged this on No More Hurting People Peace and commented:
I have no problem with celebrating a birthday as long as it doesn’t contain prohibited things. Once when asked why he was fasting, Prophet Muhammad answered that it was because it was the day he was born. Some scholars go as far to that if your birthday is used as an act of worship than it should be celebrated. I’m definitely going to continue celebrating mine! 🙂
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I want to share my experience here
I am a married man with 3 kids. I don’t want to disclose my religion as I think thats personal and the country i belong to does not believe in wearing the religion on sleeve. I am with a neutral opinion of celebrating Birthdays. But i see a social evil in this possibly innocent looking celebration such as
1) managing the expectations of children each year
2) children competing with class mates or sometimes between siblings on what gifts they want
3) unnecessary expenses made for that day
4) Parents under pressure to make it special only becoz one of the relative or neighbour had a grand celebration and you don’t want your child to feel any less special
and many more..
its hard to resist and keep your head down when your loved ones are in question.
Any cultural practice that puts you in social and financial pressure cannot be right and should not be continued. the same applies to wedding celebrations
pagan or not pagan, whether not in Quran or in Bible. Think logically first. Would you jump out of the airplane without a life support just becoz Quran or Bible or any religous book does not mention anything about it. I think all the major religion in this world want people to use their head and think rationally
All the best
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You should thank Allah every moment of your life not just birthday and yes if Prophet Muhammad PBUH never celebrated therefore we should not do as they are the best examples, we are from His Ummah and we follow what He says and do
JazakAllah Kahir
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My opinion I think birthday is never practice in Islam it’s just something that is followed by Kaffir, in Islam If The Prophet Muhammad PBUH Never celebrated therefore we must Not Do, He Prophet PBUH used to fast and be thankful to Allah for everything, but for those who think calling someone on your birthday or anyone’s birthday, it must be for religious gathering that involves in remembering Allah doing Dhizk, not eating cake lighting candles clapping hands gossiping, we must understand why are we here what’s our purpose in this Dunya I had lot of ppl complaining what’s wrong with doing birthdays, if nothing be practice by our beloved than we must not do
May Allah give understanding to those who don’t understand the knowledge of Islam
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I totally agree with u. And what a wonderful dua May Allah bless you. Mashallah.
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Eid is a yearly festival. AND those are the obest Allah have gave to us. To add another eid be it birthdays or anniversary are as to say to Allah we need more eids which is insulting Allah. But also why would you wish to celebrate a year closer to your time of death all you do is celebrate getting old and closer dying. Which means less time to make our good deeds. Also it is the mother who carried the chold fr 9 months gave birth to her which in it self is incredibly painful thing. The mother spent years of sleepless nights caring for the child make her self exhausted purely for love of the child. Yet people celebrate the child. The mother is the who did everything. But making another eid out of a day Allah or the messaging didn’t do is just haram. We are not allowed to follow the disbelievers actions as well and this is heir tradition. The prophet didn’t do this or his companions so we don’t need to do this either. IT’S not about what the message did it’s also about what he didn’t do
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Most of these people that are against birthdays are just MISERABLE. They don’t enjoy the different cultures and religions that are amongst us. Everything is follow the Prphet Mohamed. What about following all of the prophets. They will call us the unbelievers but they are the worst example of our religion. They don’t know the meanings of quranic verses so they live by so called hadith. I bet you a body part that most of the comments coming from the birthday HATERS!…. are non American. I did not vote for Trump but sad to say, I agree with not letting people into our country and then trying to change our ways or making fun of our life style. I am Italian Spanish American Muslim. I love all races and all religions. We are all the same. There are many ways to get to your destination as there are souls.
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Wow this is an old post. Your right quran does not forbid birthdays. And I don’t follow any of the hadith. My guess why most or some muslims don’t celebrate birthdays comes from those countries….wont mention where. You know the extreme way of practicing a religion. Most of these folks think it is better to be different to the nonmuslim. I’m muslim, I celebrate all my childrens birthday. That day is special. My husband is circassian muslim. Him and his family don’t care for it. On the other hand they celebrate The prophet Mohammed birthday. Ha!….go figure….just weird.
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In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
Principally, birthdays are not something that should be celebrated or 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 (hukm) 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 that 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 a clear intention of imitating the non-believers, meaning one does so because one wants to be like a particular non-believer or non-believers. In other words, one feels the way of the non-Muslim is superior and desires to be like him.
b) Doing something that is unique and exclusive to the non-believers or is part of their faith. This will also be considered imitation, thus Haram (unlawful). (Taqrir Tirmidhi by 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 adopting acts that are unlawful in Islam, 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 and feels their way is better than the teachings of Islam, 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 whether it is part of their faith or otherwise. (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 otherwise, 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: Fatawa al-Rahimiyya (urdu), 6/320)
And Allah Knows Best
[Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa
Leicester , UK
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In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
Principally, birthdays are not something that should be celebrated or 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 (hukm) 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 that 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 a clear intention of imitating the non-believers, meaning one does so because one wants to be like a particular non-believer or non-believers. In other words, one feels the way of the non-Muslim is superior and desires to be like him.
b) Doing something that is unique and exclusive to the non-believers or is part of their faith. This will also be considered imitation, thus Haram (unlawful). (Taqrir Tirmidhi by 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 adopting acts that are unlawful in Islam, 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 and feels their way is better than the teachings of Islam, 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 whether it is part of their faith or otherwise. (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 otherwise, 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: Fatawa al-Rahimiyya (urdu), 6/320)
And Allah Knows Best
[Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa
Leicester , UK
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I don’t know but if there is name of God recited in a gathering and as u said it’s a day when we again say thank you Allah for ur blessing, I don’t see any issue.
That’s only my thought
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why cant you guys celebrate
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The Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) is the guide for us. If he did something, you should do it. When he saw other people having different kinds of celebrations, he said himself that we have two celebrations. This is from him, it’s called “Eidayn” (the two Eids) and this is what he said. So, with respect to those who like to celebrate things and say, “we celebrate his birthday, we celebrate our birthday, we celebrate Washington’s birthday and all these different things” this is not what he told us, and when he comes to celebrate his birthday, he says specifically don’t eulogize me as the Christians eulogized my brother Jesus. Meaning, don’t fall into the same trap.
And usually when we find people who celebrate the birthday of the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him), we find that they also have other innovations they like to add along with that too, and where will it stop?
The Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) warned us about the things which are in doubt. He said Halal is clear and Haram is clear and then there is these doubts, leave the doubtful. This is preservation of your own Deen. And if you want to celebrate his birthday, at least I warned you, and on the day of judgment, I’m free from that. But I won’t say that it’s Haram because if I did that, that might be too far. But it’s not good.
Sheikh Yusuf Estes
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It is very ironic for you and others before you to comment about your prophet telling people to avoid innovation. Here, we are all using the internet as an innovation in the communications and broadcasting medium. Can it not that the innovations he wanted you to avoid be based on innovations that are harmful to the basic sacred tenets of the Muslim belief system? Celebrating birthdays are much too trivial and are actually an older tradition than any Abrahamic religion. The celebration of birthdays have paganistic or animistic roots, therefore labeling them as an “innovation” in itself would be blatantly incorrect. I am becoming too tired of seeing Muslims finding faults in the Christian and Jewish traditions just because the races that comprise such belief systems are flourishing whereas Buddhist, Hindu or Taoist almost remain unscathed from intelligent criticism even though those latter belief systems may also ascribe to the celebration of birthdays and are also flourishing in their own ways and means.
Those who are using too much fundamentalist rules and principles should realize that *using the internet is an imitation of the unbelievers* in itself. You can call or label me Kaffir but you must also admit that I am right and truly making sense.
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As salaam alaikum I’m really not sure either but I think it has a lot to do with imataing the kufr I’m going to send you a link and insha Allah you find yours answers http://immamalbani.blogspot.com/2011/05/al-tashabuh-imitating-kuffar-is.html?m=1
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Pingback: Birthdays – Keep Your Good Heart
If you follow the Islamic calendar, the birthday you celebrate every year is actually not your real birthday! Beyond that, being a Muslim is not about deciding what you think or feel is correct behavior, but rather, is about submitting to established principles in our valued texts. There is no precedent for celebrating birthdays in the sunna, nor is there any encouragement to do in the Quran. The historical evidence posted above is plenty for me to run high speed away from this practice. I’ve seen so much arrogance surrounding this practice that it’s quite clear. Be careful what sins you might be gathering in all those who follow your words. Elhamdulillah
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