Today many of muslims used to celebrate birthdays of their children and accepts invitation of Brithday celebration of others who belongs to Muslim or other religions. In this regards let us examine what are rulings (fatwas) of Islam on celebrating birthdays.
Question: What is the ruling concerning celebrating birthdays?
Response: Celebrating birthdays has no source whatsoever in the pure shariah. In fact, it is an 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 in definitive muallaq form1,
"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 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 generations2 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.
Shaikh Ibn Baz
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what is the evidence on celebrating birthdays,is it allowed in islam?
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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Ruling regarding celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam)
*Please appropriately reference this fatwa to: www.fatwa-online.com, thankyou!*
Question: Is gathering (the people) on the 12th day of Rabee' al-Awwal in remembrance of the birth of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) permissible?
Response: Celebrating the birthday of the Messenger (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) is an innovation; this is because he (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) did not do this himself and nor did he order this to be done, and nor did any of his companions (radhi-yallaahu 'anhum) do this, and they were the most adherent of people in honouring the Messenger (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and following his Sunnah. And all good is in following his guidance, and he (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) said:
((Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours (i.e. Islaam) that which is not from it, will have it rejected)), [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree/2697 and Saheeh Muslim/1718].
And with Allaah lies all success and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions.
The Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Fataawa
Head: Shaykh 'Abdul 'Azeez ibn Abdullaah ibn Baaz;
Deputy Head: Shaykh 'Abdur-Razzaaq 'Afeefee;
Member: Shaykh 'Abdullaah ibn Ghudayyaan;
Member: Shaykh 'Abdullaah Ibn Qu'ood
Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa.imah lil-Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa. - Volume 3, Page 30, Question 13, Fatwa No. 5005
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| Question: What is the ruling on organising celebrations for the birthdays of children or for wedding anniversaries? |
| Answer: There are no celebrations in Islaam except Friday the weekly ‘Eid, the first day of Shawwal – ’Eidal-Adha. The day of ’Arafah might be called an ‘Eid for those who are at ’Arafah on that day, and the days of Tashreeq, following ’Eidul-Adha. As for birthday celebrations for a person or his children, or wedding anniversaries or the like, none of them are legislated and they are closer to being innovations than to being allowed.
|
| Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-`Uthaymeen |
| Fatawa Arkanul-Islaam, DARUSSALAM, p265 |
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Is it wrong to celebrate birthdays? | |
| Fatwa | |
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and blessings nd peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. It is forbidden for people to celebrate birthdays, as this is an imitation of disbelievers because Muslims didn't know this custom before. It came from the disbelievers as it is one of their customs. And, the Prophet Muhammad (Blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) ordered us to disagree with them. This is made evident from many sound Hadith. Prophet Muhammad (Blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said also:" Whoever imitates some people, he is one of them". Narrated by Abu Dawood from Ibn Omar. And Allah knows best. |
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References:
http://www.fatwa-online.com/fataawa/innovations/celebrations/cel001/0000604_3.htm
http://www.fatwaislam.com/fis/index.cfm?scn=fd&ID=763
http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/1027/Birthdayshttp://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/104446/Birthdays
http://islamicemirate.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1550:the-ruling-concerning-celebrating-birthdays&catid=115:worship&Itemid=338
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May Almighty Allah helps us to follow his religion in right way.
With prayers,
Sajid Rahman M
