people tell me happy new year or complements of the season. I really dont know how to reply them So I come up with - thank you. Hilariously, I have heard that a one time olubadan would say, a ki n dupe ara eni as a response.

that isnt the point am trying to make. But I wouldnt mind u telling me a better reply for next time.

In Islam, our festivities are known- Eid l adha and Eid l fitr. any other one is 0verboard and to be avoided, crossing xmas, new year celebrations and their likes out!

Many pple however do not celebrate these but see nothing wrong in saying the wishes. With christmas and new year, we obviously shouldnt be

making wishes But, what about birthdays(even if we are not celebrating them) but only marking them.

let us discuss this pls.

as for me, I just say "same"!

Our society is so intertwined that if you don't great people in certain situations it is taken as an act of outright hostility. This situation becomes more difficult if you are in position of leadership. Personally, I just try to be polite and don't go about screaming Happy New Year or Merry Christmas except as part of routine protocol. If you say you will not greet Christians on their Celebrations, it means you are not living in Nigeria or live as a hermit in the middle of the wilderness.

In summary, I am saying that I acknowledge their greetings but make it clear to them (by being reserved)  that I am not really excited or giddy about their Celebration without any ill-will towards them.

@Ibrosaunks, when you tell them same, u av said what u arent supposed to say. U av wished them what u dont blv in and dats xactly wat i was avoiding.

@maclatunji, sometimes u av to let pple understand what u blv in. If we are to continually avoid d hostile situations, we would be gradually accumulating sins. Am not judging ur situation but it is how i c it generally. It wld surprise me for eg if an old male classmate see me in d future and offers me a handshake. i had allowed myself face d hostile situation and later on, it sure wldnt be a problem cos evry1 wld av bn aware, 'she doesnt shake men'

anyways, am more concerned about birthdays. should they be celebrated?? is it allowed to make wishes only if d celebrations are not done or both are outrightly haram

The point is: i'm not saying "I wish you the same", i'm saying "same"! So they think i'm greeting them, but i'm only saying the word "same"

deols:

@Ibrosaunks, when you tell them same, u av said what u arent supposed to say. U av wished them what u dont blv in and dats xactly wat i was avoiding.

@maclatunji, sometimes u av to let pple understand what u blv in. If we are to continually avoid d hostile situations, we would be gradually accumulating sins. Am not judging your situation but it is how i c it generally. It wld surprise me for eg if an old male classmate see me in d future and offers me a handshake. i had allowed myself face d hostile situation and later on, it sure wldnt be a problem cos evry1 wld av bn aware, 'she doesnt shake men'

Some girls in my class try to force me to shake them at all cost, and they would be like "so you too, ur alfa"!

IbroSaunks:

The point is: i'm not saying "I wish you the same", i'm saying "same"! So they think i'm greeting them, but i'm only saying the word "same" ;DSome

hmmmn! I like ur style o!!!

do you celebrate your birthdays?

Deols, I admire your spirit and will not point out some things. It is not a funny situation at all but you try your best not to harm your faith in very trying conditions. It is not always a straightforward affair. As for you not judging, it doesn't really matter .

[url]http://www.islam.tc/cgi-bin/askimam/ask.pl?q=6025&act=view
[/url]

what importance does birthdays have in Islam?And how do we celebrate?

As Salaam Alai Kum, Respected Mufti Saheb, I heard that Islam does not permit us to celebrate birthdays.So one of my cousin doesn't celebrate his birthday or his wife's birthday or his only two year old daughter's birthday and when I wish him on the respective days,he tells me that Islam do not want us to celebrate birthdays and he gives me a lecture about it and tells me that it is a westernized culture or a worldly thing.But when I told one my friend about it she told me that,wishing is not prohibited in Islam neither does Islam say not to wish anyone on their happy day(birthday,wedding anniversary),she said there is nothing wrong in wishing and no where in Islam it says not to wish people.I have a question that is it in Islam to celebrate birthdays and if not can we just wish atleast.I am confused and want to know what does Islam according to Quran and Hadith say about birthdays.Can you please provide me with any authentic support if there is any from Quran or Hadith.May Allah reward you for this,Jazakhalla khairun.Wasalaam Alai Kum.
Answer 6025

July 15, 2002




CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS

It is not necessary that everything the West does is according to logic. The
biggest proof that it is the invention of the west are the song words
without which this function is not complete viz. 'Happy birthday to you.' No
one says, 'Happy birthday celebration' or 'Happy Blessed birthday' or any
other words of this kind. This disease of celebrating birthdays was never
prevalent among Muslims before, but since Muslims started living alongside
the non-Muslims, they have been influenced by them. Birthdays are celebrated
usually at the end of a year and not at the beginning of the year. For
example, if one's birth date is on the 1st of January, then the birthday
will be celebrated on the 1st of January and not the 2nd of January. Now
just ponder, what intelligence is there in celebrating and showing happiness
when a year has decreased in one's life.

During a birthday celebration, candles are lit on a cake, amounting to the
years of the one's life. He extinguishes these candles by blowing them out
and all present clap their hands. Hands are clapped at two occasions only,
one at the time of joy for some achievement of his. Secondly, when someone
acts foolishly, then to mock at him. Here a person is extinguishing the rays
of the years of his life by blowing them out himself. Then this is no
happiness, nor is it any achievement. So the clapping of hands is only for
mocking at this person's stupidity. Ponder that this is a custom and sign of
non-believers. When it is someone's birthday, one year of his life has
decreased, and not increased.

This world is a field to work for the hereafter. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu
?#129;layhi Wasallam)'s Ummah has been sent in this world for a very great
object. The example of this world is like a king who send a few people into
his treasure room saying that shortly he will send them out, so at that time
whatever they will be possessing will be their property. Inside the treasure
room, on one side there are heaps of gold and silver, on another side are
lying pearls and jewels, then at another place in the room, delicious food
and soft beds are arranged. Now some people think that the king may send
them out any minute. They quickly gather the gold, silver, pearls and gems.
They feel they will go out from there and organise the food and beds for
themselves afterwards. There is another group of people who think that they
have just arrived. They feel, 'Let us enjoy the food, then lay down to rest.
After that we will take from the treasures. There is ample time.' So they
eat, sleep and pass their valuable time without taking from the treasures.
Suddenly the king sends everyone out. Now those who had collected the
valuables can enjoy their lives eating and sleeping while those that wasted
their time and did not accumulate anything will begin to regret. Every
moment of this worldly life is very valuable. Here we have to earn for the
long and everlasting life of the hereafter. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu
?#129;layhi Wasallam) has said that after entering into Jannat, the people
of Jannat will not be sorry about anything of this world, except for that
moment which was spent without the remembrance of Allah. It is apparent that
when reward will be granted for remembrance of Allah in this world which is
an abode of actions, then one must surely feel very regretful, that if they
should have spent more time in the remembrance of Allah, they could be
worthy of more rewards.

Hafiz Zain Siqti asked Hafiz Jurjani the reason for swallowing dry flour to
which he replied that when he compared the time of swallowing dry flour and
chewing roti then, in chewing so much time is spent in which say 70 times
Subhanalla can be uttered. Therefore he left eating roti for the last 40
years.

How can it be permissible to waste time by celebrating birthdays and
becoming happy that a big slice of one's life is put behind. This world is a
prison for the believer and a Jannat for the disbeliever. Allah has bought
the life and wealth of the believers for Jannat. This life is a trust of
Allah by us. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ?#129;layhi Wasallam) said, 'A person
will not be able to move from his place, until he does not reply to five
questions:
* How did you spend your life?
* How did you spend your youth?
* Where did you earn your wealth from?
* Where did you spend your wealth?
* How much did you act upon your knowledge?

A person who is concerned of replying to these questions, how can he show
happiness upon the years of his life decreasing? Besides all this, Islam
does not permit waste. This is the reason that the poor of this Ummat will
enter Jannat 500 years before the wealthy, because the wealthy will be
delayed by giving an account of their wealth. By spending on birthday
parties, there is no benefit to Islam nor to the poor. It is stated in a
Hadith the worst Walima feast is the one in which the poor and destitute are
left out and the wealthy are only invited. Another object of the birthday
parties is show. Islam encourages simplicity. By this attitude of show, the
poor feel inferior and deprived and the rich have a superiority complex.
Also, in these gatherings, music, singing, video filming and the taking of
photographs and other un-Islamic and forbidden acts take place. May Allah
Ta?la guide us and protect us from all these evils.

By Moulana Abdul Hamid Ishaq
Principal - Madrasah Arabia Islamia, Azaadville
Edited

Let me contribute my quota to the birthday issue.
Celebrating birthday by inviting friends and family in a ceremonious way is not islamic neither is islam against it, so it is more of a personal thing than religious. in that respect, why can the celebrant celebrate the day by putting smiles on the faces of people especially the less privilege, building a clinic (islamic) to cater for the various health needs of the ummah to me is better than lavishly celebrating Birthday.

thanks azharrudin, but dat scholar didnt address my point. not every1 uses candles and Islam does allow for rest sometimes. is wishing halal or not??

I like to base my belief on proofs without which, i do not act nor condemn. I started to wonder if wishing is alright when I read that the sahabas used to give wishes during anniversaries(expressing occassions that are neither of the two eids) and to me, birthdays fall to that category. I since then wanted to know if saying the wishes is right or wrong.

may Allah guide us aright.

IbroSaunks:

do you celebrate your birthdays?

I never had d conventional birthday But I do a thing or two to mark it. I really wld stop if I am convinced it is haram.But we seem to measure how significant we are to pple if they can remember our birthdays at least. I do care about such things as pple remembering it was my exams day and calling to c how it was. And I reciprocate that too.

olawalebab:

Let me contribute my quota to the birthday issue.
Celebrating birthday by inviting friends and family in a ceremonious way is not islamic neither is islam against it, so it is more of a personal thing than religious. in that respect, why can the celebrant celebrate the day by putting smiles on the faces of people especially the less privilege, building a clinic (islamic) to cater for the various health needs of the ummah to me is better than lavishly celebrating Birthday.

dats like celebrating/marking it. But depending on how u do it, a lot of meaning can be read to it. Imagine that ur day is a way of bringing ur kith and kins together. I think dats just as good as doing somethn for the poor or even better. the point is still, is marking or celebrating it haram or the wishes?? and what proof is there to support your claim.

'Marking' birthday is not haram. The prophet was ask why he normally fast on Monday, he replied: 'I fast to mark my birth day'.

'Marking' birthday is not haram. The prophet was ask why he normally fast on Monday, he replied: 'I fast to mark my birth day'.

Deols, you seem to be trying too hard. There are some things you will never get a uniform answer for. One of such is the issue of celebrating birthdays. If you like celebrate it (within acceptable boundaries), if you like don't. I would really like to see how someone will tell me that marking the day you were born with prayers and sharing quality time with your family and friends or the less privileged is Haram? I am with olawalebab on this one.

On birthday celebration, I'd recommend we get a copy of this book 'Ancient feasts and Modern festivals', can't remember the author now.

On xmas and new year wishes, I think I've been rather lucky. When someone tells me 'merry xmas' or 'happy new year', I just cover up by saying something else that's nice to the person, like commenting on how radiant they look or how good their dress is or just bring up another talk entirely. I've been doing this a lot and so far it's been working for me.

maclatunji:

Deols, [b]you seem to be trying too hard. [/b]There are some things you will never get a uniform answer for. One of such is the issue of celebrating birthdays. If you like celebrate it (within acceptable boundaries), if you like don't. I would really like to see how someone will tell me that marking the day you were born with prayers and sharing quality time with your family and friends or the less privileged is Haram? I am with olawalebab on this one.

I despise that statement, whatever it means.and I wasnt asking for logic, but answers

zayhal:

On birthday celebration, I'd recommend we get a copy of this book 'Ancient feasts and Modern festivals', can't remember the author now.

On xmas and new year wishes, I think I've been rather lucky. When someone tells me 'merry xmas' or 'happy new year', I just cover up by saying something else that's nice to the person, like commenting on how radiant they look or how good their dress is or just bring up another talk entirely. I've been doing this a lot and so far it's been working for me.

I'd like to read that! and lucky you! I hate awkward situations.

@deols

You're using so strong words this morning. 'Despise' 'hate'. what's up? And please be easy on mac.

deols:

I despise that statement, whatever it means.and I wasnt asking for logic, but answers

I'd like to read that! and lucky you! I hate awkward situations.

Okay, sorry for upsetting you- what I mean is this: there are a wide variety of issues that one will not find a singular prevailing rule on. Hence, it is 'Mission Impossible' to find a definitive opinion that 'kills' the rest. You might have to make a decision by agreeing with one of the differing opinions. I am not trying to paint you in bad light. Oya smile- it makes one beautiful.

I talk frankly a lot- it is not meant to hurt, demean or belittle you. I am just giving my honest opinion to a friend. Don't feel offended when a friend tells you what they really think. If you do, you open the door for hypocrites to warm their way into your life by telling you things they know you will like and that is very dangerous.

I know I also said that it doesn't matter whether you judge me or not and that might have been read as being dismissive. It is the truth, Allah is the only one we should care about his judgement.

I am taking the trouble to write this because there is no reason for us to keep clashing over nothing in reality. I find it frustrating!

When I celebrated my 23rd birthday, I had 2 french girls do lovely things to my body. Oh! It was heavenly!

zayhal:

@deols

You're using so strong words this morning. 'Despise' 'hate'. what's up? And please be easy on mac.

Sorry, she cannot help it. It is intrinsic to her beliefs.

@deols, I don't think it can be seen as haram, because no one has categorically shown me a verse in the quran or an hadeeth that explicitly says so. however, since it is the Sunna of the prophet to mark it by fasting and prayer, it is advisable to imbibe the habit.
since it's in our culture to acknowledge birthdays, I have always marked mine one little way or another. most people consider that the norm. my parents always call me specially to pray for me and all. I also liked it cos it was the one day all year that I felt special, the one time everybody treated me nicely. My day! after my last birthday however, I started to think about it (maybe cos it was the worst ever). what's the point? I'm becoming older and it all seems so fast. it should be a day to reflect on how far I have come in my life. time has just flown by and I need to be able to account for it. the "exam" is coming soon (as I am nearing my death), I should evaluate myself to see if I'm ready rather than celebrate it's iminent arrival. I decided to start spending my birthdays that way. Iono if it'll work though cos I dunno if I can ignore that inner feeling to be special for one day. but I'll certainly try.

@deols plix no vex for my egbon mac

Logic Mind:

Sorry, she cannot help it. It is intrinsic to her beliefs.

back off!

zayhal:

On birthday celebration, I'd recommend we get a copy of this book 'Ancient feasts and Modern festivals', can't remember the author now.

On xmas and new year wishes, I think I've been rather lucky. When someone tells me 'merry xmas' or 'happy new year', I just cover up by saying something else that's nice to the person, like commenting on how radiant they look or how good their dress is or just bring up another talk entirely. I've been doing this a lot and so far it's been working for me.

Muslim AbdulGaffar

An opinion on birthdays

http://revertmuslimah..com/2009/07/ruling-on-celebrating-birthdays-in.html

The following is a ruling by Shaikh Bin Baaz on celebrating birthdays in Islam. Sometimes its just best left to the scholars.

Question: What is the ruling concerning celebrating birthdays?

Response: "Celebrating birthdays has no source whatsoever in the pure shariah. In fact, it is an innovation, since the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 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-Bukhari and Muslim. In a version recorded by Muslim and by al-Bukhari in definitive muallaq form1,

"Whoever performs a deed which is not in accord with our affairs, that deed is rejected."

It is well-known that the Prophet (peace be upon him) 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 caliphs 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 (peace be upon him). They were also the most keen upon following whatever the Prophet (peace be upon him) 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 generations2 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 Allah sent Muhammad (peace be upon him) with. We ask Allah and all Muslims to witness that if the Prophet (peace be upon him) 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 Allah, we are the most keen in following his sunnah and respecting his commands and prohibitions. We ask Allah, for ourselves and for all of our brethren Muslims, steadfastness upon the truth, avoiding everything that differs from Allah's pure shariah. Verily, He is Generous and Noble."

Shaikh Ibn Baz

hmmmn!

i dont get emotional here o, I assure u. D word despise is for real, meaning I truly dont like dat statement. the 'hate' is to express i know a better word for it, but decided to use d milder one.

I wish every1 wldnt think its about maclatunji(for God's sake I dont sulk in d real world let alone keep malice). Many of us are only virtual to each other.I would av told any1 same.

BetaThings:

An opinion on birthdays

http://revertmuslimah..com/2009/07/ruling-on-celebrating-birthdays-in.html

The following is a ruling by Shaikh Bin Baaz on celebrating birthdays in Islam. Sometimes its just best left to the scholars.

Question: What is the ruling concerning celebrating birthdays?

Response: "Celebrating birthdays has no source whatsoever in the pure shariah. In fact, it is an innovation, since the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 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-Bukhari and Muslim. In a version recorded by Muslim and by al-Bukhari in definitive muallaq form1,

"Whoever performs a deed which is not in accord with our affairs, that deed is rejected."

It is well-known that the Prophet (peace be upon him) 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 caliphs 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 (peace be upon him). They were also the most keen upon following whatever the Prophet (peace be upon him) 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 generations2 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 Allah sent Muhammad (peace be upon him) with. We ask Allah and all Muslims to witness that if the Prophet (peace be upon him) 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 Allah, we are the most keen in following his sunnah and respecting his commands and prohibitions. We ask Allah, for ourselves and for all of our brethren Muslims, steadfastness upon the truth, avoiding everything that differs from Allah's pure shariah. Verily, He is Generous and Noble."

Shaikh Ibn Baz

thanks 4 ds

But no one in Islam can get his/her birthday date correct.

Especially those of us born to the right or left sides of the ending of the month or beginning of another, being very far from the 3 days of the full moon.

You know your day of the week, the Islamic calender year, maybe the month [if you are fortunate], thats enough.

After all the messenger's exact birthday date was not known except that we know it was Monday, part of the reasons he fasted [incidentally it was the same day of the week that he died], and we only know that it was the year of the elephant, the incident revealed to him [as] later in Surah Fil.

if celebration of birthday is important, Muhammad [as] should have celebrated him. The companions [ra] would have adopted it, continuing it and passing on the tradition to us.

Muslims are adopting many non beneficial concepts and traditions from the disbelievers, including wedding ring, "the so called id maulud", etc, etc.

Islam is perfect and should be left like that.

We can and must adopt what benefits [eg up to date and efficient and effective like car, planes, and all modern devices like computer, etc as long as it is not for evil as it will not go against the present up to date value of Islam] means of transportation in our lives, even if is a development of the worst of pagans.

if you live in cold climate, you do not put on a sandal in the dead of winter, whereas what is appropriate are well insulated winterized shoes and coat, etc to braze the elements.

Sweetnecta, I don't think I have had a TRUE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION more than twice in my life. I think my first and my seventh. So, it is not like I am addicted to birthday parties and all that. I am not saying celebrating birthdays is important but let us not come and say if you can identify the day you are born, remember it and share love with your family and friends- It is Haram. I might as well argue that if marking your birthday is Haram, the Holy Prophet (SAW) would have outrightly outlawed it irrespective of what the learned scholar as said.

We can argue this for a lifetime, it will still boil down what I have said in my first post in this thread.

^^^^^^^^^^^ Salaamualaykum wa Rahmatullah.

Thanks for the above.

Actually, I was just making a generic statement and if anything a direct statement or response to deols.

However, the idea of your statement that if birthday is haram the messenger [as] would have outlawed it, regardless of what the scholars say needs two points to reflect upon, at least;

the prophet [as] was the scholar in his time and the highest scholar of every period/time from there onward to the end of time. The best of students were the companions [ra], since our belief of him and his companions is different from the belief[s] of the people book[s] on their claimed prophets and their companions. We therefore must look at what Muhammad on his birthday, even on the day of the week he was born, Monday. We know he fasted on mondays, and we know no one truly know his birthday, except the year [the year of the elephant].

The other is that I do not know a companion who celebrated the birthday of Muhammad, or his or her own birthday.

I am neither saying it is haram nor saying i know what it is. But i do now that the fact that the prophet [as] didn't celebrate any on record is enough for me to not waste money on an unnecessary matter. that is different from what was reported about the messenger [as] allowing celebration of the ids with some appropriate singing and drums.

I hope in my future i will have talking drum people beat a little on these occasions.


Islam, to be is about everything that is good, without any possible legislation against it in the Quran, hadith and sunnah whereas no one can draw out a reason to label it unacceptable.

May Allah guide us all. Amin.

Wa Alaykum Salam WarahmatuLlah Wabarakatuhu!

^I knew you were not referring to me, I just decided to engage you- I do that sometimes .

While most scholars generally don't support it, in the end, it's not haram!