Attending birthday parties

1-9-2003 | IslamWeb

Question:

Celebrating birth is not allowed in Islam. I don't celebrate my birthday, but if some non-Muslim friends give a party regarding birthday or invite me what is the Islamic view?

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. It seems that the enquiring brothers know the rulings of Shariah concerning the celebration of birthdays. To make this clearer we would like to say that Islam approves only two feasts there is no third feast. The evidence is the Hadith reported by Imam Abu Dawood from Anas (Radiya Allahu Anhu) that The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) came to Madinah while, people there had two days they played in. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) asked, 'what are these two days?' They said, 'these are two days we used to play in, in our Jahiliyyah'. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said, 'Allah has replaced them with two better days: Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr' . If the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) had known any other Eid surely, he would have informed his companions. In addition, celebrating such an occasion is nothing but an imitation of Kuffars, while a Muslim has to be distinguished from them in all aspects. Imitating Kuffars and trying to look like them is Haram. It may even sometimes drive out from Islam, if there is any sign of love and affection for Kuffar in his heart. If celebrating one's own birthday is not permissible for a Muslim then how would it be permitted to attend the birthday party of a Kafir? So, avoid totally to participate in such birthday celebration whether it is for a Muslim or a Kafir. We pray Allah to bless upon us, guide us to the right path, make us steadfast on the right path and give us death while on the way of Sunnah. Allah knows best.