As salam alaykum brothers and sisters. Today is my supposingly special day, I have never placed any importance on this day since I started praying so this question has never really bothered me before but a couple of hours ago, some one greeted me with a gift. Am I allow to keep it? Is it right for me to buy people things in the name of celebration? Please, I'd appreciate comments with proves. Jazakumuliahu khyran.

AryEmber:
As salam alaykum brothers and sisters. Today is my supposingly special day, I have never placed any importance on this day since I started praying so this question has never really bothered me before but a couple of hours ago, some one greeted me with a gift. Am I allow to keep it? Is it right for me to buy people things in the name of celebration? Please, I'd appreciate comments with proves. Jazakumuliahu khyran.

Wa alaykum salam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Alhamdulillahi Robbi-al-'aalameen.

Birthdays have no origin in Islam. In fact, it is said to be of pagan origin if you do a little research on it. The only two celebrations authenticated by the Prophet Muhammad are the two 'Eids.

Abd Daawood (1134) and an-Nasaa’i (1556) narrated that Anas said: When the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) came to Madinah, they had two days (festivals) on which they used to play, so he said: “What are these two days?” And they said: We used to play on these two days during the Jaahiliyyah. The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah has replaced them for you with something better than them: the day of al-Adha and the day of al-Fitr.”
Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in as-Silsilah as-Saheehah (2021).


And the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” Narrated by Abu Daawood (4031); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Sunan Abi Daawood.

So celebrating birthdays in anyway is forbidden. Accept no gifts/greetings on this day. Do no special act of worship on this day except whatever you have been doing before.

It does not matter whether it's your birthday or any Prophet's birthday. The ruling is the same.

May Allaah grant us understanding!

Firstly, as shaykh Muhammad ibn Abdilwahhab said:

It is known that none finds(and accepts) the truth except the one who sought it in the first place

And shaykh Albaani said: A person who seeks truth will be sufficed with one proof but the one who follows what suits him will never be satisfied with a thousand proofs


Now I will just give one reason why birthdays are not allowed, and that is the origin, because in Islam origin of something is very important.

It has pagan origin see this:

The early explanations about birthdays revolve around worshipping gods. It started in ancient Egypt when the coronation date of a Pharoah was a pretty big deal. It was believed that on their coronation day, Pharaohs were transformed from human to gods.

Read more here: https://answersafrica.com/origin-birthdays-birthday-cakes.html


So due to it's pagan origin we don't celebrate birthdays because that will amount to imitating the disbelievers and the prophet said "whoever imitates a people (in things exclusively known with them origin wise) then he is among them"

And Allaah knows best

Birthdays are impermissible to celebrate by Muslims, nor is it okay to receive gifts from people on the occasion of the day.

AryEmber:
As salam alaykum brothers and sisters. Today is my supposingly special day, I have never placed any importance on this day since I started praying so this question has never really bothered me before but a couple of hours ago, some one greeted me with a gift. Am I allow to keep it? Is it right for me to buy people things in the name of celebration? Please, I'd appreciate comments with proves. Jazakumuliahu khyran.

walaikum salaam. Op, there is no proof that celebrating your birthday is haram. Anything that has to do with Halal and Haram are only the rights of Allah and His messanger(saw). There is no new Haram and Halal after the messanger had gone. Anyone who makes a new haram and halal is playing God. This is genesis of kufr. I hope you understand this very simple thing?.


Second, birthday in itself is not essentially religious thing. If birthday had pagan origin, then, we can go and on and point out other pagan origins that are acceptable islamically. For instance,


i. ziyara (visiting graves) was pre-Islam. It was banned onset of Islam but later allowed.


ii. White and Black cloth over kaaba was envisioned by kāfirah. According to a narration that a non-muslim woman had a dream about kaaba that it should be covered in Black and White. Today, it is islamically acceptable and it is still there. You may research the narration yourself although some may dispute it.


Also, Nabi Muhammad(saw) signalled importance of the day he was born when he was asked why he fast on Monday?. He said it is the day he was born - Hadith

Also Jesus the son of Mary signalled importance of his birth day when he said "And Salam (peace) be upon me the day I was born,"


Contrary to former opinions, that birthday is haram in islam, Islam supports the celebration of a birthday if it is an expression of gratitude to Allah for His bounties, sustenance and blessings in man’s life, as long as that celebration does not include anything that may displease Allah, the Almighty. In Islam, birthdays are not considered`eid(a festival) like`Eidul-Fitr or`Eidul-Adha, because`eids have conditions and guidelines such as not being allowed to fast during the days of Eid. Therefore, birthdays are simply occasions of a person’s date of birth and are a matter of culture. If a person wants to commemorate his/her date of birth, then he/she may do so, especially if he/she takes the opportunity to reflect on the past and pledge to be better during the following year. However, to make the birthday an important do or die occasion is not recommended or encouraged.


So, my sister, celebrate your birthday with any act of righteousness for Allah only and Allah in His infinite Mercy shall reward you. There are many good deeds you can do on your birthday(and ofcourse not limited to this day). We all know what good deeds are. You may fast as nabi Muhammad(saw) did. You may do more dhikr and make more dua to Allah. You may involve in more sadaqa and charity work, etc. All these attract handsome rewards. Islam teaches us that intention precedes action. But some get punished for celebrating their birthday bcus, on that they they do the contrary by drinking, gamlbing and fornicating and all types of vices. We all know the difference btw good and bad. So go ahead and glorify Allah with whatever you can. Nabi(saw) fasted on his birthday but he did not command muslims to do so which means this is flexible act. But bcus by definition of "SUNNAH" which is deeds of the prophet(saw), it is sunnah if you choose to fast on your birthday. Birthday has no pagan root. It is human culture around the world. How you celebrate your birthday is what should be concerned about. If you decide to fast on your birthday to glorify Allah, there is hadith which say if you choose a day to fast for Allah's sake, it is rewardable.


“Whoever fasts one day for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will keep his face seventy years’ distance away from the Fire because of it.”
(Reported by Muslim, 2/808)


So seek this opportunity to fast on your birthday (if you want). At the end of the day, it is your choice sis. But make sure that whoever tells you that celebrating birthday is haram, please and please, ask them to provide valid evidence from Kitan and Sunnah. Otherwise, it is hearsay.



Speaking about the same issue Sheikh Faysal Mawlawi, Deputy Chairman of the European Council for Fatwa and Research, adds:


“Permissibility is the original ruling in this case, as there is no evidence of prohibition. The principle of not following the Jews and Christians is really required in matters of their false claims and beliefs in relation to religion. Such beliefs are no more than disbelief from an Islamic perspective.




Salaam

We seek refuge from the accursed devil!


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).

Muhammad and his companions never celebrated birthdays!

And whatever is sufficient for them is sufficient for us.

“Or have they partners with Allaah (false gods) who have instituted for them a religion which Allaah has not allowed…?” [al-Shoora 42:21]

Empiree, does that mean I can accept or give away gifts?

AryEmber:
Empi.ree, does that mean I can accept or give away gifts?

It is your choice.

its sad that individuals like empiree make comment on religious issues .

whether giving out or receiving gifts , its all part of the celebration (a celebration wont be recongnized as one without such acts). its more than enough for a Muslim to discard anything that has origin in paganism. No one fights/despises idolatry practices like Muslims.

its sad that Muslims are the ones calling to it in the name of civilization.

^^^

Do you just wanna talk out of emotion or you wanna talk with evidence?. Just because you despise your birthday doesn't make it unlawful. At no point Islam forbade exchanging gifts. Gifts in this context are sadaqat. So let's not get it twisted.

You can only disprove birthday celebration by bringing out solid evidence base on kitab and Sunnah, not what your Sheikh said and definitely not vague or subjective quotation. It is gotta be clear text.

For instance, Quran is very clear about theft, adultery and fornication, killing etc. All these are Haram (unlawful) and we can not twist to suit our desires. Therefore, you need daleel that made it unlawful to celebrate birthdays.

This is a very simple topic.

Empiree:
^^^

Do you just wanna talk out of emotion or you wanna talk with evidence?. Just because you despise your birthday doesn't make it unlawful. At no point Islam forbade exchanging gifts. Gifts in this context are sadaqat. So let's not get it twisted.

You can only disprove birthday celebration by bringing out solid evidence base on kitab and Sunnah, not what your Sheikh said and definitely not vague or subjective quotation. It is gotta be clear text.

For instance, Quran is very clear about theft, adultery and fornication, killing etc. All these are Haram (unlawful) and we can not twist to suit our desires. Therefore, you need daleel that make it unlawful to celebrate birthdays.

This is a very simple topic.[s][/s]

What is this one saying

Empiree:
^^^

[s]Do you just wanna talk out of emotion or you wanna talk with evidence?. Just because you despise your birthday doesn't make it unlawful. At no point Islam forbade exchanging gifts. Gifts in this context are sadaqat. So let's not get it twisted.

You can only disprove birthday celebration by bringing out solid evidence base on kitab and Sunnah, not what your Sheikh said and definitely not vague or subjective quotation. It is gotta be clear text.

For instance, Quran is very clear about theft, adultery and fornication, killing etc. All these are Haram (unlawful) and we can not twist to suit our desires. Therefore, you need daleel that make it unlawful to celebrate birthdays.

This is a very simple topic.[/s]

What is this one saying

^^

Alright Mr. Fundamentalist, this is closed since you can not refute it.


@op, please be happy on your birthday and thank Allah for gift of life. Nobody has the right to tell you not to celebrate your birthday. It is optional and it is up to you. But if you wanna celebrate your birthday, please do so with taqwa. Depending on how you do it, if you invite people be sure you make it clear to them that you do not allow alcohol beverages.

You can also celebrate your birthday btw you and Allah by fasting, by visiting hospitals, graves, give sadaqat make Dua and do dhikr. Send salawat on the prophet. And you may definitely receive gifts if people give you. And you also have choice not to. Absolutely up to you.

Ignorance and abscence of hikma is worrying our brothers. It is their choice not to celebrate their birthday but they do not have the right to tell you or anyone not to.

Your birthday is yours not pagans. If pagans were doing unlawful acts on their birthdays, this doesn't make birthday Haram. Like lighting candles etc may have their pagan roots. That is what they innovated but this has nothing to do with the essence. So you don't need to light candles. You need your birthday to be sharia compliant.

Islam allows for flexibility where it is necessary. Islam is not all rigid at all. Let me remind you of my mentor, Sheikh Adam Abdullah Al-ilory (ra) said


".......holding to the Sacred Law with practices based on what is flexible and evolving rather than that which is rigid.

Empiree:
^^

Alright Mr. Fundamentalist, this is closed since you can not refute it.


@op, please be happy on your birthday and thank Allah for gift of life. Nobody has the right to tell you not to celebrate your birthday. It is optional and it is up to you. But if you wanna celebrate your birthday, please do so with taqwa. Depending on how you do it, if you invite people be sure you make it clear to them that you do not allow alcohol beverages.

You can also celebrate your birthday btw you and Allah by fasting, by visiting hospitals, graves, give sadaqat make Dua and do dhikr. Send salawat on the prophet. And you may definitely receive gifts if people give you. And you also have choice not to. Absolutely up to you.

Ignorance and abscence of hikma is worrying our brothers. It is their choice not to celebrate their birthday but they do not have the right to tell you or anyone not to.

Your birthday is yours not pagans. If pagans were doing unlawful acts on their birthdays, this doesn't make birthday Haram. Like lighting candles etc may have their pagan roots. That is what they innovated but this has nothing to do with the essence. So you don't need to light candles. You need your birthday to be sharia compliant.

Islam allows for flexibility where it is necessary. Islam is not all rigid at all. Let me remind you of my mentor, Sheikh Adam Abdullah Al-ilory (ra) said


".......holding to the Sacred Law with practices based on what is flexible and evolving rather than that which is rigid.

It's not surprising for me to see such comments from you.

Birthday celebration is has no root in Islam

AryEmber:
As salam alaykum brothers and sisters. Today is my supposingly special day, I have never placed any importance on this day since I started praying so this question has never really bothered me before but a couple of hours ago, some one greeted me with a gift. Am I allow to keep it? Is it right for me to buy people things in the name of celebration? Please, I'd appreciate comments with proves. Jazakumuliahu khyran.

I will like to remind you of this hadith....


An-Nu’man ibn Basheer (radi Allahu anhu) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) saying: “Surely, the Halal (permissible) is clear and the Haram (impermissible) is clear and between the two are doubtful unclear matters that many of the people do not have knowledge of. So, whoever abstains from the doubtful matters has saved his Religion and his honor, and whoever falls into the doubtful matters falls into the Haram (impermissible), just as the shepherd who pastures around a sanctuary is likely to indulge freely grazing therein. Truly, every king has a sanctuary, and Allah’s sanctuary is His prohibitions. Verily in the body, there is a morsel of flesh that if it is correct then the whole of the body is set aright, and if it is corrupt, the whole of the body is corrupt. It is the heart.

[Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Fundamentalist:


It's not surprising for me to see such comments from you.

Birthday celebration is has no root in Islam

your opinion

It is ridiculously suspicious that only section of muslim people go against the majority on this issue. Birthday is not essentially religious occasion. According to them, they divided matters of the deen and worldly matters. These same people and their scholars who go against celebrating birthday consider birthday to be "religious matter". They really need to let us how it is so. Yet, they celebrate Independence Day. Independence day is birthday of a nation. But they would tell you that independence day is "worldly matter". See how confused they are?.

Take Saudi Arabia for instance, they are muslim majority. Why didnt their scholars issue fatwa forbidden Saudi National Day which is essentially birthday of the nation?. And who started the idea of "independence day", was it not the same pagans who started the idea of Independence Day celebration?. Yet, they are telling you birthday is religious matter that had pagan root. Independence day doesn't have pagan root?.


Again, miss Aryember, it is your choice. Birthday is neither fard or wajib nor it is forbidden. If Birthday has pagan root, why would nabi(peace and blessings be upon him) suggest importance of his birth?. In this context the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about fasting on Mondays, and he answered:“It is the day on which I was born.” How is this pagan root?. This hadith of the prophet(peace and blessings be upon him) established the essence. It is not a doubtful matter at all. It is lack of proper understanding.

Let me leave you with this hadith


It was narrated from Salmaan al-Faarisi in the words: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about ghee, cheese and wild donkeys. He said: ‘The halaal is that which Allaah has permitted in His Book and the haraam is that which Allaah has forbidden in His Book, and whatever He was silent about is pardoned

AryEmber , are you from Osun State ?
You look so much like someone I know

Jonathan:
AryEmber , are you from Osun State ? You look so much like someone I know

No, my mom is from there though.

AryEmber:
No, my mom is from there though.

Oh. Okay