Birthdays

Assalamu Alaikum,

just a question, have the ulama writtena nything about birthdays?

Wassalam

please find the following information on Birthdays extracted from the Islamic Dawah Academy website: www.idauk.org
their are many other beneficial publications on the above website, you may find useful.

wassalam

ISLAM AND BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
by Mufti Abdur Rahim Lajpuri

Q. Here, in UK, many Muslim families, in resemblance with other communities, are very keen on celebrating birthdays. Great significance is laid on children's birthdays in particular. Friends and relatives are invited, presents are received, and a cake, especially prepared for the occasion, is made to cut by the individual for whose birthday people have gathered. Usually, the cake is bedecked with candles that are in proportion to the age of the person and he or she then has to blow out the candles. If all the candles are successfully blown out in a single breath, it is applauded by the congregation, which is then followed by congratulating the individual by singing 'Happy birthday to you'. There is no doubt that this custom finds its origin in Christianity but, as mentioned, is becoming commonplace with the Muslims too. It is my request that you elaborate the Islamic position in this regard and acquaint the Muslim masses of the effects of this type of attitude.

A. Celebration of birthdays has no basis in Islãm, and being a tradition of another religion and nation, is in stark contrast to the teachings of Islãm. It is related by Aboo Sa'eed Khudri radhiallahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallalahu alayhi wasallam has said, "You people will certainly follow the footsteps of those before you (i.e. emulate them fully.) This will be done to the extent that even if they had entered the burrow of an iguana, (This expression has been used to describe what is inconceivable) you shall do the same." We asked, "O Messenger of Allah, (by those before us) are you referring to the Jews and Christians?" The Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam replied, "Who else?" (Mishkãt)

It is stated in 'Tafseerul Baydhãwi' (one of the most eminent commentaries of Qur'ãn) that the wearing of cross threads or other religious symbols is kufr (open disbelief), as such expressions, although implicitly, indicate faith in another religion and rejection of Islamic beliefs. One who adopts such behaviour will be declared a Disbeliever, as this cannot be expected from a true Muslim. (Pg. 23 commentary of Al-Baqarah)

Rasoolullah sallalahu alayhi wasallam, in one Hadeeth, has stated, "One who emulates a people, will be classified amongst them." (Mishkãt)

Another Hadeeth states, "None amongst you can be a perfect Believer until he/she subordinates his desires to that which I have brought." (Mishkãt)

Shaykh 'Abdul Qãdir Jaylãni rahmatullahi alayh (a prominent scholar and spiritual mentor) has been reported to have said, "Your claim to be a member of the Prophet's Ummah without following his teachings will yield no benefit. Only through the adherence of his teachings can you expect his company in the Hereafter." (Al-Fat'hur-rabbãni, Pg.178)

Ibne Hajar Haythami rahmatullahi alayh has, in his book, 'Az-Zawãjir' narrated a revelation of a Prophet. He said that Allah ta'aalaa had commanded that Prophet to tell his people to refrain from imitating His enemies (disbelievers). They were forbidden to even eat and dress in the manner they did, lest they integrated into them. What can be understood from this revelation is that Allah ta'aalaa wanted the Believers to give themselves an identity that was significantly different from that of His Enemies. And to achieve this they were required to oppose them in every manner, deed and action.

Our prime objective should be strict adherence to the Sunnah of the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam. This will automatically ensure opposition to the ways of the kuffãr.

We do not find any basis of celebrating birthdays in the blessed era of Rasoolullah sallalahu alayhi wasallam. In fact, even on odd occasions, such as at the time of circumcision (of a child), which besides being a sunnah is also among the distinctive features of Islãm, nobody ever gave invitations to others.

Hasan radhiallahu anhu relates that once 'Uthmãn radhiallahu anhu was invited at a circumcision ceremony. He declined the invitation saying that in the time of Rasoolullah sallalahu alayhi wasallam, neither did we attend nor were we invited at such ceremonies. (Ahmad Vol. 4, Pg. 217)

Celebration of birthdays is purely a custom of other nations and has no connection with Islãm. It is essential for the Muslims to avoid imitating such customs, otherwise the evil influence of such behaviour can easily put their Imãn in jeopardy.

Allah ta'aalaa has stated in the Qur'ãn, 'And incline not towards those who do wrong, lest the Fire should touch you, and you have no protectors other than Allah, nor would you then be helped.' (11:113)

For all aspects concerning the human life, Allah ta'aalaa has set out guidelines and imparted teachings through the medium of Rasoolullah sallalahu alayhi wasallam and made his life and person a model to be followed. Allah ta'aalaa says, 'Indeed in the Messenger of Allah you have a good example to follow, for him who hopes in (the meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.' (33:21)
At another place it has been mentioned, 'And whatsoever the Messenger (of Allah) gives you, take it, and from whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it).' (59:7)

On various occasions, the Ahãdeeth, too, have emphasised the importance of following the ways of Rasoolullah sallalahu alayhi wasallam and have taken a very firm stand in discouraging deviation there from.

Although the Ahãdeeth in this connection are numerous, here we reproduce only two:

With regards to the blessings of following the Sunnah, Rasoolullah sallalahu alayhi wasallam has said, "One who protects my Sunnah (holds fast to it and practices it), Allah S will bless him with four rewards: He will create love for him in the hearts of his pious servants; He will instil awe and fear in the hearts of the sinful ones; He will cause his sustenance to be increased; and will make him firm and strong in his Deen."

And concerning the negative effects of discarding the Sunnah, it has been mentioned, "One who turns away from my Sunnah has no connection with me." (Bukhãri, Muslim)

Muslims, whether of UK, or any other part of the world ought to ponder over what has been mentioned and judge for themselves how harmful emulating the ways of other nations and religions is and from whom will they be classified if they continue with such imitation.

Only Allah knows best.