Celebrating one's birthday under specific circumstances

20-12-2006 | IslamWeb

Question:

I have already submitted this question under reference # 2136010. Please avoid that question as I am submitting the same with correction. What Islam teaches about celebrating birthdays? Secondly some people think that therer is no harm if birthday is celebrated without cake cutting ceremony or the day other then birthday i.e. one or two days before/after. Please comment on this in detail.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

 

We have already issued Fataawa 86137 and 84957 clarifying that it is not permissible for a person to celebrate his birthday, so please refer to them.

The ruling applies whether or not the celebration includes cutting a cake and whether or not this takes place on the very exact birthday, before it or after it. It is not reported that the Prophet or his companions have ever celebrated their birthdays.

Moreover, celebrating the birthday is an imitation of the non-Muslims.

Allaah Knows best.