Mawlana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi was asked about celebrating the birthdays of children, and he allowed it. Mufti Lajpuri also allowed that in fatawa rahimiyya.[/quote]
Asaghir the above should help you as it is dealing specifically with children :).
As for what is meant by celebrate, then mufti Muhammad ibn Adam asked this same question on his birthday:
Quote:
I was once thinking about writing on this in detail...
With all such occasions, people debate and argue about the ruling on celebration. However, I feel the term 'celebrate' is used and different things are meant by different people, and thus they keep arguing!
So what is meant by 'celebrating' one's birthday? Does celebrating mean:
1) smiling
2) fasting
3) thanking Allah by offering two Rak'at nafl
4) reading a book
5) being happy
6) jumping and rocking
7) listening to Nasheed
8) reciting some Qur'an
9) having a meal at home
10) going out for shopping
11) having a birthday cake
12) going on a holiday
13) buying yourself a new phone
14) dancing at a nightclub
15) going for a march outside your house.....
Obviously, the ruling on celebration will depend on what one means by 'celebrate'. Wallahu a'lam
[/quote]
The above was a comment the Mufti wrote under this post he posted on FB:
[quote]
Yesterday, the 3rd of January, was my birthday according to the Gregorian calendar (and not my real Islamic calendar birth date).
On one's birthday, mixed emotions are felt. On one hand, it is an occasion of happiness and thankfulness (shukr) - thanking Allah Most High for blessing one with x amount of years with health, wellbeing, family, etc... At the same time, it is an occasion of sadness and concern - seeing that you are now a year closer to your death.
As such, along with being happy, one's birthday should remind one of death and encourage one to change one's life for the better and start preparing for the eternal life of the hereafter.
Here is a fatwa written by the same Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam. note: this fatwa is no longer available on his website, and I do not know why it was removed.
[quote]
Answered by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari
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 themâ€. (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
www.daruliftaa.org
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