Q: Kindly tell us whether celebrating birthdays / wedding anniversaries are haraam or can be celebrated with some precautions.
A: One should refrain from this. Celebrating wedding anniversaries and birthdays is a custom of the kuffaar. As Muslims, we are commanded to refrain from emulating the kuffaar as well as adopting their ways. Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said من تشبه بقوم فهو منهم (the one who emulates a people will be counted from amongst them (in the sight of Allah Ta’ala)).
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)