300. Can I Celebrate Birthdays?

By Asma bint Shameem 

Most of the ulama do not allow celebrating birthdays because it’s a tradition of other religions. 

However, those who do allow celebrating birthdays here and there OCCASIONALLY, allow it on the basis that they don’t consider it a specifically ‘religious’ celebration as such. 

If we keep it very OCCASIONAL and ONLY for kids, it might be *considered allowed.* 

Shaikh Maen al-Qudaa says:

“Celebrating birthdays is not part of Islamic tradition or culture; 

rather, it is an imitation of people of other faiths. A Muslim is always expected to have his Islamic *identity clear* and *distinct* from other identities."

Additionally, holidays in Islaam are well-defined.

However, people who celebrate birthdays do not generally take it to be a *religious* celebration; rather, they consider it a *social occasion* and an opportunity to gather family and friends together. 

Therefore, it is NOT among the EXPLICITLY *prohibited* matters that we must avoid. 

There would be no harm if our children want to celebrate their birthday *once in a while*, but *we need to keep teaching them that this is not part of our Islamic tradition*.” 

(AMJA - Fatwa #77128)

Shaikh Hatem al-Hajj said:

“Personal recurrent celebrations are controversial. 

These would be like birthdays and wedding anniversaries. 

They are in a way competing with the two Islamic feasts of Fitr and Adha and in a way different, since they are not public celebrations. 

There is also some concern expressed by some scholars about them being an imitation of non-Muslims. 

However, as aforementioned, the imitation that is forbidden is when one imitates non-Muslims concerning their religious practices or practices specific to particular religious groups. 

Based on that, even if I dislike such celebrations, I find no substantial basis to say it is haraam to celebrate them.”

(Fatwa from the Shaikh’s website)

So what to do?

When faced with situations such as this one, I always remind myself and others with the beautiful hadeeth of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam:

*“Leave that which makes you doubt, for that which does not make you doubt.”* (at-Tirmidhi  - saheeh by al-Albaani)

So it’s best to avoid such situations to protect oneself from falling into doubtful matters. 

Besides, think about birthdays this way:

Our life has been determined by Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, 50,000 years before He created the heavens and the earth. 

The life span *starts* at the time of our *birth* and *ends* at the time of our *death*. 

That day, that minute and that second when our death will occur is FIXED and it does not move. 

As we grow older, we come one step closer to that point of death every single day. 

And every single month.  

And every single year. 

It’s like a *countdown timer* that started ticking the second we were born. 

And the time that each of us was allocated, is *ticking down* slowly to zero. 

As each year passes, we are coming closer and closer to that fixed point of death and our meeting with Allaah. 

So how can we be ‘happy’ or ‘celebrate’ when we know that our life span is getting shorter by the day as we come yet another year closer to that point of death?

Wouldn’t that be something to make one worry and be concerned about, rather than be ‘happy’?

As Dr. Bilal Phillips said:

“What is there to celebrate of a year that has passed - becoming a year closer to the grave?

Unless your reflection is on the good deeds that you sent up to Allaah during the past year so that Allaah might have mercy on you on the Day of Judgment! 

That would be more meaningful.”

Now someone might say:

“I’m just celebrating to ‘thank’ Allaah” 

Well, your birth day is *not the only day* you should thank Allaah; 

there are 360 other days to thank Him, and not just the day of your birth. 

So why not thank Allaah ALL the days of the year? 

Why just “ONE” day?!

And the best way to thank Him is to OBEY Him to the best of your ability, follow His commands, stay away from His prohibitions and avoid the doubtful matters. 

Also subhanAllah, staying away from birthdays, anniversaries, and all these others celebrations cuts out so much competition, comparison and unnecessary buying and wastage of money. 

Instead, that money can be used in something good.

And Allaah knows best.