Can we celebrate our wedding anniversary?

A day is celebrated if it is given superiority over other days by Allah or his Rasool. Wedding anniversaries do not fall under the same category. Also, it is a custom of the non-Muslim and the West which must be strictly opposed. Rasoolullah Sallahu alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said: “Whosoever imitates a nation, he is from them.”

He has also said: “A person will be with the one he loves on the day of Judgement”. By imitating the non-Muslims in their celebration, we are showing inclination and love towards their ways. This should be avoided.

Shaytaan tries his utmost to take one away from the right path. Shah Waliullah Muhaddith Dehlawi says, that the veil of innovated customs is one way Shaytaan deceives people and strays the from the path of truth.

If one argues that by not celebrating, we are showing less love, or happiness then I would refute their claim by saying the following: People in third world countries probably don’t even remember when their birthdays are, let alone their wedding anniversaries. Does this mean they do not value their marriage? or they regard it less important? Or that they have not got their priorities correct?

To fulfil each others rights and to help one another be better Muslims is true happiness in a marriage. If this is achieved then Happiness is achieved. Anniversaries in the west is a way to patch up a rocky relationship. Gifts are exchanged no matter how unstable the relationship maybe.

May Allah guide us all. Aameen

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Mufti Yaseen Shaikh