07-04-2004, 03:20 AM
Wa Alikum As-salaam wa Rahamtu Allah wa Barakatu sister,
Welcome to the forum, insh'a Allah you will benefit from all of us, may Allah (SWT) guide you and all of us Muslims to what's right from wrong, Ameen.
Question: What is the ruling concerning celebrating birthdays?
Response: Celebrating birthdays has no source whatsoever in the pure Sharee'ah. In fact, it is an innovation, since the Messenger of Allaah (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) said:
((Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that does not belong to it shall have that action rejected)). This was recorded by both al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.
In a version recorded by Muslim and by al-Bukhaaree in definitive mu'allaq form:
((Whoever performs a deed which is not in accord with our affairs, that deed is rejected)).
It is well-known that the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) did not celebrate his birthday at all during his lifetime nor did he ever order it to be celebrated. Nor did he teach such to his Companions. Therefore, the rightly-guided caleephs and all of his Companions did not celebrate it. They are the most knowledgeable of the people concerning his sunnah and they are the most beloved to the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam). They were also the most keen upon following whatever the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) brought. Therefore, if one is supposed to celebrate the Prophet's birthday, this would have been made evident at their time.
Similarly, not one of the scholars of the best generations celebrated his birthday nor did they order it to be done. Therefore, it is known from the above that such a celebration is not from the Law that Allaah sent Muhammad (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) with. We ask Allaah and all Muslims to witness that if the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) had done so or ordered such to be done, or even if his Companions had done so, we would rush to do it and call others to do it. This is because, and all praises are due to Allaah, we are the most keen in following his sunnah and respecting his commands and prohibitions.
We ask Allaah, for ourselves and for all of our brethren Muslims, steadfastness upon the truth, avoiding everything that differs from Allaah's pure Sharee'ah. Verily, He is Generous and Noble.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz
Fataawa al-Mar.ah
Question: What is the ruling regarding celebrating children's birthdays or marriage anniversaries?
Response: There are no (legislated) celebrations in Islaam except the day of Jumu'ah which is the 'Eed of the week, and the first day of Shawwaal is the day of 'Eed al-Fitr and the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah is the day of 'Eed al-Adhaa. And often the day of 'Arafah is called 'Eed for the people of 'Arafah (the ones performing Hajj) and the days of Tashreeq (11th, 12th and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah) are also the days of 'Eed following on from 'Eed al-Adhaa.
As for birthdays of people or children or marriage anniversaries and the like, then all of these have not been legislated and are an innovation.
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen
al-Bid'u wal-Muhdathaat wa maa laa Asla lahu - Page 224;
Fataawa fadheelatush-Shaykh Muhammad as-Saalih al-'Uthaymeen - Volume 2, Page 302
Question: What are "newly invented (introduced) matters" and what is the meaning of this?
Response: This comes from the statement of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam):
((Beware of newly invented matters)), Ahmad, volume 4, page 125
This refers to every innovation people do in the religion of Islaam, whether that innovation is in belief or worship etc. All of which is neither from the Book (of Allaah) nor an established Sunnah from the Messenger of Allaah (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam).Yet they take these things as religious practice and beliefs, worshipping Allaah with them, claiming that they are lawful when they are not.
On the contrary, such acts are prohibited innovations. Examples include calling upon the righteous, be they dead or the living who are not present. This includes taking graves as places of worship, making tawaaf around them, and seeking help from their inhabitants, in the belief that they can intercede for them with Allaah, or lobby Him on their behalf in order to have their requests granted or to relieve them of their troubles. Honouring the birthdays of Prophets and righteous people as holidays and celebrating them. They perform deeds they claim will bring them closer to Allaah, especially on the day or the night of the birthday or even in that month.
There are many other such things, too numerous to mention, be they innovations or superstitions for which Allaah has revelaed no sanction and which have not been confirmed by the Sunnah of Allaah's Messenger (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam). Thus, it is clear from what we have said that some of these newly invented matters are Shirk, like seeking help from the dead and swearing oaths to them. Others are simply innovations and do not reach the level of Shirk, such as building over graves and making places of worship over them, so long as excess therein does not lead to actions which would be considered Shirk.
And with Allaah lies all success and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions.
The Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Fataawa
Fataawa Islaamiyyah - Volume 1, Page 59
http://www.efatwa.com/
Question : what is the evidence on celebrating birthdays,is it allowed in islam?
Answer :
The evidence in the Qur’aan and Sunnah indicates that celebrating birthdays is a kind of bid’ah or innovation in religion, which has no basis in the pure sharee’ah. It is not permitted to accept invitations to birthday celebrations, because this involves supporting and encouraging bid’ah. Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Or have they partners with Allaah (false gods) who have instituted for them a religion which Allaah has not allowed…?” [al-Shoora 42:21]
“Then We have put you (O Muhammad) on a plain way of (Our) commandment. So follow that, and follow not the desires of those who know not. Verily, they can avail you nothing against Allaah (if He wants to puish you). Verily, the zaalimoon (wrongdoers) are awliyaa’ (protectors, helpers, etc.) to one another, but Allaah is the Wali (Protector, Helper) of the muttaqoon (pious).” [al-Jaathiyah 45:18-19]
“Follow what has been sent down unto you from your Lord, and follow not any awliyaa’ (protectors, helpers, etc.) besides Him. Little do you remember!” [al-A’raaf 7:3]
According to saheeh reports, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever does something that is a not part of this matter of ours (i.e., Islam) will have it rejected” (reported by Muslim in his Saheeh); and “The best of speech is the Book of Allaah and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The most evil of things are those which have been newly invented (in religion), and every innovation is a going astray.” There are many other ahaadeeth that convey the same meaning.
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). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) also said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”(/font>
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Fataawa Islamiyyah, 1/115 (www.islam-qa.com)